I am looking to buy an 01 S2000 from a friend of my roommate.

It has a Vortec S/C, DC sport headers, ? dual exhaust, and a ACT stage 3 clutch, lightweight flywheel and 94,000 miles on the car and OEM diff. The engine was replaced @ 35,000 with a JDM engine.

It also has the GT3 widebody kit fully molded, 19" Axis wheels, a Hard Top, dynamatted interior, with a custom flushed 12" sub in the trunk, stock suspension.


My concerns are with the high milage primarily. Especially with the transmission since it has been boosted for a good bit of its life. How do this cars fair with such high milage (since i will likly be owning this car to a good 150,000 miles or more)

I am hoping to make this car really scream. Since I am very appealed to the idea of a Convertible with a good bit of power and the S2000 is definilty the hottest drop top i know of.

I had read about doing different gears and such, but i am curious about further tuning since this car has the JDM motor and I would like to make more power especially in the mid (4-7k) range since we all know the car already performs very will in the higher rpms.

What recommendations do you guys have for this car in its current condition. What mods should I perform to get the best power from my current setup (ie pullys, tuning etc) and what do you recommend due to its milage?

(i am probably going to sell the sub, remove the dynamat, and sell the wheels in favor of lighter wheels)

 

Well, all the S2000 engines are JDM... is it an AP1 or AP2 now (2.0 liters or 2.2)? When was the engine replaced and why? A replaced engine is a big red flag for me, plus all the mods.

Normal S engines have good reps for reliability with high miles, but all those mods plus a transplanted engine spells big headaches for me. The S has a "weak" diff that doesn't hold up well with SC engines, so it is a concern too. If you want a modded car, this one is definitely well on its way, but personally, I'd start with a stock S and add the few key performance bits you want.

What's the guy asking for it? It may be safer just to find a good stock S and add a used SC and gears to get what you want.

 

he took everything out of my head and typed it.

 

JDM engine or Junk yard engine....?

Sounds like a riced and ragged out car to me.

 

It is an AP1 2.0. (though i could have sworn i read here on this forum that the JDM s2k engine had slightly higher compression). It is not a junk yard engine.

The engine was replaced due to faulty install of the S/C on the origenal engine @ 35,000 miles. (incorrect milage in my origenal post). So 60,000 miles on the current engine with s/c.

the supercharger was rebuilt about a year ago.

Current tuning is by the vortec suplied FMU.

I am buying the car for about 17,000. Which is about the same price as a totally stock s2000.



I had actually thought about selling the s/c and buying a turbo


I am sorry. I do not have any photos.

 

Has the diff been replaced also? Cause that's gonna go next.

 

Are the mods exactly what you are looking for? This should be part of your consideration. I wouldn't get the car unless you really want those mods and the price is really good. I personally don't mind modded cars, but I don't value the mods much, unless those are the exact mods that I want.

In your case, if you are looking for a turbo, you might as well get an NA S2000 and slap the turbo on. At least you don't need to deal with removing the S/C, selling it, etc.

When buying a second car, it's nice to ask the owner to take you out for a spin. Sitting on the passenger side allows you to pay more attention to weird noises, and also gives you a chance to see if the driver actually knows how to drive stick in the first place.

Nevertheless, the fact that it had a new engine sounds fishy, just like what everyone said. It'd be the best if you could find a mechanic who also owns an S2000 to check out the car for you ... but of course, that's not easy

 

I would just buy a STOCK S2000 and save yourself any headaches.

 

I would lose the DC sport header. I get the impression that the car has been ragged on too.

 

keep in mind that the engine has been in the car for at least 2 years. The engine failure was the fault of the shop, not the owner of the car. I know the owner of the car and I dont feel he would rag it out. (the simple fact the stock diff has survived this long is a testiment to that lol if it is indeed as weak as you guys say)


when you guys say that you get the feeling that the car could be ragged out. What leads you to that conclusion? Simply due to the miles?

I do plan on installing an LSD and doing sport struts/springs. As well as going with a larger pully (currently 5.5psi) and better tuning.

When you say i should loose the DC sport header, do you mean go back to stock header or get a better one? I did some searching, though there are lots of opinions on what is the best header,testpipe/exhaust setup when combined with the vortec. I wouldnt want it terribly loud, and hopefully single to save weight.

I dont mind the mods (i could do without the widebody though but unavoidable), since I can sell most of the unwanted mods @ used value and then buy what exactly i want. No big deal.


The weird thing about the S/C is that the car just doesnt feel as fast as I would expect from a car with 300+ whp. Feels great between 7-9k though. Which is why i would consider selling the S/C and put that money towards a turbo system instead.