Bryan’s Turbo NSX

Photography by Jordan Shiraki

In the last era of automotive excess, the Acura NSX was the last of the 90’s supercars to get the axe. During the 90’s, every major automotive manufacturer was in a race to outdo each other with the integration of aerospace design, turbochargers, and advanced suspension systems into high performance vehicles not seen since the muscle car era in the 70’s. With the Supra, Z32, and FD competing for turbocharged supremacy, the minds at Honda took a different approach. Many considered the Acura NSX as the poor man’s Ferrari (“poor man” being relative with an entrance price tag of over ninety-thousand dollars) with a high output, naturally aspirated V6 , long wheel base, and aluminum aerospace frame.

As with anything, more can always be done to improve even the greatest designs and performance figures. The key is to not throw the balance of the vehicle in the process. This is where most tuners make mistakes by overpowering one particular vehicle system, with the remainder of the vehicle unable to keep up. Balance is key.

Bryan called on FXMD to supply a FX500 turbo kit for the NSX on these pages to produce the power needed to dominate the streets of this NSX’s hometown of Sin City. The FX500 kit has proven itself on racetracks around the country in the FXMD Time Attack NSX also featured on JTuned. The kit utilizes a Garrett GT-40 turbocharger and an HKS FCON V-Pro Engine Management Controller orchestrating engine-firing duties. One of the greatest features of the V-Pro is its ability to operate as a piggy-back or standalone management system making it one of the most flexible ECM’s on the market. FXMD was able to squeeze 552 rear wheel horsepower from this NSX. Most don’t mention torque too often but with 573 ft. lbs. and an extremely flat torque curve, this NSX will leave most cars at a stoplight rather quickly.

To keep all this power planted where it needs to be, on the pavement, KW Variant 3 coilovers were enlisted to maintain traction. The KW V3 dampers are compression and rebound adjustable allowing for low-speed and high-speed adjustability. NSX-R front chassis reinforcement and sway bars are enlisted to reduce roll and flex aiding the dampers in performing correctly. Massive 305 Toyo RA-1’s fitted on Volk CE28N’s keep this NSX planted under boost.

Many rare pieces were sourced to give the NSX the subtlety-menacing look it has. Sorcery Version 2 front fenders matched with Taitec rear fenders give the 305 wide rear rubber room to breathe. Downforce carbon side skirts and rear wing, bLodSign rear diffuser, and JGTC engine induction system round out the exterior upgrades.

News has finally surfaced the new NSX will be competing in the 2010 JGTC GT500 series under a loop hole in the rules that allow “production ready” vehicles to compete. What is Honda stating by bringing the NSX into competition? Is there still hope the new V10 NSX will one day soon grace showrooms? We’ll just have to see.