Luis Mercado - 96 Acura  Nsx-T

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Luis Mercado

96 Acura  Nsx-T

Photographer: @fireblazinmedia 

The Beginning: A Lifelong Love for JDM Cars

I'm Luis Mercado, from Buffalo, NY. Ever since I was a young kid, I was surrounded by cars. Everywhere I looked, I saw cars fully modified, whether they were tuned for performance or given aesthetic upgrades. The car scene had me hooked early, especially the allure of JDM cars.

Now, I run a small shop with my brother and cousin where we work on several cars, including this 1996 Acura NSX-T, two AP1 S2000s, and a 1993 RX-7 FD. This shop has become our playground, and the NSX-T is one of our most prized builds.

What Got Me Into Cars?

It started with my brother. As a teenager, I was always watching him and his friends working on their cars—swapping engines, installing sound systems, changing wheels, and lowering their rides to perfection. He gave me my first car and taught me the basics. From there, my passion for cars only grew. Although I'm still learning, cars have become a big part of my life.

The 1996 Acura NSX-T: Our Shop's Crown Jewel

This 1996 Acura NSX-T is technically a shared car in our shop, and we all take turns driving it around town. We got our hands on this legendary car about two years ago, and it's been a labor of love ever since.

At first, the car wasn’t in great shape. But we saw its potential and knew we had to bring it back to life. So, over time, we started making some key upgrades, slowly transforming it into what it is today.

The Modifications: Transforming the NSX-T

When we first got the car, it needed some love. Here's a breakdown of what we've done so far:

• JDM Front End: We replaced the original front end with a JDM version to give it a more aggressive look.
• NSX-R Tail Lights: We added these to give the car a sleek, modern touch.
• Custom Paint Job: The paint is a special mixture of NSX yellow and S2000 yellow, giving the car a creamy yellow finish with subtle flakes that really pop in the sunlight.
• Body Kit: We installed a W-Type style wing and a West body kit for a more aerodynamic look.
• Interior Upgrades: We made several changes to the interior, including adding NSX-R inspired pieces that we love, a custom sound system, and a few carbon fiber touches.

We also changed a few interior pieces from the NSX-R, like the shifter boot and mats. Every modification was done to elevate the car while keeping it true to its legendary heritage.

Why This Car? Why the Acura NSX-T?

The NSX-T is more than just a car to us. It’s a legend in the import world, and it has been a dream car for me, my brother, and my cousin. When the chance to get one came up, we jumped at it. It was the perfect addition to our shop. To us, the NSX is not just another car—it’s a piece of automotive history that we feel privileged to own and modify.

What Makes This NSX-T Unique?

One thing that makes our NSX-T stand out is its custom color. Most NSXs you see are still in their OEM colors, but our creamy yellow hue is something truly unique. We created a custom blend of NSX yellow and S2000 yellow to get the perfect finish, and it's always a head-turner. We often get compliments from people of all ages—even police officers have stopped us to say how much they love the car!

The car gets attention wherever we go, and it’s great to see people appreciating the build. There's something special about owning a car that breaks necks on the street.

Is It Finished? Our Future Plans for the NSX-T

The build is still an ongoing project. While we love the stock-inspired look of the car, we don’t want to overdo it. Keeping that balance is important to us.

Future plans include full bolt-ons, from headers to exhaust, and changing the wing to something more fitting. We want to continue making upgrades without losing the car's essence.

Full Spec List: 1996 Acura NSX-T

Exterior

• JDM Front End
• NSX-R Tail Lights
• W-Type Style Wing and West body kit

Drive Train

• Stock Drive Train

Suspension

• KSport Coilovers

Wheels

• Work Meister S1 Black
  • Front: 18x8.5 35mm offset
  • Rear: 19x10 35mm offset

Tires

• Front: 225/35ZR18 Federal SS595
• Rear: 275/30ZR19 Federal SS595

Interior

• Double-DIN Radio
• NSX-R Mats
• NSX-R Shifter Boot
• Carbon Fiber Center Console
• Carbon Fiber Door Switches
• Small Kicker Sub Box
• DB 18s Speakers

Engine

• Stock 3.0L V6

The Road Ahead: A Never-Ending Journey

While the Acura NSX-T has come a long way since we first picked it up, there’s still much more in store. We're focused on keeping the build subtle but powerful. The next steps will involve adding some performance bolt-ons, improving the aerodynamics, and making a few final touches to the exterior.

Useful Links for Further Reading:

• Unleash Your Engine’s True Potential: Best Car Air Filters in 2024
• 5 Cheap Japanese Cars You Can Modify
• 2JZ Swapped Lexus IS300 Wagon: A JDM Masterpiece
• Toyota Supra MK4 Buying & Tuning Guide
• Nissan Skyline R33 GTR Review

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