Reviving a Red 2002 NSX-T MT with only 27k miles

[RedNa2Owner]

Hi everyone, I thought it would be awesome to join the forum and document our restoration of my *newly purchased* NA2 NSX. The NSX has Rear Passenger impact (no air bag deployment). The NSX is a NF Red, 2002 with low* 27,405 miles (exactly what I have been after). The vehicle has not yet arrived, but I will post photos and document the progress once it does. Many of the parts needed for the restoration, we have in stock but I will need to outsource some others.

UPDATE: 04/13/18
The NSX arrived today and I feel great about this project. The interior is really nice for its year & OEM (except the aftermarket display) and the motor is completely stock, which is what I was really hoping for. The front end and all of the body panels are completely original according to their VIN tags. I can tell the previous owner really took care of her. Also, many of the "take-off" parts (side pillar, LH tail light, quarter panel vent assembly) were included in the NSX's trunk and unaffected (this made my day). I am pretty excited for this restoration!

ARRIVAL PHOTOS-
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Off the tow truck
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[JohnWayne]

I think the previous owner of this car was a prime member, recall seeing photos of a low mileage with left rear damage.
Did you purchase via insurance auction?

Look forward to seeing the progress!

 

[RedNa2Owner]

I think the previous owner of this car was a prime member, recall seeing photos of a low mileage with left rear damage.
Did you purchase via insurance auction?

Look forward to seeing the progress!

Hi there, the vehicle was not purchased from IAAI and it is hit on the RR/R, not the RR/L. I will post photos when it arrives tomorrow. I am sure someone on here may know about this car/owner!

 

[JohnWayne]

Hi there, the vehicle was not purchased from IAAI and it is hit on the RR/R, not the RR/L. I will post photos when it arrives tomorrow. I am sure someone on here may know about this car/owner!

Apologies it was early and I mistyped!
http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showt...-Parts-Backyard-Special-Hood-and-Downforce-CF
I think that may be your car

 

[06_typeS]

In for progress reports. Welcome to the club.

 

[LJSB]

Welcome!

 

[RedNa2Owner]

Thanks for the welcome, the car will be here tomorrow. Advice on the best way to post pics on Prime (without worrying about them expiring) would be appreciated.

 

[Brylek]

Thanks for the welcome, the car will be here tomorrow. Advice on the best way to post pics on Prime (without worrying about them expiring) would be appreciated.

Post them to an external site, like Flickr or Photo Bucket and link them here, this way you also get to share high resolution versions.

Good luck with the project!

 

[RedNa2Owner]

After unloading her from the tow truck and inspecting the RR/R suspension, we found the Upper control arm, Lower control arm and Knuckle need replacing. The Strut assembly and Axle were not affected. I located from our warehouse and gathered the replacement suspension parts (pictured below). Getting this NSX rolling straight will be #1 on our to-do list. The suspension we will be using was previously removed from our 2002 NSX-T donor, with very low miles. After inspection and getting the suspension parts together, we called another tow truck to transport the NSX (it will be stored for a month or so, before we officially begin). Below is several more photos of today's progress (Day 1).

The amount of attention the NSX gets, even while she was on the tow truck, is unreal. There is definitely something special about the NSX, especially to those that know of their existence. Can’t wait to continue...

The replacement parts we will be using for the suspension repair, removed from a 2002 NSX-T donor.
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Transporting her
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Charging up the battery for convenience
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[condumbwerkz]

Congratulations on your purchase and good luck with the repairs. Also, hello from a fellow Sacramentan

 

[RedNa2Owner]

Thank you!! I should give an update since I haven’t posted in 10 days or so. The NSX has been parked in the shop. We have two other projects to finish before we actually start on the NSX. If all goes as planned, then tomorrow we will put them aside and atleast get to repairing her suspension. Not sure exactly when her main work will begin but hopefully by June. I will post progress pics tomorrow as we go along!

 

[anesthesia]

Awesome job, congrats on acquiring her. Where is the shop that your car being repaired?

 

[RedNa2Owner]

Hello and thank you. The NSX will be repaired at our shop which we use for personal work. I will be outsourcing the paint to another shop which I have seen really great paint work from. (2017 NSX-Casino white pearl, 2007 S2000-New formula red). Both cars came out pristine.

 

[RUNDLC]

Welcome! I'm in Elk Grove maybe we can meet up, there's quite a few of us here locally

 

[RedNa2Owner]

When she’s done, heck yeah!

 

[LJSB]

If this is a salvage title, do you need a State(CA) after build, inspection to get title and register?

 

[RUNDLC]

When I rebuilt my Calif titled car, it did need to go thru brake and light inspection.

Everything else is up to the owner to do.

If this is a salvage title, do you need a State(CA) after build, inspection to get title and register?

 

[LJSB]

When I rebuilt my Calif titled car, it did need to go thru brake and light inspection.

Everything else is up to the owner to do.

In NY when rebuilding a salvage vehicle, the DMV has to inspect the repaired vehicle and examine all receipts for the parts used, showing parts origin. This is not a safety exams, that you have to get also. This exam is to verify no stolen parts were used and that the parts are from verified sources. It's no nonsense. Miss one receipt and you don't get your car back until you provide proof. Nothing like that in California?

 

[RUNDLC]

Not to hijack the thread, but in that respect Cali is not quite that bad.

 

[LJSB]

Not to hijack the thread, but in that respect Cali is not quite that bad.

It is relative to a rebuild and especially one that will incorporate any replacement parts which this one needs.


I was really hoping to hear from the OP since it seems this is not his first such project and would know the ropes for this. The parts on this car, read body panel, right inner quarter and right quarter are not all that easy to get new. I wondered how used parts would impact that process in CA or if there was even a process or concern for one. I do rebuild NSX's and it makes a difference for me here in NY on parts acquisition. Makes it tough.

 

[RUNDLC]

When she’s done, heck yeah!

What shop is doing the work for you?

 

[LJSB]

What shop is doing the work for you?

The NSX will be repaired at our shop which we use for personal work. I will be outsourcing the paint to another shop which I have seen really great paint work from. (2017 NSX-Casino white pearl, 2007 S2000-New formula red). Both cars came out pristine.

:smile:

 

[RedNa2Owner]

Hi everyone, this NSX is a cali salvage due to the accident so yes, smog/brake/light will be done. The quarter panel, rear bumper, tail lights and several other parts will most likely be purchased from the dealer. From what I researched, these parts aren’t discontinued for the NSX yet and used is hard to find. The inner structure/ frame I will be using from a parts car that we have. As for inspections- the NSX may be sent to CHP for inspection. (Not all cars are required to go). In Cali, during inspection I will need to provide all of the receipts for the replacement parts that were used but this is not a problem. (Unless I buy a part on ebay or craigslist where a receiot with a VIN is not provided). My concern for this rebuild is the final cost exceeding estimates. Thank you.

 

[RedNa2Owner]

Will officially start and post regular updates soon, hopefully by June!

 

[LJSB]

Hi everyone, this NSX is a cali salvage due to the accident so yes, smog/brake/light will be done. The quarter panel, rear bumper, tail lights and several other parts will most likely be purchased from the dealer. From what I researched, these parts aren’t discontinued for the NSX yet and used is hard to find. The inner structure/ frame I will be using from a parts car that we have. As for inspections- the NSX may be sent to CHP for inspection. (Not all cars are required to go). In Cali, during inspection I will need to provide all of the receipts for the replacement parts that were used but this is not a problem. (Unless I buy a part on ebay or craigslist where a receiot with a VIN is not provided). My concern for this rebuild is the final cost exceeding estimates. Thank you.

Thanks. I though you might have a process like ours here in NY. Ours go to the division of Vehicle Safety and Theft which can be brutal. Looks like a nice car to build.