Project NSX: Part 8 – 2002 Facelift and Widebody

After a few coats of Grand Prix White and clear coats, the fenders were ready to go back on the car.

The doors are also ready to go back on.

The NSX is coming back together nicely, with the newly painted fenders and doors installed.

The factory aluminum front bumper beam was replaced with this gorgeous prepreg carbon fiber bumper from Pole 2 Flag Racing.

Weighing in a 3 lbs 3.5 oz, this carbon bumper is over 20 lbs lighter than factory, from the very front of the car.  This greatly reduces the Polar Moment of Inertia (PMI) of the car and improves the car’s response and handling.

Combined with the 20+ lbs of weight loss from the fixed headlights and another 15 lbs from the ABS, we took over 55 pounds off the front of the car!

13 comments

    1. Looks are subjective but NSXs look great with a diameter stagger. Plus, there are better tire options in 19″ for the rear.

  1. Great job Billy and those involved with the project!

    I have close to 300k miles on my CTSC E85’d 91, but I think I’ll keep her and consider an update instead of saving up for the NC1.

    Why turbo vs. s/c?

    1. Thank you, and it’s great to hear your NSX is being driven!

      It’s pretty difficult to get air intake temps under control on supercharged NSXs during continuous use on road courses, plus that’s a lot of weight at nearly the highest part of the car -hurting the car’s center of gravity and handling. They are easy to install and improve the car’s torque and are GREAT on the street, but for this project, a turbo is a better route:

      I’ve always been a turbo guy and the first NSX i’ve ever driven was turbocharged and made 500whp. Turbos are far more complex to install but there is so much more you can do with them. Many are done poorly with sub-par turbo sizing, engineering, components, and tuning. But when done right, they are incredible. I’m taking what was learned on the record-setting FXMD NSX Time Attack car, and pulling from world-class motorsports engineering to make the most advanced turbocharged NSX ever made. Stay tuned!

  2. Hey, it’s cool you went to the Lookout Roadhouse above Lake Elsinore! My wife and I go there all the time for breakfast. Great view of the area from up on the moutains! They’ve made it through the pandemic, but barely.

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