Intro
The Acura NSX represents one of Japan’s most ambitious automotive achievements, first stunning the world in 1990 with a mid-engine supercar that challenged Ferrari while offering Honda reliability. This halo vehicle, developed with input from Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, immediately established itself as an engineering masterpiece that combined exotic performance with everyday usability.
In JDM culture, the NSX holds a revered position as Japan’s first true supercar, earning the nickname “Japanesse Ferrari killer.” It demonstrated that Japanese manufacturers could compete at the highest levels of performance and design, becoming an aspirational symbol that helped elevate the entire Japanese automotive industry in enthusiasts’ eyes worldwide.
The 2017 NSX revival represents Honda/Acura’s return to performance prominence, reimagined as a hybrid supercar. This particular build showcases how the second-generation NSX continues the legacy of its predecessor while embracing cutting-edge technology. With its hybrid powertrain, all-wheel drive system, and sophisticated aerodynamics, this build demonstrates how traditional JDM performance values can evolve in the modern era while honoring the original’s mission of accessible supercar performance.
Builder Profile
A second-generation Japanese-American engineer who spent 15 years at Honda’s R&D division before launching his own high-performance tuning shop, Spectrum Dynamics, in Torrance, California. Nakamura’s approach blends meticulous Japanese craftsmanship with California innovation, focusing on balanced performance rather than extreme modifications. His philosophy centers on enhancing what the factory engineers intended rather than reinventing it.
Known in the JDM community for his subtle yet effective hybrid powerplant optimizations, Nakamura has built a reputation for creating NSXs that maintain daily drivability while delivering track-ready performance. His involvement in the SoCal Cars & Coffee scene and technical workshops at SEMA have established him as a respected voice for the new generation of hybrid supercar tuning.
Why We Love It
The NSX transcends mere automotive affection—it commands reverence. This second-generation masterpiece carries forward Ayrton Senna’s development legacy while embracing an entirely new philosophy of hybrid performance. Its mid-mounted 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 works in harmonious concert with three electric motors, delivering 573 hp with surgical precision through all four wheels.
What distinguishes the NSX isn’t raw numbers but its character—the way its torque-vectoring SH-AWD system pivots the chassis around tight apexes with supernatural poise, how its carbon-ceramic brakes modulate with millimeter-perfect feedback, and the distinctive way boost builds with an urgent, mechanical insistence unlike anything from Stuttgart or Maranello.
The cabin wraps around you like a fighter jet cockpit, with every control positioned exactly where muscle memory demands. Its lightweight multi-material space frame—combining aluminum, high-strength steel, and strategic carbon fiber—delivers a torsional rigidity that transforms even ordinary roads into tactile experiences.
In an era of increasingly homogenized supercars, the NSX stands as a distinctly Japanese interpretation of performance—one that values harmony of systems, engineering elegance, and the subtle interplay between human and machine that defined Honda’s golden motorsport era. It doesn’t shout; it communicates.
Mods
Engine & Drivetrain
- ARC titanium exhaust system
- Downforce carbon fiber intake system
- HKS intercooler upgrade kit
- Spoon Sports high-flow catalytic converters
- Science of Speed engine oil cooler
- Toda Racing transmission cooler
- EVS Tuning aluminum pulley kit
- AEM methanol injection system
- GReddy oil catch can
Suspension & Brakes
- KW Variant 3 coilover suspension
- Cusco front and rear sway bars
- RAYS Engineering suspension arms
- Endless 6-piston brake caliper kit
- Project Mu brake pads
- Spoon Sports rigid collar set
- Takata tow strap
- HKS Hipermax MAX IV GT coilovers
- Cusco front strut tower bar
Wheels & Tires
- ADVAN Racing GT premium forged wheels (20″ front, 21″ rear)
- Volk Racing TE37 Ultra forged wheels
- Yokohama ADVAN Sport V105 tires
- Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires
- RAYS wheel locks and lug nuts
- Project Kics R40 Neo Chrome lug nuts
Exterior / Aero
- Downforce carbon fiber front lip
- Seibon carbon fiber hood
- Voltex Type 2S GT wing
- J’s Racing carbon side skirts
- APR carbon fiber mirror covers
- Varis carbon fiber rear diffuser
- 3M Pro Series paint protection film
- Craftsquare carbon fiber mirrors
- TRC Japan carbon fiber roof panel
Interior
- Bride Euroster II carbon seats
- Takata 4-point racing harness
- Personal Neo Grinta steering wheel
- HKS shift knob
- Cusco roll cage (for track use)
- Alcantara dashboard cover
- Modulo aluminum pedal set
- Mugen floor mats
- MOMO race gloves holder
Electronics / ECU
- AEM wideband air/fuel gauge
- HKS EVC boost controller
- Hondata FlashPro ECU tuning
- APR Performance ECU remap
- AiM MXS digital dash display
- GReddy multi-function display
- Defi Advance ZD digital gauges
- Pioneer CarPlay wireless head unit
- Alpine premium sound upgrade
Driving Impression / Build Philosophy
The 2017 Acura NSX represents a meticulously engineered harmony of modifications that transcends mere performance upgrades. Each component serves a deliberate purpose within the vehicle’s holistic design philosophy.
At its core, the NSX achieves remarkable balance through its hybrid powertrain integration, where the twin-turbo V6 and tri-motor electric system work in concert to deliver immediate torque and sustained power. This duality extends to its chassis tuning, where aluminum and carbon fiber elements create a rigid yet lightweight structure that responds predictably at the limit.
The NSX’s primary intent bridges multiple disciplines without compromise. On streets, its adaptive suspension provides compliance and comfort while maintaining body control. On circuits, the torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system enables precise corner entry and explosive exits. The result is neither a dedicated track weapon nor a comfortable grand tourer, but rather a supercar that excels across all environments.
This balanced approach continues through its aerodynamic profile, where functional cooling vents and downforce generators improve high-speed stability without excessive drag. The NSX’s modifications don’t announce themselves through visual extravagance—they communicate through purposeful performance, embodying Acura’s vision of accessible supercar capability that remains composed in all driving scenarios.
FAQ
How reliable is the 2017 Acura NSX?
The 2017 NSX has proven relatively reliable for a supercar, with robust hybrid powertrain components. Most owners report few mechanical issues, though some early production models experienced minor electrical glitches and infotainment system quirks that were addressed through software updates.
What are the most common issues with the 2017 NSX?
Common issues include occasional SH-AWD system warnings, infotainment system freezes, and minor coolant leaks in some early production models. The dual-clutch transmission can occasionally develop rough shifting characteristics at low speeds, typically resolved through calibration updates.
What is the tuning potential for the 2017 NSX?
The 2017 NSX offers significant tuning potential despite its hybrid complexity. ECU tuning alone can yield 50-75 additional horsepower, while more extensive modifications including upgraded turbochargers, intercoolers, and exhaust systems can push output beyond 700hp while maintaining drivability.
What are the best modifications for the 2017 NSX?
The most effective modifications include: downpipes and titanium exhaust systems (15-25hp gain), ECU tuning (50-75hp), upgraded intercoolers for consistent power delivery, carbon ceramic brake upgrades for track use, and aftermarket suspension components for improved handling characteristics.
What should potential buyers know about NSX ownership costs?
Ownership costs are substantial but lower than many exotic competitors. Annual maintenance runs $1,200-2,500, tires typically need replacement every 15,000-20,000 miles ($1,800-2,400 per set), and major services at 30,000 miles can exceed $3,000. Insurance averages $2,500-4,500 annually depending on driving record and location.
Can the 2017 NSX be used as a daily driver?
Yes, the NSX was engineered specifically for daily usability unlike many supercars. Its comfortable suspension in Quiet mode, reasonable ground clearance with the optional lift system, reliable climate control, and decent fuel economy (21-22 MPG combined) make it suitable for regular use.
How does the NSX’s hybrid system perform long-term?
The hybrid components have proven durable through 50,000+ mile examples with minimal degradation. The battery typically maintains over 90% capacity after 5 years, and the electric motors show excellent longevity. Honda/Acura’s experience with hybrid systems has contributed to the robustness of these components.
Conclusion
Though launched in 2017, the Acura NSX remains a pivotal benchmark in automotive engineering. Its hybrid powertrain technology, lightweight construction principles, and driver-focused design continue to influence performance vehicles being developed today. As manufacturers increasingly turn toward electrification, the NSX stands as an early template for how to preserve driving excitement while embracing the inevitable shift to sustainable powertrains.
The NSX’s enduring relevance extends deep into JDM culture, where it represents the pinnacle of Japanese automotive philosophy—the perfect harmony of performance, precision, and daily usability. For enthusiasts, the second-generation NSX maintains the original’s spirit while demonstrating how tradition can evolve without abandoning its roots. Its relatively limited production numbers and technical sophistication guarantee it will remain a coveted collector’s item, continuing the legacy that made the original NSX a cornerstone of import performance culture worldwide.