Helix Auto Works

08/02/2026

As with any engine build, not everything goes according to plan.

Just when we thought we were ready for final assembly, we ran into a few unexpected setbacks. Several small but critical OEM parts needed to be replaced, including non-reusable washers, a missing cylinder head dowel pin, and a few gaskets and seals for the timing covers.

We also discovered something we had completely overlooked when sourcing the replacement engine.

Although it's a C32B, it's actually an earlier C32B1, not the later C32B2 that originally came in the 2005 NSX. At the time, I wasn't aware Honda had revised the C32B, and we assumed they were all the same.

Because of that, we had to open the cylinder heads back up while they were still mounted to the block to install the updated Lost Motion Assemblies (LMAs). Only then could we finish the valve adjustment and continue with the timing belt, water pump, and front main seal installation.

While inspecting everything before final assembly, we also pulled the intake manifold and found the air exchange chamber bypass plates were loose. We took the opportunity to clean the manifold and replace all the gaskets before putting it back together.

None of this was part of the original plan, but I'd much rather find these issues now than after the engine is back in the car.

We're getting very close. Just a few final adjustments remain before this beauty is ready to go back where it belongs.

A huge thank you to Ben and Cliff Distinctive Auto Detailing from Daisy Import Auto Care for helping with the installation and sourcing the last OEM pieces, and to Christian Mittendorfer Christian / ATI Performance Products for helping source many of the parts at the beginning of this build. I truly appreciate all the support.

👊🔥

07/25/2026

06/13/2026

As we continue making progress on the project, I noticed a large gap on the driver’s side corner where the dashboard meets the A-pillar. After multiple attempts to adjust it, I decided to take everything apart and figure out what was actually causing the issue.

As it turns out, not only was the bracket that supports that corner completely out of position, but the driver’s side section of the dashboard was also broken, along with the area surrounding the airbag.

While inspecting the dashboard, I also took a closer look at the A/C vent cover and discovered that all of the mounting tabs were broken as well. That’s a pretty common issue on NSXs, but this one was in especially rough shape—which, considering the history of this car, wasn’t much of a surprise.

So, it looks like I’ll be taking a few steps back before putting the interior back together. Time to fire up the 3D scanner and start recreating some of these parts. I already have a few cool ideas in mind. 😎

Sometimes restoration means moving backward before you can move forward. 💪

06/07/2026

After a few days of tweaking and refining the 3D scan, here’s the first ABS test print to replace some of the old broken interior pieces.

There are still a few adjustments needed to the molds to prevent the tabs from breaking during the process, but overall the fitment came out as good as OEM.

There are several other pieces that still need some work, but one step at a time.

The interior should be coming together soon, and this baby is finally starting to look like a complete NSX again as we continue moving forward with the build. 🔥

06/03/2026

One of the less glamorous parts of a restoration is all the work that happens behind the scenes before a single part ever goes on the car.

Lately, I've been spending a lot of time revisiting old 3D scans, refining CAD models, reverse engineering damaged pieces, and creating replacement components to help bring the '05 back together.

That includes recreating hard-to-find parts like the NSX-R hood mesh and duct, headlight rear caps, license plate light brackets and support pieces, as well as several interior components and more. There's still plenty of work ahead, but it's absolutely worth it.

Some parts are being recreated from scratch, while others are being redesigned to improve fit, durability, and appearance. It's a process that involves countless hours of scanning, modeling, test printing, modifying, and printing again until everything fits the way it should.

The goal isn't just to restore the car—it's to recreate parts that are becoming harder and harder to find while preserving the OEM look and functionality.

There's still a long way to go, but piece by piece, the puzzle is coming together.

🔥

05/23/2026

Hey everyone, I know it’s been a while since the last post, but sometimes life happens and I wasn’t able to work on the project as much as I wanted to over the past few months.

But now the waters are finally clearing up, and it’s time to jump back into the project.

Between engine part delays, customs and tariff issues, and freezing temperatures in the garage while trying to keep the carbon fiber project moving through winter… progress definitely slowed down more than expected.

The car has also gone through a full PPF color change, and I can finally start showing more of the direction this build is heading visually.

The engine components are currently at the machine shop getting all the clearances dialed in, new carbon fiber interior pieces are in development, the new brake setup is here, and the car is finally starting to move in the right direction again.

I appreciate everyone that’s been patient with the uploads and checking in on the project. Bigger updates are finally coming. 👀🔥

jdmlife

01/18/2026

After cleaning up some of the engine components, I decided to take apart the oil pump from this C32B. To my surprise, the oil pump gear was stuck in place and showed signs of significant overheating.

The original C32B from the ’05 NSX also suffered an oil-related failure, based on the damage we found when we tore it down. I also had the chance to pick up parts from another C32B that experienced oil issues as well—making this three NSX C32B engines with oil-related problems that ultimately led to engine failure.

All three engines had different mileage but suffered from the same issue: oil problems and a spun cylinder #5 bearing. I even remember a few years ago a Targa 3.2 NSX that also spun a bearing during a track event.

I don’t know if there’s any direct correlation here, but it does seem like C32B engines may be a bit weaker in this area—or possibly have an oiling-related design issue. Or maybe it’s all just a coincidence. Either way, I’ll be in contact with the engine machine shop to see if there’s anything we can improve to help prevent this issue moving forward.

Have any other C32B owners experienced oil pressure issues or bearing failures, especially on cylinder #5?👀

Do you think this is a design limitation, a lubrication issue under certain conditions, or just coincidence?
I’ll be discussing possible improvements with the machine shop, but I’d really like to hear from the community.🙌

On a side note, I’ll be focusing more on the carbon fiber parts over the next couple of weeks while I wait for the engine and chassis work to be completed.

01/11/2026

Now that the mystery NSX bins are finally in the garage, I’ve started sifting through bags and containers, collecting loose parts from what feels like a massive NSX Lego set. It looks like some of these parts were left outdoors and uncovered at some point, judging by the water marks and mud/clay buildup in certain areas.

There’s definitely a lot of cleaning and degreasing ahead, but that was totally expected. The cylinder heads look to be in good shape—I’ll be dropping those off with Allen at Burtonsville Performance Machine. The block is heading to with Mike, and the crankshaft will be sent to Mile High Crankshaft in Colorado.

Fingers crossed this part of the project goes as smoothly as possible so we can start assembling the engine and get this car back on the road. In the meantime, I’ll be organizing and labeling everything to see if anything is missing—which, knowing my luck, it probably is.

On a side note, the NSX chassis PPF color change is just about finished. After that, the car will be heading back to so they can align all the panels and gaps and finally close out that chapter of the project once and for all.🙌

Stay tuned for more updates on this madness. 🏎🏁

12/23/2025

After the fiasco with the first 3D mold attempt, we decided to give this project another shot—this time learning from every mistake we made along the way.

We’ve now finished scanning the rest of the NSX interior parts, cleaned up the scan data, and created proper CAD files that we can refine, modify, and 3D print to make new molds. The goal is simple: produce our very own carbon fiber NSX interior parts.

This process is fully documented in the latest episode of Rescuing the Last Legend – Episode 8 (Part 1).

https://youtu.be/dSq6wl3qeDY

More progress, more lessons learned, and more carbon fiber coming soon. Stay tuned. 👀🔥

CarbonFiberParts 3DScanning 3DPrinting ReverseEngineering CarFabrication ProjectCar JDMBuild JDMLegends CarReels AutoReels JDMReels CustomInterior BuiltNotBought GarageLife HelixAutoWorks