Looking for first Upgrade.. Need Advise

[LittleRedRocket]

I just picked up my S2000, and was looking to do a couple little things to the car as far as the performance end goes. From what I've read so far, Intake and exhaust dont do much for the car other than save a few pounds and add 3-5 horse. Frankly for 1000 dollars or more, doesnt seem worth it on my end. I like the way the car sounds now and by no means do I want to turn it into a pissed off weed wacker like so many civic owners do. Im coming out of an Rx-7 where every little modification did a world of good. I put a down pipe and all of a sudden it was alot faster, and a downpipe cost me 150-200 bucks. Doesnt seem that easy on this car. Any suggestions, price quotes, or web sites to look at? Anything nifty to do to the car off the bat thats easy to do and doesnt cost a fortune?

Thanks,
Bill

[Urmil]

Firstly, define fortune...some owners don't find an amount like $6000, too terribly expensive. For that amount, a supercharger or a turbo application is what's called for....best bang for the amount spent.

For less than that, go with a knock-off AEM designed intake (about $130) and gain up to 8 horses (claimed by other owners). Headers and exhaust for a little more, modded ECU is another mod that has proven gains.

However, my opinion is that the suspension will give you most bang for the buck. Go with a quality suspension that will fit your needs and you'll learn the dynamics of your newly modded car to be driven faster.

[Greg Stevens]

Yea, coming off the 7, I know that making little inexpensive things would yield nice gains...but not on this car. The engine is tweaked already and nothing short of going forced induction will get any significant power gains out of this car.

Urmil's idea of suspension mods is good. I would go with an alignment, dial in some negative camber and your rear ends sticks nicely. I can try and dig up my settings that really made a nice difference...wasn't as fun at first because I like to hang the tail out occasionally and it made it a little harder to do. But that's a great little change you can make. The Mugen header is nice, as well, but it's about 1200 dollars? I can't remember, but that's the ballpark.

Drive the car for a bit and see what you would to enhance. And then start from there.

Have fun!

[desmo4]

In my opinion, even in the stock configuration, the first time you get into a 4 wheel drift at around 95 mph and see how balanced it feels, it will put a grin on your face which be hard to remove. Then you can decide which pieces should be changed.


Jonathan

Mugen Airbox, headers, thermostat, fan switch, radiator cap and ECU tomorrow.
Toyo Proxis T1S on Superlite 17 " wheels, Alpine CDM7824 with Phoenix Platinum Amp and
MB Quart Q speakers:clap:

[AP1 Turbo]

Although the benefits of improved "breathing" for your car may not be evident through reduced power loss, you need to keep in mind that they are very important items to do. Yes, the stock exhaust is very efficient as are most of the stock parts. This isn't Honda's first rodeo. But as good as the stock components may be... there will always be room for improvement. Your best bet at this point would be to make a game plan. What are your goals for the "finished product"? Will you be doing autox? dragging? There are some things that based on your final goal that become obsolete down the road. Good examples of this are: If you're going to install an aftermarket ECU, then a V-AFC and other items like that will become obsolete. If you're going to go with a turbo, then headers and exhaust will need to be done differently. Any forced induction will likely loose a CAI if you go that route. Lay out your goals and let us know what they are and then we can give you better input on logical mods and the order you should do them in. And unfortunately, your RX7 being a factory turbo vehicle was indeed a lot easier and cheaper to mod. The S2000 is not for the light of pocket if you know what I mean. YS, Ryan and others can attest to that. I think we're all in the $30k+ range for mods to date. :freak2:

[hecash]

APT just gave you first-class advice. ;)

[meat]

Have your car painted black - it will be faster.....

:)

[AP1 Turbo]

That's a very true statement... black cars are usually 7 to 8 10th's faster in the 1/4 mile! :shifter:

[hecash]

Black cars don't even look good in funerals except that they can go the proper speed for a funeral, ....slow.

[AP1 Turbo]

What are you trying to say Harry?? :confused:

[meat]

Black cars aren't so insecure that they need to go fast everywhere like those red cars.....

:)

[desmo4]

Silver was made for the Autoban, all other colors are behind.

Jonathan

[Urmil]

Oh man...another color war thread; i think that it's a first on this board though.

BTW, we all know that black is the fastest color....we'll see the results at the end of the Gumball 3000

[meat]

The Gumball isn't a race.

It's an event where rich guys can have a good time for a week.

[hecash]

APT,

What I'm trying to say, man, is that red is ahead.