Okay, so this is one of those threads that sort of crosses over between my ITR ownership and my NSX ownership. I recently had a chance to get some stuff autographed by Shigeru Uehara and he answered a few questions for me about the NSX Type R. Some of the items are also being given to NSXCC members at our next local meet to encourage participation (which has been amazing).

I also have a brochure or two for some special members here who already know who they are.

Without further ado:

Stuff for the NSXCC meet giveaway.


This belongs to Tyrant


Few items I got for myself including the license plate off my R, spark plug cover look close because it's silver on silver, and my NSX glovebox signed.
Camera is blurry not the signature.


Some misc brochures and stuff. Doespike PM me.


Here's the interview I did with Shigeru.

Russ: About the NA1 C30 Type R. Was any extra time spent port and polishing and balancing the engine like the later model or is the Type R C30 exactly the same as every other NA1?

Shigeru: Certainly, we spent extra time on the NA1 C30 Type R engine.That was for balancing work on rotation mass such as piston and connecting rod. We make the scatter of rotation mass on each cylinder less one half than NA1 conventional engine.It could increase the engine response and decreasing the vibration.This is the only one different item on Type R engine.As you may know, this technique is come from racing engine tuning. As for the new NA2 Type R engine, we made balancing one step ahead.Under the condition of connecting crankshaft, clutch cover, and flywheel we realized perfect dynamic balancing same as F1 machine method adding NA1 Type R balancing.Finally we reached to 1/10 balancing accuracy than conventional NSX engine. And reducing engine friction. We got sharp engine response.

Russ: That is very interesting! In all my research I was never able to find a firm answer to that question. I do have a couple of other questions that are equally as mysterious to me and members of NSXPrime, since you invited me to ask. Thank you.

Russ: In the standard NSX an orange or yellow spare wheel was included it has been suggested that it was painted this color because it is a crash safety feature but this feature was deleted on the NA2 NSX R. Was it determined that the actual crash safety was minimal?

Shigeru: The reason of the NA2 Type R having no spare is weight reduction.At that time releasing NA2 Type R Japanese automotive law allowed to use air bombe for flat tire. So we could remove spare tire. Yellow spare tire has not any effect on any safety features.

Russ: Many of the hp/torque gains between the NA1 and NA2 NSX are the result of the different exhaust. Was this exhaust developed on the NA1 R and then later made a standard feature on the standard NA2 or is the NA1 R exhaust the same as a standard NA1 just different exhaust tip?

Shigeru: Type R NA1 exhaust was used just same as nominal 3.0L engine using cast iron.All NA2 engine has stainless exhaust manifold to get more torque and power for the purpose of increased displacement. So all NA1 engines have cast iron exhaust and all NA2 engines have stainless one. Basically we had just 2 types of NA1 and NA2 engines on NSX.

Russ: The NA1 models had a steel rear bumper beam and the NA2 models had an aluminum rear bumper beam. As well the Type R model and all aluminum beams in front and back and in the doors. Are the safety standards the same even though lighter aluminum material was used?

Shigeru: As you know we use aluminum for reducing weight. But we would not reduce the safety level.Type R was the first challenge for using aluminum bumper and door beams then we used them widely on standard model for reducing weight. Basically the aluminum material itself has the same characteristic on strength. So the safety standard would not change both aluminum and steel.We always made a big effort for weight reduction from beginning to ending on NSX project. NSX has finished the production just minas 10kg comparing to early model in spite of a lot of weight demanding at minor change such as wheel size up, brake size up, engine size up, trans mission from 5MT to 6MT and etc. Always for the NSX, the weigh reduction was the most important item.

Russ: Were there 3 versions of the Type S suspension? The original Type S, Zanardi, and NA2 Type S? I understand that the Type S Zero used the NA1R suspension but if there were minor differences between the Type S Zero and NA1R suspension then that would be a fourth version perhaps.

Shigeru: The suspension of the Zanardi version was the same as Type S version and also the same as NA2 Type S suspension. Type S Zero suspension was same as NA1 Type R suspension. So we have 2 types of Type S suspension. There is not the third or fourth suspension.


Russ: Thank you for answering my questions! This will clear up quite a few debates that we've had on NSXPrime! Thank you again for everything! I'll stay in touch and email you occasionally just to say hi.


Note: Zanardi is linear and Type S is progressive.

 

Wow very cool! Thanks for sharing

 

Thats cool!


I too had the pleasure of meeting him in Chicago a few years back when the S2K CR came out. I made a point to let him know I had an ITR and showed him a few pics on my phone. It was amazing to watch his passion for it just pure out as he realized what I was telling him. We ended up talking (the best we could)about R's for at least 10 mins. If I didnt have to catch a plane I bet we could have continued for hours. He was a really neat and accommodating guy.

 

Thanks Russ for sharing. I got a few good info out of your "interview". The most interesting thing and perhaps the most important thing I got out of this is Honda made "the scatter of rotation mass on each cylinder less one half than NA1 conventional engine.It could increase the engine response and decreasing the vibration".
1. Interesting because "It could".
2. Important because "decreasing the vibration".

 

Nice write up wish I can have best of both worlds like you..Haha thanks for sharing

 

So very cool! I'm sure there's a long list of questions we could come up with regarding the ITR.

 

Doespike did you miss the part in the thread where I said PM me?

 

LOL....I did

 

Very very cool. I just picked up one of those old NSX books, I would love to have him sign mine.

 

The Red "NSX" coffee table book that came out a couple years ago is quite good, is that the one you picked up?

 

I got the one that he posted above with the silver and black cover, awesome book. I plan on getting the 3rd party one as well

 

I recommend Honda's Supercar by Brian Long. It's an awesome read loaded with eye candy.

 

That was an awesome opportunity! Thanks for sharing!