Name: Ian
Profession: Project Manager | Information Technology
Past/Current Other Profession: German Mechanic, track car builder, S2000 specialist (Austin,DFW....now only for myself), Track instructor w/ dabbling in charity track events as well

I've had 21 cars and 3 were 2001 S2000 's, but this thread is for my latest 2001 S2000.


Above pic back in 2018 at Harris Hill Raceway after I did the following work.
-Replaced with another 2001 S2000 engine, original died a nasty coolant rust death.
-Ap2 retainer upgrade, Banjo bolt upgrade
-Buddy club rail, Schroth red 6 point harness
-Soft top removal and hard top installed (Forbidden w/ plexi)
-Hard dog roll bar install
-Defi ZD gauge with Oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp
-Radium Catch Can
-Mishimoto oil cooler

I got to track this that day in 2018 after all this work at Harris Hill Raceway (where I used to be a member). Also that day drove my first Spec Miata and Porsche. I then moved to DFW and shortly after the S2000 had a terrible event. After a couple oil changes and living at race track on a very cold Feb day the S2000's oil filter backed out and set fire to the engine bay. Normally there is someone watching who can rescue cars, but this was that one minute where no eyes were on track. Client ran a half mile to club and back to get fire extinguisher. By this time latch failed from heat and crow bar forced open the engine bay to put out fire. Towed the car up to Dallas and here was damage below.



This battery still worked lol

This would be my first of two 2001 Honda S2000's I've gotten the please to repair after a terrible fire event. The following picture is of engine bay after I had mostly restored it. Not shown in picture is Aero latch install, AC restored and titanium Mugen dual exhaust work. Remember this repair was for a track only S2000 and was still owned by my dear client at the time.



I then performed my newly developed track prep package and used my instructing day at Circuit of the America's to test vehicle's limits. I've since made this a habit to all my client builds from this particular person. This is also showing my 16ft steel Kearney trailer and 2001 Ford Sport Trac built for towing.








Night events are my all time FAVORITE

It's not all about fast laps, sometimes you just want to have fun.

Here is where the story get's weird. After moving to DFW to support my wife through grad school I had also ended my personal track car life by selling my own widebody 2001 Honda S2000. Which I'll share a picture below. This S2000 I traded another S2000 back in day and came with a Inline Pro turbo kit. I then melted that engine doing 155mph for several minutes. Installed a Inline Pro short block and made 420hp @ 9300rpm for about 250 miles when I lost all four pistons from ignition timing melt down. Another Inline Pro short block installed and conservative tune. I sold the S2000 right afterwards to a guy down south. Years later I was tracking a dakar yellow E36 M3 when my old S2000 suffered another engine failure from inexperienced owner. I traded cars and brought home this S2000. I swapped back in a stock engine and tracked the living hell out of this car. My "I'm no longer tracking" purchase was a 2005 Corvette 6 speed in Lemans Blue. Then I got so much side work I decided to try tracking Miata's. So I went through a '99 AE Miata and a '95 Miata with boooooost. Preparing to leave Texas for good and I sold both Miata's. This is when I purchased the above 2001 Honda S2000 (red one) from my client who I had just built a Lotus Elise. Also I traded Vette for GT500.






600hp on dirt because I do what I want



This was fun and all, but it needs something.



240hp, E85 ALL THE MODS!!!!

And now back to the point of this thread. Bought a house in Thornton, CO (Denver-ish) and moving with my wonderful wife and no kids. From here on the story will focus more on the pictured below Honda S2000 and these will be some of the last pictures you see of it in Texas. Can't wait to beat up High Plains Raceway with this car and start down that evil path of modifying the living hell out of it. I'll also be starting up partnering with local S2000 owners to provide specialized/focused S2000 work.

 

Awesome.

Everyone loves racecars.

 

Picked up a Voltex Type 7, J's 4.77 gear in Ap1 differential and Modifry speedometer fix. Learned a new trick in removing diff and really cut down on excess removal of parts. First track day this Saturday at High Plains Raceway if weather permits.

 

Congrats on the new (01) baby Ian- Texas is sad to see you go I’m sure!

 

You're going to drop that line and not tell us what the trick is/was?

 

Kinda funny you said that as I'm also expecting. Texas gave me 36 good years. But I have to tell you so far everything about Denver has been gold.

I kept exhaust mounted except the two rear mufflers I let hang a little by popping them loose from hangers. Then both lower ball joints I popped to get axles out of diff during removal. After the diff bolts/nuts are removed also remove 3 of the smaller rear diff studs. Your axles and the two giant rear diff bushing studs will hold it up from falling. You can tilt diff sideways and drop from vehicle. During this when each axles comes out of diff just move it above the diff. During reinstall the axles can be really anywhere and just concentrate on stabbing rear diff mounts with both big studs.

 

I was half kidding, but thanks man. Always nice to learn new tricks to make things faster. I will come back and reread this when the time to remove my diff comes around..

 

I've been hoarding parts and this weekend went to town.
1. Installed Godspeed adjustable control arms front and rear.
2. Removed ac compressor, condenser and lines. Saving for when I'm 15 years older and want comfort back haha. This is a track only vehicle by the way.
3. Installed Forgeline D3SP 18x8 +50 225 RE-71r front and 18x10 +66 285 RE-71r rear.
4. Annex Clubspec Pro coil overs.
5. Replacement rear passenger axle (previous one boot split and stock replacement was cheap enough to warrant it)
6. PCI low driver bracket to replace buddy club bracket. Finally I can slide without curse words.

My birthday is this Saturday and I have a friend coming up to race at High Plains Raceway with me for my second track event there. Will hopefully get some better pictures. Also finding someone to align vehicle. The wheels you fill/check air pressure on barrel instead of lip. While I love the look, it will be a freaking nightmare on track so I'm already scheming the ways to resolve this, but suspect will wait until widebody.



And after cleaning wheels and adjusting suspension.



Before suspension wheels here is a run on a Sti at High Plains Raceway

 

Went out for a photoshoot after finishing track prep. Excited to see the new limits and start adjusting suspension for High Plains Raceway. Have a night track day coming up.

 

Little review of changes observed with another track day at High Plains Raceway. Tires are perfect sizing with a touch of understeer to keep me honest. Was scary how hard you could chunk this car through S's including curbs with no issue. I did find something funny out, when I took off hard top I instantly lost substantial downforce and yet had a unaffected top speed. By time stamp on video I'm at best about 2:03 seconds which I saw was also top time here on S2ki. I left coilovers on full soft all the way around and didn't touch them all day. Balance was perfect. Here is a video showing warm up and hot lap.