To summarize: the more I keep modding my car, the more I wish I had a coupe.
I was at a similar point a few years ago at the bottom of the recession, when 02's were cheap (mid $40-50k range) and wondering if I should just make the move to an 02 for the 6 speed and fixed headlights as it was a far better value than adding both of those to my car. I kinda wish I would have sold so I don't have to have this debate with myself but OTOH it's a fun process and I've learned a lot along the way. I'm also kind of glad I didn't get an 02+ because my goals keep changing, though it would have been nice having a later model car with all the little updates even though my plan was to mod it up and make it mine.
I felt I wasn't getting what I wanted for my car at the time considering the amount of maintenance dollars I put into it due to the higher mileage and paintwork (like shaving the antenna). Now I've done even more maintenance (like the dreaded evaporator!) and the car is really pretty modded with quality parts and I'm not sure what it would be worth "as-is" even if I could find a serious buyer who loved it. Probably the same story, meaning I could not sell without taking a big loss despite the level of parts or care in it and I would have to deal with a bunch of rookies that don't understand how much things cost or what value they bring. The rule is return it to stock for sale purposes... and I don't make the rules! I could pretty easily return the interior carpet and seats to stock among other parts like the wheels if I had to but some things are not so easy like the non-compliance bushings in the rear beam unless I had another NSX ready to swap to and fro. Some of this stuff is hard to get now (STMPO products) or it's hard to do the labor on it so I'd actually love to take all my mods with me if I made a move. Of course I would also be disappointed by a stock NSX, though I could leave on the I/H/E/Injectors/FIC Tune which made 277 WHP (that's like 40-50 WHP more than stock)
So back to the point, I feel like I'm approaching another crossroads bc I have more mods like a refreshed manual steering rack, a 6 speed tranny w/ Type R mainshaft (which would need a new high HP clutch for future turbo), and a full 02 conversion/repaint planned soon. I know if I put those on that there's really no going back so they need to go in a car I want to keep. The longer term plan was/is to then build the engine (keep it 3.0L) and do a small/fast spool custom turbo system to create a more usable powerband.
There are multiple advantages I see for my current goal to build a more lightweight/powerful/02 Type R inspired project car out of a coupe instead of a targa- chief among them being the lower starting weight, rigid chassis, and easy tune-ability with OBDI/ECU/throttle body/cable. The NSX really needs every last HP and every last pound of weight off it to keep up with today's fast cars IMO. Just look at the NSX-R power-to-weight ratio compared to the original NSXs which is already ~25% better, so I would shoot for 35-50% improvement with a medium turbo build.
The weight reduction on my car has made a huge difference (estimating 200 lb reduction right now with another 100 planned) and I can't help thinking that if I had a coupe I could achieve 2650 lbs which would make the car very lively. First I was dying for ITBs and thus kicked myself for having an OBDII car and no throttle cable. Then I did the RDX injectors and tune and hit ITB power levels so those became essentially irrelevant for me but I still wanted to do the BBTB to finish off my NA mini-project which again, the DBW throttle body calibration issue of 95+ roadblocked me. Now it's the same story with the 6 speed tranny bc I wanted to use the 4.23 final drive.
The 6 speed seems like a waste of money if the plan is turbo but the fact remains the 1-2 shift sucks with USDM 5 speed and the JDM gears just don't seem that appealing to me bc a 5 speed is still pretty old tech. I shifted a 6 speed and it's so much smoother, so I really liked it, and the ratios are just so much better since here in TX it's basically all highway driving. I actually wanted to get just the 4.23 final drive installed with it but it adds cost and won't work with 95+ diff, which then adds even more cost and then makes sense to just buy the OSG 4.4+LSD combo at that point. If I had an old coupe the 4.23 would have been an easy go. Plus, I rather like the idea of a 6 speed coupe as you could not buy that from a dealer here except in rare circumstances as we all know... and if you do it with an early coupe you get manual steering. On the flip side it feels dumb to put the 6 speed in a targa bc they are readily available as 97+ cars so nothing special about that.
One thing is for sure: I have grown tired of the pop-ups and no matter what I would either buy an 02 conversion or do the R conversion myself if I bought another NSX. What do you guys think? Should I make a move now or forever hold my peace? I don't think I can ever be a concurrent two NSX guy so trying to think long term happiness here with NSX-monogamy. There are a lot more variables that come into play that are unknown or TBD but this is already a mouthful so let's get the ball rolling! Thought it would make for a fun discussion at least, hopefully I will get some new insight along the way.
I was at a similar point a few years ago at the bottom of the recession, when 02's were cheap (mid $40-50k range) and wondering if I should just make the move to an 02 for the 6 speed and fixed headlights as it was a far better value than adding both of those to my car. I kinda wish I would have sold so I don't have to have this debate with myself but OTOH it's a fun process and I've learned a lot along the way. I'm also kind of glad I didn't get an 02+ because my goals keep changing, though it would have been nice having a later model car with all the little updates even though my plan was to mod it up and make it mine.
I felt I wasn't getting what I wanted for my car at the time considering the amount of maintenance dollars I put into it due to the higher mileage and paintwork (like shaving the antenna). Now I've done even more maintenance (like the dreaded evaporator!) and the car is really pretty modded with quality parts and I'm not sure what it would be worth "as-is" even if I could find a serious buyer who loved it. Probably the same story, meaning I could not sell without taking a big loss despite the level of parts or care in it and I would have to deal with a bunch of rookies that don't understand how much things cost or what value they bring. The rule is return it to stock for sale purposes... and I don't make the rules! I could pretty easily return the interior carpet and seats to stock among other parts like the wheels if I had to but some things are not so easy like the non-compliance bushings in the rear beam unless I had another NSX ready to swap to and fro. Some of this stuff is hard to get now (STMPO products) or it's hard to do the labor on it so I'd actually love to take all my mods with me if I made a move. Of course I would also be disappointed by a stock NSX, though I could leave on the I/H/E/Injectors/FIC Tune which made 277 WHP (that's like 40-50 WHP more than stock)
So back to the point, I feel like I'm approaching another crossroads bc I have more mods like a refreshed manual steering rack, a 6 speed tranny w/ Type R mainshaft (which would need a new high HP clutch for future turbo), and a full 02 conversion/repaint planned soon. I know if I put those on that there's really no going back so they need to go in a car I want to keep. The longer term plan was/is to then build the engine (keep it 3.0L) and do a small/fast spool custom turbo system to create a more usable powerband.
There are multiple advantages I see for my current goal to build a more lightweight/powerful/02 Type R inspired project car out of a coupe instead of a targa- chief among them being the lower starting weight, rigid chassis, and easy tune-ability with OBDI/ECU/throttle body/cable. The NSX really needs every last HP and every last pound of weight off it to keep up with today's fast cars IMO. Just look at the NSX-R power-to-weight ratio compared to the original NSXs which is already ~25% better, so I would shoot for 35-50% improvement with a medium turbo build.
The weight reduction on my car has made a huge difference (estimating 200 lb reduction right now with another 100 planned) and I can't help thinking that if I had a coupe I could achieve 2650 lbs which would make the car very lively. First I was dying for ITBs and thus kicked myself for having an OBDII car and no throttle cable. Then I did the RDX injectors and tune and hit ITB power levels so those became essentially irrelevant for me but I still wanted to do the BBTB to finish off my NA mini-project which again, the DBW throttle body calibration issue of 95+ roadblocked me. Now it's the same story with the 6 speed tranny bc I wanted to use the 4.23 final drive.
The 6 speed seems like a waste of money if the plan is turbo but the fact remains the 1-2 shift sucks with USDM 5 speed and the JDM gears just don't seem that appealing to me bc a 5 speed is still pretty old tech. I shifted a 6 speed and it's so much smoother, so I really liked it, and the ratios are just so much better since here in TX it's basically all highway driving. I actually wanted to get just the 4.23 final drive installed with it but it adds cost and won't work with 95+ diff, which then adds even more cost and then makes sense to just buy the OSG 4.4+LSD combo at that point. If I had an old coupe the 4.23 would have been an easy go. Plus, I rather like the idea of a 6 speed coupe as you could not buy that from a dealer here except in rare circumstances as we all know... and if you do it with an early coupe you get manual steering. On the flip side it feels dumb to put the 6 speed in a targa bc they are readily available as 97+ cars so nothing special about that.
One thing is for sure: I have grown tired of the pop-ups and no matter what I would either buy an 02 conversion or do the R conversion myself if I bought another NSX. What do you guys think? Should I make a move now or forever hold my peace? I don't think I can ever be a concurrent two NSX guy so trying to think long term happiness here with NSX-monogamy. There are a lot more variables that come into play that are unknown or TBD but this is already a mouthful so let's get the ball rolling! Thought it would make for a fun discussion at least, hopefully I will get some new insight along the way.
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I used to love the pop ups and hate the fixed headlights but as the car keeps aging I want to keep renewing it. Plus the real beauty is a 30 lb weight reduction off the front end when combined with the type R hood the downforce is greatly increased (and the R hood with the frog eyes is a great looking combo). It was part of my ~100 lb car diet plan along with manual steering rack, lighter battery, and possible ABS system delete.
