Another newbie to s2000.com

[ds2k]

Hi,

I just bought an 02 S2k and absolutely love it. Some pics are posted here:

Flickr: Photos from daspence

I don't plan to do a lot to it (other than drive it!). It's already been lowered with Koni and Eibach, has a cold air intake, 18" SSR rims w SO3 tires.
Other than that it's in mint condition with 29,000kms on it.

One thing I do want to look at getting is a hard tonneau cover. I love the look of them. So far I have only found a couple companies making them (Veilside and another one). Any recommendations? Does anyone make a 2 piece tonneau (left and right) so that you can put it in the trunk if required?

Thanks,
Dave

[Java Junky]

Aaay ds, welcome aboard. The best part about all the enjoyment is that it doesn't wear off. Well, leastwize it hasn't worn off for me in the year plus I've had mine.
I've got my top down whenever I'm in the car, sometimes when it's rainin' n' a few times when it was snowin'.
Came in from Pennsy in a pretty good rain with the lady ridin' shotgun n' never once thought about puttin' the top up. I guess if it had been a toll road we might'a done differently. I think that normal rain can be ignored pretty much above 45 miles per hour. We ain't got no back seat to worry about.
So, as alodda the time I'm runnin' top-down in iffy weather, I wouldn't wanna put anythin' in the way of the top's 6 second protection.
All that was to let you know that I can't offer any help with the tonneau.
Best'a luck with it ds. Wear it in good health.

[gomarlins3]

Welcome to the club and the site.

I like the look of the hard tonneau as well, but haven't gotten around to purchasing one yet. I would like to know how they attach.

[Tim Gedney]

Dave, welcome. I too recently bought my Suzuka Blue 2002, and love it. I still have the stock 16" rims. Do you know if there is some spedometer adjustment to be made if you change rim size from stock? Larger rims sounds like a nice idea, but I don't want to open a new can of worms with the size change (unless it's a small can).

[Java Junky]

Tim, as long as the overall circumference of the tire (or the height of the properly inflated tire) matches what's on there now, you're aces. If the wheel's taller, then the rubber that you use has to have a smaller sidewall height.
I can't spit out the sizes anymore, but there are tires that'll do the job for you if you choose to go with a taller rim.
Be well.

[Tim Gedney]

So, is it just a matter of looks? Can a 2002 accept a larger rim/rubber combo with sufficient fender clearance? Are the later models with the 17" rims still the same overall diameter as the older models with 16" rims? If it's just a matter of appearance, then no point in changing. If there's an advantage to larger rim/rubber (aka, more distance per revolution), then it's something to consider...if it will physically fit on the car. Not that I'm inclined to change...just curious.

[Java Junky]

If it's stayin' with the same diameter, it's a matter of appearance. If you go smaller or larger you're effectively changin' your top speed in each gear n' your ability to accelerate.

[ds2k]

The bigger wheels definitely give the car (or any car) a better look and more presence on the road, but they also help a lot in making the car handle better. The sidewalls of the tires are lower so you don't get as much side roll when cornering. Lowering the car properly is also key to getting a better handling car. When you put bigger wheels, you use lower profile tires. The tires on my car are 255/35/18 in the rear, and 225/40/18 in the front. I did the calculation before i bought the car and there was only a few millimeters in difference on the diameter between the stock wheels and tires and the ones on the car right now.
If you want an explanation of how tire sizing works, let me know!

[Java Junky]

Ground clearance with Stewie is already pretty minimal, n' the roads around here bein' as, well, let me be tactful n' jus' say "bumpy" as they are, I don't wanna sacrifice practicality for real-world impracticality.
With a track car lowerin' serves a very real purpose. Lowerin' a street car is strictly an appearance thing. And I admit, it looks good. But the next time that you're nursin' the car through a rough section of road with your 'nads tucked way up just under your throat ('cause we all know that when the car takes a hit, we feel the pain) tell me that you don't wish you'd left it stock height.
I prefer to blitz the road.
But there's a lodda roads to be taken. Decisions, decisions.
Be well.