Former lurker, NSX owner and current ESC engineer from Michigan
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Former lurker, NSX owner and current ESC engineer from Michigan
Hello Everyone! I have been a long time lurker on this forum reading about the recipe for a "reliable" FD for weekends and occasional HPDEs. A lot of great information here and I think I have a decent idea on where to start.
I also happen to be a former owner of a 91 NSX that I had the pleasure of experiencing through miles of mountain passes and also at HPDEs. I never thought I'd sell that car but I had an amazing opportunity to work for a year in Germany and so I regretfully sold it earlier this year before leaving to Germany. The original plan was for me to buy another NSX when I move back to Michigan this summer, but I think it's time for a change, and time to experience other platforms that love. The rotary engine has always had a special place in my heart and so the plan now is buy an build an FD.
To pay the bills I work as a Traction control/ESC/ABS performance engineer for a major supplier to the big 3 in the US and the ones in Germany, and so my emphasis will primarily be on handling, grip, driveability and "reliability". Hopefully, I can bring my experience of owning the NSX and also as an performance engineer to contribute here.
Here is a quick video of my NSX at ginger man earlier this year.
I also happen to be a former owner of a 91 NSX that I had the pleasure of experiencing through miles of mountain passes and also at HPDEs. I never thought I'd sell that car but I had an amazing opportunity to work for a year in Germany and so I regretfully sold it earlier this year before leaving to Germany. The original plan was for me to buy another NSX when I move back to Michigan this summer, but I think it's time for a change, and time to experience other platforms that love. The rotary engine has always had a special place in my heart and so the plan now is buy an build an FD.
To pay the bills I work as a Traction control/ESC/ABS performance engineer for a major supplier to the big 3 in the US and the ones in Germany, and so my emphasis will primarily be on handling, grip, driveability and "reliability". Hopefully, I can bring my experience of owning the NSX and also as an performance engineer to contribute here.
Here is a quick video of my NSX at ginger man earlier this year.
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Tallahassee
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just watched that whole video. Looks like fun! Always been a big fan of the NSX, and they seem to have really gone up in value. Used to see driver-quality ones go for around $20k.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
And unfortunately they days when they were priced at 20k are long gone. A car similar to mine with 100k miles will easily sell today for 40k if not more and that is why I never pushed the car beyond 7/10 or 8/10. The rarity and the value had gone up so much that there was always the fear of destroying a classic. That said, even at 7/10 it is such a joy to drive with its peculiar midengined dynamics.
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Tallahassee
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It sure was! You really have to drive the a mid-engined car on the racetrack to understand how different they can feel compared to a FR. Driving it on the highway to and from work does absolutely no justice to that beautiful chassis.
And unfortunately they days when they were priced at 20k are long gone. A car similar to mine with 100k miles will easily sell today for 40k if not more and that is why I never pushed the car beyond 7/10 or 8/10. The rarity and the value had gone up so much that there was always the fear of destroying a classic. That said, even at 7/10 it is such a joy to drive with its peculiar midengined dynamics.
And unfortunately they days when they were priced at 20k are long gone. A car similar to mine with 100k miles will easily sell today for 40k if not more and that is why I never pushed the car beyond 7/10 or 8/10. The rarity and the value had gone up so much that there was always the fear of destroying a classic. That said, even at 7/10 it is such a joy to drive with its peculiar midengined dynamics.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks! It sounds like I need to be spending more time to get the FD track reliable compared to the NSX, but the handling itself sounds to be more forgiving (coming from ones who have owned both). For a 25 year old car, the NSX was super reliable on track. I could just bring her in, fill gas and just park it. That said, I am looking forward to the challenge of keeping the FD happy with the best cooling and reliable mods.
Thank you! I am excited too. You can expect an OEM+ build with focus on reliability, handling. Like I saw with the NSX, I believe the FD with its light weight, low CG platform with double A-arm suspension all around has a lot of potent with modern rubber and computer! For now, I am going to keep reading the build threads and eat up all the useful information.
Last edited by _Ravi__; 03-22-18 at 04:28 AM.
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Lees Summit, MO
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting that you went from NSX to RX; rear-mid to front-mid. When I blew a gasket on my 94 RX, I got a 2010 Boxster S; opposite move to yours. It's a year now and I still miss the RX for handling. Maybe it's the RX's lower weight, or the double wishbones on four corners, but I think the RX handled better.
What's the weight of the NSX?
What's the weight of the NSX?
#12
Senior Member
I have a supercharged NSX (360 WHP) with a bunch of other mods (brakes, suspension, etc) and an R1 FD. I have tracked both of them. My NSX was extremely twitchy at the limit and very easy to spin. I found the FD to be much more predictable. I still have those cars but recently got a 355 Challenge car that I have driven at Laguna Seca. Now that car is almost perfect for me. Amazingly forgiving on the race track and so much feel through the steering wheel. Like the NSX it just begs for another 150 HP. At least on the NSX there are a bunch of go fast options - not so much for the 355. I wish you luck finding a nice clean FD - they are getting harder to come by. When you do find one you will notice the build quality/materials may be a touch lower than the NSX but the FD handles amazingly well and the power is addictive. They are reliable too if they are not poorly modified.
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Interesting that you went from NSX to RX; rear-mid to front-mid. When I blew a gasket on my 94 RX, I got a 2010 Boxster S; opposite move to yours. It's a year now and I still miss the RX for handling. Maybe it's the RX's lower weight, or the double wishbones on four corners, but I think the RX handled better.
What's the weight of the NSX?
What's the weight of the NSX?
I have a supercharged NSX (360 WHP) with a bunch of other mods (brakes, suspension, etc) and an R1 FD. I have tracked both of them. My NSX was extremely twitchy at the limit and very easy to spin. I found the FD to be much more predictable. I still have those cars but recently got a 355 Challenge car that I have driven at Laguna Seca. Now that car is almost perfect for me. Amazingly forgiving on the race track and so much feel through the steering wheel. Like the NSX it just begs for another 150 HP. At least on the NSX there are a bunch of go fast options - not so much for the 355. I wish you luck finding a nice clean FD - they are getting harder to come by. When you do find one you will notice the build quality/materials may be a touch lower than the NSX but the FD handles amazingly well and the power is addictive. They are reliable too if they are not poorly modified.
Also, your NSX is almost similar to the one I had minus the ivory interior, and your FD's clean look and color is exactly the look I had in mind for mine! So 99 spec front and spoiler with diffuser? I am curious why you didn't go with a full on duckted hood on the FD which requires it more for heat dissipation than the NSX!
BTW, what's local rotary specialist that people take their cars to in Michigan? I was going to take it to Banzai racing over in Ohio or Elite rotary in Chicago to get it tuned or rebuilt, but if there are local shops I would rather take it there!
Last edited by _Ravi__; 04-17-18 at 03:06 AM.
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
And, that's good to hear! I'll definitely being using your services in the future given how reputed your shop is for the rotary community!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post