S2000 performance upgrades
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 20,789
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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.)
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
driver
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,600
Likes: 0
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.)
早晨好, 先生們!™ 粉腸+ 春袋
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 8,730
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From: Toronto
Go full stock or full aftermarket, removing the cover for better sound has no noticable power gains!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 509
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It depends on what your looking for and your budget, I,H,E dont yeild big gains on S2000's since they are so well tuned out of the factory(what i have found out on S2KI since I have had my 06 for about 3 months). If you have the budget for go fast performance I would get gears, vortech supercharger(comptech's dont yeild as much gain), aem ems(since the standalone systems are the only true help for s2000's), and larger injectors with a 3" exhaust and ricks header, easily get 330 to the wheel on stock boost. Just go to S2ki very helpful....
Last edited by JDMPONY00; Oct 18, 2006 at 08:05 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
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From: San Jose, CA
LOL! Sure you remove the air box lid in order to remove the internal divider, and block the resonator opening, but then you put the lid back on!!
Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 14,429
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From: Beverly Hills, CA
wow i didnt know that freeway cruise rpm's are so high, even with a 6th gear. but it makes sense.
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I
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Westside til I die
6th gear is really short. Next time you drive one, go on the freeway...hardly a difference between 5th and 6th.
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2015 Ford Mustang GT Fastback - Ingot Silver - 6M - Performance Package - Gibson Catback, JLT CAI, FR 47lb injectors, BAMA E85 tune, Eibach Sportline, BMR wheel hop kit, UPR oil separator, Steeda shifter bushing/bracket
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