CTSC Low Boost Ultimatum

I have had a CTSC and...

  • ...love the speed, but wouldn't suggest doing it. Buy another car for more speed.

    Votes: 1 2.2%

  • ...love the speed, and think that there are virtually no drawbacks (on low boost).

    Votes: 37 82.2%

  • ...love the speed, but wish I never went that route since a normal NSX is no fun now

    Votes: 1 2.2%

  • ...speed is ok, but at the end of the day, it's just not worth the time/hassle/etc

    Votes: 6 13.3%
  • Total voters
    45
Ski_Banker

Ski_Banker

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Ok, I understand that this *maybe* should go in the FI section, but I want it to get max exposure to even the guys that don't visit/post often, and it's a topic 90% of us have pondered.

FOR THOSE THAT HAVE GONE THE CTSC ROUTE ONLY:

Any regrets? For those that have had, and lived with, a CTSC for more than 2 years, are you still glad you went that route?

Please post your comments and add to the yay/nay poll. Assume that, for me at least, the issues of daily-driveability and reliability are still VERY important, although a few $k in cost is somewhat less so, as long as engine damage is not a possibility.

In other words, I'm the guy that wants everything about an NSX, plus $10k for more speed, with little/no drawbacks elsewhere.

CTSC owners, or former owners only please!! Thanks!

ski
 
I have been driving a '99 CTSC for over a year now, but I purchased it that way. It has had the CTSC on since 10K miles and has 70K on the clock now. There was engine damage from a bent rod that the previous owner caused by going waaaaay over redline on a blown downshift, but he had the entire engine replaced at 49K miles, and it is still running like a Swiss watch, since I tend not to thrash my cars.

From my perspective, the CTSC is transparent as a power adder. I drove quite a few normally aspirated NSX's, a BBSC NSX, and my CTSC NSX. The BBSC feels like a turbo-charged car to me, while the CTSC feels like any other NSX, but with much greater power. No funny quirks, idles like a sewing machine, no narrow powerband....

Slightly more engine noise, I assume from the SC bearings and the belt being higher over the SC pulley. The mesh carbon engine cover probably contributes to this perception as well as it does not attenuate the engine sounds as much.

The howl from the intake at partially and especially WOT is significantly greater, but I call that a good thing.

Hell yeah, I'd do it again, as long as the setup was done by a reputable shop with experience in CTSC installations on NSX's.
 
I'm interested in the responses to this question also. I am conflicted between spending a lot of money on a repaint and interior refresh versus similar money adding power and living with the car looking like it does now.

I know the paint and interior will continue to wear as I drive the car every day, and wonder how the engine (currently at 106K miles) would wear if I spent the money there instead.
 
I took my car into Acura a few weeks ago to have the bouncing headlight replaced. They gave me a loaner RDX. I drove this thing around and thought "what an awesome little SUV". I really liked it. What I realized I DIDN'T like, was the turbocharger. As small as the turbo in that car is, and as transparent as Honda has tried to make it, you hit the gas, wait a half a second, then there is boost. It is not, a V8. On the RDX, its fine. I would rather have the extra power and the fuel efficiency is welcome. On an NSX, I would not want it.

The thing I LOVE about my CTSC, is that boost response is INSTANT. There is ZERO delay between the time you floor the pedal and boost. The car, essentialy feels the same, but its like the engine grew some serious nuts.

Here are the pros and cons to me:

PROS:

1) Instant power
2) Much more torque, even just off idle
3) Reliable. I have not had any issues other than a minor one mentioned below.
4) sweet whine at full throttle
5) It fits. You don't cut this here or weld that there. You don't see anything blocking vision in your rear-view. It consists of MANY Honda parts, and even comes with a replacement targa cover and a kickass new triangle bar. They thought of everything. It is a COMPLETE kit.

Cons:

1) On an 05 NSX, resale is best when the car is stock. A CTSC kills that.
2) I no longer hear Vtec or that same "growl" I used to hear from the intake. CTSC still sounds good, different, but I miss that NA intake sound.
3) On I would say two or three occasions (over the span of 2 years), when the engine is hot and you shut it off, then come back and start up and drive away, there is a tiny amount of hesitation until you "clear its throat". On one occasion, after a super hot sunny day, the car actually stalled. This has never happened since, so I am not even sure I can blame the CTSC install for it, but I would give the stock engine driveability 100, and this, maybe a 98.

Sometimes I am tempted to do the intercooler, the injectors, pump, pulley, and FIC. But my car runs perfect now, has a lot more power than it used to, and has been very reliable with rock solid AFR's. Its kind of a simple system, there is no real management, but honestly... it works. 375 or so at the rear wheels also keeps everything else reliable.

I don't know if I can go back to an NA NSX now. It just feels anemic to me. I will personally probably not be willing to trade the extra power and torque of a turbo for its slight lag, and I would totally rule out centrifugal superchargers for the same reason. This only leaves the CTSC as a choice for me. For a simple bolt-on, its as good as it gets. I really think Honda should have built it like this, with factory engine management.
 
Last edited:
I have only had mine for about a month and I totally do not regret this upgrade. Wish I had it sooner. Yes it is expensive, but unlike basic bolt on performance upgrades, you can really feel the difference with the SC, especially when the VTEC engages. Although it doesn't produce as much power as the turbo kits, it produces enough power for me, and it's legal in CA. Actually, it seems too fast for the freeways and streets where I live. So I probably need to go to a track already. I personally don't focus on peak horsepower anymore. If it puts a smile on your face, then it's all good.:smile:

Benefits for me include
  • Simple design
  • Good fit and finish
  • Legal in CA
  • Produces power smoothly
  • Engine doesn't explode!

Cons
No intercooler--then the smile would be from :smile:-->:biggrin:
 
Exactly my sentiments what "Turbo2go" (ironic given the topic) said with pros and cons and the fact that is is also CA legal as omega2 noted too.

The only nuisance for me is resolving the spewing issue from the snout discussed elsewhere.
 
I bought a 91 without and a 92 with....NIGHT and DAY....Way to go. Added BOOST/AF gauge for mind sake...
 
One of the best mods iv ever done. If you decide to do it you'll wonder why you waited so long. Just as Turbo2go said its hard to go back to a NA NSX.
The instant power is sooo addicting :biggrin::biggrin:

Good luck and hope you get one! :cool:
 
I've had the CTSC for 3+ years now on a high mileage engine. No problems, no issues: it just works and smogs just fine. It pings a bit on cold nights racing up hills, which is hard to solve without additional engine management.

The only drawback is the $10K. It *IS* the best expense ratio of any modification, but still a high cost of entry for something that, in reality, is silly as a Smartenna.

Drew
/I guess I'm getting old
 
I'm sure the extra HP comes at the expense of fuel consumption. Does anyone have any before/after numbers for that?
 
Not all turbos have lag. I have a LoveFab turbo and I can tell you the power is instantaneous and much more plentiful than a typical SC. I have a friend with a replica Ford GT40 with 550 HP, and we did some 20-80 mph rolls this past weekend. We were dead even. I can't believe my car could keep up since he has so much HP/TQ and his car weighs under 3000 lbs. To each his own regarding SC vs. Turbo, but a properly engineered turbo eliminates any lag. Drive a LoveFab and see for yourself.

TURBO2GO said:
I took my car into Acura a few weeks ago to have the bouncing headlight replaced. They gave me a loaner RDX. I drove this thing around and thought "what an awesome little SUV". I really liked it. What I realized I DIDN'T like, was the turbocharger. As small as the turbo in that car is, and as transparent as Honda has tried to make it, you hit the gas, wait a half a second, then there is boost. It is not, a V8. On the RDX, its fine. I would rather have the extra power and the fuel efficiency is welcome. On an NSX, I would not want it.

The thing I LOVE about my CTSC, is that boost response is INSTANT. There is ZERO delay between the time you floor the pedal and boost. The car, essentialy feels the same, but its like the engine grew some serious nuts.

Here are the pros and cons to me:

PROS:

1) Instant power
2) Much more torque, even just off idle
3) Reliable. I have not had any issues other than a minor one mentioned below.
4) sweet whine at full throttle
5) It fits. You don't cut this here or weld that there. You don't see anything blocking vision in your rear-view. It consists of MANY Honda parts, and even comes with a replacement targa cover and a kickass new triangle bar. They thought of everything. It is a COMPLETE kit.

Cons:

1) On an 05 NSX, resale is best when the car is stock. A CTSC kills that.
2) I no longer hear Vtec or that same "growl" I used to hear from the intake. CTSC still sounds good, different, but I miss that NA intake sound.
3) On I would say two or three occasions (over the span of 2 years), when the engine is hot and you shut it off, then come back and start up and drive away, there is a tiny amount of hesitation until you "clear its throat". On one occasion, after a super hot sunny day, the car actually stalled. This has never happened since, so I am not even sure I can blame the CTSC install for it, but I would give the stock engine driveability 100, and this, maybe a 98.

Sometimes I am tempted to do the intercooler, the injectors, pump, pulley, and FIC. But my car runs perfect now, has a lot more power than it used to, and has been very reliable with rock solid AFR's. Its kind of a simple system, there is no real management, but honestly... it works. 375 or so at the rear wheels also keeps everything else reliable.

I don't know if I can go back to an NA NSX now. It just feels anemic to me. I will personally probably not be willing to trade the extra power and torque of a turbo for its slight lag, and I would totally rule out centrifugal superchargers for the same reason. This only leaves the CTSC as a choice for me. For a simple bolt-on, its as good as it gets. I really think Honda should have built it like this, with factory engine management.
Click to expand...
 
heySkippy said:
I'm sure the extra HP comes at the expense of fuel consumption. Does anyone have any before/after numbers for that?
Click to expand...



MY Trip computers shows my GAS Mileage on an avg day has changed less then 1 mpg....

On a Fun Day 1.5 avg.....


If you not on it WOT all the time. You really wont notice the gas diff.
 
Comptech installed Autorotor low-boost version on my '02 in October '05 with ~12K miles on the odo. I currently have nearly 26k miles on the odo. I'm actually more of a turbo kind of guy but when I evaluated the list of FI options that was CARB legal there was only one candidate.

That said, I have no regrets whatsoever. Daily drivability is exactly like stock. Besides the braided lines and anodized A/N fittings, the installed kit only looks aftermarket if you know what you're looking at/for. As noted above, it comes complete with a new triangle brace and engine cover that allows you to still stow the roof where it originally went.

The only complaint I can see anyone having with this kit is that it may not meet everyone's power requirements and possibly that it's expensive.

J
 

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