Daily Slideshow: Some of the Best S2000 Builds Ever
While there's no shortage of S2000 project cars strewn around the internet, sometimes it's nice to separate the wheat from the chaff. Here we present the wheatiest.
1. J’s Racing S2000
While there's nothing wrong with adding a few bolt-ons and calling it a day, some builds go further, much further. Each one of these cars pushed through to find fresh solutions or make new marks and that's what inspiration is all about. First up is Honda tuning community legend J's Racing and their time attack AP1. For starters, can we all agree that you just don't see enough black S2000s? J's Racing originally prepared the car to campaign in Option2 Magazine Taikyu endurance racing, stiffening the chassis and adding a nine-point roll cage in the process. When their direction changed and they set their sights on time attack by way of Japan's Suzuka Circuit, some changes were called for. Chief among them was an increase in displacement, rather than the more common option of turbocharging. Using a TODA Racing stroker crankshaft, displacement was enlarged to 2.4 liters. TODA parts abound in the engine in fact, including connecting rods, 13.0-to-1 pistons, and a TODA camshaft and valve springs. Of course, the AP1 received a full complement of J's Racing suspension and aero upgrades, but one custom touch is the aluminum belly pan they added to smooth flow under the car and increase downforce. The resultant car not only produces 335 hp and 231 lb-ft of torque, but it ran a 2’19.257 best lap at Suzuka, with plans to shed weight in search of a still lower number.
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2. Top Fuel Unlimited Time Attack S2000
Though we've already done a full feature on the Top Fuel/Voltex time attack contender, how could we leave out this 765hp track-proven performer? The car started out as a not-too-shabby 600 hp, 2,000 lb test mule for Top Fuel's own F20C turbo kit. Then things got serious, and not just with the extra 165 horses they found by adding a BC Brian Crower 97mm stroker crank, CP pistons, and a larger HKS turbocharger. Voltex Racing was called in and together, the two companies collaborated to develop a new range of wind tunnel-tested aero components to help the AP1 reach its time attack goals. We're not just talking about a spoiler here or there either. The list of new parts ran to include widebody fenders, a carbon fiber front bumper with canards and splitter, aero side skirts, a rear diffuser, and a huge rear wing. The result is a car that goes as fast as it looks.
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3. 500 WHP Turbo S2000 CR
The 2008 Honda S2000 CR you see here wasn't Amrit Soos's first Honda build—that would be a 900 hp Acura Integra, but that car wasn't designed to go around corners or even for day-to-day use. With the CR already shipping with better sway bars, competition-oriented suspension bushings, and faster steering, Soos chose to add fun the way he did on the Integra—with more power. Toward that end, he went with a Garrett GT3582R turbo fed by An Inline Pro exhaust manifold and exiting into a J’s Racing 70RR titanium exhaust. Injector Dynamics ID1000 (1,000 cc/min) injectors provide enough fuel to make 505 hp and 300 lb-ft torque. To balance out the grunt of the breathed-on engine, he decided to go with carbon-Kevlar fenders, and side and rear diffusers from Downforce USA. Finished off both inside and out with a black and gold color scheme, this AP2's whole is more than just the sum of its parts.
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4. 400 WHP Supercharged S2000
Next up is San Diego tuner Jason Hutchinson's 2002 Honda S2000. He bought the AP1 when his pride and joy CRX was stolen, with no firm plans other than he wanted to be able to drive it daily. He dropped it with an Endless Zeal Function X Coilover kit, augmented with Swift Spring rotation collars. After trying a series of combinations, Hutchinson settled on Enkei t RPF1 wheels shod with Falken Azenis RT615K tires, 235/40R17 front and 255/40R17 rear. Chosen for its easier installation and tuner-friendliness, a CT Engineering S2000 centrifugal supercharger system was installed. The kit uses a Novi 1000 blower, and Hutchinson had CT fabricate a special pulley that ups the boost by 10 psi. An HKS SSQV4 sequential blow-off valve keeps pressures under control, and with 405 hp at the rear wheels, Hutchinson has his work cut out for him keeping his right foot under control—on the street at least.
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5. 605 WHP PFabrications AP1
Another car that we've featured before but was too good to pass up is PFabrications ultra-clean AP1. Using their own Garrett GT3582R turbocharger-based kit to crank out 605 hp and 419 lb-ft torque, it would be hard to argue that power isn't the S2000's most notable feature, though we'd argue for something else. That something else is the overall build quality and attention to detail found on this vehicle. From the polished plumbing to the super-tidy engine compartment, it's the hidden details that make this car. If it wasn't for the vented black hood, your average Joe might not notice this S2000—until it passed him at high velocity.
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6. J’s Racing NA S2000
For balance, and a bit of visual unbalance, we've selected another J's Racing project vehicle to close out our list. Since 1989, J's Racing has designed, tested, and delivered hundreds of Honda performance products to a hungry tuner market. And like any market, the tuner market can be divided into smaller sections. One faction of the tuner market favors the instant throttle response, bulletproof reliability, and open growl of a naturally aspirated engine. As wild as the graphics and J's GT Wide-body kit on this build are, the real work lurks under the hood. The F22C engine received a set of J's Racing forged 12.8:1 c.r. pistons, TODA Racing Step A camshafts, and J's Racing dual valve springs. The carbon-fiber intake is also by J's Racing, as are the 65mm throttle body and titanium exhaust. Altogether, the mods they performed add up to make 316 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. While that's by no means the most power of any of the cars presented here, it's no less impressive and the build is no less detailed. That's the kind of inspiration we can get behind.
>>Join the conversation about these great S2000 builds right here in the S2ki Forum!