AP1 Modified Tastefully for Function and Form

The owner of this S2000 probably had no idea that one simple change would soon turn into a complete and total transformation.

By Brett Foote - September 25, 2019
AP1 Modified Tastefully for Function and Form
AP1 Modified Tastefully for Function and Form
AP1 Modified Tastefully for Function and Form
AP1 Modified Tastefully for Function and Form
AP1 Modified Tastefully for Function and Form
AP1 Modified Tastefully for Function and Form
AP1 Modified Tastefully for Function and Form
AP1 Modified Tastefully for Function and Form

Small Start

Like most builds, Eric Caraig's S2000 started out with simple intentions. Just a few months into ownership, he couldn't help but feel like the rear of the car could use a little help in the corners, so he swapped in a rear differential collar. And as Caraig explained in this Lower Standards feature, that was just the start of a long, involved process of improvement.

Photos: Lower Standards

Wanting More

But that wasn't quite enough. Seeking a better stance, Caraig installed a set of Buddy Club N+ coilovers. And that meant he also needed some new rolling stock. For that, Caraig went with an aggressive set of 18×9.5 +25 NUE wheels that looked great yet retained the driveability of the S2000.

Photos: Lower Standards

>>Join the conversation about this AP1 right here in S2Ki.com.

Exterior Enhancements

This satisfied Caraig for a few months, anyway. Then, he started thinking about some ways he could make the exterior look a little better. Soon, he landed on an Amuse front bumper with a custom intake duct, RX-7 feed side skirts, and an ASM rear bumper and rear over fenders.

Photos: Lower Standards

>>Join the conversation about this AP1 right here in S2Ki.com.

Tough Task

But that wasn't the end, of course. Caraig also went to the trouble of giving his S2000 a center-exit exhaust, which is no small task indeed. This required cutting a section of the trunk out and raising it up to make space.

Photos: Lower Standards

>>Join the conversation about this AP1 right here in S2Ki.com.

Slightly Common

Next, it was time to address the stock interior. Caraig picked up a few common pieces here, including a Sparco Sprint driver's seat, along with a variety of carbon fiber-wrapped center console pieces. But the rest is certainly very unique.

Photos: Lower Standards

>>Join the conversation about this AP1 right here in S2Ki.com.

Wood Grain Grippin'

That includes a rather raw-looking Cusco bolt-on cage with an unfinished look. Not to mention a host of wooden bits, including the cupholder and Royal Grip steering wheel. The wheel is held in place with an NRG short hub and quick release.

Photos: Lower Standards

>>Join the conversation about this AP1 right here in S2Ki.com.

Wrapping It Up

The aggressive offset wheels are wrapped in Federal 215/35 front and 215/40 rear tires tucked neatly in the wheel wells. And there are a few performance mods as well, including an AME cold air intake, Mishimoto radiator, Exedy clutch kit, Omni power quicklutch master cylinder, and a Berk test pipe.

Photos: Lower Standards

>>Join the conversation about this AP1 right here in S2Ki.com.

Unique Approach

Overall, Caraig's S2000 stands out for its unique approach in a crowded and often similar crowd. We're certainly digging his choices, which add up to one of the cooler builds we've seen in some time. And we're glad that he couldn't resist the urge to make changes to his new ride, personally!

Photos: Lower Standards

>>Join the conversation about this AP1 right here in S2Ki.com.

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