To keep up with my own long standing tradition, I bought and started another project without 'finishing' any of my other projects.


No, I didn't buy a decommissioned Lexus car transport truck and trailer...


I guess you could call this a midlife crisis project car?


So the details:
1994 Acura NSX (NA1)
229000 miles on the odometer (don't know if that's even accurate)
Clean title, though clearly the front end met with something at one point or another
It was an east coast car so all the steel bits are rather rusty. Fortunately the car is mostly aluminum, so it's not as bad as it could be.
No motor or transmission or axles...

I've got an instagram for the build @red_goes_green, but instagram isn't the place for rambling or pondering, that kind of content is much better suited to a forum. And I like y'all so this is the forum it will be on.

 

220,000 miles will take its toll on any car, and while clearly loved by at least one of its owners at some point, others have been less caring.
We'll start at the front and work our way back.

The front bumper, hood, and drivers headlight don't really line up at all. There is an unknown lip (I'm not yet a crazy NSX person who knows random aftermarket parts). Also just visible is the poorly roller front fender. And it's very hard to see here, but the windshield is cracked.


Moving under the hood.
Some kind of radiator shroud was riveted to the core support and then later removed by just cutting it out. New looking Koyo radiator. Poorly installed HID's, one of the boxes is just visible to the right of the ABS reservoir. Valuecraft battery, not bolted down and with poorly installed aftermarket cable ends. BC RACING (woooo, lol) coilover adjuster ***** visible in the cowl shroud. Tow hook cover located on the dash. Not shown: Radiator fan wires are cut(reason unknown), fuse box has the extra accessory fuses populated(who know's what they're connected to), Spare tire(no spare was included).


One more underhood shot.
Carbon Fiber! Someone cared about this car at some point? Unclear if this was pre or post nose bonk.


The interior looks decent for its age/milage. Missing trim on the front corner of the door, worn steering wheel, OE stereo doesn't work (makes weird noises), blower doesn't seem to run (but you can hear the flappy doors moving when changing settings).


Proof of mileage



The drivers seat has seen some things... but again isn't horrific given the use.


And the engine bay.
The engine cover deck lid thing is missing... as are most of the other bits that should be here. More on that later.


And finally the backside.
Another carbon fiber bit (aftermarket spoiler of some kind). Third brake light does not work. Ricer LED taillights (these do work). Rusty rear bumper support and plate mount. Center section of the OE diffuser has been cut out...
Also visible are the strange letters glued to the tires to be sure that you can read that they're FEDERAL 595's from 20' away.


And many other weird little details, like, 'why does't it have a rear sway bar' and 'why does the trunk smell like gas'?

Stay tuned* for the answer to these questions (actually probably not) and for my future plans for this well loved "super car"


* Don't hold your breath, this is likely all I've got for tonight.

 

I'm holding my breath! Can't wait to see how this progresses!

 

OMG YESSSSS

 

Btw, did this come with an OEM hood prop? Inquiring minds would like to know

 

Much excite

 

Interesting!

My late brother had a pristine NSX 3.0l auto, beautiful car, went like the clappers, but they need a certain amount of respect and TLC to last well. I am guessing that you will not be recreating a concours example, but will follow your progress keenly.

 

You're a brave man.

 

Not a miata but exactly what I like to see.
i got a chance to play around with an nsx on backroads once. It really is a sight to see popping out of a corner.
Absolutely timeless bodystyle and red suits it excellently, I love it.
Are you going to stuff a K series into it?

 

How did you know?!?! The "H" lets you know is legit JDM.



Did you take a breath yet? Seems like a long time to wait.

Me too! This has been a dream for some time... and despite it's flaws, so far I'm very happy with the car I ended up with.

LoL, This car will definitely not be showing up at the Quail anytime soon...

I hope its not as bad as it could be...

Good guess on the K and the previous owner actually had a turbo k24 in the car before I bought it. But no, no K swap here... (I actually considered it for a bit as it's even more plug and play than in a Miata)

 

A couple weekends ago, some friends (you know who you are) came by and we poked at the car.

First we started out by lubricating the important bits.


Then we fueled up


and finally we got to work. @EO2K and I removed the HID's and control boxes and replaced them with 9006 bulbs. The HID's made a terrible noise when on and the control boxes were just zip tied in place and the wiring was getting pinched by the popup mechanism (see wire in lower left of image below). It was only a matter of time before these wires were going to short out. I plan on eventually installing some LED bulb replacements, but the halogens will work for now



Fuel tank removed! I really didn't expect to see moss on top of the tank, lol.


While removing the tank, it was noted that one of the wheels is cracked :( I'm not a huge fan of the wheels, so it's not the end of the world, but I had planned on selling them and now they're worth less (worthless?)...

 

Not only is it cracked, it sure looks like it had been 'repaired' and cracked again. I'm impressed that it was holding air!

 

B6 swap is the obvious answer. because of the revs and low end grunt

 

Why not a Geo 1.0 LP2/G10? That's a whole 3 cylinders of fury.

Simplify, and add lightness.

 

Buick 3500.
Reliability is key.

 

A fellow Bay Area resident! Will be following this build with great interest

 

Gotta go for a 13B BP with a weber. Add reliability and environmental friendliness to the package.

 

I gave you the first kitten on this thread.

Oh, that is so cool.

It's high enough mileage and molested enough that any mods you do will only help it.
I wouldn't mod a pristine one of those at all; with yours the sky is the limit.

My choice would stay Honda.
J37A4, Darton sleeves, 8.5 cr forged pistons.
Assimilated by the Borg, a pair of them.

Biggest problem with this is transmission.
I am not aware of any production transverse transaxle that can withstand the torque the above engine could produce.
Maybe a race-oriented box could but they are not friendly for street use.
Still, it would be fun to try...

I've wanted one of those since they came out.
Back when they could be had for 25-35K I really should have purchased one...

You have my respect and admiration, Sir

 

I was able to borrow an EinScan Pro and have started playing around with it.
I was a little concerned that it's intended to work on smaller objects, but initial tests have been promising.

Miata content (first object I tried, I'm pretty sure I could get a much better scan now that I've used it more):


Given a little success I decided to see how it would work with a larger object. This is the front engine mount/cross member from the NSX.


EDIT: test of youtube short embedding works!

And finally gratuitous Honda on Honda action

 

I like how there are 2 Honda motors and 2 Honda vehicles in that garage, and the only place the Venn Diagram overlaps is the Grom