To mod or not to mod???

[xredjar]

To frame the question...

I used to have a Saturn Ion and got about every available mod for it. In the end, I still found myself wanting more than it could ever give. When I went in search of a new car, one of the requirements was that it would be one I would not have to mod. A car that was as good as I would want...stock out of the box.

I see lots of folks on here who are modding up their S2Ks. Which is not to say that I'm against that at all. Guess is to better say that I don't understand it. I'm all for better performance...but I guess I'm more concerned that one mod may have a negitive impact on the overall setup of the car. I had that happen when I put Eibach springs in my Ion. It cornered a lot better, but the ride was to say very harsh. This is something I would not want to do to my to S2K.

From what I can tell, at least with my 06 model...Honda has hit the nail right on. At least the S2K is everything I want it to be. It's not the fastest thing on wheels, but does everything I want. Which is I guess is all that matters.

I am curious about what some of you have done, and the level of effort it took in both $$$ and time to get it to where you wanted it. Would like to hear what y'all have done. So as far as mods go...post em if ya got em .

Though, I am considering replacing the stock radio for one that will play MP3s, and replacing the front speakers. Other than that....I plan on leaving mine all stock.

Y'all have fun out there, & enjoy the ride.

Red

[philiam]

The car is an engineering marvel from the get go. Can't use the max redline above 2nd gear. Saturn and S2000, apples and oranges.

[Java Junky]

'Wanna get the most oud'a both your buck n' your Stewie?
Leave the car alone. It's fine.
Spend the money on a good driver'z school.
To many folks fail to see that the largest amount of improvement tha'cha kin lay on Stewie is through the steerin' wheel nut.
After a good driver'z school, when you see what you n' Stewie can actually do in stock form, you'll likely forget any ideas of "improvin'" Stewie.
Be well,
Java

[gomarlins3]

I agree with Java. I was amazed how much faster I became at autoX's by doing a track day or two. I can see modding the car a little to make it personalized, but going over board isn't all what it is cracked up to be.

Having said all of that, I am modded somewhat heavily and have spent too much money on making changes to the car. There are times when I wish I just left it stock and enjoyed the car.

I can tell you this, you can add gears, header, test pipe, exhaust, and a SC and they are great, but eventually, you will want more. Then what? The only place for me to go now is to another car. To get the same performance as I get and to 'move up' some, I need to spend about $60,000.

This is just my opinion, but it is how it has worked for me.

[H20]

Originally Posted by xredjar

To frame the question...
I see lots of folks on here who are modding up their S2Ks. Which is not to say that I'm against that at all. Guess is to better say that I don't understand it.

If I had to guess..and I do have to guess..I would say that most owners don't mod much at all.
And if I had to guess again.and I do..I would say that most mods are, exaust swap (marginal gains, better sound maybe) intake, (likewise, I'm sure) and wheels, with sound systems right up there somewhere.
The list is endless though. You could spend nothing in mods (my approach) or 30 grand(ish). Your choice.
Now granted I don't get out much, but at 53 I've had a lot of cars, many quite fun, but the 2007 S2000 is the best of the bunch, as is, no mods.
I would like MP3 capability though. Quite a brain fart on Honda's part. May do an exaust at some point, just for a bit of added ear candy.

[bobby2002s2k.]

IMO, Its a car with a motor and wheels so 99.9% (if you put anything on your car its not stock anymore its modded) of people are goin to mod it no matter how good it is in any area. Its the nature of the beast. I've done Koni ajustable sport shocks, Tein S springs, Aem v2 intake, Invida dual exit Exhaust, Rota flat black wheels, Invida test pipe( which i took off WAY too loud), And right now its in the shop gettin ProStreet light flywheel, Competition stage 2 clutch and a Zex 75 wet shot( with all the goodies).

[Rick006]

One of My biggest inputs on modding would have to be put much lighter wheels on it. I put 11.3 lb Volks on mine and it steers and handles better, it is faster and gave more mpg. My friend has a stock S2000 and he drove mine and said the difference was quite noticeable.

[xredjar]

Rick006.....you found wheels that are 11 lbs...thats got to be about half the weight of the stock wheels. I can understand that....a reduction in rotating mass like that should be very noticeable. If you don't mind my asking....what model Volk wheel is that?

Thanks to everyone who's taken time to post.

[jagg]

Purist here.....
Car's good ta go oudda the box, and I can't see anything when I'm behind the wheel, except the blur of fenceposts and telephone poles. Too old and too lazy to worry about dressing up the outside, so other people can enjoy the way it looks. Ass in seat is where it's at. The rest is a waste of my money. Practical and analytical Pablo.....My only worry is good footwork and keeping her out of the trees.

jagg

[SoMe0nE2tAlK2]

I first said I wouldnt mod my car. 2 months into it i swapped out the exhaust for a meaner sounding one. Now I'm saving for lighter wheels (Volk CE28N Mag Blue)

[Neil]

To mod or not to mod???

I love the car the way she is..............stock has the potential to give more than I could ever need from a car. If you need more handling or performance, improve the drivers capabilities, and if your still not happy buy a faster car.

Neil

[desmo4]

My JDM BBS wheels weigh 13.3 and 14.3 respectively. The stock 16's weigh 17.5 and 18.6

Jonathan

[skatin_s2000]

hey bobby, how heavy is that prostreet lightend flywheel?? and how much did that fly/clutch set up cost??? (curious cuz i need a new clutch soon)

[Java Junky]

Excellent stock car + so-so driver = so-so results.
Excellent modified car + so-so driver = so-so results.
Excellent stock car + improved driver = improved results.
Excellent stock car + excellent driver = . . . . well, if y'ain't done so yet, 'godda treat in store for ya. Go see Jaggs Nurburgring video.
Java

[skatin_s2000]

Not doubting ur reply java, but just what if u come across a excellent modified car+excellent driver?? and must agree totally, Nurburgring is awesome

[cdgs2000]

Everyone is going to go back and forth on there opinions....the real question is DO YOU want to mod it or not. Regardless of what everyones input is....everyone will agree it is an awesome car as is...other wise they wouldnt have/ woulnt want to buy it in the first place. If you mod it...more power to you and good luck with the outcome, if you dont... more power to you and have fun with the beautiful engineering in factory form!

[bobby2002s2k.]

Originally Posted by skatin_s2000

hey bobby, how heavy is that prostreet lightend flywheel?? and how much did that fly/clutch set up cost??? (curious cuz i need a new clutch soon)

Just off the top of my head It was around $1200.00 clutch flywheel and that fugure includes $300 install.I would have to go back and check my invoices to before sure. The fly wheel is around 11.5 pounds not to light. Its fine daily drivin. Now for the clutch thats a different story. It bites really hard and i bark 2nd and 3rd sometimes if i'm not watching out just driven normal. If i'm running it hard it barks 4th.

[controller]

To the OP, the answer is Yes.

At the end of the day, it's your car. Everyone has their own reasons to mod or not mod. I don't want to, so to me, Stewie is perfect because it's fun to drive out of the box.

That's not to say that a nicely modded Stewie isn't a great thing to look at either.

Do what you want, and fits your pocket book.

[sonic]

I think that modding a car is more than just trying to go faster. It's also about personalization. People mod there cars because they don't want to be the same as everyone else, they want to stand out. That's why I think it's so much fun to mod a car wether your making a huge difference in the way it performs or not. So it's all about you, if you don't want to mod then don't but if you do remember it does'nt have to be all about performance just that your happy with it.

[Vezna31]

I have never been big into modding, but I do believe that once you have found the car's limits, then it is ok to increase the performance.

After about 6 track days, the brakes were in need of an upgrade. I warped a brand new set of front OEM rotors on a track day 2 days after I got them. I glazed an OEM set of pads on 1 mountain drive. Now I have slotted rotors and high performance pads for over a year now and have no problems.

When I was used to the power, I upgraded the throttlw response with a K & N intake. Recently, I had to replace my clutch, so I went with an ACT high performance and lightweight flywheel.

The car is quite fast out of the box and it takes a good amount of seat time to be able to utilize all of it. Have fun with it.