NSX?

[flemke]

AR said:

[
Hi mate just to let you know the Zanardi gearknob will not work with the NA1 NSX-R shift stalk as this has a female thread.

After selling my NSX-R and getting a regular one the things I missed the most were the shifter and the steering wheel. I set out to change them and was successful with the steering, but had to buy a shifter mechanism and adapt it to the R.

Here is a little write up of whatr I did.

http://nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/showthread.php?t=3157

Cheers,

AR

AR,

A very skilled friend with a lathe was kind enough to make an adapter for me.
I still say that the "Senna" knob is too small. Lovely shape, but it needs to be at least 30% bigger.

Cheers.

[ferrisbueller]

flemke said:

AR said:

[
Hi mate just to let you know the Zanardi gearknob will not work with the NA1 NSX-R shift stalk as this has a female thread.

After selling my NSX-R and getting a regular one the things I missed the most were the shifter and the steering wheel. I set out to change them and was successful with the steering, but had to buy a shifter mechanism and adapt it to the R.

Here is a little write up of whatr I did.

http://nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/showthread.php?t=3157

Cheers,

AR

AR,

A very skilled friend with a lathe was kind enough to make an adapter for me.
I still say that the "Senna" knob is too small. Lovely shape, but it needs to be at least 30% bigger.

Cheers.

There's a school yard joke in there somewhere but out of respect for the great man I'll leave it alone

[dinkel]

flemke said:

I still say that the "Senna" knob is too small. Lovely shape, but it needs to be at least 30% bigger.

Cheers.

Senna: little guy = little hands = little knob.

All things Jap tend to be a bit small . . . I say: better a bit to small than a bit too big

[Jules360]

flemke said:

ferrisbueller said:

Back OT, how is the Type-R coming on?

It's fine.

Not much to say, really. It's got good grip, the balance is nice, the steering too.
Not sure what sort of power the engine produces, as it is masked by the short gearing. Would have to drive it in Germany to have better sense of outright power, but have not had the chance yet to do that.
Lovely engine note - typical Honda sound, with an added growling menace.
Suspension is hard, which is alright, although it feels like the rear dampers should be softer in rebound, as you get a sense of lost contact after compression.
I've not tried it on a circuit, although I suspect that the brakes wouldn't be up to the task.
Have replaced the wheels, as the original size tyres are not readily available, and one wouldn't want them anyway.
The carbon/kevlar seats unique to the R have nice shells, but the cushions are too thick. Have not been able to find thinner replacements.
The original "Senna" gearshift knob was much too short; I cannot imagine what they were thinking. I've raised that, and may change it.

Those are the things that come to mind.

So to sum up... gearing too short, sounds like a Honda, iffy suspension set-up, crap brakes, badly sized tyres, poor seats and a rubbish gear lever ...

.....and you think the 355 is shite ???

[havoc]

Jules360 said:

.....and you think the 355 is shite ???

I think flemke may be a perfectionist...

[Jules360]

Sounds like he owns the wrong car then

[ferrisbueller]

Jules360 said:

Sounds like he owns the wrong car then

Which one are you referring to? The F1? After all, he's modified that extensively. Even though it's perfect for many he has chosen to forge ahead making the kind of changes most people wouldn't dream of in the pursuit of perfection. With that kind of perfectionist mentality I wouldn't have said the above tweaks to an NSX represent major issues.

His assessment of a 355 suggested it required more than a few tweaks in his eyes. Horses for courses etc.

[trackdemon]

Jules360 said:

flemke said:

ferrisbueller said:

Back OT, how is the Type-R coming on?

It's fine.

Not much to say, really. It's got good grip, the balance is nice, the steering too.
Not sure what sort of power the engine produces, as it is masked by the short gearing. Would have to drive it in Germany to have better sense of outright power, but have not had the chance yet to do that.
Lovely engine note - typical Honda sound, with an added growling menace.
Suspension is hard, which is alright, although it feels like the rear dampers should be softer in rebound, as you get a sense of lost contact after compression.
I've not tried it on a circuit, although I suspect that the brakes wouldn't be up to the task.
Have replaced the wheels, as the original size tyres are not readily available, and one wouldn't want them anyway.
The carbon/kevlar seats unique to the R have nice shells, but the cushions are too thick. Have not been able to find thinner replacements.
The original "Senna" gearshift knob was much too short; I cannot imagine what they were thinking. I've raised that, and may change it.

Those are the things that come to mind.

So to sum up... gearing too short, sounds like a Honda, iffy suspension set-up, crap brakes, badly sized tyres, poor seats and a rubbish gear lever ...

.....and you think the 355 is shite ???

Did you actually read Flemke's post?

[flemke]

Jules360 said:

So to sum up... gearing too short, sounds like a Honda, iffy suspension set-up, crap brakes, badly sized tyres, poor seats and a rubbish gear lever ...

.....and you think the 355 is shite ???

I see that I failed to make myself clear.

My experience in 355s is not extensive, because I try not to waste my time driving rubbish cars. From the experience that I have had in them, and in NSXs, I would say:

- Type R's gearing is not too short, it is just short relative to standard, and therefore it is not obvious what the bhp difference is between the two.
- Sounds like an NSX. In other words, as good as a 355.
- I mentioned a particular trait of the rear wheels in droop which I would change, or at least explore if I had the time to do so. Overall the car's suspension is vastly superior to the 355's. The NSX's handling is truly world class, even today.
- The brakes are fine for road use. I said that they wouldn't hack it on a track day. In this respect they are like every other normal road car of the period, including the 355, with the sole exception of Porsches.
- No badly sized tyres at all. Bridgestone stopped distributing the original size tyres to Europe, so I changed the wheel size. No big deal.
- I didn't say that the seats were "poor". For my body, one cushion is too thick. The carbon/Kevlar seat shells are well-shaped and beautiful - better than anything I've ever seen in a Ferrari, at least prior to Challenge Stradale, and probably a bit better than those.
- I think they made a wrong choice on the size of the gear lever, although I suspect that many NSX owners would be tickled to have the gear lever that Senna preferred. What's more than slightly more important is the shift quality of the gearbox. I like the Ferrari open gate and semi-agricultural action, but the NSX shift action is the best that I have ever experienced on a road car.

A few other points of comparison, as you seem interested:

- The NSX has proper brake feel, in contrast to the 355's over-servo'd mess.
- The NSX has great steering precision and steering feel, in stark contrast to the 355's over-servo'd mess.
- The 355's engine is bigger and more powerful, so I would have to give it the nod, but there is not a great deal in it.
- The NSX's interior is miles better than the Ferrari's. Ergonomics are superior, looks are a lot better too.
- NSX's driving position and driver vision superb. 355's below average.
- The 355 is the best looking mid-engined road car that Ferrari have made, with the possible exception of the F40. As such, it looks as good as the NSX.
- Then we have build quality. Or, rather, we have Honda build quality, and we have Ferrari...personality. Is the useful life of a 355's cambelts still 5000 miles?
- Finally, we have the appeal of the badge on the bonnet. Here again, the Honda wins.

[MrFlibbles]

[odyssey2200]

Gimme the Honda everyday!!

[havoc]

flemke said:

Finally, we have the appeal of the badge on the bonnet. Here again, the Honda wins.

About time someone said that!

(That said, if you were to offer me an F40 I wouldn't say no...but if it was F4 or NSX-R I'd have to drive them to decide...)

[Jules360]

flemke said:

Jules360 said:

So to sum up... gearing too short, sounds like a Honda, iffy suspension set-up, crap brakes, badly sized tyres, poor seats and a rubbish gear lever ...

.....and you think the 355 is shite ???

I see that I failed to make myself clear.

My experience in 355s is not extensive, because I try not to waste my time driving rubbish cars. From the experience that I have had in them, and in NSXs, I would say:

- Type R's gearing is not too short, it is just short relative to standard, and therefore it is not obvious what the bhp difference is between the two.
- Sounds like an NSX. In other words, as good as a 355.
- I mentioned a particular trait of the rear wheels in droop which I would change, or at least explore if I had the time to do so. Overall the car's suspension is vastly superior to the 355's. The NSX's handling is truly world class, even today.
- The brakes are fine for road use. I said that they wouldn't hack it on a track day. In this respect they are like every other normal road car of the period, including the 355, with the sole exception of Porsches.
- No badly sized tyres at all. Bridgestone stopped distributing the original size tyres to Europe, so I changed the wheel size. No big deal.
- I didn't say that the seats were "poor". For my body, one cushion is too thick. The carbon/Kevlar seat shells are well-shaped and beautiful - better than anything I've ever seen in a Ferrari, at least prior to Challenge Stradale, and probably a bit better than those.
- I think they made a wrong choice on the size of the gear lever, although I suspect that many NSX owners would be tickled to have the gear lever that Senna preferred. What's more than slightly more important is the shift quality of the gearbox. I like the Ferrari open gate and semi-agricultural action, but the NSX shift action is the best that I have ever experienced on a road car.

A few other points of comparison, as you seem interested:

- The NSX has proper brake feel, in contrast to the 355's over-servo'd mess.
- The NSX has great steering precision and steering feel, in stark contrast to the 355's over-servo'd mess.
- The 355's engine is bigger and more powerful, so I would have to give it the nod, but there is not a great deal in it.
- The NSX's interior is miles better than the Ferrari's. Ergonomics are superior, looks are a lot better too.
- NSX's driving position and driver vision superb. 355's below average.
- The 355 is the best looking mid-engined road car that Ferrari have made, with the possible exception of the F40. As such, it looks as good as the NSX.
- Then we have build quality. Or, rather, we have Honda build quality, and we have Ferrari...personality. Is the useful life of a 355's cambelts still 5000 miles?
- Finally, we have the appeal of the badge on the bonnet. Here again, the Honda wins.

And of course this superiority is reflected in sales figures and residuals ?

[odyssey2200]

No but it suffers because of short sighted, ill-informed, narrow minded badge snobs.

[Civpilot]

Jules360 said:

flemke said:

Jules360 said:

So to sum up... gearing too short, sounds like a Honda, iffy suspension set-up, crap brakes, badly sized tyres, poor seats and a rubbish gear lever ...

.....and you think the 355 is shite ???

I see that I failed to make myself clear.

My experience in 355s is not extensive, because I try not to waste my time driving rubbish cars. From the experience that I have had in them, and in NSXs, I would say:

- Type R's gearing is not too short, it is just short relative to standard, and therefore it is not obvious what the bhp difference is between the two.
- Sounds like an NSX. In other words, as good as a 355.
- I mentioned a particular trait of the rear wheels in droop which I would change, or at least explore if I had the time to do so. Overall the car's suspension is vastly superior to the 355's. The NSX's handling is truly world class, even today.
- The brakes are fine for road use. I said that they wouldn't hack it on a track day. In this respect they are like every other normal road car of the period, including the 355, with the sole exception of Porsches.
- No badly sized tyres at all. Bridgestone stopped distributing the original size tyres to Europe, so I changed the wheel size. No big deal.
- I didn't say that the seats were "poor". For my body, one cushion is too thick. The carbon/Kevlar seat shells are well-shaped and beautiful - better than anything I've ever seen in a Ferrari, at least prior to Challenge Stradale, and probably a bit better than those.
- I think they made a wrong choice on the size of the gear lever, although I suspect that many NSX owners would be tickled to have the gear lever that Senna preferred. What's more than slightly more important is the shift quality of the gearbox. I like the Ferrari open gate and semi-agricultural action, but the NSX shift action is the best that I have ever experienced on a road car.

A few other points of comparison, as you seem interested:

- The NSX has proper brake feel, in contrast to the 355's over-servo'd mess.
- The NSX has great steering precision and steering feel, in stark contrast to the 355's over-servo'd mess.
- The 355's engine is bigger and more powerful, so I would have to give it the nod, but there is not a great deal in it.
- The NSX's interior is miles better than the Ferrari's. Ergonomics are superior, looks are a lot better too.
- NSX's driving position and driver vision superb. 355's below average.
- The 355 is the best looking mid-engined road car that Ferrari have made, with the possible exception of the F40. As such, it looks as good as the NSX.
- Then we have build quality. Or, rather, we have Honda build quality, and we have Ferrari...personality. Is the useful life of a 355's cambelts still 5000 miles?
- Finally, we have the appeal of the badge on the bonnet. Here again, the Honda wins.

And of course this superiority is reflected in sales figures and residuals ?

Or is it just the blindness to want to buy a "badge" thats reflected in the figures?

Beaten to the punchline in the time it took me to read the posts....

Edited by Civpilot on Wednesday 18th July 09:04

[Jules360]

odyssey2200 said:

No but it suffers because of short sighted, ill-informed, narrow minded badge snobs.

I refer you to Flemke's last point.

[flemke]

Jules360 said:

And of course this superiority is reflected in sales figures and residuals ?

My friend, never confuse what something is worth with what a fool will pay for it.

I've no doubt that there are people who would pay £100 for one of Paris Hilton's turds.

[Jules360]

flemke said:

Jules360 said:

And of course this superiority is reflected in sales figures and residuals ?

My friend, never confuse what something is worth with what a fool will pay for it.

I've no doubt that there are people who would pay £100 for one of Paris Hilton's turds.

True, but residuals will reply on you finding another idiot to buy it from you. Goods generally find their true value over a period of time in a free market..

[ferrisbueller]

Jules360 said:

flemke said:

Jules360 said:

So to sum up... gearing too short, sounds like a Honda, iffy suspension set-up, crap brakes, badly sized tyres, poor seats and a rubbish gear lever ...

.....and you think the 355 is shite ???

I see that I failed to make myself clear.

My experience in 355s is not extensive, because I try not to waste my time driving rubbish cars. From the experience that I have had in them, and in NSXs, I would say:

- Type R's gearing is not too short, it is just short relative to standard, and therefore it is not obvious what the bhp difference is between the two.
- Sounds like an NSX. In other words, as good as a 355.
- I mentioned a particular trait of the rear wheels in droop which I would change, or at least explore if I had the time to do so. Overall the car's suspension is vastly superior to the 355's. The NSX's handling is truly world class, even today.
- The brakes are fine for road use. I said that they wouldn't hack it on a track day. In this respect they are like every other normal road car of the period, including the 355, with the sole exception of Porsches.
- No badly sized tyres at all. Bridgestone stopped distributing the original size tyres to Europe, so I changed the wheel size. No big deal.
- I didn't say that the seats were "poor". For my body, one cushion is too thick. The carbon/Kevlar seat shells are well-shaped and beautiful - better than anything I've ever seen in a Ferrari, at least prior to Challenge Stradale, and probably a bit better than those.
- I think they made a wrong choice on the size of the gear lever, although I suspect that many NSX owners would be tickled to have the gear lever that Senna preferred. What's more than slightly more important is the shift quality of the gearbox. I like the Ferrari open gate and semi-agricultural action, but the NSX shift action is the best that I have ever experienced on a road car.

A few other points of comparison, as you seem interested:

- The NSX has proper brake feel, in contrast to the 355's over-servo'd mess.
- The NSX has great steering precision and steering feel, in stark contrast to the 355's over-servo'd mess.
- The 355's engine is bigger and more powerful, so I would have to give it the nod, but there is not a great deal in it.
- The NSX's interior is miles better than the Ferrari's. Ergonomics are superior, looks are a lot better too.
- NSX's driving position and driver vision superb. 355's below average.
- The 355 is the best looking mid-engined road car that Ferrari have made, with the possible exception of the F40. As such, it looks as good as the NSX.
- Then we have build quality. Or, rather, we have Honda build quality, and we have Ferrari...personality. Is the useful life of a 355's cambelts still 5000 miles?
- Finally, we have the appeal of the badge on the bonnet. Here again, the Honda wins.

And of course this superiority is reflected in sales figures and residuals ?

Sales figures, no. Residuals, yes.

[trackdemon]

ferrisbueller said:

Jules360 said:

flemke said:

Jules360 said:

So to sum up... gearing too short, sounds like a Honda, iffy suspension set-up, crap brakes, badly sized tyres, poor seats and a rubbish gear lever ...

.....and you think the 355 is shite ???

I see that I failed to make myself clear.

My experience in 355s is not extensive, because I try not to waste my time driving rubbish cars. From the experience that I have had in them, and in NSXs, I would say:

- Type R's gearing is not too short, it is just short relative to standard, and therefore it is not obvious what the bhp difference is between the two.
- Sounds like an NSX. In other words, as good as a 355.
- I mentioned a particular trait of the rear wheels in droop which I would change, or at least explore if I had the time to do so. Overall the car's suspension is vastly superior to the 355's. The NSX's handling is truly world class, even today.
- The brakes are fine for road use. I said that they wouldn't hack it on a track day. In this respect they are like every other normal road car of the period, including the 355, with the sole exception of Porsches.
- No badly sized tyres at all. Bridgestone stopped distributing the original size tyres to Europe, so I changed the wheel size. No big deal.
- I didn't say that the seats were "poor". For my body, one cushion is too thick. The carbon/Kevlar seat shells are well-shaped and beautiful - better than anything I've ever seen in a Ferrari, at least prior to Challenge Stradale, and probably a bit better than those.
- I think they made a wrong choice on the size of the gear lever, although I suspect that many NSX owners would be tickled to have the gear lever that Senna preferred. What's more than slightly more important is the shift quality of the gearbox. I like the Ferrari open gate and semi-agricultural action, but the NSX shift action is the best that I have ever experienced on a road car.

A few other points of comparison, as you seem interested:

- The NSX has proper brake feel, in contrast to the 355's over-servo'd mess.
- The NSX has great steering precision and steering feel, in stark contrast to the 355's over-servo'd mess.
- The 355's engine is bigger and more powerful, so I would have to give it the nod, but there is not a great deal in it.
- The NSX's interior is miles better than the Ferrari's. Ergonomics are superior, looks are a lot better too.
- NSX's driving position and driver vision superb. 355's below average.
- The 355 is the best looking mid-engined road car that Ferrari have made, with the possible exception of the F40. As such, it looks as good as the NSX.
- Then we have build quality. Or, rather, we have Honda build quality, and we have Ferrari...personality. Is the useful life of a 355's cambelts still 5000 miles?
- Finally, we have the appeal of the badge on the bonnet. Here again, the Honda wins.

And of course this superiority is reflected in sales figures and residuals ?

Sales figures, no. Residuals, yes.

I'm not convinced there are more 355's in the world than NSX's given the popularity of the NSX in the US & Japan. Residuals are a non arguement - nobody in their right mind would buy a 60k 355, whereas an NSX is nicely run in at the same point. I like the 355 despite its faults, but its unquestionably not as 'good' a car as an NSX.