Addressing your Q this way:
All of our product are always built focused on lower wt. lower CoG, better PMI, lower MOI, better efficiency using better material & technology so end-user can feel the improvement all the time. We have a few more upgrades planned besides the steering rack but our motto doesn't always agree with everyone.
For the record, we are "ok" with the oem manual rack but we know it has been a concern in the past(see link below) and there hasn't been a proper solution until now. The sports car demon in us want to see & feel what a lower, variable ratio rack is like made by the best in the business based on a great chassis, thats all. Obviously its not a bang for the buck upgrade.
We are trying to solve a yesterday's problem with today's solution. We are honored to work with MVO to establish a relationship, if this doesn't happen, perhaps our next sports car can benefit.
We have the NSX-R steering wheel and lost 15lbs but that doesn't change the fact the oem ratio is still high. It was a cheap "bang for the buck" approach. Now there is nothing wrong with the slower ratio oem rack if you like it so why fix it when its not broke as many people don't care to improve it so we agree with you, why spend $1k/$2k and gain what? That is the Q you have to answer yourself. We are not here trying to convince you. With all the info posted, how much more superior will this rack be? We have to wait for the MVO assessment to find out. We know enough not to blow any smoke just because "we want it".
>I'm asking because R&D costs for new items are generally absorbed by the vendor to make a profit later.
We are at their mercy. There is no future profit to be made for this car from their perspective. We are lucky they are talking to us. No world class vendor cares for a qty of 100 or 200. This contact was hard to come by thru persistence and over time. If we were a chassis maker like Dallara for a top class racing series, then it makes more sense for them to do what you said but this is not the case here.
>whats in it for us?
we want all the NSX owner to feel what a low ratio, variable steering rack feels like on a great car. Its not sexy HP/dyno/boost/SC/turbo talk so we know it may never take off but thats beside the point. If we make any money, it goes back to develop the next product.
http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showt...r-steering-ratio?highlight=steering+rack+sale