My mystery question - Tuner-Junction

jadkar · #1 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 02:50 PM

OK drag racing guys explain this mystery question. It's been hounding enthusiasts for a long time and I experienced it first time last Friday when I took my Rex to E-Town.

Why is the NSX so fast??? Now I know it really isn't super quick, but compared to it's specs it makes no sense. Let me explain.....

My CRX
2350lbs
269whp (more like 289 now that I upped the boost)

My best 1/4 mile = 13.2 @ 109mph. Now from what people have told me if I get better and improve my 60' time I can probably be around mid 12s.

My 1998 NSX targa
3150lbs
269whp

Car & Driver recorded 1/4 = 12.9 @ 111mph. Most people on NSXPrime have been able to achieve similar numbers on their 97+ NSX. The earlier ones were a tad slower.

So the question remains.....why?????? The NSX is almost 1000lbs more than my CRX and I have more HP. It really makes no sense. Could the difference be ALL in the NSXs mid engine configuration and the better traction off the line?? Can better traction REALLY make up the difference of almost 1000lbs

This question is very old amongst NSX enthusiasts as well as other people. I had C5 drivers who could never understand why my NSX was just as fast as their car and I only had 290hp & 224ft/lbs with basically the same weight.

Any intelligent comments??

A_White_Gs-R · #2 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 03:01 PM

Power band could have alot to do with it. doenst the nsx make even power through out? Suspension set up could also help with times as well. I dont know really.

jadkar · #3 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 03:03 PM

^^^

My CRX has the flattest torque curves around thanks to the SC. Like I said the only thing I can think of is the insane traction the NSX has, but still 750lbs difference!!!

ATISTANG · #4 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 03:18 PM

Improved traction, better matched gear ratios for better use of the engines powerband,
there is other variables in there but I'm hung over so i'm a little slow today and can't think right

ezeedee · #5 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 03:29 PM

im gonna say the gears and better traction.

i think i heard in a different post that your first gear is utterly useless? im sure its not that way on a NSX.

jadkar · #6 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 03:42 PM

1st through 3rd in the NSX (97+) is perfectly matched.

1st --> 47mph
2nd --> 67mph
3rd --> 100mph
4th --> 127mph
5th --> 149mph
6th --> Too Fast

Lil Sol · #7 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 03:47 PM

fwd is your problem

Ricky · #8 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 04:02 PM

Its not one thing its a couple of things. They made the NSX gearing really good after the first run of nsx's because they werent doing to good on road tests or at least not as good as they wanted to be doing because of that. I think they modified the final gear. Then theres the power band as some one mentioned which makes a big difference. The best example of this is Nissans VQ engine. Although they dont really put down that much power they manage to pull decent times on really heavy cars because of the power band. Some one swaped a vq35 from a maxima into a sentra and i think the car was only making 215 to the wheels but it was running 12.9 just because the powerband was so bad ass. Also take into account that the nsx is rwd. rwd will always have better times then comparable fwd because its much easier to push a car then it is to pull a car.

I dont think its one thing that makes the nsx faster then your crx I think its a whole bunch of things working together. Also keep in mind that that was the first time that youve run your car at the track. For all we know once you go back to the track and have a little more research and experience under your belt you may run better times.

DXE · #9 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 05:21 PM

shoot for 11s john

carboncivic · #10 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 05:29 PM

Everything fore mentioned is factors but also is practice. When I took my dx to the track, it ran a 18.1, 18.2, and on the last run of the day I ran a 17.6. I guess practice makes perfect.

Ricky · #11 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboncivic

Everything fore mentioned is factors but also is practice. When I took my dx to the track, it ran a 18.1, 18.2, and on the last run of the day I ran a 17.6. I guess practice makes perfect.

first time I took it to the track the accord ran 18.1 secound time it ran consistent 17.6's but it wasnt because of lack of skill it was because the tranny was dieing lol.

ATISTANG · #12 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 06:46 PM

First time I ran my mustang I ran a 14.2, second time i ran a 13.2, third time ran a 13.0, last run of the night I ran a 12.8. A car with 411ft/lb of torque at wheels with street tires I had to learn throttle and clutch control real quick.

mad-ass · #13 (**permalink**) July 3rd, 2006, 11:39 PM

Hmm...hand made Vs. machine made.

RWD Vs. FWD

Super car Vs. Mini ferarrie..

i unno john..that just might be the answer.

A_White_Gs-R · #14 (**permalink**) July 4th, 2006, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad-ass

Hmm...hand made Vs. machine made.

RWD Vs. FWD

Super car Vs. Mini ferarrie..

i unno john..that just might be the answer.

its just not that simple especially when the mini ferrari is putting out the same amount of power to the ground as the nsx is but weighs 700+ lbs less than the nsx. the nsx is truely a driving machine plain and simple. and there are tons of reasons why this is happening jon. upgrade your axles and switch to stickier tires and then try again and youll see different results trust me.

triniskill · #15 (**permalink**) July 4th, 2006, 12:39 AM

2 words john...MID SHIP..having the motor and tranny in the middle of the car improves eveything...my friends mr-2 is a rocket off the line..reason being its a mid-ship...when all the power is transfered to the tires theres the wieght form the whole car and the motor and tranny to keep it fromm spinin like a mofo.

triniskill · #16 (**permalink**) July 4th, 2006, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_White_Gs-R

upgrade your axles and switch to stickier tires and then try again and youll see different results trust me.

KibaRUN · #17 (**permalink**) July 4th, 2006, 03:05 AM

rwd mid ship, gear ratios, torque, tyres, more cubic inches...v8 drag racers always rub that into the 4 and 6 guys.....short wheel base cars can tend to have problems running fast times

Quote:

Originally Posted by triniskill

2 words john...MID SHIP..having the motor and tranny in the middle of the car improves eveything...my friends mr-2 is a rocket off the line..reason being its a mid-ship...when all the power is transfered to the tires theres the wieght form the whole car and the motor and tranny to keep it fromm spinin like a mofo.

the 3sgte is known for big power.....its one of the craziest blocks right behind the 4g63

triniskill · #18 (**permalink**) July 4th, 2006, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KibaRUN

the 3sgte is known for big power.....its one of the craziest blocks right behind the 4g63

Yup...this motor has taking a beatin..20psi all day..nothing has happen to the internals as yet