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Just changing the headunit is a tremendous improvement. I put a decent $200 Kenwood that was like night vs. day. I can hear music at highway speeds and if the top is up, it sounds somewhat decent on the highway. Around town, it even sounds good
As for mods..
FIPK from K&N is what I did. Oh and the Hondata ECU upgrade.
No Hondata for me.
Does the intake offer any real improvement other than sound?
Originally Posted by Ken1997TL
I'm getting some Michelin Pilot Super Sports before Memorial Day
I ordered some Potenzas to match the fronts that are still good. I'll probably replace all with something else next time around.
Originally Posted by Rockstar21
also, I noticed that the horizontal brace in ken's car is grey/silver.
I cant see much of mine, but I could've swore it was body matched. Is it a year thing?
I can check mine when I get home but I'm pretty sure it's painted...
Originally Posted by RPhilMan1
Congrats Sam, that's one of my favorite color combinations.
Thanks man! Sad part is that this may take the FoRS off the table now.
Wife wants something "more practical" like a Jeep GC. We'll see.
Not really, man...I got a great deal on my old one, that's why I bought it...otherwise I'd have left the stock box...cleans up the front, sounds louder...but other than that...don't think it's a major improvement.
Yeah, I heard the F series engine doesn't take very well to mods, as Honda tuned the shit out of it as-is. If you ain't supercharging/turbocharging, you're wasting your time.
My friend has that K&N filter on his s2000- it's the only mod he has on it and it makes the engine sound like angels giving hell at WOT, especially when cracking into VTEC. He has the stock airbox but the car came with the intake on and he only leaves it for the sound also. It's nice to hear that engine screaming.
But the S2000 benefits immensely from a more accessible power-band. About a year ago I changed the factory ecu with an AEM EMS V2 (also did Berk HFC, matched throttle body bore with intake manifold) and had it dyno tuned.
Peak power didn't increase much, I think it was around 217 whp but the extra ~18 ft-lbs of torque at 5,000 rpms makes a world of a difference on the track. It has the character of a V6 (without the extra hp! ).
Linear power from bottom to top. No additional weight, no additional heat, and significantly less engine stress than FI. For auto-x and HPDE's, it's lovely. I know, I know, for stoplight racing FI or bust.
LOL...wish mine was drive by wire...I'd love to have the easy tune option.
Great information...
I'm actually very happy with it stock...I enjoy driving it so much, I'm never in much of a hurry to get anywhere...my tan could use the extra time anyway.
I noticed a little more oomph with the high flow cat...
Still loving that sound...it FEELS like it gives less resistance when accelerating, if that makes sense.
Better driver!! because other than FI, ITB and cat delete, there is not much power to be made.
Some people say headers help but that sounds so 1999.
Oh definitely.
The S2k is a very hard car to drive fast. The track lap time difference between a good driver and street racer noobs is HUGE. This car is super sensitive!
yah the raspy sound is not very good.
but if he is using for track purposes, it will gives the most power and gives the extra 1 or 2mph in the straight.
Lightweight and wide wheels + sticky tires (a square set up)
A GT wing
Don't even need much engine mods.
Jury is always out on square v. staggered on the s2k. People have strong opinions about it either way - it'll come down to driver preference, because both can post comparable times all things similar. There's a good reason Honda kept a staggered setup on the CR, and it ain't financial.
The S2000 absolutely needs down force in the rear, oh boy, yes. Haha!
Originally Posted by rockstar143
it smells
Oh yeah.. reason why I went from test pipe to HFC - sitting still would give me headaches!
Originally Posted by oonowindoo
Better driver!! because other than FI, ITB and cat delete, there is not much power to be made.
Some people say headers help but that sounds so 1999.
ITB's are very old school cool.. but they don't add up to anything on S2000s. A company kit like Toda's is around $6,000. A home brew kit can be done for under $2,000. Either way you'd still need a standalone ecu and net maybe 2-5 whp over the standalone w/test pipe. But my god do they sound AWESOME and to many that's worth the price of admission.
Headers are historically proven to be a bust on the S2000, too. Honda did a damn fine job on it, most makers promise snake oil. As I said before, the best engine mod, especially for ~$1,000, is shifting the power-band downstream to tap into it earlier and 'smoother'. If you're concerned with getting faster at a track via power mods, this is the way to go.*
I love the attention Honda had on the S2000. When I started track prepping mine, I grew a greater appreciation for the quality they put into it. I know it's tough to estimate but if the S2000 as-is were released today, I think it would justify a $42,000+ price tag no problem if people realized how "special" the car is. I'm sure that's how NSX folks feel about theirs! There are many, many things I dislike about the S2000 - the biggest complaint being the ergos, but when I think for the value (cost v. quality) there isn't anything I'd rather have in the garage.
*Insert typical disclaimer about driver improvement and tires.. blah blah blah, everyone knows that.
Jury is always out on square v. staggered on the s2k. People have strong opinions about it either way - it'll come down to driver preference, because both can post comparable times all things similar. There's a good reason Honda kept a staggered setup on the CR, and it ain't financial.
The S2000 absolutely needs down force in the rear, oh boy, yes. Haha!
Oh yeah.. reason why I went from test pipe to HFC - sitting still would give me headaches!
ITB's are very old school cool.. but they don't add up to anything on S2000s. A company kit like Toda's is around $6,000. A home brew kit can be done for under $2,000. Either way you'd still need a standalone ecu and net maybe 2-5 whp over the standalone w/test pipe. But my god do they sound AWESOME and to many that's worth the price of admission.
Headers are historically proven to be a bust on the S2000, too. Honda did a damn fine job on it, most makers promise snake oil. As I said before, the best engine mod, especially for ~$1,000, is shifting the power-band downstream to tap into it earlier and 'smoother'. If you're concerned with getting faster at a track via power mods, this is the way to go.*
I love the attention Honda had on the S2000. When I started track prepping mine, I grew a greater appreciation for the quality they put into it. I know it's tough to estimate but if the S2000 as-is were released today, I think it would justify a $42,000+ price tag no problem if people realized how "special" the car is. I'm sure that's how NSX folks feel about theirs! There are many, many things I dislike about the S2000 - the biggest complaint being the ergos, but when I think for the value (cost v. quality) there isn't anything I'd rather have in the garage.
*Insert typical disclaimer about driver improvement and tires.. blah blah blah, everyone knows that.
Jury is always out on square v. staggered on the s2k. People have strong opinions about it either way - it'll come down to driver preference, because both can post comparable times all things similar. There's a good reason Honda kept a staggered setup on the CR, and it ain't financial.
The S2000 absolutely needs down force in the rear, oh boy, yes. Haha!
I like your car, too. I had some fun with in a BRZ at the Ring in September:
This 911 driver made me work for it every time.
The blue Golf R in the above picture, is very, very, very fast. The driver is a friend and ring regular. We met so I could get some feedback. I'm not a regular but have maybe close to 70-75 laps under the belt spread over the past 3 years and thought I should have a 'pro' evaluate the bad habits. Anyways, I sat passenger in his power-mod-free golf R and couldn't believe the speeds we carried. Upper 7 minute lap times, all gut-wrenching. I have a video link somewhere if people are interested. We're discussing turn points in german but the vocals are not that distracting.
And here is an old picture of my S2000 (silver). Now sponsored by Beatrush!
and driveability!
Track appraiser...awesome post, man...love your insight.
Golf R would be a strong contender for me if I ever go back to my European roots of loving hatchbacks. I still miss them...
and driveability!
Track appraiser...awesome post, man...love your insight. Golf R would be a strong contender for me if I ever go back to my European roots of loving hatchbacks. I still miss them...
FoRS was going to be my next car but now it probably won't happen unfortunately, at least not right away in the spring. Need to get something I can daily drive and can tow/haul stuff around. Looks like a Jeep GC is in my future.
Gotta love em! Most S2000 owners say that same thing...
Only reason they sell was not practical enough, or not comfortable enough for a daily ...or if you're Tommy. For a miata
). 
DSC_8471 by Jeremy Perrod, on Flickr
DSC_8473 by Jeremy Perrod, on Flickr
DSC_8468 by Jeremy Perrod, on Flickr
Upper 7 minute lap times, all gut-wrenching. I have a video link somewhere if people are interested. We're discussing turn points in german but the vocals are not that distracting.
...or if you're Tommy. For a miata 
