Batman Called, He Wants His NSX Back
The Lovable Exotic

Who doesn’t love the first generation Honda NSX?

If you don’t love it, I have to say you’re just wrong. It’s the ’90s sports car that can and does do everything. There are plenty of full-on show builds, canyon carvers, track monsters, and even daily drivers in existence around the globe.

Jami Rahman’s NSX has been at least a bit of all these things during the seven years he’s owned the car. He describes the NSX as something special; it’s a true exotic but it doesn’t have the major compromises other cars in the same class do. At the end of the day, it’s still a Honda.

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Jami always loved the NSX’s aesthetics. Thinking about it, it’s a bit crazy how the aftermarket for these cars has evolved to keep them looking as modern as ever while still maintaining that ’90s charm.

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Having previously owned a Miata with even-more insane mods, the move to the NSX was a big jump for Jami. There were other options too, and after parting with the Miata he went on the hunt for either an RX-7, an S2000, or an NSX.

However, it was his wife Linda who really pushed Jami to go for the NSX; it was the car he had always talked about, ever since they met. Jami got lucky on eBay Motors on a car in Manhattan, and ended up purchasing it sight-unseen when the market was at its lowest point.

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Now, the price on these cars (and so many others), is skyrocketing. I completely understand why though, as the styling is something that just looks so right, and there’s nothing that compares to it in today’s market.

Besides the looks, though, the single attribute that amazed Jami the most when he picked up the NSX was the handling.

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In part, we have Ayrton Senna to thank for the excellent feel that these cars have, and as Jami’s all-time favourite racing driver, his signature is proudly displayed on the car.

After Senna initially drove what was slated to be a near-production prototype he expressed his concerns that the New Sports eXperimental was a “bit fragile”. After the feedback, the engineers went back to the drawing board.

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The result of their extra efforts, just months before the design was finalised, is a chassis that is 50 percent stiffer than the early car that Senna first drove. The engineers then invited Senna back to further tweak the suspension at the Nürburgring. Of course, he kindly obliged.

These factors, along with the aluminum chassis and what was at the time all sorts of cutting-edge technology and manufacturing mumbo-jumbo, make for a car that even today is an absolute pleasure to blast through the twisties. It just speaks to you.

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It didn’t take too many twisties until Jami and I soon found ourselves quite literally in the middle of nowhere, though.

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As such, making a u-turn on what had pretty much turned into a go-kart track was quite difficult. Good thing Jami is a braver man than I am, or we’d still be out there…

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Helping him in his quest to turn around is a Stanceparts air cup kit, something we’re starting to see on more and more cars that don’t want to compromise on any front.

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After all, the NSX still is a Honda, and that’s part of what makes it so great, even from the factory. Jami daily drove the car for the better part of a year and said it was easy to live with. Over time, however, his NSX has evolved into something so much more than what Honda designed.

Track Time
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As good as it felt on the back roads, Jami has dialed this thing in for the racetrack.

He’s made use of a set of ADVANCE fenders and Marga Hills rear quarters to stuff in an extra 2.5-inches of tire width on all four corners. While this is his fourth set of wheels, I think the current staggered Gram Lights setup, in 17 and 18-inch diameters, are a great match to the car. I hate to say it but I really would like to see how this thing looks slammed.

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Of course, that’s entirely not the point here, and Jami has opted instead for KW Variant 3 coilovers with Swift springs — certainly a tried and true combo. Other suspension bits from Cedar Ridge help button up the already tight car.

Jami had a lot of help with suspension setup from friends like Jeff Leong who is apparently quite handy behind the wheel of his own NSX.

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The Downforce Type R hood is indubitably a great choice here; besides looking great, the increased airflow through the front end makes a big difference when you’re pushing the car to the limit for any length of time.

It’s great to know that a nearly thirty-year-old car that looks as awesome as this gets hammered around the racetrack too.

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Seeing as how Jami did in fact daily drive the car for some time, it isn’t an entirely all-business ordeal though.

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The interior is completely intact, with a few things altered and added over time.

The OEM seatbelt remains for street use while the Cobra Evolution halo seat still allows for the driver to check his blind spots. For the track, a Mugen harness bar and Schroth Racing harnesses ensure the driver is protected through any unforeseen situations.

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An AIM MXG digital dash unit conveys all the information you could ever need, working in conjunction with an AEM Infinity engine management unit.

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The powerplant is another area where Jami was keen to point out the help he has had from his mates like Tony Pham (a guy whose name I seem to have a knack for hearing since meeting him and his NSX last year) and Regan Yu, both of whom also own supercharged NSXs.

Due to the typical tight and tidy Honda packaging, it’s hard to tell that under the CT Engineering supercharger there are ID 1000 injectors that help feed the now-thirstier motor and CT Engineering headers that help evacuate the spent fumes. From there, the exhaust is sent out back through a Taitec setup that sounds phenomenal. Jami is also running an AEM water/meth injection kit that was installed and tuned down south in Huntington Beach by AutoWave.

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The responsiveness of the motor is quite nice, to say the least, and from the driver seat the communication from the chassis as a whole is second to none.

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Perhaps the only thing that could improve the feel of the car would be a rigid collar upgrade; lo and behold, I spotted a set that was still boxed up on the floor of the NSX when I was poking around inside.

I’ll have to remember to ask Jami if he’s as happy as Blake was with his rigid collars that Spoon themselves installed on Project NSX. From everything I’ve heard from other avid drivers who’ve had them installed I’m sure Jami will consider it money well spent.

Family First
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Overall, the NSX has been the perfect platform for Jami to tweak as he’s seen fit and he’s turned it into an proper track weapon. It’s stable at speed thanks to the Route KS front end and that massive Voltex wing which works with the Taitec JGTC diffuser out back. Not only do the aero bits physically balance the car, but they add to the aggressive no-nonsense look.

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All of these changes, along with details like the ARC Light LED corner lights, turn signals, and tail lights just add to the already mean aesthetic, it’s a modern take on what’s well on its way to being a classic car.

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Half the fun of taking photos of cars is learning about why the owners bought the cars in the first place, and why they’ve made the choices they have with them. The more time you spend just hanging out with the owners, the more little tidbits you learn about the cars and what they’ve been through.

Jami told me that immediately after he picked up the car from detailing at CarzWerk once the widebody was installed, his four-year-old daughter opened a car door into the NSX, chipping the paint. Naturally, she was terrified to tell her dad what had happened, but she did.

After a quick check on the car, he just told her her was happy she told the truth. While Jami does love his NSX he assured me that he does love his family much, much more than he could ever love a car. He just hopes the NSX helps foster an appreciation for car culture in his daughter.

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After all, it’s the coming generation of designers, engineers, tuners, and track addicts who will decide what the next supercars, exotics, and aftermarket parts looks like and drive like.

But we’ll never again have another gen one NSX…

Trevor Yale Ryan
Instagram: tyrphoto
TYRphoto.com

Cutting Room Floor
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48 comments

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1

Personally i prefer the aesthetics of the "5ENNA; Honda NSX | 4K " on Youtube but this is still drool worthy. HHNNNNNNGGG

2

this is veery spot on. everything about this nsx is so right. would't have it any other way

3

love the ride, the excellence, and the christmas lights, they are not so different, any can see there is a master car lover at play here

4

I lust for an NSX but prices are just too high for me to ever afford one, even autos are commanding £35k in the UK.

5

This NSX looked WAY BETTER in EVERY ANGLE than those Rocket Bunny kitted ones IMO.

6

I don't think the NSX gets anywhere near as much love as it deserves. This looks absolutely spot on!

7

I always love me a nice NSX with proper popups, not those ugly scabs of fixed lights that are in the refreshed NSXs. Whoever though those were a good idea must've been on crack. Popups on this car fit the aesthetic so well.

8

Jami Nsx is a fine build. Glad to see up here. I said it on gram this car is badass one the best Nsx in the bay. Congrats Jami

9

Thanks Rico!

10

Gah, I meant Ricko!

11

rally nsx..

12

Well done.

13

Did a search for current market values and found they are around $50,000 to $75,000 depending on mileage and trim. Am I mistaken in thinking these cars were 35-45k around 5-10 years ago for NA1 models?

75k for an NA1 NSX is laughable imo.

14

No, that's exactly what I thought also! CAUSE I actually was shopping around for one roughly 8 years ago. That was DEFINATELY the price range with somewhat low mileage and great condition. What happened?!?!?!

15

Yeah, the NA1 hard top was an obtainable dream car just a few years ago. I'd probably pay $40k or so for one, but the prices they demand now are too far beyond me. A lot of my attraction is purely "emotional/nostalgic," as John B said. I'm not ashamed to admit it. But since the new NSX dropped and catapulted the old car's value, I'm now eyeing a 987.2 Cayman S while the Porsche collector market still has their 911 blinders on. Roughly $25-30k, I'm seeing. Not as dear to my heart, but still a very comparable alternative, I imagine (having not yet driven either), and they seem just as capable as any Honda of being able to hold up to real mileage.

16

You're not mistaken. Laughable? Compare to the same period 911 in performance. Know how much the 911/993s are going for? I know, I've got both. NSX eins

17

They we're even lower than that 5-10 years ago. Several were in the low 20s.

18

Thought so. It's amazing and stupid how people can get each other into spending frenzies. Lot of great cars out there much faster than this that can be had for 20-30k. Sad to see all these cars being driven to absurdly high prices.

Really hope these don't go the way of the 911 and start becoming hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the way the industry is going I would not be surprised at all.

19

I think there are a lot of ways to value a car, and outright speed is just one of many. For me, the NSX was a good handling car with MR balance and overall power wasn't a high priority.

There are 2 things that drive prices up for cars of this age: 1. lack of modern equivalents, especially those that have that "analog" feel and 2. abundance of wealth to pay for them. You put together a lot of money and short supply and the prices will go up. I'm very happy I bought mine when I did.

20

Pretty crazy. Now just hope the bubble doesn't pop before you (if you) decide to sell. I think the JDM market is safe until 1st gen Miatas start going up. Once those hit 20k we know were in deep !@$%

21

People think they are slow but once you learn how to drive that car, it will smoke everything on the back roads. Don't go by the numbers on paper.

22

While it's nice for those who already own an NSX, I agree the prices have gotten a bit outrageous. It's a shame too as I've always wanted one, but in this market it's impossible to justify that...

23

The only way you can justify it is by throwing out the blanket term "emotion" or "nostalgia" because any other way you look at it you're getting financially raped for what amounts to a mid engine Honda with 280bhp.

I've always wanted one too, but at that price point I'd laugh in someones face. Not to compare cost of ownership etc, but you're entering Modena figures at $75,000. Those are nightmarish piles of crap but you get the idea I'm trying to make.

24

I had always considered stock NSXs like a Mozart concerto; "displace one note and there is diminishment." I've seen some pretty awful custom NSXs with tons of bodywork and gaudy carbon fiber embellishments. This car is done right. Just enough of the original design aesthetic poking thru to keep it tasteful. Great job!

25

Thanks, I appreciate it. That was really important to me, I wanted to accentuate the stock lines just a little more but not change it too much.

26

Given that Senna died 24 years ago it always strikes me as weird that younger people who prpbably never saw him race (just assuming here) count him as their favorite racing driver.

How do you younger guys even know about him?

27

Jim Clark is my number one... and same sort of deal. I'm way too young to have seen him in period, but I am well aware of his exploits through digesting a large amount of footage, books, documentary etc. Definitely old enough to have seen most of Sennas F1 career though.

28

That's really interesting... we are probably similar age. I knew about Jim Clark but never made the effort to go into his career like you did.

That would have been a lot of work in the pre-Google and YouTube era!

29

How old are you assuming I am?

30

Not, really talking about you specifically. If you've had the car for 7 years and a kid for 4 years you are probably in your mid-thirties which puts you in the sweet spot for Senna fanboyism. I am more talking about twenty-something guys who were born after he died!!!

I guess all this 90's retro stuff is weird for me, considering the 90's was all about the latest, newest things!

31

Lol I race with Ayrton's former engineer from Mclaren. A lot of 20-30s people know who he is if they have raced. The guys under 20 who have been spoon fed the drifting and Gymkhana garbage and the ones who don't know their racing history :P

32

I am actually talking about the opposite thing... lots of young guys both KNOW ABOUT and LOVE Senna!

Knowing history is obviously good, I am surprised how much love Senna gets from the youngsters.

33

are the ones you have to watch out for :P

34

Ah, gotcha. I have to admit the documentary really pushed me into becoming a bigger fan. I already has the NSX when I saw it and it made me appreciate the car more.

35
Jay Soh Tsu Chung

This is great! Love that Senna's signature sticker. It's a nice touch.

36

Now imagine this sitting on black Regamasters.

37

The interior looks like a concept car, really nice done.

38

I'll never get over how cool the nsx is. I don't even have words for it.
Speaking of... hows the nsx project car coming along, SH team?

39

when it comes to project cars, I'm sitting here wondering wondering where the mk1 golf is at these days.

40

Stunning car and perfect taste in the build. Can we hear it somewhere?

41

Jami, the car is awesome. I often wonder how much input Senna really had, regardless Senna was awesome too. Win.win.

42

Thanks!

43

Supercar? Absolutely not. It's a sports car, and a nice one.

44

"indubitably"

45

Yes my good sir

46

Let's be honest, what was more exciting. Shooting this car or getting to use that word in an article.

47
Martin Hejtmánek

Black*

48

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