Out with the R8, in with the NSX . . .

[Superfluous]

Five years ago, I set my sights on owning a Gen 2 NSX. I was first on two different dealer lists (the first one fell through because the dealer broke our agreement and insisted upon a substantial premium, and I miraculously was able to grab the first spot on another dealer’s list). I toured the Torrance facility and got up close and personal with several of the tester cars. I planned to visit the factory and watch my particular car being manufactured. However, the endless inexplicable delays took their toll and eroded my passion. When one of the first Gen 2 R8s on American soil became available to me, I jumped ship and purchased the R8.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my R8 over the past three and a half years. It is an awesome car. However, no matter how great any car is, I require change/variety.

Today, I took delivery of a 2019 Nouvelle Blue NSX with the following options:

· Carbon Ceramic Rotors with Red Brake Calipers
· Carbon Fiber Exterior Package
· Carbon Fiber Roof
· Carbon Fiber Engine Cover Carbon Fiber Decklid Spoiler
· Carbon Fiber Interior Sport Package
· Semi-Aniline Full Leather Power Sport Seats
· Back Alcantara Headliner
· ELS Studio Audio and Technology Package w/XM

My R8 is brute force fast and feels fast. In contrast, the NSX’s quickness is rather deceptive. The acceleration is remarkably smooth and, but for the rapidly climbing speedo, I had no idea how quickly the car was accelerating.

I have a question: Is there any way to keep the car in first gear during slow acceleration? Sometimes, I like to run up the RPMs in first gear during a slow start, but in both Track and Sport+, the gearbox quickly rolled over to second. Is there a way to hold it in first, other than by accelerating quickly?

 

[dshinke21]

The car will only downshift into first gear if the car is below about 5mph. The gearbox is tuned so that first gear is strictly a launch gear from very low speeds or a dead stop and 9th gear is tuned for highway efficiency. You will want to drive the car like a 7 speed and get used to treating 2nd gear like its 1st.

The R8 has a 1st gear ratio of 3.13 while the new NSX has a 1st gear ratio of 3.838.

 

[leov]

Just out of curiosity, and for comparison, do you know what the NSX’s 2nd gear ratio is?

 

[Axxlrod]

Welcome to the club.

Acura has locked us out of 1st gear. Can't downshift into it or stay in it. It's 100% controlled by the cpu.

Add downpipes to your NSX, and the sound will will let you know how fas you are accelerating. Best mod you can do.

 

[dshinke21]

Gear Ratios

	NSX	R8	570s	GTR
1st	3.838	3.13	3.98	4.06
2nd	2.433	2.59	2.61	2.30
3rd	1.778	1.88	1.90	1.59
4th	1.428	1.14	1.48	1.25
5th	1.211	0.90	1.16	1.00
6th	1.038	0.88	0.91	0.80
7th	0.881
8th	0.747
9th	0.634
Reverse	2.395	2.65	2.80	3.38
Final Drive	3.583	3.59	3.30	3.70

<tbody>
</tbody>

​

	NSX	918	P1	LaFerrari
1st	3.838	3.91	3.98	3.08
2nd	2.433	2.29	2.61	2.19
3rd	1.778	1.58	1.9	1.63
4th	1.428	1.19	1.48	1.29
5th	1.211	0.97	1.16	1.03
6th	1.038	0.83	0.91	0.84
7th	0.881	0.67	0.69	0.69
8th	0.747	X	X	X
9th	0.634	X	X	X
Reverse	2.395	3.55	2.8	2.79
Final Drive	3.583	3.09	3.31	4.37

<tbody>
</tbody>

Horsepower/Torque

	Gas	Electric	Combined
NSX	500hp 406lb.ft	119hp|20.8% 217lb.ft|45.6%	573hp 476lb.ft
918	608hp 398lb.ft	281hp|31.7% 546lb.ft|57.8%	887hp 944lb.ft
P1	727hp 531lb.ft	177hp|19.6% 192lb.ft|26.6%	903hp 723lb.ft
LaFerrari	789hp 516lb.ft	161hp|16.9% 199-lb.ft|29.9%	950hp 664lb.ft

<tbody>
</tbody>

NSX seems to have gear ratios most comparable to the P1 and the 570s out of everything listed here. Up until 6th gear things are pretty close, from there the big difference is the 3 extra gears of the NSX. Definitely was interesting putting this data together to see it all side by side.

 

[docjohn]

the nsx might beat them all with the highest speed ..............................in reverse...:biggrin:

 

[sled driver]

Superfluous
Sounds like the car at Acura of Tempe. If so I'm sure you got a great deal as they said the sales rep said he had another person interested when they made me a great offer but decided to go with a Casino Wht/ red at a dealer closer to my home. I think that's the most optioned car in the US. Congrats on your purchase.
Jim

 

[Bricks and Bio]

Five years ago, I set my sights on owning a Gen 2 NSX. I was first on two different dealer lists (the first one fell through because the dealer broke our agreement and insisted upon a substantial premium, and I miraculously was able to grab the first spot on another dealer’s list). I toured the Torrance facility and got up close and personal with several of the tester cars. I planned to visit the factory and watch my particular car being manufactured. However, the endless inexplicable delays took their toll and eroded my passion. When one of the first Gen 2 R8s on American soil became available to me, I jumped ship and purchased the R8.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my R8 over the past three and a half years. It is an awesome car. However, no matter how great any car is, I require change/variety.

Today, I took delivery of a 2019 Nouvelle Blue NSX with the following options:

· Carbon Ceramic Rotors with Red Brake Calipers
· Carbon Fiber Exterior Package
· Carbon Fiber Roof
· Carbon Fiber Engine Cover Carbon Fiber Decklid Spoiler
· Carbon Fiber Interior Sport Package
· Semi-Aniline Full Leather Power Sport Seats
· Back Alcantara Headliner
· ELS Studio Audio and Technology Package w/XM

My R8 is brute force fast and feels fast. In contrast, the NSX’s quickness is rather deceptive. The acceleration is remarkably smooth and, but for the rapidly climbing speedo, I had no idea how quickly the car was accelerating.

I have a question: Is there any way to keep the car in first gear during slow acceleration? Sometimes, I like to run up the RPMs in first gear during a slow start, but in both Track and Sport+, the gearbox quickly rolled over to second. Is there a way to hold it in first, other than by accelerating quickly?

Congratulations and enjoy it in the best of health

 

[Superfluous]

Superfluous
Sounds like the car at Acura of Tempe. If so I'm sure you got a great deal as they said the sales rep said he had another person interested when they made me a great offer but decided to go with a Casino Wht/ red at a dealer closer to my home. I think that's the most optioned car in the US. Congrats on your purchase.
Jim

Thanks Jim. Yes, its the Tempe car, and yes I got a great deal.

 

[lucky]

Nice Job Superfluous - Same spec as mine for carbon and interior (although I am all black) enjoy and have fun - rack up the miles on that!

KK

 

[NbyNW]

Another congratulations, enjoy it! It’s a blast.

 

[Sterling Sackey]

Acura has locked us out of 1st gear. Can't downshift into it or stay in it. It's 100% controlled by the cpu.

To be clear, this happens in full manual mode? Can anyone describe the behavior further? Very interesting.

 

[alum04org]

CONGRATS [MENTION=31396]Superfluous[/MENTION] :biggrin:

Hope you are enjoying your blue. Excellent color choice!

 

[FabspeedMotorsport]

Congrats and welcome!

 

[DougieB99]

To be clear, this happens in full manual mode? Can anyone describe the behavior further? Very interesting.

Hi Sterling,

This is Eric Crowder.
I am very familiar with the shifting behavior that the original poster was describing. At first I found it annoying but now it’s second nature.

When in manual shifting mode, gear 2 through 9 act normally with the same driving dynamics of a manual transmission car. However 1st gear is acts differently. If accelerating hard from a stop, the transmission will hold first gear all the way to redline and only shift when commanded by the paddle lever. However if slowly accelerating from a stop or lifting the accelerator pedal while in first gear, the transmission will automatically shift to 2nd without a paddle lever command from the drover.This happens every time and is easy to repeat.

I later learned the reason for this behavior. Gears 2 through 9 are on synchro ring selectors with shift forks , like all DTCs and manual H pattern cars. However first gear is on a “one way clutch” and not a shift fork/syncro. Because of this, if the driver “lifts” in first gear, the car would then “free wheel” which is not desirable, so they programmed the TCM to automatically shift into 2nd gear when the driver lifts, this preventing the car from free-wheeling.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DougieB99]

Hi Sterling,

This is Eric Crowder.
I am very familiar with the shifting behavior that the original poster was describing. At first I found it annoying but now it’s second nature.

When in manual shifting mode, gear 2 through 9 act normally with the same driving dynamics of a manual transmission car. However 1st gear is acts differently. If accelerating hard from a stop, the transmission will hold first gear all the way to redline and only shift when commanded by the paddle lever. However if slowly accelerating from a stop or lifting the accelerator pedal while in first gear, the transmission will automatically shift to 2nd without a paddle lever command from the drover.This happens every time and is easy to repeat.

I later learned the reason for this behavior. Gears 2 through 9 are on synchro ring selectors with shift forks , like all DTCs and manual H pattern cars. However first gear is on a “one way clutch” and not a shift fork/syncro. Because of this, if the driver “lifts” in first gear, the car would then “free wheel” which is not desirable, so they programmed the TCM to automatically shift into 2nd gear when the driver lifts, this preventing the car from free-wheeling.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here’s an interesting document from Honda Japan that developed the NSX 9sp DCT.

http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/5e10d4cfd7b5d/29-1e_10.pdf


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NSXdriver11]

Superfluous,
I almost bought that car Congratulations... I was also looking at a R8-V10. But I love Nouvelle Blue NSX so much I bought one out of town. Heading down to science of speed to do some mods.
Lets put a drive together so.!!!!

 

[alum04org]

Congrats and Welcome!

Superfluous,
I almost bought that car Congratulations... I was also looking at a R8-V10. But I love Nouvelle Blue NSX so much I bought one out of town. Heading down to science of speed to do some mods.
Lets put a drive together so.!!!!

Many happy miles and smiles to you :wink: Share photos and more stories when you drive it?

 

[Sterling Sackey]

Hi Sterling,

This is Eric Crowder.
I am very familiar with the shifting behavior that the original poster was describing. At first I found it annoying but now it’s second nature.

When in manual shifting mode, gear 2 through 9 act normally with the same driving dynamics of a manual transmission car. However 1st gear is acts differently. If accelerating hard from a stop, the transmission will hold first gear all the way to redline and only shift when commanded by the paddle lever. However if slowly accelerating from a stop or lifting the accelerator pedal while in first gear, the transmission will automatically shift to 2nd without a paddle lever command from the drover.This happens every time and is easy to repeat.

I later learned the reason for this behavior. Gears 2 through 9 are on synchro ring selectors with shift forks , like all DTCs and manual H pattern cars. However first gear is on a “one way clutch” and not a shift fork/syncro. Because of this, if the driver “lifts” in first gear, the car would then “free wheel” which is not desirable, so they programmed the TCM to automatically shift into 2nd gear when the driver lifts, this preventing the car from free-wheeling.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great info Eric, thank you. Makes total sense. Hope you are enjoying the car in good health.

 

[drmanny3]

I love the information about our cars. Keep up the good work. Enjoy your new car.

 

[sjp]

We need pictures for this thread. Congratulations!

 

[NsXMas]

Superfluous,
I almost bought that car Congratulations... I was also looking at a R8-V10. But I love Nouvelle Blue NSX so much I bought one out of town. Heading down to science of speed to do some mods.
Lets put a drive together so.!!!!

Congrats!! Are you in Phoenix area? I've had mine since 2017 and know most of the local owners from 2017, but have not met any new owners recently.

We should get together on a meet & greet and possibly a drive as well.

 

[NsXMas]

Thanks Jim. Yes, its the Tempe car, and yes I got a great deal.

Congrats!! Are you in the Phoenix area? I too purchased my car from Acura of Tempe, but in 2017.

Would love to meet & greet as we are possibly one of the smallest owners groups in the area.

 

[NsXMas]

Superfluous
Sounds like the car at Acura of Tempe. If so I'm sure you got a great deal as they said the sales rep said he had another person interested when they made me a great offer but decided to go with a Casino Wht/ red at a dealer closer to my home. I think that's the most optioned car in the US. Congrats on your purchase.
Jim

I too have a Casino White with red calipers. Are you in the Phoenix area? We should get together and meet. Very small group indeed. Will be great to have a get together.

 

[Superfluous]

Congrats!! Are you in the Phoenix area? I too purchased my car from Acura of Tempe, but in 2017.

Would love to meet & greet as we are possibly one of the smallest owners groups in the area.

Thanks. I live in Los Angeles.