Nicely Modded 2003 NA2 NSX Gleams
The key to a successful car project is developing a strategy and sticking to it. The owner of this beautiful, do-it-all NSX has achieved that with his dream car.
Man With a Plan
For many of us automotive enthusiasts, project cars often become a never-ending process. We all know people who started a project without a clear vision of what they want to accomplish, and ended up stuck with a car under a cover and on jack stands for several years! For my fellow New Jersey native George Gomez, though, having daydreamed about owning an NSX for years meant he had had enough time to formulate a complete plan for his build long before he even purchased one.
Photos: FrontStreet
For The Love of Honda
His affection for the Honda brand started with his very first vehicle: a 1995 Accord. Swapping the engine with an H22 after having blown the original was his first experience customizing Hondas. Over the years, he owned various cars of different brands, but his love for Honda never waivered. And there's arguably no better Honda sports car in history than the mid-engine wonder of the NA1/NA2 NSX.
>>Join the conversation about this clean NSX build right here in the S2ki Forum!
The Senna Connection
But perhaps what sealed the idea of working towards the goal of owning an NSX one day was the car's association with Ayrton Senna. The legendary Brazilian Formula 1 driver is widely considered as one of, if not the greatest race car driver ever. Driving for the McLaren Honda team at the time, Senna was involved in the fine-tuning of the original NSX for track performance. “Seeing old videos of my biggest racing hero, Ayrton Senna, running around in NSXs and, also, helping the development of the car was a major part of my love and appreciation for the NSX,” Gomez says.
>>Join the conversation about this clean NSX build right here in the S2ki Forum!
Dream Realized
Gomez was able to realize his dream and get his hands on a Spa Yellow Pearl 2003 Acura NSX. Barely able to contain his excitement, and with a feeling many of us can relate to, he purchased and drove the car home from Massachusetts. As happy as he was with his new toy, though, he knew he wanted to implement his vision and customize the car the way he had always imagined it.
>>Join the conversation about this clean NSX build right here in the S2ki Forum!
Implementing The Vision
The most important part of the transformation was the repaint. The beautiful shade of Championship White was masterfully applied. The few days it took for the repaint to be completed was the only extended period of time that the car was sidelined during the build process. With the goal of keeping things simple and keeping the spirit of the NSX intact, all other mods are generally bolt-ons and enhancements to the original character of the mid-engine sports car.
>>Join the conversation about this clean NSX build right here in the S2ki Forum!
Exterior Personalization
Traces of Gomez's JDM love can be found all around the car. The taillights, the fenders, quarter panels, NSX-R headlights, and Honda emblems are all pure JDM goodness. A JP Aero front lip gives the front fascia a hint of aggressive sporty-ness. Gomez chose to go with a Downforce carbon NSX-R rear spoiler. But to add a personal touch, a carbon fiber Rocket Bunny Gurney Flap was molded onto it.
>>Join the conversation about this clean NSX build right here in the S2ki Forum!
Rounding Off the Look
The Desmond Regamaster EVO wheels measuring 17x8 at the front and 18x10.5 at the rear complete the car's ultra-clean look. "I searched for them for a few years and bought them before owning the NSX," Gomez recalls. "I always knew I’d own the car, so it was part of my motivation to actually buy it one day.”
>>Join the conversation about this clean NSX build right here in the S2ki Forum!
Performance Tweaks
Other than an ARC Magic titanium exhaust system and a few minor bolt-ons, the power plant remains generally unaltered. BC Racing coilovers give the car better handling around the corners and a sweet stance. And let's not forget what Gomez regards as his favorite mod on the car, which happens to be the Recaro Pole Position seats. "This version of the Pole Position is the closest you can get to the original NSX-R kevlar Recaros without having to spend $20,000," he remarks.