Concern about possible engine stealing?

[Kimi01]

Hey there. I have an 01 S2k, and i've been told that the engine is desirable enough to be stolen. Does anyone think this is a real concern? I don't have it parked in a garage unfortunately and cars are definitely broken into around here for stereos and stuff, but I don't know about stolen. Should I get a Club for it? Or an alarm? I'm a chick and I live alone so if the alarm goes off at 3am, I'm not so sure i want to go outside and see what's going on honestly.

Do I need to be worried?

Thanks guys!

[Halo]

That's the first I've heard of that story. While the engine in the S2000 is an awesome product, it doesn't have too many other applications. What I mean is, your average ricer can't just swap it into his Civic like they can with all the front wheel drive Honda products. The single biggest use for a stolen engine would be to put it into another S2000 that needs a new engine. The seats, on the other hand, are usable in other cars and you'll see them from time to time in Civics and such.

Anyway, that said, a club is a decent, low-cost, deterrent as is an alarm. The purpose of these items isn't to prevent theft, just to deter it. If there is another S2000 parked within a mile of you and you have a club and a flashing LED indicating an alarm, while the other car doesn't... the other car is the better target. I'd say go for at least a club.

Nothing will prevent a determined thief. They can always just tow your car if they want to.

[Java Junky]

While everything else I own sports a Club, if I remember right the small wheel of Stewie doesn't allow it. Maybe there's a new "smaller steerin' wheel" version. 'Dunno.
And from what I've seen at the strip n' read on other sites, Stewie's engine is taken as the optimum 4 cylindermill with everybody from Miata owners (there's an extremely clean install on the Miata.Net site) to the Kit Car fellas. I don't know that I'd consider it desireable strictly for us Stewie-types.
I'm not meanin' to cause you to lose sleep, but with anything of worth in this day-n'-age, you godda do whatever you can to make sure it's still there when you go back for it.
'Agree with Halo on the determined thief business.
Park next to somethin' more desirable?
Be well.

[Halo]

I don't even have a real Club. I have an old POS thing that hooks onto my steering wheel and either the clutch or brake pedal. I've had it since 1986 and have no idea where the key is, but there isn't much point to locking it anyway. If they've broken in after seeing it, they've already caused a bunch of damage.

It works fine on the very rare occasions that my car is parked outside somewhere less than 'safe'

You might be right that a standard club might not fit. But, I think there is one that's just a straight stick that doesn't span the whole wheel. That might fit.

[Java Junky]

Yeah, there's an awful lodda cars out there with the smaller, thick-padded rim "sportscar" steerin' wheels n' there's a lodda security-oriented companies lookin' for sales. I'd be very surprised if there weren't a bunch'a options to secure Stewie's steerin' wheel n' make it less appealin' than the car down the block without.
Hey Kimi, as you're already obviously on the net . . .
Be well.

[MattG]

It seems the most desirable parts of our cars are the seats and the antenna.

Get your car insured, stick on an alarm/immobiliser, and leave the worrying to the insurance company. If they really want to steal your car nothing will stop them.

[Scott]

You can do whatever you want to safeguard your car...but the fact remains that if someone wants it bad enough, they will probably take it.

That being said, I really don't think your engine getting stolen is that much of a concern. Pulling an engine is not an incredibly easy task. They would need a fairly extensive tool set, an engine hoist to get it out of the car (or some sizable car jacks to drop it from the engine bay), and quite a bit of time on their hands. Time being something most theives aren't looking to waste. The more time they spend committing a crime, the greater the likelihood of them being spotted and aprehended.

If they are going to take the engine, odds are it would be after they've stolen the entire car, and could get it back to a safehouse or chop shop where they can take their time.

So, get a GOOD alarm system, try to park the car in more secure locations, and always just be aware of your surroundings. And like someone else said, seat theft is the most common item of value stolen from an S2000. Unlike an engine which could take up to an hour to remove (even if you're rushing things along), the seats can be gone in five minutes with nothing more than a pocket knife to slash the top and a cheap socket set to undo the four bolts holding the seats down.

[Kimi01]

Soon I'm moving to the Boca area. Do you know of any S2000 clubs/meeting spots/shows i could go to in that area?

Thanks!

[Kimi01]

I found that the regular Club fits an S2000 wheel just fine! Cool.