"I'm going to keep my NSX stock"

[flyingsniffer]

Well, that was the plan. Then this arrived from the USA....

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131021_125551_zpsbf34d7df.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131021_125551_zpsbf34d7df.jpg.html)

What was in there?

First up, a shiny new gearknob - NSX-R titanium original (actually this didn't come in the box but why spoil a good story?)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131029_202647_zps38552b4b.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131029_202647_zps38552b4b.jpg.html)

Next, a nice Advance GT Titanium exhaust

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131029_201612_zps7b2eb9df.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131029_201612_zps7b2eb9df.jpg.html)

Although on the car, I'm awaiting some new hangers as I think it sits too close to the rear valance at the moment. It is a thing of beauty..shame no-one will ever see it!

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131029_202403_zps73ef941f.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131029_202403_zps73ef941f.jpg.html)

But the box of goodies isn't done yet. There's lots more inside...... :-)

[flyingsniffer]

Is this pipe too close to the hanger for the left hand cat? I think so, so some heat proof tape is on the way.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131029_202345_zps8b66039e.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131029_202345_zps8b66039e.jpg.html)

Will get to the corrsion underneath too. I know this car was a daily driver so I suspect it has been used on salty roads.

[Rdevelopments]

Come on Rob, show us what was left inside! Exhaust wise i can only say great minds think alike :)...

[flyingsniffer]

Bas, I shall add to this thread as more of the shiny toys are extracted from the box of fun :D

I hope to have the exhaust out to play tomorrow so I can more fully appreciate the noise. BTW the one I found was built for 97+ cars, so no adapter pipes needed. I'm really impressed with the alignment across the back as it is perfect.

[TheSebringOne]

Very tasty, it looks like Christmas has come early for some! :)

[Senninha]

hahaha, lol, the old "going to keep her stock" decision ... now wheres Geoff when you want to wind somene up ;o)

Zorst looks good, knob looks familiar (oh err missus)

are the other bits internal or external??

[britlude]

'tis a slippery slope..... lol

[flyingsniffer]

hahaha, lol, the old "going to keep her stock" decision ... now wheres Geoff when you want to wind somene up ;o)

Zorst looks good, knob looks familiar (oh err missus)

are the other bits internal or external??

Knob...I tried to convince myself that the knob I had fitted earlier this year looked ok

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20130602_183947_zps8944e2a8.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20130602_183947_zps8944e2a8.jpg.html)

But I ended up hating it: too big, too blue.

Other bits are mostly 'under the skin'. So no carbon spoilers or the like (yet). I do have a second set of wheels and tyres which I'll change as the mood takes me.

For the next round of bits and bobs, let's just say that this picture paints a thousand words on the stock set up....

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/1094975_226212200864253_1202803820_n_zps43a7af66.j pg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/1094975_226212200864253_1202803820_n_zps43a7af66.j pg.html)

[mjames75]

loving the gear knob!

[Senninha]

Ahh, bouncy bits (or less so) ...

On a seperate note, how did you arrange the shipping please? Theres another large order in process for several owners and volume of items is pushing shipping costs north.

Thanx

[flyingsniffer]

Along the right lines.....

As for shipping, I bought bits from several places and had them shipped to a pal of mine in TN who is used to exporting stuff (usually helicopter parts, but the principle is the same). He made the crate up so everything fitted but no bigger and shipped it airfreight into Stansted where I picked it up in a van. It was done as a favour for me, not sure it's replicatable.

The shipping itself was remarkably cost-effective, but there's not much you can do on duty and VAT. I'd recommend the shippers, contact details by PM.

[drmikey]

haha, you've been hanging around with too many boy racers Rob;)

[flyingsniffer]

Yeah Mike, WAY too many :)

[Problem Child]

Yeah Mike, WAY too many :) I said I would keep mine stock.........I started with a gear knob.....one sniff of the crack pipe and thats it....Ariel/ Double DIN unit, Dash, detailing and more detailing, paintwork correction, Wheels upgrade, new tyres, NSX branded fitted cover for the winter, possible new exhaust next spring. Cant stop now!.........there are some bad boys in this owners club

[AR]

Be careful with the exhaust tip, I had a similar exhaust in Ti ages ago and it melted one side of the rear balance, granted it was decated and I had spent a quite some time in the red zone!

[flyingsniffer]

Be careful with the exhaust tip, I had a similar exhaust in Ti ages ago and it melted one side of the rear balance, granted it was decated and I had spent a quite some time in the red zone!
Thanks - I ended up using some aftermarket exhaust rubbers (like these http://www.driftworks.com/uprated-exhaust-hanger-long.html) to give me more clearance on the valance as on stock it was too tight/close.

[flyingsniffer]

And the next few bits out of the box of fun......

NSX-R front anti roll bar (new from Science of Speed)
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131112_191139_zps97e441b4.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131112_191139_zps97e441b4.jpg.html)

NSX-R suspension - used but in great condition
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131112_191158_zps9980ef86.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131112_191158_zps9980ef86.jpg.html)

Here's a pic of the NSF leg in place but not tightened up. Getting the new one in was a helluvalot easier than getting the stock one out!
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131112_191207_zps7399d82f.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131112_191207_zps7399d82f.jpg.html)

Time to enjoy my fillings while I can.

[nobby]

be interesting to see what you think of the NSX-R suspension; have looked at a few sets going on prime over the past year or so even thought about it myself but decided with BC Coilovers in the end as i was concerned about our roads with this setup

some nice mods there for a 'standard car' :)

[flyingsniffer]

No-one seems that interested so just a quick update.

StopTech slotted rotors installed on fronts, with braided brake lines in place. You can't see behind here, but new drop lins installed on the NSX-R anti-roll bar too: £10 each off a bloke on eBay!

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131127_182510_zpsfa49b3d4.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131127_182510_zpsfa49b3d4.jpg.html).
I've decided to send my calipers off for refurb as they were in pretty poor shape. The rears were an absolute b***h to get off and the usual handbrake seizure has been freed off - no wonder it was only marginal at MOT time.

Note the non-standard disc screws. I had to drill all four screws out so I have replaced them with a similar set. I had to tap the holes with an M6 tap to redo the threads.

Once calipers are back, I will finish the fronts and move onto the rear suspension and brake lines.

[nobby]

looking good.

I need to sort out my brakes, what made you go for the stoptech?
was this part of the bundle you got shipped from the US or did you buy the discs somewhere within the UK?

Im interested in your wee project so keep the updates coming!

:)

[Senninha]

[QUOTE=flyingsniffer;105805

StopTech slotted rotors installed on fronts, with braided brake lines in place.[/QUOTE]

Nice OEM refresh ;0)

are you stopping with just their discs and hoses, or have you the calipers to install as well?

good luck with the R suspension ...

rgds, Paul

[flyingsniffer]

My bad! Rotors are PowerSlot not Stoptech. Powerslot work with OEM calipers. I have sent my calipers to Biggred for refurb as they were looking pretty messy and rusty.

At the moment I'll stick with OEM for the calipers. I have heard a rumour that a supplier is working on a new caliper that works with OEM/Powerslot rotors so might go that way in the future.

Brake lines are Goodrich.

3 corners done now, with suspension, brake line done and new rotors in place. The rear suspension is a sonofabitch to get out, but a quick read on Prime shows how to use a piece of 4x2 to help. Not for the fainthearted but it works!

[flyingsniffer]

So, nearly there! Calipers received back from Biggred and installed this afternoon. No1 son corralled into being the footbrake operator while I bled the brakes. Pads are now OEM on rear and Carbone Lorraine RC5 on the front.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131222_165111_zpsqgbgfmby.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131222_165111_zpsqgbgfmby.jpg.html)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131222_165101_zpsr9cdc31b.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131222_165101_zpsr9cdc31b.jpg.html)

A big improvement over what was there before, lots of hours invested but it's all come together in the end. And I now have a few extra tools like a calibrated torque wrench which will no doubt come in handy again.

Final addition is a set of BBS RGR wheels in diamond black with a set of Rays wheels nuts. You can see the ride height change: I had read before somewhere that on NSX-R suspension, the front sits lower than the back which you can see.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/20131222_171834_zpska16xuvk.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/20131222_171834_zpska16xuvk.jpg.html)

[Oh and yes, that is a family of steel giraffes in the background. Don't ask, please]

Just the battery to re-install, suspension geometry to get done and then we'll see how really firm this suspension set up is.....

[nobby]

Have to say she sits a 'bit high' for NSX-R suspension...I would have thought there may have been a slight drop with these but looking well and great job.
Great work on the discs and calipers. Let me know how you get on with the brake pad combo ... was looking at the RC5's as well but CL dont do rears :(
Keep going with the updates!

[britlude]

it might be sitting high if it's just come off the jacks...

def need a picture of the Giraffes and an explanation! after all, you did bring them to our attention... you really want us to ask.... it's subliminal see.... you can't help it!!

[nobby]

that thought had occured to me, but wanted to check just to be sure :)


it might be sitting high if it's just come off the jacks...

[flyingsniffer]

So, for sake of completeness, here is a pic of the calipers etc as it was

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/Mobile%20Uploads/20131113_173435_zpsb0mwxwwt.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20131113_173435_zpsb0mwxwwt.jpg.html)

And Britlude, I did warn you. Hopefully these two photographs and the current weather forecast/recent weather will answer your question!

Mid December:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/Mobile%20Uploads/20131211_121845_zpsjhicux90.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20131211_121845_zpsjhicux90.jpg.html)

Last week:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/Mobile%20Uploads/20131222_101828_zpsbiza5wqp.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20131222_101828_zpsbiza5wqp.jpg.html)

The supplied ground anchors didn't work as advertised (to be fair, only one actually fell over, but the picture is staged fro dramatic effect).

[britlude]

cool, but i'm not sure what the dog makes of it!

[Silver Surfer]

Use the same anchor as that dogs'

SS

[Senninha]

Maybe the dog did it ... he has shifty looking eyes ;o)

[flyingsniffer]

I would put nothing past Rocky, but generally only if there was food involved. And he may be a bit dumb, but I doubt even he would forsee any nutritional value in a metal giraffe.

But it does look a little like he has brought down his own herd of giraffes. I put the picture on FB yesterday and someone accused me of animal cruelty. I think​ they were joking....

[Rdevelopments]

Looking very good Rob! Thanks for the coffee friday was good seeing you!

The calipers looked like new!

[Paul G]

So, for sake of completeness, here is a pic of the calipers etc as it was

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/Mobile%20Uploads/20131113_173435_zpsb0mwxwwt.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20131113_173435_zpsb0mwxwwt.jpg.html)

And Britlude, I did warn you. Hopefully these two photographs and the current weather forecast/recent weather will answer your question!

Mid December:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/Mobile%20Uploads/20131211_121845_zpsjhicux90.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20131211_121845_zpsjhicux90.jpg.html)

Last week:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/flyingsniffer/Mobile%20Uploads/20131222_101828_zpsbiza5wqp.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/user/flyingsniffer/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20131222_101828_zpsbiza5wqp.jpg.html)

The supplied ground anchors didn't work as advertised (to be fair, only one actually fell over, but the picture is staged fro dramatic effect).

Giraffe's are pretty cool, we saw them at a trade show we went to earlier in the year along with a few other animals!

Back to the "stock" NSX, Some nice upgrades that will enhance the drive even more, keep posting.
Cheers
PG

[Sonic]

Very nice car, love the colour. How would you rate the NSX-r suspension? Is it alot stiffer than the standard setup?

[flyingsniffer]

Very nice car, love the colour. How would you rate the NSX-r suspension? Is it alot stiffer than the standard setup?

I've yet to try it in anger (weather and a current inability to drive due to broken limb) but the answer to the second question is.....YES!

[flyingsniffer]

Anyway, a few months later and broken limb on the mend, the NSX was serviced, taxed and MOT'd. Finally took the car out for a dry road run on the local lanes this morning...and it was horrible:(.

On anything other than a perfectly smooth road, the car felt like it was 'porpoising': it was really struggling to get the power down and it was 'bouncing', even at low speeds. The cornering was superb but it just wasn't nice to drive.

Taking the tyre pressures down a bit definitely helped, so it got me thinking. When the Honda engineers designed the NSX-R, they put the car on 17" wheels with 40 profile tyres: I was running 17/18" with 40/35 profiles - so just maybe the sidewall was a major element of the set up, especially as the NSX-R suspension is so stiff.

My next step was to go back to OEM wheels (16"/17", 45/40) - and it was transformed. No noticeable loss of cornering ability and the ride is much, much better. Even the squeaks from the interior all but disappeared.

So it looks like the spacers are going back on and the OEM wheels stay...until a set of NSX-R wheels come up:D

[Nick Graves]

NSXs seem to drive nicer on the little cotton reels anyway (unsprung mass as much as anything else) so perhaps that was also exacerbating the unfortunate effects.

Anyway, the OEMs look way better so no loss there, then!

[AR]

I would put nothing past Rocky, but generally only if there was food involved. And he may be a bit dumb, but I doubt even he would forsee any nutritional value in a metal giraffe.

But it does look a little like he has brought down his own herd of giraffes. I put the picture on FB yesterday and someone accused me of animal cruelty. I think​ they were joking....

Is he an American Bulldog?

IMHO the NSX handles better on 17s.

[flyingsniffer]

Rocky? No, he's a white boxer. He is a rescue dog (found tied up in Welwyn Garden City).

He is a terrible thief and he digs holes in the lawn. But we put up with him as he generally a nice dog. Boxers are great dogs but you need to train them early...and he clearly wasn't.

[AR]

Well by the looks of the picture he landed on all four when he found you, as he looks really well fed and muscular. From the distant he reminds me of my parents old dog abroad, an American Bullldog, Argentinian Dogo mix. Pure white and with a superb demeanour. Long may Rocky continue to innocently misbehave. :-)

[flyingsniffer]

OEM suspension:
12140

NSX-R suspension:
12141

[Rdevelopments]

Shows that the body roll has reduced a lot! How where the new brakes (didn't burn like the old set i hope)?

[flyingsniffer]

Shows that the body roll has reduced a lot! How where the new brakes (didn't burn like the old set i hope)?

It felt much more 'planted' than before. There's a load of pics on http://www.msvtphotography.com/car_trackdays_sn.html (both 14/4/14 sets...I was all over the place in sessions!).

Don't get me wrong: on the road the set up is hard, no getting away from that. But on track, it comes alive.

Brakes were much better! They were still warm but no boiling fluid or smoke.

The funniest moment was when the white Subaru (with red wheels) exploded.

[flyingsniffer]

Anyway, I decided that the exhaust note needed a bit of work. Plus my OEM cats were heavy and had had a life and needed replacing.

So I ordered a set of high flow cats from B-Line Motorsport in the USA. Doing a bit of research they promised no increase in loudness, but more bass tone.

They were very helpful and a couple of weeks later they arrived. Nicely constructed - the promised 'CEL fix' (mine car is OBD II with four O2 sensors - if the downstream sensors detect too much flow they trigger the Check engine light) was actually a small hole in the stainless steel and a collar to take the sensor out of the exhaust stream.

12218

In place

12219

(exhaust at top of pic)

The only thing I'll need to keep an eye os the wire from the bottom O2 sensor runs a bit close to the upper cat, so I might need to insulate this. I couldn't get the bank 1 sensor 2 O2 sensor out so installed the new one I had on the shelf.

Early signs are good: no CEL, a much richer, deeper tone. I have a couple of recordings (before and after) but no idea how to host these.

Need to try it in anger this week.

Other thisn I have done recently is installed 20mm front wheel spacers: I bought some 15mm in the group buy a year or so ago, but these looked like a right fag to change as they needed the studs changing. The 20mm ones just bolt on like the rears. Much better for a lazy bloke like me!

[NoelWatson]

Anyway, I decided that the exhaust note needed a bit of work. Plus my OEM cats were heavy and had had a life and needed replacing.

So I ordered a set of high flow cats from B-Line Motorsport in the USA. Doing a bit of research they promised no increase in loudness, but more bass tone.

They were very helpful and a couple of weeks later they arrived. Nicely constructed - the promised 'CEL fix' (mine car is OBD II with four O2 sensors - if the downstream sensors detect too much flow they trigger the Check engine light) was actually a small hole in the stainless steel and a collar to take the sensor out of the exhaust stream.

12218

In place

12219

(exhaust at top of pic)

The only thing I'll need to keep an eye os the wire from the bottom O2 sensor runs a bit close to the upper cat, so I might need to insulate this. I couldn't get the bank 1 sensor 2 O2 sensor out so installed the new one I had on the shelf.

Early signs are good: no CEL, a much richer, deeper tone. I have a couple of recordings (before and after) but no idea how to host these.

Need to try it in anger this week.

Other thisn I have done recently is installed 20mm front wheel spacers: I bought some 15mm in the group buy a year or so ago, but these looked like a right fag to change as they needed the studs changing. The 20mm ones just bolt on like the rears. Much better for a lazy bloke like me!

Good luck - will be interesting to see if you manage to avoid CEL indefinitely.

[Hagasan]

Good luck - will be interesting to see if you manage to avoid CEL indefinitely.

I think it's the LEV engine that is more susceptible to the CEL than the earlier NA2 one?

[flyingsniffer]

links to sounds - recorded inside my barn with similar position of car/walls, however not scientific!:

titanium exhaust, OEM cats
https://soundcloud.com/user381453128/voice-003-001/s-dZw2A

titanium exhaust, B-Line cats
https://soundcloud.com/user381453128/voice-004/s-scn9O

Apparently the new set up upset one of my wife's horses...ooops!

[Rdevelopments]

Sounds way better with the B-line cats! Love the deeper note!

[nobby]

definitely a deeper tone ... very evident in those clips

You should be happy with that outcome ... she does sound mean :)

[flyingsniffer]

Yeah, it just sounded a bit 'thin' previously. And the additional horsepower will be welcomed. The new cats weigh less too and around a kilo of rust must have come off during removal too...most if into my eyes, despite the use of proper 'Harry Potter' protection specs.

I'm not entirely convinced that it's no louder though :-)

Tomorrow I'll take it for the first run out - see what the subjective assessment is.

[NoelWatson]

I think it's the LEV engine that is more susceptible to the CEL than the earlier NA2 one?

Didn't LEV come out in 2000?

[flyingsniffer]

Mine was a 2000 build/2001 registered with perforated leather so I think it's a 2000MY and a LEV model.

B-Line only offer the cats for '96-'05 models and assure me that through extensive testing they haven't had CELs triggered. But we'll see!

[NZNick]

Didn't LEV come out in 2000?

Yes, the announcement was made on 21/09/99 that all future NSX would have LEV status, both manuals and automatics. The model codes changed to reflect this update, GH took over from E as the chassis prefix for both NA2 and NA1 variants. Later, the code changed to LA, and the final cars had the ABA prefix - all enjoyed LEV status.

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

As mentioned many times on here, whenever buying any exhaust area parts from US, please be aware of the software/hardware differences in many areas comapred to other country spec.

The introduction of OBD2 on NSX was from 95 in US where as for the UK (and very likely to be the same for any European models) spec, it was only from 2002.

Having four O2 sensors doesn't mean you have OBD2 spec NSX and while there were already four O2 sensors from 95+ NSX models in US, UK spec won't see it until 97+ (97 – 01 are not full OBD2).
Not many US vendors are aware of this or even knew about it, not much interest considering the size of the market.


The length/spec of CAT is different and thus, the secondary O2 sensor cable length is also different between US and UK models depending on the spec of your NSX.
Even in US, there is a few mm difference on the NA2 header length depending on the year model.


This is the reason why from time to time when installing the exh area parts (CAT, test pipe, exh back box, etc) from US don't fit quite right due to several mm difference in alignment.

It's not the LEV spec that triggers the CEL.
It's the above software/hardware combination with the signal condition of the secondary O2 sensor.

If your NSX is 2000 model, then very likely to be fine as you are not getting CEL under closed loop control but interesting to see what happens under prolonged open loop mode such as accelerating hard on straight line for long distance such as ¼ miles or testing for top speed.

For UK models, I think it will trigger CEL under hard acceleration for long period if using not sufficient cell CAT on 02+ models unless the secondary sensor head is shifted away somehow.

Kaz

[NoelWatson]

For UK models, I think it will trigger CEL under hard acceleration for long period if using not sufficient cell CAT on 02+ models unless the secondary sensor head is shifted away somehow.

Kaz This was exactly the type of condition that triggered my CEL on my 2004! I recall we even attempted to shield the sensor head but it didn't work

[AR]

I have found 3 different typed of Cats, original spec 3.0, first 3.2 ( 97 t0 2000 ish and 2001 and up. I think that perhaps there was no a model year for the UK or the dealers registered the cars differently. I have even encountered a 3.2 exhaust from a 97, that was a 3.0 exhaust with oem adapters like in the USA when they changed the piping in 95.

[flyingsniffer]

So, in the never-ending quest to continue fiddling with my car, I bought a set of 02+ wheels. Not sure about the front clearance - they came with 225/45 tyres and the looked is a bit too slammed for my liking, we'll see how it performs out on the road.

12265

The wheel centres were a bit manky so I bought a silver carbon fibre skinning kit and some new honda logos and spent the last few nights doing them up. I'm really pleased with them.

12266

[Senninha]

Silver rims on the Imola look so much better IMHO ...

is there any adjustment for the R suspension that you could raise the front slightly? Have the 17's all round improved the ride quality (assuming your set up is from an 02 NSX-R)?

[Rdevelopments]

Love the look of the silver wheels Rob, altough "washi grey" also suits the IOP color very well. I would opt putting 215's on the front as they look a bit chubby at the moment...