Just bought my S2000 and here's my plan for mods

eddyboy1 · 10-31-2005, 04:18 PM

Greetings all ye with good taste in cars! I just bought my first s2000. I have wanted this car for several years, to include last year when I purchased a 350Z. Looking back, I should have gone with the 2000 in the first place! The handling just doesn't compare, as the S2000 is much more athletic and versatile.

Anyway, the car is a 2001 with 61,000 miles and the engine still looks and FEELS brand new. I was able to get an incredible price ($15,950) but had to drive over 300 miles to get the thing (I told you I lusted after this car!) I had almost given up on it and gotten another car because I couldn't find the price I wanted, but patience won the day for me.

My plan is to first get the airflow going, as the car is all stock right now. Perhaps a K&N along with a Borla exhaust. From there, I will look to lighten up the body a bit with a hood and trunk replacement as well as lightweight wheels. I don't really know how I feel about FI. I am alittle hesitant, as I fear beating on the engine with a SC or TT's. How much speed do I want? As long as I am superior on my block, I'll be happy. Mainly 350Z'z, tricked out Civics and an occasional EVO. This 2000 WILL be my daily driver, also (primarily HWY miles.)

What do you all think?

Halo · 10-31-2005, 05:00 PM

Welcome. That is a great price.

Aaah, getting the airflow going

The problem most people run into is that Honda did a very good job of getting airflow throught this engine. This is why your AP1 makes 120hp/L (vs. say the VQ35 85 hp/L). To make a long story short, I/H/E together have netted some people as much as 10-12hp gains and as little as -6hp (yes that's a NEGATIVE sign). However, many people do like the look and sound.

I haven't seen a Borla for the S2000, not that they don't make good products, just not sure there's an S2000 application.

TT's are not really possible since this is an inline engine with a single exhaust manifold. But a single turbo is possible and they seem to be getting more common as the number of S2K's on the road increases.

In a straightline race, up to about 120 you can be very competitive with a stock Z. In a tight racecourse or AutoX, you can usually beat their times with some practice... driver skill obviously comes more into play.

Once you get into modded cars as you mentioned, well then all bets are off, it just depends on who's willing to get furthest from stock. Tricked out Civics and sufficiently modded EVOs can trap pretty high... you just never know what you're going to get.

eddyboy1 · 10-31-2005, 05:21 PM

Halo,
Awesome reply. I learned a lot right there. I guess I have to break away from my 350Z mindset, as I basically cut and pasted the goals I had for that car and applied them to the S2K! Single turbo, huh? What are some of the risks associated with putting one of those on? Would I have to be more conservative with the RPM's, and perhaps not always take them as high...?

Also, what would you suggest for oil treatment if any, and what sort of life expectancy is there on this engine? Being a Honda, I would expect it be be still going very strong at 180,000...? I'm remebering my first car which was a 1983 Civic!

Thanks, again.

Halo · 11-01-2005, 09:34 AM

There are a couple of turbo kits out there (lovefab and Ultimate racing are the most common.

For the most part, these kits are not 'turnkey' systems. Our car has a very high compression ratio stock so adding boost can cause problems if not done correctly. The problem is, this is very much a cottage industry and 'correctly' varies from person to person. Anyway, the supporting mods most people with turbo run are: larger injectors, pump and FPR to control them; an AEM EMS to be able to control timing and mixture and a tuner that knows how to set the maps correctly for a turbo application. Beyond about 10psi, many folks 'build' their engine with lower compression pistons, new rods etc. I think this is a shame in a way since the stock parts are so beautifully made... just not for an FI application I guess. The other downside to turbo is it is not CARB legal.

Search these forums for various threads on the supercharger kits available. These are 'turnkey' systems and are CARB legal for about 100 extra whp at peak. I have the Comptech SC in my car.

I've never used any oil treatments. I use Mobil 1 synthetic and change it every 3K which is complete overkill but it amounts to fewer than 2 changes a year for me so I don't feel so bad about it.

eddyboy1 · 11-04-2005, 06:24 AM

Halo,
Could you describe your Comptech SC a little for me?

1) How much HP did it add to the stock 240?
2) Did you install it yourself? If not, what can I expect installation to cost/how long?
3) When on the RPM scale does it kick in?
4) Do you expect the engine to have a shorter shelf life due to the SC?
5) Will the SC enable you to outrun a stock Cobra off the line?
6) Does it have a distinct sound?
7) How heavy is the unit itself?
8 Is it superior to the Stillen SC?
9) Is the Turbo kit a better choice?
10) Doesn't Turbo provide less HP than a SC?

Hey, thanks a lot for answering these if you find the time......Gosh, I love this car!

Halo · 11-04-2005, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddyboy1

Halo,
Could you describe your Comptech SC a little for me?

Rather than going through all this again, just check here:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=274249

Read all the FAQs, that should answer many of your ?s

In short, a basic CT SC setup will not be competitive with a stock Cobra in a straight line.

eddyboy1 · 11-07-2005, 05:17 AM

Awesome. Thanks. I will definitely be thinking long and hard before doing anything....

By the way, I had my first street challenge this weekend. Mazda RX8. I was definitley able to outperfom him. I think the handling/high RPM allowance did it for me. Or maybe I was lucky! I think the RX8 has to be a bit heavier, also. No, I do not make a habit out of that type of thing but I consider it to be part of getting to know your vehicle!

Halo · 11-07-2005, 09:17 AM

Heh, no the RX8 is not really going to give you much trouble stock for stock unless you mis-shift. But, it's a 4 door sedan after all

cocoloco · 11-07-2005, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddyboy1

Greetings all ye with good taste in cars! I just bought my first s2000. I have wanted this car for several years, to include last year when I purchased a 350Z. Looking back, I should have gone with the 2000 in the first place! The handling just doesn't compare, as the S2000 is much more athletic and versatile.

Anyway, the car is a 2001 with 61,000 miles and the engine still looks and FEELS brand new. I was able to get an incredible price ($15,950) but had to drive over 300 miles to get the thing (I told you I lusted after this car!) I had almost given up on it and gotten another car because I couldn't find the price I wanted, but patience won the day for me.

My plan is to first get the airflow going, as the car is all stock right now. Perhaps a K&N along with a Borla exhaust. From there, I will look to lighten up the body a bit with a hood and trunk replacement as well as lightweight wheels. I don't really know how I feel about FI. I am alittle hesitant, as I fear beating on the engine with a SC or TT's. How much speed do I want? As long as I am superior on my block, I'll be happy. Mainly 350Z'z, tricked out Civics and an occasional EVO. This 2000 WILL be my daily driver, also (primarily HWY miles.)

What do you all think?

It sounds like you want to do some serious mods to the vehicle. First of all, before you go into a turbo, you will NEED to upgrade your clutch. It is not uncommon AT ALL for a S2000 clutch to fully cristallize at something around 15,000 miles if you are happy to drop the hammer at full revs. Also, supercharge instead of using a turbo. It is a more efficient way of adding HP to your vehicle. Comptech has good packages that will run about $6500 for parts, and you must add to that someone that will install it. Needless to say, forget about going to Honda for any warranty issues, as they will have no repairs on sending you out the door (seriously). Again, watch out for your clutch as you will be dishing out around $1,800 for a new "stock" clutch anyways...

Halo · 11-08-2005, 09:24 AM

The CT parts are more like $5,000 at various spots, for example www.hardtopguy.com

I have 20,000 miles on my stock clutch, 7,000 of them with the SC and it is holding just fine, still chirps 1st to 2nd. I think the stock clutch can hold up fine if you don't abuse it (read: no 8,000 rpm clutch drops).

10-31-2005, 04:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
eddyboy1 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 16	Just bought my S2000 and here's my plan for mods Greetings all ye with good taste in cars! I just bought my first s2000. I have wanted this car for several years, to include last year when I purchased a 350Z. Looking back, I should have gone with the 2000 in the first place! The handling just doesn't compare, as the S2000 is much more athletic and versatile. Anyway, the car is a 2001 with 61,000 miles and the engine still looks and FEELS brand new. I was able to get an incredible price ($15,950) but had to drive over 300 miles to get the thing (I told you I lusted after this car!) I had almost given up on it and gotten another car because I couldn't find the price I wanted, but patience won the day for me. My plan is to first get the airflow going, as the car is all stock right now. Perhaps a K&N along with a Borla exhaust. From there, I will look to lighten up the body a bit with a hood and trunk replacement as well as lightweight wheels. I don't really know how I feel about FI. I am alittle hesitant, as I fear beating on the engine with a SC or TT's. How much speed do I want? As long as I am superior on my block, I'll be happy. Mainly 350Z'z, tricked out Civics and an occasional EVO. This 2000 WILL be my daily driver, also (primarily HWY miles.) What do you all think?

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10-31-2005, 05:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Halo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 610	Welcome. That is a great price. Aaah, getting the airflow going The problem most people run into is that Honda did a very good job of getting airflow throught this engine. This is why your AP1 makes 120hp/L (vs. say the VQ35 85 hp/L). To make a long story short, I/H/E together have netted some people as much as 10-12hp gains and as little as -6hp (yes that's a NEGATIVE sign). However, many people do like the look and sound. I haven't seen a Borla for the S2000, not that they don't make good products, just not sure there's an S2000 application. TT's are not really possible since this is an inline engine with a single exhaust manifold. But a single turbo is possible and they seem to be getting more common as the number of S2K's on the road increases. In a straightline race, up to about 120 you can be very competitive with a stock Z. In a tight racecourse or AutoX, you can usually beat their times with some practice... driver skill obviously comes more into play. Once you get into modded cars as you mentioned, well then all bets are off, it just depends on who's willing to get furthest from stock. Tricked out Civics and sufficiently modded EVOs can trap pretty high... you just never know what you're going to get.

10-31-2005, 05:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
eddyboy1 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 16	Halo, Awesome reply. I learned a lot right there. I guess I have to break away from my 350Z mindset, as I basically cut and pasted the goals I had for that car and applied them to the S2K! Single turbo, huh? What are some of the risks associated with putting one of those on? Would I have to be more conservative with the RPM's, and perhaps not always take them as high...? Also, what would you suggest for oil treatment if any, and what sort of life expectancy is there on this engine? Being a Honda, I would expect it be be still going very strong at 180,000...? I'm remebering my first car which was a 1983 Civic! Thanks, again.

11-01-2005, 09:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Halo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 610	There are a couple of turbo kits out there (lovefab and Ultimate racing are the most common. For the most part, these kits are not 'turnkey' systems. Our car has a very high compression ratio stock so adding boost can cause problems if not done correctly. The problem is, this is very much a cottage industry and 'correctly' varies from person to person. Anyway, the supporting mods most people with turbo run are: larger injectors, pump and FPR to control them; an AEM EMS to be able to control timing and mixture and a tuner that knows how to set the maps correctly for a turbo application. Beyond about 10psi, many folks 'build' their engine with lower compression pistons, new rods etc. I think this is a shame in a way since the stock parts are so beautifully made... just not for an FI application I guess. The other downside to turbo is it is not CARB legal. Search these forums for various threads on the supercharger kits available. These are 'turnkey' systems and are CARB legal for about 100 extra whp at peak. I have the Comptech SC in my car. I've never used any oil treatments. I use Mobil 1 synthetic and change it every 3K which is complete overkill but it amounts to fewer than 2 changes a year for me so I don't feel so bad about it.

11-04-2005, 06:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
eddyboy1 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 16	Halo, Could you describe your Comptech SC a little for me? 1) How much HP did it add to the stock 240? 2) Did you install it yourself? If not, what can I expect installation to cost/how long? 3) When on the RPM scale does it kick in? 4) Do you expect the engine to have a shorter shelf life due to the SC? 5) Will the SC enable you to outrun a stock Cobra off the line? 6) Does it have a distinct sound? 7) How heavy is the unit itself? 8 Is it superior to the Stillen SC? 9) Is the Turbo kit a better choice? 10) Doesn't Turbo provide less HP than a SC? Hey, thanks a lot for answering these if you find the time......Gosh, I love this car!

11-07-2005, 05:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
eddyboy1 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 16	Awesome. Thanks. I will definitely be thinking long and hard before doing anything.... By the way, I had my first street challenge this weekend. Mazda RX8. I was definitley able to outperfom him. I think the handling/high RPM allowance did it for me. Or maybe I was lucky! I think the RX8 has to be a bit heavier, also. No, I do not make a habit out of that type of thing but I consider it to be part of getting to know your vehicle!

11-07-2005, 09:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
Halo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 610	Heh, no the RX8 is not really going to give you much trouble stock for stock unless you mis-shift. But, it's a 4 door sedan after all

11-08-2005, 09:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
Halo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 610	The CT parts are more like $5,000 at various spots, for example www.hardtopguy.com I have 20,000 miles on my stock clutch, 7,000 of them with the SC and it is holding just fine, still chirps 1st to 2nd. I think the stock clutch can hold up fine if you don't abuse it (read: no 8,000 rpm clutch drops).