Quality minor upgrades

[PghMiller]

I don't know much about auto-mods in any way... that's why I'm asking this question (so please don't be rude and give jackass responses)...

I have a stock 96T, and I don't want to go crazy with the mods (exterior or engine)... BUT I DO kind of want to improve the sound, and I also want a very clean/powerful/quality/responsive drive. I'm getting the Pride Lightweight because I love the sound. I may want to do a little more to further improve the sound..... any advice? (replace the oem air duct scoop?? anything else??)

I'm going to get the type-r hood, because I think it's amazing. (and I may grab a siebon r wing... but I feel that is something I may use for a short time then take off, but it's only $500 so whatever, it would be nice to have to be able to swap on and off as desired)
I'm going to replace either the oem shocks OR oem springs... just to get an inch lower. (I haven't decided which one yet, and there's a whole thread on that so I'll use that thread to help make the decision)

ENOUGH BACKGROUND... ON TO THE QUESTION...
I never would have known that a simple UniFilter would improve the sound and drive quality... so I thank Prime for that quick piece of education. I'll do this as well.
I never would have known that a simple fuel injector cleaning by RC would make such a difference... so thanks Prime for that. I'll do this as well.

What OTHER simple inexpensive things should I know about? That could improve the sound or drive quality? Like "tune-up" type things???
What's this ECU upgrade I keep reading about? Any other things similar to the RC cleaning that I could do?

Think of it this way, if you just bought a 17 yr old NSX with 60k miles and have NO IDEA how well it was taken care of... what are all the "tune-up" things you would definitely do right away??? (and in addition to these basic tune-up items... what EXTRA would you do to improve sound and drive quality?)

 

[PghMiller]

Wow, moderators, you might a well just close/delete this thread.... 100+ nsx owners read and ignored the kind request for advice.

 

[seamus628]

OK, as your from Pittsburgh
HID kit from Steve found in the Vendor thread, and you can install yourself. [h=2]whiteNSXs HID kits[/h]

 

[BTL3.0]

What I your budget? Aside from the important update like water pump, timing belt, coolant hoses, you can add headers. Get some tein springs or swift lowering spring pair with bilstein shocks. Anti sway bar.. etc..
You can get prospeed chipped ecu. Well you send in your ecu, they install for you, ship back to you.. simple.
So much more you can do.

 

[jwmelvin]

+1 very happy I put that HID kit in my car.

FYI, this is what I did after receiving my '97 w/ 35k miles last Fall from my mother, who had followed the maintenance schedule, to get the car up to date and ready for some time at the track:

timing belt, water pump, cam and crank seals, timing belt tensioner, oil cooler o-rings, valve adjustment, valve-cover gaskets and grommets, cam end plugs, vtec gaskets, drive belts, brake master cylinder, front rotors, all brake pads, SS brake lines, coolant resorvoir tank, trans seals + fluid, all hoses, thermostat, main relay, fuel injector cleaning by RC Engineering, fuel filter, clutch master + slave + hose, negative batery cable, alignment, tires, Porsche air scoops for front brakes, CCU maintenance rebuild

 

[JD Cross]

You asked for a comment so I'll jump in.

First can you drive your NSX at the car's limit?
If you can, spend money on suspension, brakes etc. to keep your car challenging you.
If you can't, spend your money learning how to drive your stock NSX at driving schools etc.

Most won't agree with me but I find little value bolting on hoods, wings, and noise, only major cost.
Do what jmelvin has done and get your maintenance perfect.

 

[jaja]

You asked for a comment so I'll jump in.

First can you drive your NSX at the car's limit?
If you can, spend money on suspension, brakes etc. to keep your car challenging you.
If you can't, spend your money learning how to drive your stock NSX at driving schools etc.

Most won't agree with me but I find little value bolting on hoods, wings, and noise, only major cost.
Do what jmelvin has done and get your maintenance perfect.

++1

 

[Honcho]

I completely understand your position- I feel the same way about my 91. From what you wrote, I would suggest two things to vastly improve your power/responsiveness. First is headers. I have the Pride headers on my car and they are great. They are the Fujitsubo-style layout and improved both the sound (deeper and perhaps 10% louder on the stock muffler) and power, especially above 6,000 rpm. I am sure they will work great with Mark's lightweight exhaust, and the price was very reasonable.

Second, I would update your suspension. Your shocks and springs are tired- they are 17 years old! The cheapest route is to get some Bilsteins and use your stock springs. You will not believe the difference. For a little more money you could do the BC coilovers. They are what I use and are a step above the Bils, but a step below a full race coilover like the KW. I track my car however, so I use the extra capability.

Next, I would grab a set of sway bars and urethane bushings. I have the old Comptech 0.75" front and rear and love how neutral they make the car. Not very expensive, but they will help "wake up" the car.

Next, I would completely rebuild your brakes. Maybe $100 in parts, but again you will not believe the difference. One of the reasons I think people bag on the OEM brakes is that they are usually driving on a 20-year old NSX that has never had brake service. All new seals, fluid, etc makes a huge difference and gives you a confidence-inspiring, rock hard pedal.

Finally, I would work on weight reduction. You have a 3.0 T, so this will have a good effect. The muffler, CF hood and CF spoiler are a good start. Also consider CF side scoops (painted Berlina) and the front and rear bumper beams. Also, get rid of your OEM spare tire, as it is well past its service life. Same for tool kit- I just have AAA. I keep the spare and tools for car shows, but other than that I'll take the almost 50 lbs reduction. Depending on your taste and use of the T-roof, you also could do the SOS NSX-R engine cover.

Also, under the parameters you stated (17 yrs old, 60k, no history), I would definitely do the maintenance refresh jwmelvin suggests.

I don't know much about auto-mods in any way... that's why I'm asking this question (so please don't be rude and give jackass responses)...

I have a stock 96T, and I don't want to go crazy with the mods (exterior or engine)... BUT I DO kind of want to improve the sound, and I also want a very clean/powerful/quality/responsive drive. I'm getting the Pride Lightweight because I love the sound. I may want to do a little more to further improve the sound..... any advice? (replace the oem air duct scoop?? anything else??)

I'm going to get the type-r hood, because I think it's amazing. (and I may grab a siebon r wing... but I feel that is something I may use for a short time then take off, but it's only $500 so whatever, it would be nice to have to be able to swap on and off as desired)
I'm going to replace either the oem shocks OR oem springs... just to get an inch lower. (I haven't decided which one yet, and there's a whole thread on that so I'll use that thread to help make the decision)

ENOUGH BACKGROUND... ON TO THE QUESTION...
I never would have known that a simple UniFilter would improve the sound and drive quality... so I thank Prime for that quick piece of education. I'll do this as well.
I never would have known that a simple fuel injector cleaning by RC would make such a difference... so thanks Prime for that. I'll do this as well.

What OTHER simple inexpensive things should I know about? That could improve the sound or drive quality? Like "tune-up" type things???
What's this ECU upgrade I keep reading about? Any other things similar to the RC cleaning that I could do?

Think of it this way, if you just bought a 17 yr old NSX with 60k miles and have NO IDEA how well it was taken care of... what are all the "tune-up" things you would definitely do right away??? (and in addition to these basic tune-up items... what EXTRA would you do to improve sound and drive quality?)

 

[djp5]

I have similar goals for my 93 - keep it in great shape with OEM parts and make a few small mods. For cars this old, you need to think about anything rubber. Of course, everyone knows about the engine belts and hoses, but this also means suspension bushings, ball joint and CV boots, etc. Get under the car and check for cracks and leaks. Replacing worn items should tighten up the handling. Also, tires!

 

[91 X]

Like some have said here already...get the maintenance done first if needed, hoses, belts, etc....then it only takes a few things to make the car look great...I recently bought a bone stock 92 from original owner, for my third time around...first thing I did was take it to Nicks( applied motorsports) for an update on the inside( hoses, etc) then I found some 96 rims on craigslist for cheap and had them refinished ( look brand new now!!!:smile and put the bilsteins on the lower perch...she looks a feels great now....now all I really need is my exhaust ( taitec GT lightweight ) and maybe some HIDs and I'm good...maybe next year or when the tires wear out get some aftermarket rims, but really, the 7 spoke stock rims are hard to beat in the looks and performance dept.

Here is what she looked like when I first went to check her out a couple of weeks ago....



And when I brought her home last week....