Intro
The Honda NSX (marketed as Acura NSX in North America) revolutionized the supercar landscape when it debuted in 1990. Developed with input from Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, the NSX challenged Ferrari and Lamborghini with Japanese engineering precision, reliability, and daily drivability—qualities rarely associated with exotic cars of that era.
In Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) culture, the NSX represents the pinnacle of Japan’s golden automotive age. As Honda’s halo car, it showcased the capabilities of Japanese manufacturers to create world-class performance vehicles, establishing legitimacy for JDM cars globally. Its all-aluminum monocoque chassis, mid-engine layout, and VTEC technology cemented its status as an engineering masterpiece that enthusiasts revere as the “everyday supercar.”
This particular 1991 build stands out for its period-correct modifications that honor the NSX’s racing heritage while enhancing its performance capabilities. As one of the earlier production models, it represents the purest form of Honda’s original vision—lightweight, naturally aspirated, and focused on the connection between driver and machine.
Builder Profile
After spending fifteen years as a mechanical engineer at Honda’s R&D division, Takeo Nakamura left the corporate world in 2004 to establish his boutique tuning shop, Precision Harmony, in Huntington Beach, California. Born in Osaka but educated at CalTech, Nakamura bridges Japanese precision engineering with American performance culture.
His philosophy centers on what he calls “mechanical empathy” – enhancing a vehicle’s inherent character rather than forcing radical changes. With the NSX, Nakamura focuses on subtle weight reduction, suspension geometry refinement, and meticulous engine balancing that maintains Honda’s original engineering vision while extracting additional performance.
Nakamura has become a respected voice in the JDM community, frequently hosting technical workshops at Wekfest and Japanese Classics events. His restoration work on this particular 1991 NSX took over 18 months, with components sourced from both Japan and specialized manufacturers across Europe.
Why We Love It
The NSX exists in that rare automotive dimension where engineering precision meets emotional resonance. When the titanium connecting rods rotate within the all-aluminum 3.0L VTEC heart, they produce more than mere forward motion—they generate a mechanical symphony that crescendos at 8,000 rpm with a distinctiveness impossible to replicate.
Ayrton Senna’s development fingerprints remain embedded in the chassis dynamics—the way it communicates through corners with telepathic clarity while maintaining a docile nature absent in its contemporaries. That double-wishbone suspension, with its forged aluminum components and compliance bushings, delivers feedback with such crystalline transparency that each camber change becomes a conversation rather than a monologue.
The NSX redefined the supercar paradigm not through brute force but through intelligent application of technology. Its monocoque aluminum body—a manufacturing revolution that required new welding techniques—offered structural rigidity at approximately half the weight of conventional steel. This wasn’t merely weight reduction; it was philosophical engineering that prioritized balance over braggadocio.
Its aesthetic restraint—the cab-forward design, the minimal overhangs, the fighter jet-inspired greenhouse—established a visual language that needed no flourishes to communicate purpose. This was function informing form with Japanese precision, creating a silhouette that transcends its era while remaining firmly anchored to its origins.
We love the ’91 NSX not just for what it is, but for what it represents: Japan’s definitive statement that supercars needn’t be temperamental to be extraordinary.
Mods
Engine & Drivetrain
- HKS GT Supercharger kit (350-400whp)
- Comptech supercharger system
- Pride V1 titanium exhaust system
- Spoon Sports high-flow air intake
- HKS F-CON V Pro engine management
- Science of Speed clutch & lightweight flywheel
- ARC titanium radiator
- Mugen oil cooler kit
- T1R 70mm throttle body
- Toda Racing header
Suspension & Brakes
- Tein Super Racing coilovers
- DALI Racing AP big brake kit
- Cusco front and rear strut tower bars
- Spoon Sports monoblock calipers
- Endless brake pads
- Comptech anti-roll bar set
- Nagisa Auto fender brackets
- Cusco roll center adjuster
- HKS Hipermax IV SP suspension
- Project Mu brake lines
Wheels & Tires
- Volk Racing TE37 17″/18″ staggered
- Work Meister S1 3P (polished lip)
- Advan GT Premium (bronze)
- Yokohama Advan A052 tires (235/40/17 front, 275/35/18 rear)
- Rays Volk Racing CE28N
- SSR Type F wheels
- Advan Racing TCIII
- Project Mu wheel spacers
- RAYS lug nuts
- BBS LM (gold with polished lip)
Exterior / Aero
- Downforce NSX-R style carbon hood
- Sorcery Japan carbon fiber side skirts
- Backyard Special rear wing
- Seibon carbon fiber engine cover
- Top Secret front bumper
- TAITEC side air intakes
- AutoExe front lip spoiler
- JDP Engineering rear diffuser
- Sorcery custom headlight conversion
- Jun Auto carbon fiber mirrors
Interior
- Bride Zeta III bucket seats
- Nardi Deep Corn steering wheel
- Takata 4-point harnesses
- MOMO shift knob
- Cusco roll cage
- Nakamichi audio system
- Defi gauges (boost, oil temp, oil pressure)
- Mugen pedal set
- Carbing gauge pod
- Works Bell quick release hub
Electronics / ECU
- APEXi Power FC ECU
- A’PEXi VTEC controller
- Blitz SBC i-Color boost controller
- HKS EVC boost controller
- Pioneer carrozzeria navigation
- Alpine head unit with JL Audio amplifier
- Innovative LC-1 wideband O2 sensor
- HKS turbo timer
- Kenwood audio system with Kicker subwoofer
- Stack digital dash display
Driving Impression / Build Philosophy
The 1991 Honda NSX’s modifications coalesce around a harmonious balance that respects the car’s original engineering brilliance while enhancing its capabilities. The carefully selected power upgrades—including the intake, exhaust, and ECU tuning—work in concert with the suspension modifications to maintain the chassis’ inherent balance. This synergy preserves Ayrton Senna’s development influence while pushing performance boundaries.
Each modification serves a deliberate purpose in creating a dual-personality street and track machine. The Comptech supercharger and supporting fuel system enhancements deliver substantial midrange torque without compromising the VTEC engine’s high-revving character. The upgraded brakes and suspension components were specifically chosen to handle increased power while retaining compliance for street use.
The build philosophy prioritizes driver engagement and mechanical purity—embodying a time-attack spirit without sacrificing daily drivability. Unlike purely aesthetic show cars or single-purpose drift builds, this NSX strikes the delicate balance between circuit capability and street refinement. The modifications respect Honda’s original weight distribution and handling characteristics while elevating performance to modern standards, creating an experience that remains true to the NSX’s engineering philosophy of accessible performance with exceptional feedback.
FAQ
How reliable is the 1991 Honda NSX?
The 1991 Honda NSX is exceptionally reliable for a supercar. Built with Honda’s renowned engineering standards, many examples have surpassed 100,000 miles with proper maintenance. The all-aluminum 3.0L V6 VTEC engine is particularly robust, though timing belt service every 60,000 miles is critical. Most owners report minimal mechanical issues compared to contemporary exotics.
What are the most common issues with the first-year NSX?
Early NSXs experience several known issues: snap ring failures in the transmissions (especially manual models), deteriorating rubber seals around windows, failing capacitors in the electronic instrument cluster, and corrosion at the battery tray area. The aluminum body is also susceptible to galvanic corrosion when improperly repaired. Additionally, the factory clutch in manual models may require replacement around 60,000 miles.
What is the tuning potential of the 1991 NSX?
The C30A engine responds well to modifications, with forced induction (superchargers/turbochargers) providing the most considerable gains, potentially pushing output beyond 400hp. Naturally aspirated builds can reach 300-320hp with intake/exhaust upgrades, higher compression, and camshaft modifications. The NSX’s mid-engine chassis accommodates wider wheels/tires and suspension upgrades, maintaining its balanced handling characteristics even with substantial power increases.
What are the best modifications for a 1991 NSX?
The most effective modifications include: modern suspension components (KW, Tein, Megan Racing), wider wheels with modern performance tires, exhaust systems (Pride V1, Science of Speed), intake modifications, and ECU tuning. For substantial power gains, forced induction kits from Comptech, Science of Speed, or Lovefab provide well-engineered solutions. Brake upgrades from StopTech or Brembo are recommended to match increased performance.
How does the maintenance cost compare to other supercars?
The 1991 NSX offers dramatically lower maintenance costs than European exotics of the same era. Many components are shared with other Honda vehicles, making parts more accessible and affordable. Major services like timing belt replacement cost approximately $1,500-2,000 at specialists, versus $5,000+ for comparable Ferrari maintenance. However, NSX-specific items like certain electronics, body panels, and glass can be expensive due to limited production.
Is the 1991 NSX a good investment?
First-year NSXs have appreciated greatly, with well-maintained examples increasing in value 150-200% over the past decade. The limited production numbers, historical significance as the first Japanese supercar, and involvement of Ayrton Senna in development have contributed to their collectibility. Unmolified examples with complete service history command premium prices, though even high-mileage cars have shown strong value retention.
What’s the ownership experience like compared to modern sports cars?
Owners consistently praise the NSX’s engaging analog driving experience with its direct steering, outstanding visibility, and naturally-aspirated engine response. While lacking modern conveniences like power steering (until 1995), advanced infotainment, and driver aids, the NSX offers exceptional daily usability with a comfortable cabin, reasonable fuel economy (17-22 mpg), and Honda reliability. The driving position and ergonomics remain benchmarks even by today’s standards.
Conclusion
The 1991 Honda NSX stands as a watershed moment in automotive history, maintaining its relevance through its groundbreaking engineering and cultural impact. Even three decades later, its perfect balance of everyday usability and supercar performance continues to influence modern vehicle design. The NSX proved definitively that supercars could be reliable, comfortable, and meticulously engineered without sacrificing driver engagement or performance.
As a cornerstone of Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) culture, the NSX represents the pinnacle of Japan’s golden era of performance vehicles. Its innovative aluminum monocoque, mid-engine configuration, and VTEC technology cemented Honda’s reputation for engineering excellence. For enthusiasts, the NSX remains the ultimate aspirational Japanese sports car—a vehicle that challenged European dominance and democratized the supercar experience.
The passionate following that surrounds the NSX today demonstrates not just nostalgia, but recognition of genuine innovation and the car’s lasting significance in automotive history. As modern vehicles become increasingly computerized and automated, the pure driving experience of the original NSX becomes even more treasured, ensuring this revolutionary Honda will continue to captivate drivers and enthusiasts for generations to come.