I’ve been collecting NSX production trivia from various sources for several months and would like to know if any of the statements are incorrect. I'm still refining and editing.
Thanks.
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MANUFACTURING
The NSX is that it is the only car from a major manufacturer that is still built entirely by hand.
All NSX are produced in 1 factory in Tochigi, Japan that was specifically built for the production of NSX’s
The assembly facility was envisioned as one in which the motivation for producing a quality automotive product comes from the people building it rather than being infused from above by management.
The 200 member assembly staff was hand-selected from thousands of applicants.
• To be considered for the team, applicants had to have at least
10 years of Honda manufacturing experience and must have
distinguished themselves as having skills above the average
technician—craftsmanship and attention to detail is of primary
importance.
This plant has no automated conveyor line. Rather, each car is mounted
on a dolly and pushed by hand from one workstation to the next.
• The car is not passed on to the next area until the team is satisfied
that their procedures have achieved the tolerances and goals
required assureing themselves that the work is done to blueprint
specifications. Each assembly station, in effect, also functions
as an inspection station.
Also for each NSX there is only one person that is in charge of building the entire engine from start to finish by hand.
At the end of the assembly process each NSX is driven on a 500-meter indoor track to check for functioning of major controls.
• Then each car is driven for three laps on the Tochigi Proving
Grounds’ high-banked 2 1/2 mile oval. During the test session,
the car is evaluated for braking performance, excessive wind
noise and high-speed stability.
POWERTRAIN
VTEC System (Unique Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control)
• First application in U.S.
• Uses two different cam profiles to improve low-end torque and
high-end power
• Boosts engine performance to more than 90 hp per liter
Variable Volume Induction System
• Improves power and torque by optimizing air induction at all rpm
Direct Ignition (Eliminates distributor)
• Each plug has its own ignition coil, similar to a racing engine
• Delivers stable high voltage to spark plug
Titanium Connecting Rods
• World’s first use in a production car
• Stronger than steel, lightweight -- saves 190 grams
• Reduces reciprocating mass for high-rpm engine operation
• Reducing reciprocating mass allows:
• Increased engine speed, reduced crankshaft stress,
and/or a lighter crankshaft, and generation of less noise,
vibration, and sideways thrust on pistons.
• In the NSX, titanium is said to give a 700 rpm increase in engine
speed over steel connecting rods, a 30 per cent reduction in weight
and enhanced fatigue resistance.
BODY / CHASSIS
World’s first mass produced all-aluminum body 3 different kinds of “exotic” (to the auto industry) aluminum:
1. The cosmetic outer panels are made of a 6083 T4. The temper
comes from the heat dry paint process cooling slowly.
2. The frame is a 5182, and the side sill (rocker) is an extruded 6061 T6.
3. The suspension pieces are forged 6061 T6.
The dies used to put the shape in the hood, fenders and doors have to be polished every few stampings just to keep them clean so the aluminum does not gall, grab or stick to the die.
• Aluminum Unit-Body Construction
• Unit body weighs only 462 lbs — 40% less than steel
• Incorporates unique high-strength extruded-aluminum side sills
• Unique heat treatment ensures surface hardness
• Highly corrosion resistant
• High torsional and bending rigidity
• 60% of all welds in the NSX are done by hand.
• Ectrolyses, bolts used in the NSX to connect different metals or alloys all have a special Dacron coating.
• All-Aluminum Suspension—4-wheel double-wishbone design
• Forged-aluminum suspension arms for strength, low unsprung weight
• Front suspension utilizes unique compliance pivot (limits toe-change in a corner or when riding over road-bumps) for ideal suspension geometry and ride quality 44 lbs lighter than steel
• Four-Channel Anti-Lock Braking; System (ABS) - First production use in U.S.
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Thanks.
------------
MANUFACTURING
The NSX is that it is the only car from a major manufacturer that is still built entirely by hand.
All NSX are produced in 1 factory in Tochigi, Japan that was specifically built for the production of NSX’s
The assembly facility was envisioned as one in which the motivation for producing a quality automotive product comes from the people building it rather than being infused from above by management.
The 200 member assembly staff was hand-selected from thousands of applicants.
• To be considered for the team, applicants had to have at least
10 years of Honda manufacturing experience and must have
distinguished themselves as having skills above the average
technician—craftsmanship and attention to detail is of primary
importance.
This plant has no automated conveyor line. Rather, each car is mounted
on a dolly and pushed by hand from one workstation to the next.
• The car is not passed on to the next area until the team is satisfied
that their procedures have achieved the tolerances and goals
required assureing themselves that the work is done to blueprint
specifications. Each assembly station, in effect, also functions
as an inspection station.
Also for each NSX there is only one person that is in charge of building the entire engine from start to finish by hand.
At the end of the assembly process each NSX is driven on a 500-meter indoor track to check for functioning of major controls.
• Then each car is driven for three laps on the Tochigi Proving
Grounds’ high-banked 2 1/2 mile oval. During the test session,
the car is evaluated for braking performance, excessive wind
noise and high-speed stability.
POWERTRAIN
VTEC System (Unique Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control)
• First application in U.S.
• Uses two different cam profiles to improve low-end torque and
high-end power
• Boosts engine performance to more than 90 hp per liter
Variable Volume Induction System
• Improves power and torque by optimizing air induction at all rpm
Direct Ignition (Eliminates distributor)
• Each plug has its own ignition coil, similar to a racing engine
• Delivers stable high voltage to spark plug
Titanium Connecting Rods
• World’s first use in a production car
• Stronger than steel, lightweight -- saves 190 grams
• Reduces reciprocating mass for high-rpm engine operation
• Reducing reciprocating mass allows:
• Increased engine speed, reduced crankshaft stress,
and/or a lighter crankshaft, and generation of less noise,
vibration, and sideways thrust on pistons.
• In the NSX, titanium is said to give a 700 rpm increase in engine
speed over steel connecting rods, a 30 per cent reduction in weight
and enhanced fatigue resistance.
BODY / CHASSIS
World’s first mass produced all-aluminum body 3 different kinds of “exotic” (to the auto industry) aluminum:
1. The cosmetic outer panels are made of a 6083 T4. The temper
comes from the heat dry paint process cooling slowly.
2. The frame is a 5182, and the side sill (rocker) is an extruded 6061 T6.
3. The suspension pieces are forged 6061 T6.
The dies used to put the shape in the hood, fenders and doors have to be polished every few stampings just to keep them clean so the aluminum does not gall, grab or stick to the die.
• Aluminum Unit-Body Construction
• Unit body weighs only 462 lbs — 40% less than steel
• Incorporates unique high-strength extruded-aluminum side sills
• Unique heat treatment ensures surface hardness
• Highly corrosion resistant
• High torsional and bending rigidity
• 60% of all welds in the NSX are done by hand.
• Ectrolyses, bolts used in the NSX to connect different metals or alloys all have a special Dacron coating.
• All-Aluminum Suspension—4-wheel double-wishbone design
• Forged-aluminum suspension arms for strength, low unsprung weight
• Front suspension utilizes unique compliance pivot (limits toe-change in a corner or when riding over road-bumps) for ideal suspension geometry and ride quality 44 lbs lighter than steel
• Four-Channel Anti-Lock Braking; System (ABS) - First production use in U.S.
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