Conversion: '02 Targa to COUPE Type-R

4 minute(s) of a 52 minute read

Commenting on why I haven't yet and probably won't do a dyno pull...

I was asked recently if I had driven a really tuned turbo NSX and why I didn't go that way as it would have given me better HP/$$. Fair question.

Yes, I drove Armando's turbo-NSX when it was putting out a measly 550HP. OMG. What a freight train. It just pulls and pulls. It takes a moment to make boost, and then its just, plain, gone! With his 700HP tooling around, there is no winning this HP race.

Peak HP is just a single point along a continuum. Whereas the subtle horsepower we went after is a completely different animal. In fact, we're considering lowering the piston compression to allow for more timing on pump gas. So although I lose bragging rights with ultra-high-compression pistons, I gain power and torque across the usable range. And that's the on-going nature of our build process.

Sitting in front of Armando's planet-killer motor, I could always hear the wastegate pop/hiss while bleeding boost, and these noises are very different to the mechanical shriek of an all NA motor. Plus, I wanted to keep the stock look, as it is now. And, as I've maintained, for the street, +/-435HP is p-l-e-n-t-y in a lightened car, with LSD, sticky tires, 4.44 diff, etc... And speaking with tuners before my build, we decided that there are more ways than simply high-HP applications to motivate the NSX to scoot. Specifically, pushing 100% of our 435HP(?) to the ground...HP delivery spread over all the above named systems, as opposed to the engine alone.

Jon recently raced a Skyline R33 in that owner's other great ride...a Jon Martin 3.8L NSX. To everyone's surprise, through 120mph they were dead even. I'm hoping when my RR is delivered, its at least as strong if not a little more so.

My use of the second R is my sarcastic way of jabbing Honda that this is the "R on steroids" they/Mugen should have released...its an R version of the R 

9-14-2008

For unknown reasons, I've been getting increasing inquiries for sale or even trade, if possible. As for sale, when and if someone really needs to have an NSX-R on steroids, they know where to find such a car.

I hadn't originally thought of a trade, but yes, I'm always interested in my next car...though I suspect that we won't find too many folks looking to trade my better-than-new NSX-RR for their needs-some-TLC Dino 246GTS  But there you go. That's the trade.

For a long time, I lusted after a F360/CS (TDF Blue/Red seats). And their prices are now within ~$175K. So I thought that selling/trading an NSX-RR and adding a few dollars would get me into a CS.

Then I drove one. 

OK, that soundtrack is like nothing else we've ever heard. BUT. Even stripped, it weighs about 3,000lbs -- more than my NSX-RR. And, it has about 425HP, the same as this NSX-RR. Plus, a CS is a real handful to drive more 30 minutes. Whereas this NSX-RR could be driven across country, without issue. Hey, did I just talk myself out of a trade for a CS? Probably. This NSX-RR is the CS version Honda should have built. But that's a broken record on this forum.

Currently upgrading the NSX-R carpets and mats to the new product stuff offered from Tom, at MovIt. He saw my NSX-RR and didn't like the old product I had bought and installed years ago. True to his nature, Tom is replacing the old stuff for the new product, at his expense. Wow. He says it will fit a lot better...and make the car go a little bit quicker. JK.

Jon and I agree that its done, for now. Mitch (Master AEM tuner) put the final touches on the new tune after we added DC headers plus made-to-order free flowing cats. Jon says this new tune plus new go-fast parts really helped her breath, adding a whopping 30HP to the motor. I say its actually 31HP. See, Jon's and my motors are unique -- the only 2 of their kind -- and his and mine are identical...except I need +1HP more than him so that I can claim superiority. Sorry Jon. Maybe I'll resort to dyno testing my motor, in Canada, in the middle of their winter.

Finally...arranging transport back to South Florida.

Will post videos and new photos then.