Race To The Clouds – Honda R&D’S ’91 NSX (Part 2)

y >

Race To The Clouds – Honda R&D’S ’91 NSX (Part 2)

Conquering Colorado’s Pikes Peak in a 500hp Le Mans-derived NSX

The paddle-operated, Hewland sequential transmission that's normally paired with the HR28TT wasn't used either and, instead, James saw to it to fit the six-speed gearbox from the TL Type-S into place. Custom shifter cables were made up to complete based upon what James says is a typical, mass-production computer, but with the ability to allow changes to be made to accommodate just about anything, like a twin-turbocharged ALMS powertrain.

The paddle-operated, Hewland sequential transmission that's normally paired with the HR28TT wasn't used either and, instead, James saw to it to fit the six-speed gearbox from the TL Type-S into place.

There's arguably no other race course in the world that’ll compare to Pikes Peak, which hosts the annual International Hill Climb, the second-oldest motorsports event in the country. Here, teams travel from across the globe to compete, doling out hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single race. All of this makes James and company at Honda’s R&D headquarters in Ohio all the more proud for finishing fourth in the Pikes Peak Open Category in a chassis that was completed entirely in-house. Engine modifications, turbo system intercooling and plumbing, the exhaust system, even paint and bodywork, were completed by Honda’s own R&D technicians. Even the electrical system was done on-site, which is based off of an MDX engine wiring harness that was used, James says, because that’s what they had lying around.

James, who plans to return to the mountain later this year along with his team, explains how the program began: “I’ve always had an interest in Pikes Peak, and in 2011 made a proposal [to bring] something new and different to represent Honda at this event,” he says. “I think this project is important to Honda. It represents the spirit of our company.” Indeed it does.

James, who plans to return to the mountain later this year along with his team, explains how the program began: “I’ve always had an interest in Pikes Peak, and in 2011 made a proposal [to bring] something new and different to represent Honda at this event.”

Nsx Suspension Study

Part of what made the first-generation NSX the special car that it's become is its suspension. Ask most NSX owners to explain what makes it so great, though, and they'll likely tell you that “it just is." As it turns out, there's a whole lot more to it than that, and it starts with same sort of doublewishbone configuration up front that your Civic has, only different. The difference is that the NSX's is made of lightweight, forged aluminum and pivots not entirely off of the chassis but off of a compliance pivot that reduces overall weight, bumpsteer, and road absorption. Here, the shock that you feel from the fore-aft movement of plowing over a pothole in your hatchback is dissipated by the compliance pivot that the front of each arm is bolted to. The remainder of the front suspension, like the knuckles, is made out of equally light yet not nearly as durable cast aluminum. Unlike your Civic, out back, the NSX also features upper and lower control arms and adjustable, turn-buckle toe links right from the factory. It's the sort of suspension you wish your Civic had and is the last thing you'd expect from something designed more than two-and-a-half decades ago.

 

Unlike your Civic, out back, the NSX also features upper and lower control arms and adjustable, turn-buckle toe links right from the factory.

Owner Specs

·         Daily Grind: Honda R&D Powertrain Development Engineer

·         Screen Name: James

·         Building Hondas: 13 Years

·         Dream Car: Can’t say

·         Inspiration For This Build: The passion and drive of all Honda associates

·         Future Build: Can’t say