SP Rides: Catching A Rare Roadster
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Ray Evans
Age: 37
Occupation: Military
Hobbies: Cars, sports, video games
Year, Make, Model: 1991 Honda NSX
Color: Championship White
Engine: Lovefab LF600 turbo kit air-to-water intercooled, Thermal dynamics exhaust, AEM engine management, RC and AEM fuel management
Exterior: NSX-R GT body kit. VIS Racing carbon fiber hood, Championship White paint, Spoon mirrors, Carshop glow LED tail lights, Difflow diffuser, Voltex wing
Interior: NSX-R carpet, Recaro SRD seats, Cusco 4-point roll cage, Takata harnesses, Spoon sports steering wheel, Pioneer double din, Honda Access JDM navigation pod
Suspension: VRH air suspension
Wheels/Tires/Brakes: Desmond Marquis Promada 17/18-inch gloss black rims. Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, Spoon Sports monoblock calipers.
Shoutouts: Vernon at Custom Fleet Auto, Sean Igawa for tuning, and “AF” for the support.
The Honda NSX is the type of car that most import enthusiasts view as unobtanium. Known as one of the big ones from the trifecta of 90’s import legends (which include the Supra and RX-7), there’s many a man in their mid-thirties with model cars, posters and a serious want for what many view as the ultimate Japanese “exotic.” Ray Evans is one such man and luckily for him, he happens to own one.
Evans fell into loving Hondas way before The Fast and the Furious became a buzzword. For him, at the time, Hondas were just an A to B type of car known for being affordable with decent gas mileage, however, as time went on they became something more. Since he joined the Navy, this Hawaii-born enthusiast has owned nothing but Hondas and has slowly worked himself up the chain having owned and worked on Civics, Integras and the impressive S2000.
Evans has taken years of this self-acquired, hands-on knowledge and applied it to this 1991 Honda NSX. Eight years ago, Ray purchased this ride after years of keeping hope alive. What followed was a gradual transformation modeled after the incredible NSX-R GT that now breaks necks on the mean streets. For the uninformed, the NSX-R GT is the ultimate NSX, created only so that Honda could race in the Japanese Super GT under homologation regulations. From the interior to the exterior, nothing has gone untouched to replicate this import legend. However, Evans has taken it a step further as beyond the incredibly good looks, this normally naturally-aspirated racer has been turbocharged.
After going all-in on a very rare NSX-R GT body kit (the only one on the island) as well as a fresh spray of Championship White, the peppy 8,000 redlined V-6 has been retrofitted with a Lovefab LF600 turbo kit that is air-to-water cooled. Throw in a Thermal Dynamics exhaust, AEM engine management to control this beast, as well as some various other goodies and this NSX-R GT replica actually goes a step beyond.
Visually, the body kit puts the not-exactly-sedate exterior into racecar territory. The front bumper and sideskirts add additional venting while the rear features a gorgeous Difflow diffuser. The awesome NSX-R GT snorkel gives the turbo additional breathing room while extra downforce is provided by the impressive Voltex wing. Even the mirrors have been swapped out for Spoon models. The tails are gorgeous and custom-made LEDs by Carshop.
The interior has also been given a makeover and includes the actual NSX-R carpet, stunning red Recaro SRD seats and a striking blue Cusco 4-point roll cage with equipped Takata Harnesses.
With a ride this low, air suspension is a must, so that’s where VRH fits the bill — allowing this NSX to ride comfortably over the Desmond Marquis Promada 17/18-inch gloss black rims featuring Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires. Finally, Spoon Sports calipers provide additional braking power.
For Evans, this car was a passion project. When it comes down to it, Evans is pretty straightforward about it and encouraged others to do the same in fulfilling goals. “Be dedicated to your dreams,” he shared. “This used to be only a poster in my room but in the end, I built my dream car.”
