Mk1 NSX specialists

[bedonde]

A relative of mine has a rather rare thing; a one owner sub-10k mile '92 NSX which he has had from new.

Was chatting to him recently about values and seems that he's had it serviced a few times but not regularly - although it comes out annually for an MOT. I reckon it should get a service even if it lies idle, at least annually to keep fluids fresh etc.

I'm not a Honda beard and have no knowledge of NSX specialists (if indeed there are any). We're based in the South West - where should we take it for service work??

[krismccloy]

These seem like the main guys at the moment, Think they service all NA1/NA2 Type R's in UK too.

https://plansperformance.com/

[hkz286]

plans are good, they look after quite a few very special type r NSXs

oop north are vtec direct which have a fair experience in NSXs and have a good reputation.

the absolute best in my opinion is Kaz. He is a member of the NSXCB.co.uk. Have a read of his blog here:

http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/blog.php

the attention to detail is second to none outside of Japan. He has also worked on the R&D of the NSX when it was being designed as well a impressive CV at the top tiers of motorsport.


Sounds like the car will probably need a lot of work. Whilst aesthetically it will be one of the best in the country (if dry stored) they don't really take too well to standing about doing nothing. Seals dry up, joints seize etc as well as needing a cambelt service and water pump etc

nothing insurmountable by any stretch of the imagination, but to make it mechanically perfect will require some work I would of thought

[bedonde]

Thanks for replies, we need someone in the South West ideally, Plans look good but quite a hassle logistically. Does this Kaz chap have a business or is he a private individual? I trawled through the blog but couldn't quite work out whether he is a knowledgeable enthusiast or an engineer with a garage...

[havoc]

Kaz works from home as a private individual, but by reputation his attention to detail is probably second to none, at least in the UK. He mainly takes on bigger projects / refreshes now (which may be what this NSX needs, from the sound of things), rather than small servicing work, and because of the time-taken / attention-to-detail his prices are probably comparable to the other main specialists.

He's based in Bucks, which probably doesn't help.

I've used my local dealership for years (Stratford upon Avon), but that's a mix of long-term trust (pre-NSX and ever since) and convenience. Not sure if that works for your friend (PM me if so and I'll put you in touch), otherwise might be worth registering on NSXCB and asking if anyone has any experience with dealers in the SW...

[dobly]

Torque-GT are in Ashburton, Devon - they import NSX (amongst others) - worth an enquiry IMHO.

[bedonde]

Thread resurrection. Still haven't had this done, but finally prised the car out of storage and it is on my driveway awaiting attention. I'm in touch with a specialist who is quoting just shy of £2k for a cambelt change, spark plugs, all fluids and filters, inc oil, coolant, brake fluid, full inspection and checkover, ABS and clutch bleed etc. No experience with the NSX or service prices, so I have no idea whether that price is competitive or not.

The passenger window has just helpfully failed in the down position, so looks like it needs a regulator (I took off the door card, but was unable to investigate further). They are quoting £522 inc parts to sort that out.

The only names I have are Plans Performance and Norton Way Honda as specialists for these machines. The private indivudual referenced above is probably not an option for us. Any other pointers or experiences of those two? TIA

[havoc]

£2k sounds a little strong for that work...however, if it's not had any major servicing for a while, I'd probably budget 4k and go to town - drop the engine, and do the following:-

- All belts
- All fluids and filters
- Replacement crank pulley (known failure point) plus obtain and install an aftermarket crank pulley shield
- Plugs
- valve clearances
- Replace Lost Motion Assemblies with new style
- Inspect throttle butterfly screws in the VVIS and threadlock them (another known failure point)
- Inspect condition of radiator and ALL (20+) coolant hoses
- Replace water pump
- Replace thermostat while you're there and changing coolant
- Check caliper function / refurb if required
- Check driveshaft condition / seals
- Check condition of exhaust system (full, inc manifolds)
- Inspect CCU board / refurb

Possibly other stuff I've forgotten about...

Kaz would be the man for this, but Plans and Norton Way will both be equally able to help. I've had my local dealer (known for >10 years) do all of the above bar calipers/driveshafts/CCU board on mine (Kaz did those).

I'd guess (!) AT c.£4k all-in, if he sources the parts from mixed locations - Marc Perez or Amayama in Japan / ATR in Austria / Science of Speed in the USA / local dealers here in the UK (some parts are just as cheap if not cheaper, but not many).

[bedonde]

havoc said:

£2k sounds a little strong for that work...however, if it's not had any major servicing for a while, I'd probably budget 4k and go to town - drop the engine, and do the following:-

- All belts
- All fluids and filters
- Replacement crank pulley (known failure point) plus obtain and install an aftermarket crank pulley shield
- Plugs
- valve clearances
- Replace Lost Motion Assemblies with new style
- Inspect throttle butterfly screws in the VVIS and threadlock them (another known failure point)
- Inspect condition of radiator and ALL (20+) coolant hoses
- Replace water pump
- Replace thermostat while you're there and changing coolant
- Check caliper function / refurb if required
- Check driveshaft condition / seals
- Check condition of exhaust system (full, inc manifolds)
- Inspect CCU board / refurb

Possibly other stuff I've forgotten about...

Kaz would be the man for this, but Plans and Norton Way will both be equally able to help. I've had my local dealer (known for >10 years) do all of the above bar calipers/driveshafts/CCU board on mine (Kaz did those).

I'd guess (!) AT c.£4k all-in, if he sources the parts from mixed locations - Marc Perez or Amayama in Japan / ATR in Austria / Science of Speed in the USA / local dealers here in the UK (some parts are just as cheap if not cheaper, but not many).

Thanks for that. I've since discovered a sticker which reveals the cambelt was done in 2013 (400 miles ago!) The £2k quoted by the specialist also includes alternator belt, air-con belt, gear oil, cam cover gaskets in addition to the other stuff mentioned as well as full check and report. I think going to a private individual will be a non-starter for us, can't see him being comfortable with that at all, even if this Kaz fellow has a sterling reputation. I suspect looking at the engine bay, there may be more needed; but that said it, drives pretty well, sounds gorgeous (and stops well too).

Excuse the ignorance but what is a CCU board? Anything to do with the stereo? The Bose radio appears to be dead too.

Edited by bedonde on Monday 27th April 17:00

[havoc]

Climate control unit - board is known to suffer from leaks, shorts and generally wear with time.

Bose - yeah, they do that. There are two schools of thought:- 1) it's a premium system designed for the car, repair it; and 2) it's a 30y.o. design...plenty of better stuff out there now. Worth scouring www.nsxcb.co.uk and www.nsxprime.com for inspiration.

In fact, go through them both anyway:-
- Kaz's posts on nsxcb are great for discussing what maintenance can/should be done to the car, and 'how' to a degree
- the Americans love the car and there are a lot of fabricators / suppliers / discussions about all sorts of things...for example there's a small business that does highly professional steering rack refurbs...one of the few jobs I've not yet done.

[Grandad Gaz]

Are you are referring to Norton Way Honda in Letchworth?

If so, we bought our Honda Accord Tourer from them in 2003. Had it serviced and MOT’d by them for the first 10 years of ownership. No complaints at all in that time. Can’t vouch for something like an NSX, though!

[bedonde]

havoc said:

Climate control unit - board is known to suffer from leaks, shorts and generally wear with time.

Bose - yeah, they do that. There are two schools of thought:- 1) it's a premium system designed for the car, repair it; and 2) it's a 30y.o. design...plenty of better stuff out there now. Worth scouring www.nsxcb.co.uk and www.nsxprime.com for inspiration.

In fact, go through them both anyway:-
- Kaz's posts on nsxcb are great for discussing what maintenance can/should be done to the car, and 'how' to a degree
- the Americans love the car and there are a lot of fabricators / suppliers / discussions about all sorts of things...for example there's a small business that does highly professional steering rack refurbs...one of the few jobs I've not yet done.

I've tried the a/c and it all amazingly seems to work, it even blows almost cold air...
I would like to keep the Bose stereo as the car (IMO) needs to be kept original. There's a car audio repair shop locally which specialises in repairing this kind of stuff so I will give them a shout.

[havoc]

bedonde said:

...as the car (IMO) needs to be kept original.

Agreed. Early model with very low mileage, I wouldn't consider doing anything else.

That said, there are some aftermarket parts which won't detract from originality much:-
- Crank pulley shield isn't a modification, it's just removing one of the few risks of catastrophic failure
- Radiators are ££££ from Honda, but there are a couple of quality alternatives out there which look similar.
- discs and pads, as with many performance cars


Good luck, and let us know how you and your relative get on...

[chrismc1977]

Retro Resus in Bridgwater look after my friends mk1 NSX to a very good level- & he is very particular.

Well worth a look!

[bedonde]

chrismc1977 said:

Retro Resus in Bridgwater look after my friends mk1 NSX to a very good level- & he is very particular.

Well worth a look!

Thank you I'll take a look - Bridgwater is a lot closer for us than Surrey.

[NorthernSky]

If you'd like to exchange a mechanically rock-solid S2000 for the NSX, I would happily offer you this service .

What colour is the NSX, OP?

[bedonde]

NorthernSky said:

If you'd like to exchange a mechanically rock-solid S2000 for the NSX, I would happily offer you this service .

What colour is the NSX, OP?

Well, how can I put this.? Thanks but no thanks.

It's black, I'm not nerdy enough to know which paint code though.

A few pics:






After a quick clean




First time we used the passenger window, it never came back up again.

Door card stripped off ready for a new regulator (probably) when we have found a suitable specialist to take the car in.

Only one wing attacked so far, but comes up extremely well after a light tickle with a DA polisher:
[url]
Can't find service book, but sticker indicates belts done in 2013, 400 miles ago. Now due again, based on time:
|https://thumbsnap.com/Z8iKIWRo[/url][url]
Looks a bit sorry in here but sounds ok when started up:

Edited by bedonde on Monday 4th May 13:15

[chrismc1977]

Blimey- that hasn’t seen a lot of love in recent times.

Have you spoken to Retro Resus yet?

[bedonde]

chrismc1977 said:

Blimey- that hasn’t seen a lot of love in recent times.

Have you spoken to Retro Resus yet?

Not so much unloved; It’s more that it’s been a bit forgotten; so I’m hoping to get it back to its former glory but am not the one holding the purse strings on this one. It will clean up beautifully, although engine bay really needs some tlc.
I’ve started an email conversation with Retro; trouble is we’re needing it done and I think they are on skeleton staff whilst in lockdown - Plans were confident they could pick it up and save us a bit on the window regulator. Out of my hands for now; I await instruction from the owner!

[dobly]

^^^^ The paint code can be found on the drivers door pillar - NH547 iirc.