Trix for my 00'00

[j9han1]

:banghead: Proud NEW owner of a 2000/2000. 16,0000 miles on odom. My son has all these Fast and Furious ideas to make it REALLY REALLY FAST. I told him to slow down and see what the experts say!. A new cold intake by AEM? Do they really work and how much HP can be had? A new header? How about a flow thru cat. A Vtech controller?I don't want to add all types of trick stuff, spend a bunch of money for a lil HP gain. Guidance would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! Wanna be FAST but not FURIOUS with wasted money! Thanx, J9Han:clap:

[WestSideBilly]

AEM intake - minimal gains (2-4 hp at the peak), sounds better but is obnoxiously loud to some people.

Header - marginal gains (Mugen and Spoon both claim 5-10 hp), particularly when in conjunction with a freer intake and exhaust.

Cat bypass - I've never seen this dyno tested. I would estimate 5-10 hp. I don't recall Columbus doing a lot of emissions testing (yet), but bypassing the catalytic converter is illegal in all 50 states - some just don't check (like Indiana).

Cat-back exhaust - some minimal gains. You'll get the most gains from the single outlet Titanium exhausts; you'll also lose some hearing. ;) Some aftermarket exhausts actually result in a loss of power, so no guarantees.

VTEC "controller" - Several ways to do this, VTEC killer cams (both the low and high RPM cams are the same aggressive shape), or an aftermarket controller to lower the transition point. This won't affect your peak power, but will shift the torque spike that occurs at transition.


If you want real, measurable gains without supercharging, one or two bolt ons won't get you there. The F20C isn't mod friendly in that respect.

[Urmil]

If I had to do it again and with a more limited budget, the best bang without going turbo or supercharger would be the mods as followed:

Headers (my choice would be Mugen),
ECU upgrade (either the AEM AMS, or the straight no-tune swap of the Mugen),
Exhaust (my choice would be Mugen for the crisp clean exhaust note and the component match with the other Mugen goodies, however, there are other exhausts on the market that show greater gains and cost less money).

Those would be the three main mods I would do....

If engine mods aren't your thing and you want to do one main mod and get really great bang for your buck, I'd definitely suggest a new rear gear to alter the final drive. The car comes with a 4.10 final drive gear, I've gotten a ride in a car equipped only with the 4.77's and OH MY FAWKING DOG...what a difference!!! It's about $600 and a bit more invasive than the engine bolt-ons.

I plan to do the rear gear in the very near future, however, the 4.77's are too much for me as far as gains. I'm looking for a bit more compromise between the stock and the 4.77's. I will try to source some 4.625's from Australia or just bite the bullet and get the 4.57's from Rick's (highly overpriced in my opinion, though).

Don't listen to WestSideBilly as what he's stated above regarding getting one or two mods...the gear shows fairly strong gains while driving in the street. He's constantly wrong on many things, mainly due to his lack of focus in the automotive tuning world...he's really only gotten into cars because chicks dig them. He hopes by having an S2000 will help him find a girlfriend. ;)

[fltsfshr]

I pretty much agree with billy...and I like the way my S2k attracts women too:bgbounce: .

I also think that the best bang for the buck is lower gears in the rear.

. In an n./a s2000 I'll bet those new 457's would be a great improvement down low.

fltsfshr.:lol4:

[WestSideBilly]

Originally posted by Urmil
Don't listen to WestSideBilly as what he's stated above regarding getting one or two mods...the gear shows fairly strong gains while driving in the street. He's constantly wrong on many things, mainly due to his lack of focus in the automotive tuning world...he's really only gotten into cars because chicks dig them. He hopes by having an S2000 will help him find a girlfriend. ;)

The rear gears aren't really a bolt-on mod, which is what my comment was focused on. I agree, rear gears (4.44 or 4.57) do offer a lot of performance gain for the cost (although your fuel mileage will drop).

I've had my S2000 for almost 3 years and I'm still single. I'm obviously not ricing my car out enough or something... :think: :doh:

[meat]

Best Mod for a youngster is a driving/race school.

[fltsfshr]

Billy

My fuel mileage didn't drop with my gear change. You drive the car differently, I think it all evens outs

fltsfshr

I run 444's

[GChambers]

Best Mod for a youngster is a driving/race school.
:brew: I agree 100%

The car is plenty fast. Actually, I think it is very deceivingly fast. If your son is going to drive the car, make sure his skills are up to the level of the car. Be safe.

[Benjamin Choi]

blah, driving school/track school is good for some, lame for others. we can all take the school, but not everyone will enjoy it i.e. get their money's worth.

but on the modification note, save your money unless you go Comptech SC.

everything else is just butt dyno pleasure. vortech's got shoddy customer service. you call comptech, someone will pick up and assist u.

you can save weight here and there, but unless you live, breath s2000, the cost is pretty silly / kinda like might as well have gotten a better car stock.

[Sideways]

blah, driving school/track school is good for some, lame for others. we can all take the school, but not everyone will enjoy it i.e. get their money's worth.

but on the modification note, save your money unless you go Comptech SC.

everything else is just butt dyno pleasure. vortech's got shoddy customer service. you call comptech, someone will pick up and assist u.

you can save weight here and there, but unless you live, breath s2000, the cost is pretty silly / kinda like might as well have gotten a better car stock.
Vortech always answered the phone when I called. :D To many young adults have ended up in trees and upside down. This car is a lot faster than you realize. Both of you should take a HPDE course at a local track. Then go the gear route first. Most bang for the buck. It really helps the car get going and not have to overcome that tall first gear. Please don't end up being one of those "I spun my S last night" posts. It is easy to do. Now, enjoy it and don't let others drive it. :thumbsup:

[Benjamin Choi]

Appreciate the feedback and am well aware of your love for tracking cars, but here on my side, I've already taken a novice racing school course and while it was fun, I didn't find it all that appealing. There's nothing at stake. No money to be won. It's a hobby and one that I won't be taking up anytime soon. As a secondary thought, some of the attitudes of the guys who were instructors there totally put me off as well. They were confusing themselves to be in Marlboro race suits. Please.

And I've heard of the gears argument. It helps in some scenarios. Hurts in others. Not interested. Stock is fine for me. It is plenty fast stock for 99% of us right?

Cheers,