RKM Motorsport: NSX-R 3rd Anniversary [Follow Up]

Initial Review: NSX-R 3rd Anniversary

I have two accounts that I play GT5 on: my normal everything account and one I created specifically to compete in the GTPlanet Weekly Race Series. Since the GTP account is still working up through the levels I took my second NSX out for a run in the expert level Japanese Championship. The five race series gave me some variety and a better impression of the car overall.

When I first ran this test I believe I was still running with TCS at 5. Since then I have steadily moved it down and now normally run at a 2 on my way to ditching it completely. I had a couple less than smooth moments, particularly on the tight corners at Tsukuba. It took me a few laps but I found my control and didn't have much problem from there on out. The car remained as stable and composed as when I first tested it. When I inevitably came into a corner too hot and started to slide it around it was still just as easy as before to keep a handle on it through the exit.

While there was "traffic" on the courses with me they were generally long gone by the middle of the first lap. A few kept up on the map with me on the higher speed courses but still at a good distance behind. It ended up that these races were pretty much a five lap time attack for me and the NSX. I think I did fair as I haven't spent much time on most of the courses besides GVS in the 3rd race and Monza in the 4th. With Monza I am somewhat prone to cutting the chicanes but forced myself mentally to keep it clean for the sake of fair comparison later. Overall I would say that my opinion of the car has not changed. With aid on or off it seems like it will still be both fun and fast.

Below are the lap records for each course. On GVS I was not able to beat my previous lap record, though I was able to come close, and so I have left it off. More practice should yield better times, particularly at Tsukuba and Suzuka. I feel I left a lot of time on those two.

Tsukuba: 59.755"

Fuji Speedway F: 1'48.243"

Monza: 1'57.488"

Suzuka: 2'13.682"

RKM Motorsport: NSX-R 3rd Anniversary

RKM Motorsport: NSX-R 3rd Anniversary

Based on: Honda NSX Type R ‘02
Obtained: Brand new model at Honda

Drivetrain: MR
Horsepower: 393 BHP (@ 982.7 miles)
Torque:---- 40 kgfm
Weight:---- 1051 kg
PP:-------- 536

PARTS
GT Auto
Advan RGII Wheels
Type A Front Aero
Type A Wing

Tuning Shop
Chassis Weight Reduction Stage 3
Rigidity Improvement
Window Weight Reduction
Carbon Bonnet (Body Colour)
Engine Tuning Stage 1
Sports ECU
Sports Intake Manifold
Racing Air Filter
Titanium Racing Exhaust
Sports Exhaust Manifold
Catalytic Converter: Sports
Fully Customisable Transmission
Twin Plate Clutch
Semi Racing Flywheel
Fully Customisable LSD
Fully Customisable Suspension Kit
Sports Soft Tyres

SETUP

Body/Chassis
Aerodynamics
Downforce: 0/20

Ballast
Amount:-- 0
Position: 0

Engine
Power Limiter
Power Level: 100.0%

Transmission
Transmission
(Set Max Speed, then each individual ratio.)
1st:-- 2.887
2nd:-- 1.963
3rd:-- 1.481
4th:-- 1.158
5th:-- 0.936
6th:-- 0.771
Final: 4.130
Max Speed: 211 MPH

Drivetrain
Differential
Initial: 0/10
Accel:-- 0/25
Braking: 0/15

Suspension
Suspension
Ride Height: -25/-25
Spring Rate: 8.5/9.0
Extension:-- 7/8
Compression: 6/6
Anti-Roll:-- 3/4
Camber:----- 1.9/2.0
Toe:-------- –0.15/0.05

Brakes
Brake Balance Controller
Brake Balance: 5/6

Intended Driving Options
Transmission: Manual (MT)
ABS: 1
Everything else: OFF

Tuner Comments:
Guess who’s back with a complete makeover for GT5? Oh yes. It’s the RVV NSX-R Evo.II all rebuilt for this generation. The main difference you’ll notice is the new aero, new wheels and the titanium pipes out back. Under the bonnet, you’ll notice a fresh new C32B engine with a reliable 393bhp. Weight has been reduced to 1051kg, making this old favourite even faster than before. Oh yeah, it’s still just as agile, if not more so.

This 3rd Anniversary model marks the 3rd year of this NSX’s life.

Having grown up driving only Volkswagens (my first car was a '91 Corrado followed by a '00 GTI) I normally snub my nose at anything Honda (and Acura here in the States). The NSX has always been an exception to that rule. It was something of an anomalous car among the ugly, boring econoboxes. Having seen all the positive reviews on this now legendary car I decided to give it a go and see how it performs under my hand.

Off the lot this car is neither boring nor exciting. It drives easily for the most part but you can get some excitement if you push it some. The back end is pretty tail-happy under braking, especially at higher speeds. But this is not anything new in the realm of MR cars. Also out back there seems to be quite a bit of lateral sensitivity. By example, running up over the rumble strips I was almost sure to see the back kick out coming back down off onto the tarmac. However, the swing is easily controlled and corrected. I would give credit for this to the longer wheelbase. It does not come up on you as fast as say a Lotus or other shorter wheelbase car. Lap time around GVS was 2'14.152".

Adding on the parts magnifies everything. The car is much faster but so is the rotation out back. With the added power and reduced weight it swings out so much faster and is more difficult to catch; it feels out of control. On the up side there is more stability under braking at all speeds. The entry to the first corner is much easier though getting through it is more difficult. Time around was 2'00.693".

Tweaking the settings produces...I don't know.  It isn't a car any more. It feels like a go-kart, rocket sled, excitement machine! It is incredible fun. Fun fact: I am not much of a drifter. While it is fun to watch I lack the skill for the most part to be able to do it. Right off the bat I was pushing the NSX-R and hit the brakes late into the big right-hander. The tail came out, I mashed the throttle and held the angle with no countersteer through the entire thing. All of it. Start to finish. I was smiling and laughing so hard I forgot about the rest of the course. What incredible control and stability! The sliding has returned to more of a stock feel rotating slower but with more ability to control. But this is not the order of the day. I did say go-kart. I can push through corners with a hamfist and it will just stick. When I expect it to break loose it doesn't. It just plants and goes. I could run in the 2' range all day if I wanted. I decided to give it a real good push and knocked the lap time down to 1'59.194" on the first shot. A second and a half just on settings is pretty good I would say, especially given that the parts tuned form wasn't some uncontrollable beast.

Since it was mentioned, I brought out a jealous Juliet for some chase fun. She couldn't touch the NSX at all. Not close in any way, shape or form. As stable as I feel she is from what she was the stability of the NSX is on a whole other level. Juliet was a good 8-10 seconds slower on my best runs.

Overall I think if I had started out with an NSX from the get go I wouldn't have the distaste for MRs that I have. Given my experience so far I am starting to open up to them. The NSX I think will be my favorite car for a good while. I can't imagine what a car would be like that would be more fun this fast.

Lap Times
Grand Valley Speedway: 1'59.194"
Tsukuba: 59.755"

Fuji Speedway F: 1'48.243"

Monza: 1'57.488"

Suzuka: 2'13.682"