Semi-experienced shade tree mechanic here taking some time to tackel some deferred maintenance on my 1991 Formula Red NSX. Had the car since the end of 2020 and finally figured it's time as the weather is no longer freezing here in the PNW. This will include the timing belt, water pump, all seals, LMAs, hoses, valve adjustments, and getting rid of the heavy Comptech competition clutch for something closer to OEM.
First, a pic:
![IMG_0099.jpg IMG_0099.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131182-da4fc9f8ef6eb872a75f7170686b5131.jpg)
I've not done much work on an NSX before save for replacing the cats and shrunken upper windshield molding on my previous NSX. Aside from a few small mods on this lovely Formula Red, I've certainly not done anything approaching major service. Much of my experience wrenching stems from swapping an Honda K24 into my Lotus Exige (since sold) and before that I had only done oil changes. So it's with an over-abundance of misplaced confidence and a smattering of still lingering misguided youth that I dive into this.
With all the items to address, many people told me I should just yank the whole powertrain out along with the subframe. Begrudgingly, I agreed. So I made an engine cradle from scrap wood I had laying around the house:
![IMG_1501.jpg IMG_1501.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131181-39a67b073cc61f7e865155994d0c72ff.jpg)
Then I started removing anything connected to the powertrain. I used the service manual as a loose guide, deviating where I thought was possible to suit my needs (rather, laziness):
![PXL_20230510_224707492.jpg PXL_20230510_224707492.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131183-5c868cb0088f62ec7ae19daee2b31221.jpg)
![PXL_20230510_224729484.jpg PXL_20230510_224729484.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131184-257afe095791c80d5199f194cfe7c754.jpg)
![PXL_20230501_011436298.jpg PXL_20230501_011436298.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131185-6d944783464a0c99d0e20c94b339ced0.jpg)
Some of the electrical connectors probably hadn't come apart in 30 years and definitely put up a fight -- not fun. Eventually, with the car raised up on my humble scissor lift, I was able to lower the car onto the engine cradle, undo the engine mounts and subframe bolts, then lift the car up leaving the entire subframe behind:
![PXL_20230501_011455609.jpg PXL_20230501_011455609.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131189-76f5761a8fef827dbee6f1225c06aec9.jpg)
![PXL_20230513_194610592.jpg PXL_20230513_194610592.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131188-4dc6f3d9b46d0b8c68bef0385d0169c7.jpg)
Was able to squeak it out from underneath with an 1/8" to spare:
![PXL_20230513_195056763.jpg PXL_20230513_195056763.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131187-78c063bd29f57f6c259a4a29f30c643b.jpg)
And now the real work can begin!
![PXL_20230513_195317172.jpg PXL_20230513_195317172.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131186-e1935e6a5f1dcbcb24a1ca41faf94790.jpg)
First, a pic:
![IMG_0099.jpg IMG_0099.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131182-da4fc9f8ef6eb872a75f7170686b5131.jpg)
I've not done much work on an NSX before save for replacing the cats and shrunken upper windshield molding on my previous NSX. Aside from a few small mods on this lovely Formula Red, I've certainly not done anything approaching major service. Much of my experience wrenching stems from swapping an Honda K24 into my Lotus Exige (since sold) and before that I had only done oil changes. So it's with an over-abundance of misplaced confidence and a smattering of still lingering misguided youth that I dive into this.
With all the items to address, many people told me I should just yank the whole powertrain out along with the subframe. Begrudgingly, I agreed. So I made an engine cradle from scrap wood I had laying around the house:
![IMG_1501.jpg IMG_1501.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131181-39a67b073cc61f7e865155994d0c72ff.jpg)
Then I started removing anything connected to the powertrain. I used the service manual as a loose guide, deviating where I thought was possible to suit my needs (rather, laziness):
![PXL_20230510_224707492.jpg PXL_20230510_224707492.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131183-5c868cb0088f62ec7ae19daee2b31221.jpg)
![PXL_20230510_224729484.jpg PXL_20230510_224729484.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131184-257afe095791c80d5199f194cfe7c754.jpg)
![PXL_20230501_011436298.jpg PXL_20230501_011436298.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131185-6d944783464a0c99d0e20c94b339ced0.jpg)
Some of the electrical connectors probably hadn't come apart in 30 years and definitely put up a fight -- not fun. Eventually, with the car raised up on my humble scissor lift, I was able to lower the car onto the engine cradle, undo the engine mounts and subframe bolts, then lift the car up leaving the entire subframe behind:
![PXL_20230501_011455609.jpg PXL_20230501_011455609.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131189-76f5761a8fef827dbee6f1225c06aec9.jpg)
![PXL_20230513_194610592.jpg PXL_20230513_194610592.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131188-4dc6f3d9b46d0b8c68bef0385d0169c7.jpg)
Was able to squeak it out from underneath with an 1/8" to spare:
![PXL_20230513_195056763.jpg PXL_20230513_195056763.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131187-78c063bd29f57f6c259a4a29f30c643b.jpg)
And now the real work can begin!
![PXL_20230513_195317172.jpg PXL_20230513_195317172.jpg](https://www.nsxprime.com/data/attachments/131/131186-e1935e6a5f1dcbcb24a1ca41faf94790.jpg)
Last edited: