More advice on buying S2000...

[traffic]

Hi all,

First time poster. I was reading through some similar topic threads and got some good info. But couldn't find a FAQ thread. I currently own a '91 MR2 turbo. It's a 3rd car that is for sunny day drives and summer lapping days at the track.

I picked up this car for a song and then sunk 2 years, blood and sweat getting it to be a pretty good street car that does quite well on the track. It's pretty much OEM+ modding (upgraded suspension, brakes, LSD tranny and some safety gear. Only power mods are upgraded intercooler, downpipe and better turbo from a later year MR2.) But I'm finding that I don't quite like the turbo for track duties. It's a bit harder to modulate the throttle. Also, I'm constently worried about heat issues. Too much torque building up as boost builds. Takes away from the finess. Here's a pic anyway...


I'm not a power freak. I run 10psi on the street (good for 200whp at the wheels) and wastegate (7psi good for about 170whp) on the track. I much prefer handling over power. But do like the MR layout which allows me to really lean on the rears mid-corner and exiting. I also like the low polar moment of the MR2. Everything is about centralizing the weight on this car. But I've grown tired of working on my car.

I've always admired the S2000. But never driven one. I passed up a deal on a 2000 with 20k miles on it from an older co-worker. But I'm thinking that I'd like the model with the 2.2 motor. What was the first year of this? I don't think I like the idea of the CR model. Too....um...ugly. Again, I like a well set up street car I can take to the track. I don't want to own a track car. I like the understated looks as well.

So to recap the questions:

1) What was the first year the 2.2 motor was available?
2) What, if any, suspension and brake mods do I need for lapping days? Can I run stock suspension or just shocks swapped out and then hotter brake pads with stock calipers/rotors?
3) What's the typical maintenance intervals? Valve adjustments?
4) Did all models have LSD?

Thanks for your time.

--Paul

[phins2rt]

I can answer the first question: 2004 (also known as the AP2 vs the AP1 from 2000-2003). I know others will help with the remaining questions.

[dezignpro04]

Answers in bold....

Originally Posted by traffic

So to recap the questions:

1) What was the first year the 2.2 motor was available?
Correct, 2004+ AP2 2.2li Redlines @ 8000rpm. 00-03 AP1 2.0li Redlines @ 9000.
The tranny & redline setup in the AP1 allows for you to stay in vtec range pretty much all the time. You can to that in an AP2 with minor mods and a final gear like a 4.52 or 4.77. The torque diff between the AP1 & AP2 isn't noticable and both have the same hp ratings @ 240.

2) What, if any, suspension and brake mods do I need for lapping days? Can I run stock suspension or just shocks swapped out and then hotter brake pads with stock calipers/rotors? The stock rotors are very strong, some stronger pads would be needed (even though OEM isn't horrible) liek some Hawk pads. I personally use cross drilled & slotted rotors and some Spoon Pads with Steel Braided lines. The lines are a must for track time so you don't bust one, IMHO. You also want to upgrade the brake fluid to something that will deal with heat better. Suspension is GREAT OEM. Most aftermarket will mess it up. At OEM the car will handle .97g and is 50/50, so choose wisely. Others may have a better opinion since I have stuck with stock.

3) What's the typical maintenance intervals? Valve adjustments? Honestly in my experience the motor is very strong. Maintenance intervals are going to depend on track use. (ie after a track day change the oil, don't wait for 3,000 miles to go by. Same with MTF.. etc). Valve adj would need to be done as needed, not an interval type of thing.

4) Did all models have LSD? IIRC, Yes they do.

Thanks for your time.

--Paul

[traffic]

Thank you for your replys.

I did not know the AP2 lowered the redline to 8000rpms. Hm... not that I know what 8k revs feel like (even my old Ducati didn't make much power there...) But the idea sounded fun to spin up to 9k.

I may have to test drive both cars then.

On the road, I'd want the extra low end punch. But on the track, the lower torque would help me through the corners a bit. So would the gearing still keep me in the meat of the power down the front straights?

I've passed S2000 on the track, but I mainly thought it was the driver that wasn't pushing the car to its limits. I've also seen a couple spin coming out of 40mph entry/55mph exit corners. Again, driver error? Or is the rear suspension that touchy?

Well, actually, that's pretty funny coming from an MR2 driver which is supposed to be "snap oversteer" car. But spins are always traced back to driver error.

[DJJSR]

Originally Posted by traffic

I've also seen a couple spin coming out of 40mph entry/55mph exit corners. Again, driver error? Or is the rear suspension that touchy?

Just FYI - Suspension changes have been made over the years to reduce the "tailhappyness" of the earlier models. Even so, if you are in the vtec mode (above 6k rpm) you can still break them loose in a corner if you're not careful.

[traffic]

So for lapping days, do I want the toned down suspension or the tail-happy one?

In '93, Toyota went to a "safer" rear suspension. I think the earlier one was actually better for a handling in the hands of a good driver. The later design had a couple band-aids to help the uneducated.

I

[J'sS2K]

Originally Posted by traffic

So for lapping days, do I want the toned down suspension or the tail-happy one?

The "tailhappyness" is losing traction, sort of like drifting, so I think would you want the other one for track days!

[jagg]

So for lapping days, do I want the toned down suspension or the tail-happy one?

Loose=Fast.

[traffic]

Hm, seems like things are starting to point towards an AP1. Maybe an '02-'03?

[lonestarbuzz]

'02 FTW!!! Welcome. I guess you are already experiencing the wealth of knowledge available here.

[phins2rt]

Originally Posted by lonestarbuzz

'02 FTW!!!

+1!!!

[mecptech]

Hello, not sure if Im in the right topic/forum here but I am looking to buy a Honda S2000 here very soon. I live in Chicago and there are many dealerships here with quite a few that I have liked. I really just want to know weather an S2000 would be a good car for me. So far I like them because they are a 2 seater, I would like a hardtop (not sure if they make them) and also I like them because it seems they do rev pretty high in RPM's. If anybody could help me on choosing what options are right for me and really just to figure this out. Thanks
David

[dezignpro04]

Originally Posted by phins2rt

+1!!!

+2 FTMFW

[phins2rt]

Originally Posted by mecptech

Hello, not sure if Im in the right topic/forum here but I am looking to buy a Honda S2000 here very soon. I live in Chicago and there are many dealerships here with quite a few that I have liked. I really just want to know weather an S2000 would be a good car for me. So far I like them because they are a 2 seater, I would like a hardtop (not sure if they make them) and also I like them because it seems they do rev pretty high in RPM's. If anybody could help me on choosing what options are right for me and really just to figure this out. Thanks
David

Honestly it sounds like you need to do some more research. Why not plow through some of the threads here and get a better feel for what the S2K has to offer? Good luck.

PS the hard top is an option for the S2K

[traffic]

Originally Posted by jagg

Loose=Fast.

You know, this is an interesting statement.

When I drove the e46 330i, I would let the back end a bit loose, and then get back on the throttle. Itw ould take a set and then drift (I mean real drift not powerslide) all four tires through the corner.

The MR2 can do that. But with it's low polar moment, it's very easy to get the back end to step out a bit too much and it is really hard to catch. How I go fast is to modulate the throttle through the corner to lean on the wider rear tires with more weight in the rear and then also use the weight distribution for a stronger exit.

My impression of the S2k is that the handling is closer to that of the MR2 rather than the 330i. The 330i achieves its 50/50 weight distribution with ballast. Like hanging the battery near the rear bumper. With greater polar moment, it's more forgiving and easier to hang the back end out and hold it. It is a lot more difficult to do a (show) drift on the MR2. Once the back end steps out, things happen very quickly and you have to catch it before it gets away from you.

In any case, besides the vtec 9000rpm redline, I really like the idea of a Front/Mid engine layout. Quicker transitions and lower polar moment. Plus OEM LSD standard.

Here's a video (of me and my MR2 on the track) for grins... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LiA1tAeWiw

[traffic]

And this is my buddy's video. Same track. Same day. He's going a bit slower since he's got a non-turbo. And he's got less track time in the MR2 than I do. But you can see his reaction time is a bit slower and thus...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0FsD...eature=related