Owner: Wesley Chiang
Location: Fresh Meadows, NY. USA
Vehicle: 1992 Acura NSX
Horsepower: 280 hp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ixwesleyxi
Instagram: @ninjablack
Photography Credit: JLiuPhotography, MakThePaparazzi
STORY
Like any kid that was into cars growing up, the Acura NSX was a dream car. I have been fortunate that my uncle, Johnny Chen, was a great influence when it came to cars. He actually bought a Berlina Black NSX a couple of months right before and led me to pursue my dream car before I hit my 30s.
I bought this car originally from a 21-year-old kid in Chicago, Illinois in 2013. I knew that the car was going to need a lot of work as soon as I saw it. The fact that it was white (one of the rarer colors, and the first year they made it) probably influenced me to just jump on purchasing the car. When I arrived to check out the car, a lot of the parts that were supposed to be on there had been taken off and parted and there were imperfections all over the car, but that wasn't the worst of it. After the long journey home to New York, I went to my uncle's shop, JDMotoring in Oceanside. We put the car on the lift, and realized that at any point I could have been stranded. The suspension was messed up, the control arms were about to go, ball joints, knuckles, everything was hanging on by a thread. And thus the build began.
The first thing that I did before any modifications was making sure that it was mechanically sound. I went through the entire car and spent countless amounts of time working with Johnny and his mechanic and friend of mine, Marino Sucich, replacing all the parts that had worn on this 21-year-old car. The first actual modification was throwing coilovers on. I had an MR2 prior to the NSX and had BC coilovers and bang for your buck was probably the better reviews and feel, so I decided to buy the same and install it on the NSX. Following that, I had to get an exhaust. I made friends with one of the manufacturers of an amazing exotic sounding exhaust. The tone of this exhaust with the Cantrell Concept headers that I had was the best sounding, looking, and performing. I made the purchase for the Pride V1 exhaust from Mark Shih.
From there, I stared working on the exterior and interior touches that would really help make the car. I worked with Mark to purchase Seibon Carbon parts. I ordered a Carbon Fiber Type R hood, Carbon Fiber Type-R spoiler, and Carbon Fiber rear lower valance, and began the exterior transformation. I've always liked the look of carbon fiber with white because the look of the carbon fiber just popped and accented the car more on a beautiful white base.
The interior was tough; I didn't know which direction I wanted to go with. I bought an NRG short hub, NRG Quick Release, Momo Tuner steering wheel, with Type-R horn button and trim to try and replicate the NSX-R look. I added in the JDM Honda Navpod with a 6-inch screen that was hooked up so that I can mirror the screen on my Apple devices. This proved to be handy on long cruises and drives as I plugged in my phone to watch Netflix on the go. The rest of my system includes upgraded speakers, a Rockford Amp, JL Audio subwoofer, and double din pioneer radio. To complete the NSX-R look, I bought the NSX-R shift boot and shift knob and worked to modify the shifter stalk to a shorter length.
As I drove the car more around New York, it became very apparent that I needed to do something to let me go into those steeper driveways and entrances. I purchased an iLift air suspension cup system that hooked up to my BC coilovers perfectly. This system was designed from scratch from the iLift team with countless amounts of R&D made specifically for an NSX. This setup was very unique because the tank does not reduce the trunk space. Instead this stealth set up hides the tank in the rear quarter panel and is controlled by a tiny switch that is also hidden in the coin tray in the bay. To complete the suspension upgrades and setup, I bought a GT Spec four-point brace for the engine bay, GT Spec lower rear tie brace, NSX-R lower front brace.
In the engine bay, I upgraded to a polished coolant tank to get rid of the "milk jug" OEM tank to go with my vision of the engine bay. I want it clean, polished, and modern. I upgraded to a Weapon R cold air intake. Also for cosmetic looks, I have a NSX laser-etched throttle body cover.
In the last couple of months, I made the leap into the big brake kit world and purchased the rare six-piston Project Mu forged front kit. I am also running limited edition Work Emotion CR Ultimate in Grim Red 18x8.5 and 18x9.5 with Falken Azenis 453 all around. I also purchased Downforce DF-R Carbon Fiber side vents. The reason I chose these specific ones was because they flare out a little bit to the side. My goal has always been to make the car wider without going with a wide body. To me, the aluminum body that the car was made in is one of the best aspects of the car and seeing as how New York City roads aren't great, I was afraid of cracking any FRP pieces, so I wanted to avoid it if possible. I have Marga Hills side skirts that will be installed and painted that also flare out a little bit to make the car a bit wider. I also purchased an APR GT wing as I continue to build a JGTC style NSX and once I build out the engine, will be tracking the car.
Future plans that I have for the car include a turbo kit, Bride seats, black Alcantara interior with red stitching. Custom front and side splitters, custom rear diffuser, and NSX NA2 rear brake upgrade.
I want to try to make this car the ultimate form and function car. This is my daily driver, so I want to try to take it to extremes, without sacrificing the drivability on a street road. The build has been a labor of love, with tons of blood, sweat, and tears, and will continue to be so. This is a hobby of mine, and I only get to work on it on the weekends, but I eat, sleep, and dream about future upgrades.
ENGINE / PERFORMANCE
Weapon R Cold Air Intake
Upgraded ECU Tune
EXHAUST SYSTEM
Cantrell Concepts Headers
Pride V1 Exhaust
DRIVETRAIN
Science of Speed Stage 2 Clutch
JDM NSX Shorter Final Gear
WHEELS/TIRES/BRAKES
Work Emotion CR Ultimate in Limited Edition Grim Red wheels - 18x8.5 (f), 18x9.5 (r)
Falken Azenis 453 tires
Project Mu 6 piston Forged Big Brake Kit Fronts
355mm Slotted Rotors
CHASSIS/SUSPENSION
BC Coilovers with Swift Springs
iLift Air Suspension Cup Kit
GT Spec (4-Point Brace, Lower Rear Tie Brace)
NSX-R Lower Front Brace
EXTERIOR
Seibon Carbon (NSX-R Hood, Rear Valance)
Downforce DF-R Carbon Fiber Side Vents
APR GTC-300 Carbon Fiber Wing
Marga Hills Side Skirts
Guppy Attack Short Antenna
INTERIOR
NRG (Short Hub, Quick Release)
Momo Tuner Steering Wheel w/NSX-R Horn Button
Honda (NSX-R Shift Boot, NSX-R Shift knob)
SCW Double Din Center Console
NSX-R style Red Carpet
Black Alcantara headliner
AUDIO/MULTIMEDIA
Pioneer Double DIN Radio
JDM Honda Navpod w/ 6-inch Screen
Rockford Forsgate Amp
JL Audio Subwoofer
COMPETITION EVENTS/CLASSES/RESULTS
2014 Honda Day Englishtown - 1st Place NSX
2014 Honda Fest - 3rd Place NSX
FAVORITE MODIFICATION
iLift Air Suspension Cup Kit. This allows me to drive around and not have to worry about getting in and out of steeper driveways and obstacles.
SHOPS
JDMotoring did all of the installations on this car.
