Don't know my car's history
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Don't know my car's history
I (owner #3) am a new s2ki member and have owned my 04 s2000 for 4 years. Since the day I test drove it, it has had a huge vibration in the drive train on deceleration. I got a break on the price because owner #2 and I agreed that the vibration was from the differential. With 34k on it, I bought it. It has been a daily driver and has been relatively reliable and fun for 30k more miles, but not enjoyable because of the vibration and extremely hard clutch pedal.
The guy who sold it to me (owner #2), bought it from the original owner (owner #1). Owner #1 had a Votech supercharger in it. Owner #2 destroyed the supercharger and ECM and didn't have the money to replace. So, he pulled it all out. I have rebuilt the differential and replaced a snapped driver's side axle without any reduction in the vibration. There is a ton of "backlash" throughout the car's drivetrain. Transmission shops and Honda dealers both say it's the drive shaft. I pulled the drive shaft and found nothing wrong in the CVs, but replaced the shaft anyway with a used one last weekend. I test drove the car hard and the vibration felt better (but it also felt temporarily better after the diff and half shaft repairs). Unfortunately, I pushed the car so hard, I smoked the clutch.
Because of the heavy pull down, and vibration on deceleration, I suspect it has a lightened flywheel. I assume my burned clutch is also not OEM. I cannot lift the car high enough to do the clutch install myself, so I'm going to pay for someone to do it. Which means I need to have my parts ready before I see what's being pulled out! I do not plan to increase HP. I have not been happy with high RPM shifts, because the engagement is not "crisp". I want to buy a clutch that is not overkill and has average pedal pressure, but one that will grab. I also believe that I want the heavy flywheel back, because I can't stand jerking my neck forward every time I let off. I'm 50 miles outside Raleigh, NC, don't trust any locals and am not sure which clutch and flywheel I would like, because I don't know what I have.
I became a s2ki member because I read a thread where "softtopguy" offered to provide a clutch (installed) at his Cary, NC garage for ~$1100. I want to love my s2000 more than my Miatas, but so far it is not happening. Please comment and make some recommendations on both troubleshooting, hardware and installers before I pack the Honda in.
Sincerely, sfleckpe
The guy who sold it to me (owner #2), bought it from the original owner (owner #1). Owner #1 had a Votech supercharger in it. Owner #2 destroyed the supercharger and ECM and didn't have the money to replace. So, he pulled it all out. I have rebuilt the differential and replaced a snapped driver's side axle without any reduction in the vibration. There is a ton of "backlash" throughout the car's drivetrain. Transmission shops and Honda dealers both say it's the drive shaft. I pulled the drive shaft and found nothing wrong in the CVs, but replaced the shaft anyway with a used one last weekend. I test drove the car hard and the vibration felt better (but it also felt temporarily better after the diff and half shaft repairs). Unfortunately, I pushed the car so hard, I smoked the clutch.
Because of the heavy pull down, and vibration on deceleration, I suspect it has a lightened flywheel. I assume my burned clutch is also not OEM. I cannot lift the car high enough to do the clutch install myself, so I'm going to pay for someone to do it. Which means I need to have my parts ready before I see what's being pulled out! I do not plan to increase HP. I have not been happy with high RPM shifts, because the engagement is not "crisp". I want to buy a clutch that is not overkill and has average pedal pressure, but one that will grab. I also believe that I want the heavy flywheel back, because I can't stand jerking my neck forward every time I let off. I'm 50 miles outside Raleigh, NC, don't trust any locals and am not sure which clutch and flywheel I would like, because I don't know what I have.
I became a s2ki member because I read a thread where "softtopguy" offered to provide a clutch (installed) at his Cary, NC garage for ~$1100. I want to love my s2000 more than my Miatas, but so far it is not happening. Please comment and make some recommendations on both troubleshooting, hardware and installers before I pack the Honda in.
Sincerely, sfleckpe
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I don't yet have an S2000, but I have a 1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula convertible that I trust NO one with, and I found an auto shop that I trust COMPLETELY (and anyone who knows me and my cars has been SHOCKED to hear this) - it's AutoTek on the Raleigh edge of Garner, near Tryon Rd. - http://www.autotek.biz/
My father-in-law is a retired Lutheran Pastor, and the guys that own and run the shop are members of the church he used to be Assistant Pastor at, Holy Trinity Lutheran in Raleigh. They are good guys.
They did extensive work on my car, installing a remanufactured stock engine, clutch, transmission repairs, radiator, coolant hoses, alignment, brakes - you name it, they did it, did it EXPERTLY, cleanly and HONESTLY. They were priced fairly on both parts and labor, and I would trust them with ANY vehicle I own - if they can't handle it, they'll say so up front or have the right guy work on it to get it done right.
Brian Parada is the owner - I don't know how much work they've done on S2000's, but they'll tell you. Tell Scott (or Brian himself) that Patrick with the yellow Fiero convertible recommended them to you (although you don't have to mention me to get awesome service from them).
BTW, given what you've discussed, I'd make every effort possible to bring your car's mechanicals back to OEM stock. I'm thinking Honda knew more about performance than your previous owners did, and it seems to me that bringing your car back to a stable baseline would make you happiest with the car. I know I would feel that way if it were mine. Just my two cents' worth...
My father-in-law is a retired Lutheran Pastor, and the guys that own and run the shop are members of the church he used to be Assistant Pastor at, Holy Trinity Lutheran in Raleigh. They are good guys.
They did extensive work on my car, installing a remanufactured stock engine, clutch, transmission repairs, radiator, coolant hoses, alignment, brakes - you name it, they did it, did it EXPERTLY, cleanly and HONESTLY. They were priced fairly on both parts and labor, and I would trust them with ANY vehicle I own - if they can't handle it, they'll say so up front or have the right guy work on it to get it done right.
Brian Parada is the owner - I don't know how much work they've done on S2000's, but they'll tell you. Tell Scott (or Brian himself) that Patrick with the yellow Fiero convertible recommended them to you (although you don't have to mention me to get awesome service from them).
BTW, given what you've discussed, I'd make every effort possible to bring your car's mechanicals back to OEM stock. I'm thinking Honda knew more about performance than your previous owners did, and it seems to me that bringing your car back to a stable baseline would make you happiest with the car. I know I would feel that way if it were mine. Just my two cents' worth...
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How do I figure out what OEM is? There are at least 5 different s2000 clutch kit builders on eBay alone that say OEM. The kits range from $200-$600 and many have Exedy organic PPs. Most don't provide torque capacity or pedal force ratios. Does anyone have OEM specs vs part#/manufacturer specs?
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