New baby is finally home
 

and by boy I mean AP1. For the longest I've been preaching that if anyone wanted a dedicated track car the AP1 was the obvious choice over the AP2. Don't get me wrong, the whole reason I got a later model car is because I couldn't bring myself to rip/cut the interior of the AP2...it's just too nice. Also, I didn't like the idea of putting a $20000 S2000 into a wall, I'd rather it be less of an investment loss (sure, there's track insurance and all but ya know...). So I found this AP1 for sale a week ago in none other than the Carolina FS section. The owner, ORIGINAL owner, Bob, had posted it for sale back in September and had no bites. He recently had bumped the thread for spring and I came across it. After a dozen PMs or so back and forth we finally came to an arrangement, only problem was logistics since the car was located in Brevard. It really couldn't have worked out much better as my wife and I had a conference in Charlotte a few days later.

Fast forward to Friday. Wife and I depart from Charlotte and drive the 2 hour trip to Brevard. We meet Bob and his wife across the street from the bank. Bob was a really nice guy and I had a lot of respect for his choices that he made with the car. It seemed well taken care of an with the odometer reading 25590 I had a feeling the car was in pretty good shape. The buddy club race seats fit perfect and I felt like part of the car. Bob was quick to suggest a test drive so we tooled up a forest road with VTEC screaming and the distinctive whine of the 4.57 gears. The KW V3s, while a bit stiff, rode nicely and handle the road's inconsistencies well. I got back and when my wife saw the shit-eating grin on my face hers was solemn...I was about to buy this car.

We all 4 journey to the bank, finalize the transaction and I could see the sadness in Bob's face as he handed me the box of paperwork and went over what all extra parts he had for the car. While the majority of the stock parts were no longer with the car, he did include the original ap1 wheels with no other tires other than the Bridgestone S-02s. Currently, the car has Birdgestone RE-970 all-season's on it.

Here's my current take on the car:

Body and Paint: I'd give it a 8/10. There are a few little blemishes here and there, but honestly the paint is in much better shape than even my 2007 Berlina. The JDM headlights are a nice touch as well. The top on the other hand is a 9.5/10 and is in much better condition than my own on the AP2. Only problem at this point is that it doesnt fully go down because it's getting caught on the rollbar...just something I need to work on, but it will get gutting in the future once a hardtop comes to fruition (hopefully...if the wife gets pregnant I think that dream might not come to pass :baby: )

Motor: It's got 25590 miles on it! I plan to do a compression test soon just to see the numbers, but it pulls strong and the K&N FIPK intake really has a nice grunt to it. The Borla dual exhaust almost sounds stock until you get into VTEC at WOT and then it has a nice deep gunt to it with no drone. Very tasteful mod imo.

Transmission: Clutch engagement is abslutely fantastic and the lighter flywheel makes the car much more friendly to get off the line than my AP2. I really like the 4.57 gearing too as it feels much more peppy than some other ap1s I've driven in the past. Gear changes are crisp, but I do find that the AP2 sycnhros are a tad bit smoother.

Suspension and Chassis: Definitely can tell a difference between the new Ohlins on my AP2 and the KWs on the AP1. Bob had put the KWs on in 2008 and they have a few track days under their belt, but only about 10000 miles on them total. Would like to get the car raise a little to accommodate a non-stagger setup without having to roll the shit out of the fenders and have a corner balance done. The Ohlins do soak up the bumps better, but over normal road conditions they are feel nearly like stock-comfort. Bob also had installed a neuspeed x-brace and comptech adjustable front sway, so the car is very stiff with minimal body rolls and a slight hint of understeer (I really think the tires have something to do with that more than the suspension tuning though.

Tires: Im not used to all-seasons on an S so I took it easy as I am still learning the car. Once I got close to home though I opened it up a bit and noticed some squirm in the tires. Looking forward to some sticky 255s all around.

Interior and Safety: One of the main selling points to me was that this already had the hard-dog with harness bar installed. I don't like using race harnesses on the street though as I am used to leaning up to alleviate any blind spots before changing lanes with the top up. Seats are rock-solid and even after spending 3 hours driving back to Clayton tonight I was still comfortable. Bob did put an aftermarket countersunk knob on the car, but included the OE knob as well. Will probably just keep it like it is for the time being though. Need to get some padding on the roll bar to be track legal though.

Audio: All stock. AP2 sound system is WAY better. :p

Brakes: Bob included an extra set of rotors and pads, uncluding a rear set of Hawk Blues. ATE super blue in the res right now is old and I will be doing a full fluid change in the coming weeks. Otherwise, brakes are solid, but there's some squeal, so I will be inspecting on what's going on there once I get into ripping the car apart and doing some full analysis on things.

Final conclusion: I hate to say it, but trying to account for the "newness and excitement" factor of having this, I think I might like it more than my AP2! :D :vtec:

OK enough rambling and onto the pics. :)

Pulling out of the bank, 9000rpm here I come :thumbup:
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Always wanted a Sebring car
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Comfry seats and awell maintained interior
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I think I'm FINALLY VIR legal!
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Home sweet home

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Both sets of wheels and the Borla will be FS in a few weeks. Stay tuned. :)

Nice write up. Is it too late to ask for it back?

Congrats Brett. Sure sounds like you have fallen in love. welcome to the dark side of AP1 ownership.

Now you understand what I have been preaching since I got mine. I know I don't need to as but are you taking it to the RTD?

congrats on the ap1 purchase. looks very clean. best of both worlds now, ap1 and ap2. owning two S's is awesome. I have two ap1's. enjoy! :thumbup:

Congrats on the purchase. Owning one to drive on the steets and one complete toy is the way to go.

Nice! Getting two S2k's is always the best way to go so you can have the best setup for the track and road instead of compromise.

Finally found out why the top wouldnt go all the way down!! Well Bob had a really cool interior job to doll up the mid portion of the car after getting the roll bar in. You can really tell he spent a lot of money/time on the design. Sure...it was a wood frame and some vinyl, but it was really considerate to do. Unfortunately my plans for the car did not call for it, and it has been removed. Compression test performed with really nice numbers, and the car is finally "simply stripped" and the summer tires and OE wheels are one the car.

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Compression numbers 1-4

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For the record, the AP2 is going to the Dragon :D Gotta see what the Ohlins can do!

Let me know if you figure out the brake issues. Been trying to figure out why mine squeels as well even though the pads look good.

Was usually able to get of any brake squeal by taking out the pads and making certain that the back of the pad shim that contacts the piston is clean. After cleaning add some high temp grease to the area of the brake shim that comes in contact with the piston. A touch of grease between the pad shin and the back of the pad itself helps also.

Congrats on #2, man.

That custom rear tray stuff looked legit Bob!

Word! congrats!! On Baby #2 lol.

Nice numbers. Looks great.

Yeah I'll probably put those new rotors you gave me on with a fresh set of track pads...I've got some carbotechs laying around I could put to use :thumbup:

Bob, you took really good care of this one man. Thank you!

Congrats.

Let me know when you decide on the first event, if I'm not already booked I'll bring mine out.

Are you taking the AP1 to VIR for charity laps?

No sir...ap1 still has no tag or registration. Plus, need to give the Ohlins a good thrashing. :thumbup:

I want to get it to VIR asap...but need wheels and tires first.

I see you have finally got a Fast S2000. Silver Bullet.........way faster than the black widow that moves at the speed of darkness.

I think you need a third as this AP1 is too nice for a track car! Only 25,000 miles dude!

I know...that's why the TSX is parked outside. The top on the ap1 is nicer than the top on my 07!! :banghead:

Nice car! I saw it in the buy/sell section. It's very clean

Congrats Brett! oohhh another S! :) Was this in the general For Sale section or in the Carolina's For Sale section?

Carolinas :thumbup:

Time to build another garage.

Congrats on the new purchase Brett!

Awesome find! I definitely feel the same way about my AP2. Since it's my DD and modded exactly to my liking, I'd rather not crumple it up on a track and write it off. There's a bit of sentimental value involved too.

Right now, I have a cheap E30 that I don't mind beating up on. But who knows--maybe I'll eventually find another AP1 like you and Lee and go to town on it with a rollbar, gutted interior, etc.

Hope to check it out at Cars and Coffee or a Beer 30 one of these days!

You should come to charity laps with us on the 3rd Jon!

Thanks everyone for the supportive words!

Congrats!

Must have been that "Parade" lap around CMP in an AP1 that really started the itch :)

Our plant's having an outage, so I'll be working that day. Same reason why I can't go to the Dragon. :cry:

But at least the extra hours will fund some coilovers in the future!

Brett, looks good, I like the white turn signals and side markers, Rick's doesn't have them in stock anymore, I just ordered the smoked versions which should look good on my bb '03

I got a chance to abuse drive it the other night. It's a great car. Makes me miss that new S feeling with my 180k miles. The seats are made of tar though. The bastards are impossible to get out of!

Mark, you damn skippy bud. :thumbup: Nothing like having that extra 1000 rpm and some really sticky r-comps to make you reconsider the track worthiness of the ap1, even on 16"s.


My tiny Japanese-like self does really like the buddyclubs. The headrest, like we talked about, does worry me. If you dont have a helmet on it's really gonna crack the back of your head if you're in a rear-end impact.


Wife and I took the two S's out for a spin for a short drive and photoshoot (you can see her undying interest on one of the pics ;) ), did get followed, unknown to us until the end, by a detective in an unmarked charger, who ever-so politely flashed his blues at us to tell us to slow down. Thankfully he was really far behind us by the time we saw that :LOL:


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She likes "her" AP2. What's your's is mine and what's mine is mine.....isn't how that goes?

No, it is ONLY 2/7th hers or some BS like that!!! :stick:

There he is! How's the boat there, Pops?! Miss you dude :chums:

:rofl: Ahhh Kev remembers the mattress ordeal :rofl:

Nah...we're married now, so it's all straight down the middle...legally anyway :p

Possession is 9/10ths of the law...and Im staring at both sets of keys :hidechair:

There he is! How's the boat there, Pops?! Miss you dude :chums:

:rofl: Ahhh Kev remembers the mattress ordeal :rofl:

Nah...we're married now, so it's all straight down the middle...legally anyway :p
[/quote]

Sitting in the driveway waiting on warmer weather.

So you mean things are now "ours", NO WAY, that sounds like an old guy right there!!!

Pretty sure legally the judge would NOT agree with 50/50 but keep telling yourself that if it helps :LOL:

There he is! How's the boat there, Pops?! Miss you dude :chums:

:rofl: Ahhh Kev remembers the mattress ordeal :rofl:

Nah...we're married now, so it's all straight down the middle...legally anyway :p
[/quote]

Sitting in the driveway waiting on warmer weather.

So you mean things are now "ours", NO WAY, that sounds like an old guy right there!!!

Pretty sure legally the judge would NOT agree with 50/50 but keep telling yourself that if it helps :LOL:
[/quote]

eh...God willing we will never need to be in front of a judge unless it's over dinner :p

Today is our 1 year anniversary btw! :argh: 1 down...40ish to go?

All fluids changed except the trans...need to get to Honda and get some more fluid. Clutch was pretty dirty, and I swapped out the unknown front pads (maybe Porterfield? No center vein on them) for the stock OEM pads that came with the car. Diff fluid was red, but pumped in some Amsoil 75w-110. We'll see if that has an effect on the gear whine. :thumbup: Borla exhaust is off and Im going to see if this Berk exhaust will fit next weekend.

If you put Amsoil in the diff why not pick up some Amsoil synchromesh for the trans instead of the Honda fluid?

Thought about it, but have always used Honda MTF because of this thread: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/193...uid-for-a-s2k/

I personally have gone Honda MTF -> GM Synchromesh Friction Modified -> Amsoil Synchromesh and have felt improvement in shifts with each upgrade. But you know how people's opinions are with different fluids. About as useful as people's opinions on which exhaust sounds the best.

Hey, if it will stand up to track abuse then Im all for it. Never tried the GM stuff, but trust Amsoil. :thumbup:

Looks great Brett!
Here is mine!

Andy doesn't track his car https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/public/st...fault/argh.gif

Andy doesn't track his car https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/public/st...fault/argh.gif
[/quote]
Trooof.

But it will.

You probably know already but upgraded gears always whine on an S. Nothing to worry about. I didn't even notice any when I drove it.

Nice! Please tell me you still have the S!

Yes, of course! The SI is my daily driver... 1500 miles in 2 weeks now... it's like half-way between my old EX and the S2000. Nice torque, really good power, limited slip diff, seats four, but takes premium and 28 to 31 mpg... compared to 36 mpg on regular consistently with the EX... The EX is quieter and $3000 less but the SI is much more fun... a really good choice... :-)

Berk headerback is now on the ap1 and if it wasn't gt6 race night I'd have the stock exhaust back on the ap2...there's always tomorrow. I really lucked out though, the exhaust fits perfectly, but I was afraid that I didn't have enough of the right hangers since the previous owner didn't keep the triangle hangers, which are required on the ap2 for proper fitment. Well on an ap1, it uses all of the double-hole hangers except for the center portion. Whew! I'll snap some pics tomorrow when I'm all done and maybe a few at the meet in good lighting. I did find where the holes came through the frame for the roll bar...so glad I didn't do that to the poor ap2. :p

Want to trade me rear bumpers?

Eh, not right now Steve...kinda digging the AP1 look for a change ;)

Finally got the exhausts switched over the other night. The Berk is CONSIDERABLY quieter on the AP1 than the AP2. Sounds really good to me now actually. Great fitment too btw.

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Rollbar padding installed this afternoon. Pretty easy cutting. Will have to let it sit in the sun and mold a little better. Then tighten the zipties some more

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KWs are off and Ohlins are on. The Berlina sold today so wheels and tires are on order.

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Aww man! How bittersweet. I figured you were keeping both of them. Only makes sense though.

It's the 9k. Once you have it an AP2 isn't good enough anymore. https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/public/st...fault/poke.gifhttps://www.s2ki.com/s2000/public/st...fault/wink.gif

I equated it to having two wives...one is enough to manage and maintain! Double taxes, double insurance, and with the wife and I both having daily drivers it was just too much "stuff." Set of TR C3s 17x9 +62 with RS3s on order. Hope they dont rub too bad until I can get a bumper tab relocation done on the front.

Nice man! AP1 > AP2.

Welcome to the 9k club. Now put a SC on it and make it crazy fast!

I know I'm late to this, but you couldn't have made a better buy! I'm jealous of your gears (have wanted 4.57s forever) and how nice and clean the paint and interior still is. Can't go wrong with Sebring!

See you at the dragon this fall!

Hardtop is on! Drove to Wilmington and picked this puppy up. Thanks to Dustin (SgtB) for tagging alone and covering my 6. ;) Hardware included and fits great. Just have to bend the levers a little to clear the rollbar.

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Wheels and tires arrived today at the shop and will probably have an appointment next week to have them put on, alignment, and corner balance.

Looks great congratulations. how's the fitment on the hardtop? any wind noise on the highway? Did you put on hardtop strikers?

Fitment is perfect minus the need to bend the locking levers to get past the rollbar. Will try and tackle this weekend, but have a bachelor party I am required to officiate. :alcy: Ordered the Izzy brackets for gutting the soft top and soft top frame: http://www.izzyscustomcages.com/CustomParts.html

Wind noise in the cabin is definitely reduced, but as usual there's some creaking at low speed.

Soft top gutted and posted for sale. Here is how she sits right now.

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Are you going to put in a baffled oilpan and upgrade the Banjo bolts?

Brett - Did a quick look back and engine # 1025230 or higher should have the newer Banjo Bolts.

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/884...-oil-sprayers/

Previous owner did them. :thumbup:

Baby done got some new shoes! TR C3s w/ Hankook RS3s 255/40/17 all around. No rubbage on the way home but havent really thrown him into a corner yet. The funny thing is that the corner balance resulted in the EXACT same numbers as the AP2 without changing a thing. From stock ap2 to a stripped AP1 w/ race seats and a rollbar. Strange.

Cornering feel is quite different and Im wondering if putting the bar on the highest setting (278% > stock) was maybe the reason for the initial bite and the understeer. They did have to drill a little to get the bolt to fit through on the front sway. Anyway, might go for a drive tomorrow on a curvy road and get to know the car a bit better. We'll see if I can talk the wife into joining! :D
Before:

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After
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Izzy mounts (front and rear) installed. Hardtop is fully mounted.

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A few other pics of the mounts

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Looking good Brett. So are you thinking CRMC will be your first track day? Or do you have another planned in there some time?

Yeah, CMP in Oct. will be it. Might try to get my feet wet and do an autox between then and now. Interested?

Maybe this? http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/...l#.VXWVCM9VhBc

If you plan on hitting that Auto-x let me know. I might join you. Haven't attended an Auto-X in ages!

Will do, Jim :thumbup: That event is the same day as c&c though :/ hmmmmm

Oh just get more S2000's to come to the Auto-x. Make it into an S2K gathering! We have done this before in the NE. Usually it's intimidating being there alone or not knowing what to do/where to be, having the right equipment etc.

This way we could all hang out together, pool resources heck maybe someone even has a popup tent we can hide under!

Seriously......Auto-X way more fun than a C&C. :)