Originally Posted by
ottokrat
FYI, My car is a Suzuka Blue '06. Here're some simple but sometimes very effective ideas to start with.
- Modifry's RPM/Redline Shift buzzer - My 1991 RX-7 came with a shift buzzer stock, and I became addicted to it. I found Modifry's and installed, so now I have that on my S2000; very nice.
- X-Brace - You can really feel the difference as less (undamped) bounciness over rough roads. I choose Rick's.
- (Custom) Alignment - Set to your preferred specs. I prefer less rear camber for a street machine, so adjusted mine near the minimum spec (-1 is minimum, actually I used -0.9). The rear end feels much more stable, plus, much better tire wear. (Also feels better putting down lots of power during turns as both tires have good ground contact.)
- (Custom) Valve Adjustment - Increase engine acceleration smoothness, increase throttle response crispness, increase full power especially 4-6k (e.g. below vtec), lose some power below 2k (doesn't matter though). Use minimum factory specs (0.008 intake & 0.010 exhaust). I had mine done at 4500 (4.5k) miles, and would do it again in a heart beat - really worth it.
- Air Box Modification - increase throttle response (cut out internal divider, remove air flow directors), get better sound (block resonator port). Reported at 2-3 hp increase. Can't beat free hp.
- Throttle body coolant bypass - decrease temps at throttle body (maybe don't do if worried about throttle icing due to operation in cold weather).
- Coolant mixture - Improve engine performance in warm weather. Reduce/eliminate "kangaroo" effect on hot days. Drain some coolant and replace with (pure, distilled) water to acheive a 70/30 mixture or so. 70/30 is good down to about +4 deg F, I think. (Obviously don't do if you have a snowy winter.) Use Redline Water Wetter (NOTE: if you do this, especially if you use the WW, you must flush & change your coolant at least every 15k; I choose every 10k / once a year. It's worth it though.)
- Experiment with fuel - 91 octane is the best we have here in CA, but still I have options. Here's a comparison of my available fuels. 91 Chevron: smooth, high driveablity, good on low end, but can't hardly tell when crossing into VTEC. 91 Shell: explodes into VTEC, there's no missing VTEC engagement!! somewhat less drivability in low end - a bit of occasional stumbling at less than 3k rpm (though coolant mixture and valve adjustment basically cure this). I choose the 91 Shell. (NOTE: both of these gasolines are TOP TIER.)
1) Okay
2) Okay
3) Fine
4) :rofl: You're not going to get one more hp out of a valve adjustment, unless you go to 10k each day and like to bend valves
4) Honda spent millions of dollars into the engineering, you're wasting your time
5) :rofl: Just buy the pre-mixed Honda coolant, it's not doing anything
6) :rofl: :rofl: It's all in your head buddy, different gas doesn't give you more low-end, displacement does