Best 2017-2022 Acura NSX Upgrades: Carbon, Exhaust, Brakes

The best 2017–2022 Acura NSX upgrades don't chase big power numbers — they fix the two things owners notice most about the NC1: a hybrid drivetrain that sounds too polite, and a curb weight that hides how special this car really is. This second-generation NSX pairs a twin-turbo 3.5L V6 with three electric motors for 573 hp, 476 lb-ft, and a 191 mph top end, all managed by a 9-speed dual-clutch transmission and Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, the mods that move the needle are exhaust, carbon-fiber aero, and brakes — and every part in this guide is in stock and confirmed to fit the NC1 platform.

The 2017–2022 Acura NSX (NC1): What You Are Working With

The second-generation Acura NSX (chassis code NC1) is a mid-engine hybrid supercar built from 2016 to 2022. Its Sport Hybrid SH-AWD powertrain combines a 75-degree twin-turbocharged 3.5L DOHC V6 with a Direct-Drive Motor at the rear and a Twin Motor Unit driving the front wheels, for a combined 573 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque. Acura quotes 0–60 mph in roughly 2.9 seconds, a 191 mph top speed, and a 3,803 lb curb weight with a 42/58 front/rear balance. The 2019 refresh stiffened the front stabilizer bar by 26 percent and the rear by 19 percent, added 21 percent stiffer rear toe-link bushings, and carried a $157,500 base MSRP.

That engineering matters when you shop parts. The NSX already uses a multi-material body (aluminum, steel, and carbon composite) and a factory exhaust tuned for refinement, so the highest-value upgrades free up sound, sharpen the brakes for track heat, and add exposed carbon that the base car hides under body-color panels. Here are the parts we fit most often.

Why the NC1 NSX Rewards Sound, Style, and Stopping Power

The second-gen NSX is not a Civic Si or a Mustang GT, and the aftermarket for it does not behave like one. Its Sport Hybrid drivetrain runs a sealed, closed-loop electronics package and a factory tune that Honda engineered to knife-edge tolerances, so the plug-in ECU flashes and cheap bolt-on power kits that flood other platforms simply do not exist for the NC1 in any meaningful, warranty-safe way. That is why the parts NSX owners actually buy — and the parts we stock at NLP Performance — cluster around three levers that reliably improve the car without fighting the hybrid system: exhaust for sound, carbon-fiber panels for weight and visual drama, and brake hardware for track endurance.

Model year matters, too. Every 2016–2022 NC1 shares the same 573 hp SH-AWD architecture, but the 2019 refresh brought stiffer stabilizer bars (up 26 percent front, 19 percent rear), firmer rear toe-link bushings, a wider rear tire, and revised chassis tuning. In our experience helping owners spec builds, that means a 2019-and-up car already has a sharper turn-in baseline, while 2017–2018 cars benefit even more from the mechanical grip a fresh brake package and reduced unsprung mass deliver. Whatever the year, the three upgrades below are the highest-return moves on the platform — here is how we rank them.

Best Exhaust Upgrade: MBRP T304 Cat-Back

The single most transformative NC1 NSX upgrade is a cat-back exhaust, because the factory system deliberately muffles the twin-turbo V6 to keep the hybrid experience serene. The MBRP T304 stainless cat-back is our top pick for the 2017–2021 NSX: it uses 2.5-inch mandrel-bent tubing, a dual split rear-exit layout, and carbon-fiber tips to free exhaust flow, drop weight over the restrictive OEM muffler, and let the 3.5L V6 finally growl. Priced at $1,929.99, it is the best value-per-decibel mod in the NSX catalog.

Carbon-Fiber Aero: Seibon Dry Carbon Hood & Trunk

Where the NC1 NSX hides its carbon under painted panels, Seibon puts it on display. Both the OEM-style dry carbon hood and the dry carbon trunk (decklid) are autoclave-cured, pre-preg dry carbon — a construction that is lighter and stiffer than the wet-layup carbon most bolt-on panels use. Each panel is $3,330.00, fits the 2017–2021 Acura NSX, and mirrors the factory shape for a direct, no-cut fit. On a supercar that already runs an aluminum hood, the win here is mostly visual and a modest weight cut carried high on the chassis — but the exposed 2x2 twill weave is what makes people walk over at cars and coffee.

Big-Brake Hardware: GiroDisc Rotors & Hawk DTC-60 Pads

A 3,803 lb hybrid supercar generates real heat under repeated hard stops, so the NSX braking system is where a track-focused owner should spend next. GiroDisc two-piece slotted rotors replace the heavy factory one-piece castings with a floating iron ring on a lightweight aluminum hat, cutting rotating and unsprung mass while improving heat management and bite consistency. The front set is $1,548.75 and the rear is $1,416.00 for 2016+ NSX (iron or CCM conversion). Pair them with Hawk's DTC-60 front compound — a motorsport pad built for high torque and high operating temperatures — at $307.26 for confident stops long after OEM pads would fade.

2017–2022 Acura NSX Upgrades Compared

Here is how the featured NC1 NSX parts stack up by category, key detail, fitment, and price. The MBRP cat-back is our Top Pick as the first mod because it delivers the biggest sensory change per dollar; the rest depend on whether you are chasing looks or lap times.

How to Prioritize Your NC1 NSX Build

For most 2017–2022 Acura NSX owners, the smart order is sound first, then style, then stopping power. Begin with the MBRP T304 cat-back — it is the cheapest way to transform how the car feels and sounds, and at $1,929.99 it is the entry point to the NSX build. Next, add the Seibon dry carbon hood or trunk (or both) when you want the exotic exposed-weave look that sets a modified NSX apart. Finally, if you run track days or spirited canyon drives, the GiroDisc two-piece rotors and Hawk DTC-60 pads keep the brakes composed under repeated heat cycles that would cook a factory setup.

Every part in this guide is confirmed to fit the NC1 platform and is in stock at NLP Performance in Tampa, FL. If you are unsure which combination suits your driving, our team helps NSX owners match parts to their build goals every day — from street-refined to track-ready.