Hella Horn Installation...

[KellyJoe]

Here's an exhaust clip I did w/ two beeps of the horn at the end and the install drawing. Double check polarity at the car plug (just to be sure I labeled them right) and throw away the relay that comes with the kit. You don't need it. Mount horns and compressor to your liking. I can send along some pics of where/how I installed mine but pics are on home computer. Private me w/ your email address if you want these pics.

 

[nsxtasy]

Is the sound close to the Ferrari horns?

Yes, very much.

For a while, RM Racing was selling actual Ferrari horns for use in the NSX. When they discontinued them, and I tried to get a set from them, they referred me to a Ferrari aftermarket parts specialist. I called that company and they told me that most Ferrari customers get these Hella horns to replace the failed Ferrari horns because they sound so similar. That's where I got my first set (at a price much higher than at Susquehanna).

 

[D'Ecosse]

A couple of questions -

... and throw away the relay that comes with the kit. You don't need it....

There is a relay in the std. circuit - the air compressor is rated at 240W hoever - is the stock relay/wiring adequate for this? The supply is a 20A fuse, so doesn't leave much margin for - 15-20 A demand at 15-12 V.

Also, from the electrical schematic in my '93 manual, it is not apparent how the single alarm horn operates differently from the two main horns: they are all tied together on the output from the relay (power) as well as on the ground side. Similarly the relay appears to energize from either the horn button or the security module providing the ground - no seperate circuit for each, again they are tied together on the ground side of the relay coil.

 

[MiamieNeSeX]

Yes, very much.

For a while, RM Racing was selling actual Ferrari horns for use in the NSX. When they discontinued them, and I tried to get a set from them, they referred me to a Ferrari aftermarket parts specialist. I called that company and they told me that most Ferrari customers get these Hella horns to replace the failed Ferrari horns because they sound so similar. That's where I got my first set (at a price much higher than at Susquehanna).

thanks and you really cant go wrong with the price $37.25 to my door.

Armando

 

[KellyJoe]

A couple of questions -


There is a relay in the std. circuit - the air compressor is rated at 240W hoever - is the stock relay/wiring adequate for this? The supply is a 20A fuse, so doesn't leave much margin for - 15-20 A demand at 15-12 V.

Also, from the electrical schematic in my '93 manual, it is not apparent how the single alarm horn operates differently from the two main horns: they are all tied together on the output from the relay (power) as well as on the ground side. Similarly the relay appears to energize from either the horn button or the security module providing the ground - no seperate circuit for each, again they are tied together on the ground side of the relay coil.

I just stepped out on a limb and tried it. Figured that if I started popping fuses I'd back up and punt. They're just fuses and are cheap protection. No blown fuses as of yet and have had it for several months now. Use horn alot to keep people out of my lane when I happen to occupy it. I just unplugged the main horns, sealed up the connectors and left 'em in place. By plugging into the third horn you have coverage for both horn buttons and security.

 

[nsxtasy]

By plugging into the third horn you have coverage for both horn buttons and security.

Yes, that's the difference between the two horns and the third one.

 

[prova4re]

It sounds great when the alarm goes off. You can pick both of them up at your local auto parts store for 12 to 50 bucks.

 

[spyderman33]

I installed the air horns this weekend.. I only bought the one with two horns and not three.. I installed it almost exactly the same as the picture above behind the spare tire..

It took me about 1.5 hours to do it.. I used the third horn (alarm) on the right side as the power source.. I disconnected the two lower horns and used a small piece of plastic bag then used a zip tie to hold out the water.. Then I hid behind the bumper so you can't see it..

The install was pretty easy if you have everything ready.. I will post a pic soon so you can see how it came out..

It looks pretty professional (and I am not a pro) and it sounds GREAT!!! I tried it out this weekend honking the horn around town and it really catches people.. People can hear you and then stop to look and then they see you.. if you live in a large city, then this is a must have!! even if your car is not a daily driver..

The horns I got are the FIAMMs which are made in Italy.. I am no professional audiophile but they sound pretty damn close to my friend's Ferrari when side by side.. I am sure you can get a audio meter and measure the dB and tone, etc and they will be different but to the untrained ear it sounds damn close.. It sounds good.. well worth the $24.99 at Pep Boy's...

I had a civic about 6 years ago and the NSX sounded exactly like it.. I hated it..

much better..

my wife says it sounds "cute".. from a woman, that is a compliment.

 

[orbusrex]

I know this is an old post, but I just installed my air horns. It was tough finding the space, as I think the photo of the blue ones above had a custom bracket made! (nice work BTW).

So I installed a pair of Blazer Horn dual tone air horns (BH301C). I picked them up for $30 at Autozone. They came with the horns, compressor, air tube and some brackets. They did NOT come with any wires. Luckily I had wire and spade connectors (female) at the house. It also came with a relay which I did not use.

To wire the compressor for power, I cut the connector off the small horn near the drivers headlight. I have an aftermarket alarm so this didn't matter. I ran wire to the compressor and connected it with the female spades. The compressor was mounted on the spare tire bracket, you will see in pics below.

The horns were nounted using a single bolt already on the car. I used one of the included brackets and fabricated a second out of a metal hanger I had laying around. To make the second more stable, I drilled a hole in the back wall and used a screw to hold it down:

Here is a shot with both horns installed:

Here is the final product with the compressor and horns. The compressor isn't mounted the ideal way, but it is functional... note the windshield wiper in the front of the bay. I removed it for asthetics and keep it there for emergencies!:

Here is a shot of the bracket I used... I just drilled holes at each end of it to make it work:

If anyone has suggestions for the compressor, I'd love to hear them. The horns work well and are loud as hell!!

 

[comtec]

I did the airhorn (FIAMM) mod a couple of months ago and i love it. Everything is mostly hidden (in the nose not under the hood) and there is no reason to cut the old horn plugs off.

 

[NSX167]

After years, now 2012, what are the best horns for the aftermarket? Thanks.

 

[cmc140]

I converted to a stebel nautilus based on the following thread.
http://nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115747

It was well worth the money. All I can say is that it's LOUD! Also, there is no delay like on some of the older style air horns.

As per wiring, I also purchased the wiring kit which comes with a relay. So my original horn now powers the relay and the horn gets power directly from the battery.
http://www.amazon.com/Horn-Stebel-Compact-Nautilus-Twin/dp/B003JO2AAC/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_b

 

[NSX167]

thanks for the information, will get one.

 

[AHudson]

Timely update! I just ordered the compact "Hella type" Italian horn from Griots. Have one on a Viper GTS (which was also born with a silly horn) and it's terrific. Should be in for the weekend's project.

I used my stock NSX horn today and an 'unannounced' lane change on top of me, and was semi-embarrassed at how the horn doesn't fit the car's character.

Will update on install.

 

[enkrypt3d]

No videos or sound clips? It would be nice as some ppl dont seem to hear the dinky OEM horn even if I lay on it...

 

[cmc140]

There are a bunch of videos on youtube if you search for stebel nautilus, but it's much louder in person. The horn AHudson posted from Griots looks the same.

Here's a vid I picked because Land Rovers are cool.

<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SHyyo_VEE94?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SHyyo_VEE94?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object>

 

[gt_nfr]

Wait....so your car sounds like a freight train?

 

[comtec]

Think i'm going to change my fiamm horns to the factory ferrari dual horns keeping my current compressor.

 

[whiteNSXs]

After years, now 2012, what are the best horns for the aftermarket? Thanks.

Hellahorny

 

[NSX2play]

After reading all the threads, I went for the Hella OEM style diaphragm horns instead of the air horns because of their durability and OEM look. According to the distributor they are the loudest diaphragm made.

 

[EuroBoutique]

Guys, I have a question on horns and have been debating over replacing the horns on one of my vehicles as it's too quiet.

What kind of horns are the type that those huge lifted 4x4's running?

I was at In/Out and one night and this guy was having a good laugh when he drove by us in our convertible and blasted his horn! It really startled me cuz that thing WAS SUPER LOUD it could wake the dead, no kidding!

Are those air horns or what the heck are those?

 

[SWIFTVISION]

Trucks run large air compressors with tanks.....you can't fit that in an S2000.

 

[NSX167]

Hellahorny

lol, sometimes.

 

[comtec]

Guys, I have a question on horns and have been debating over replacing the horns on one of my vehicles as it's too quiet.

What kind of horns are the type that those huge lifted 4x4's running?

I was at In/Out and one night and this guy was having a good laugh when he drove by us in our convertible and blasted his horn! It really startled me cuz that thing WAS SUPER LOUD it could wake the dead, no kidding!

Are those air horns or what the heck are those?

Air horns probably, there are very loud. The three horn kit that i use is also loud when using only two horns. Of course mine is much higher pitched then the trucks use.


Mike

 

[GO KRT]

I put two Stebel Nautilus horns in my car to replace the two standard diaphragm horns. LOUD !!!!-----and the car sounds more like an exotic sports car now (as it should).....http://www.thompson-automotive.com/Air_Horn.html