HPD: New Intercooler Key to Acura NSX GT3 Evo22

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

The Acura NSX GT3 Evo’s update to Evo22 specification builds on the successful 2019 Evo and is largely focused on optimizing peak performance in all conditions and environments according to project manager Lee Niffenegger.

The second evolution of the multiple championship winning GT3 model will feature a number of enhancements, including updated suspension geometry, new spring rates as well as a new engine intercooler.

Honda Performance Development and JAS Motorsport engineers identified opportunities to maximize performance in extreme conditions such as high altitude, oppressive ambient heat and where less than ideal fuel quality existed.

These conditions were not experienced in North America during the five years of NSX GT3 competition but sometimes existed in other regions.

Niffenegger, who oversees development of the car on a worldwide basis, explained the reasoning for the update.

“We’ve already been successfully running this [first Evo] package for three years in North America and we identified opportunities to improve in some global markets facing severe conditions,” he told Sportscar365.

“In order to ensure the highest performance, HPD and JAS went to work developing the new intercooler, first in CFD prior to validation testing both on the dyno and on the track.”

It included test sessions in both Europe and the U.S. with HPD factory driver Mario Farnbacher having been part of the validation process on both continents.

“Throughout the years and many different tracks you [find out] where we can improve,” Farnbacher told Sportscar365.

“That’s definitely how you approach things to make things better, make the car faster and make it more drivable. 

“That’s how we approached it. The intercooler is the biggest thing on the Evo22, but there is also some suspension changes getting updated.

“This is a good thing to make the gentlemen drivers’ lives easier. I think the bracket in the rear is a good step froward. 

“But of course the intercooler, in terms of engine performance in very hot conditions, it’s a good step forward. 

“Even in rare extreme conditions it should be easier to put the hammer down and be quick straight away.”

Niffenegger doesn’t expect the new intercooler will have a significant impact in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship or Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, where the NSX GT3 Evo has already won championships in each series, but rather at some international races where the car runs under the Honda nameplate.

“The IMSA fuel is the highest quality fuel that GT3 cars run in the world,” he said. “Typically, we’ve not had issues in IMSA.

“It’s not an overall performance thing; it’s the consistency across all conditions and environments in the world.”

Niffenegger said the Evo22, which will be made available as an upgrade package for its existing cars, as well as being fitted on all brand-new chassis, is currently going through the FIA homologation process.

It is expected to make its race debut in January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John