Yes, the venture set Jose back a healthy $45K but, as he says, "A crack head's gotta have his crack." Jose's project was funded mostly through his regular paychecks and side jobs as a consultant. "Credit cards too," he says. Of course, few builds have been completed without one of those. But the hard work and frantic nighttime installs have arguably paid off. A slew of JDM NSX-R parts, including a rare JDM NSX-R engine cover that cost a cool $2,000, is proof enough. Unlike many NSX owners, Jose enjoys his daily, rescuing it from the garage and taking it to the streets on a regular basis, once making a Dodge Viper look more like a Dodge minivan. Of course, driving a Spa Yellow Pearl NSX coupled with blood-red Bride Brix II seats is going to attract attention. "All the hooked-up cars get excited when they see me. I'm sure they've done a lot. I can appreciate their work. I've been there. I give them the thumbs up right back," he says.
For others experiencing natural progression, Jose has some advice. "Dream big, work hard, and play harder," he says as he sits surrounded by artwork from Michael Godard. Shortly after losing to a BMW M5, Jose ordered a supercharger that is in transit. He's even added a complete banging sound system since our last visit. The progression continues.
Bolts & washers
Propulsion:
Mobil 1 Racing 0W-30 oil
Downforce air intake system
UNI air filter
Comptech headers
Taitec GT Lightweight exhaust
Science of Speed short gear stalk
Science of Speed short gear kit
RH Engineering clutch
OEM lightened flywheel
NSX-R engine cover
NSX-R intake manifold cover
NSX-R intake manifold plate
Mugen reservoir covers
Science of Speed coolant expansion tank
Downforce aluminum battery tray
Custom carbon-fiber radiator duct
Stance:
Tein S.Tech springs
Resistance:
Brembo Gran Turismo big brake kitGoodridge steel -braided lines
Rims & Rubber:
Front: 18x8 Work Meister S2R (+20 offset)
Rear: 18x10 Work Meister S2R (+20 offset)
Front: 225/35-18 Goodyear Eagle F1
Rear: 275/35-18 Goodyear Eagle F1
Outside:
Spa Yellow Pearl paint
Wings West front lip
Cantrell Studios GT Series widebody kit
Mugen license plate bolts
NSX-R chassis reinforcement bars
NSX-R hood emblem
NSX-R door emblems
NSX-R replica carbon-fiber hood
NSX-R taillights
Downforce carbon-fiber wing
Downforce carbon-fiber undertray
Downforce carbon-fiber rear window
garnish
Downforce clean-air HEPA system
Downforce carbon-fiber rear license plate bezel
Downforce fluorescent license plate light bar
S2000 sidemarkers
S2000 antenna
McCulloch 6000K HID kit
3M clear film protection
'02+ NSX rear valence
Inside:
Bride Brix II seats
Bride-matched door panels
Bride-matched sun visors
Sparco steering wheel
NRG quick-release hub
JDM ITR shift knob
NSX-R shift boot
NSX-R horn button
NSX-R floor mat emblems
NSX-R door sill plates
NSX-R replica gauge cluster
NSX-R replica carpet kit
Mugen pedals
Backyard Special carbon-fiber door trim
Zoom F50 carbon-fiber rearview mirror
Not Pictured:
Kenwood DDX-7019 head unit
Kenwood LZ-L702W monitor
MB Quartz speakers
JL Audio 10-inch subwoofer
Alpine PDX.4 amplifier
Science of Speed stereo bracket
NSX-R navigation pod
ZeToolman sub enclosure
Props:
Tony Macias
Melissa Macias
Chris at Science of Speed
Peter at Downforce
Ryan at Bell's Autobody
Scott at Kar Fanatics
Free at Prestige Auto Workz
Sam at MDC motoring
Vance Hu
Tom Rutherford
Autowave
The entire NSX community