Hello, I'd just like to say that i do not owna s2000, im just posting on here to try and help a friend get his car back on track. I have a 2001 lightning. Anyhow here goes:
Friend has a 2003 s2000
It runs pretty crappy, has no vtec, and its putting out black smoke/running way too rich.
Anyhow, the car has
RevHard turbo kit
AEM computer
550 injectors? upgraded fuel pumps
straight exhaust
he has apexi turbo timer/controllers

You'll have to help me understand this stuff, i know nothing about imports or even turbos for that matter, so i do not know the actual names for his mods.
He has taken the car to get dyno tuned, they found a power drop where vtec would normally engage, they tuned the car to something gay like 200rwhp, which is obviously way low. Maybe it was the dyno, who knows.
Can anybody recommend a good Tuner for this car?
Or can suggest possible issues?

 

Where is the car located?

 

Crap, i typed all that then forgot the location. Cambridge, MD, but will travel to have it fixed.

 

I would recommend JE Import Performance 410.343.2400. They are in Parkton, MD, but they are moving in about a week. I would recommend calling them to see when they will be in the new shop.

James is an incredible tuner - your friend wouldn't be disappointed.

-Pete

 

people always pass over the easy stuff.. since its not hitting Vtec it has to be in the ECU or the oil level pull the dip stick and double check it. get it to a tuner and have them yank some fuel and tune it! Since its running lika pig tell him to stop and get some new spark plugs too!

 

he's had it at a shop, not sure of the name of hte place, but i think it was up in PA sumwhere, and they couldnt get it to work. I don't think his vtec has really worked since the installation of the turbo. He was thinking oil starvation also, so he's having someone check all the oil lines, etc. He routinely changes plugs as he fouls them out quickly. He said that when it was put on, it ran awful, then he bought the aem computer hoping to fix it, when the place installed that, the car ran better, but its obviously terribly rich. There's no reason why the car shouldnt put down at least 290 correct? On the dyno graph, the car's power would spike downward at the vtec area, so they raised it up, and he shifts below it. Anybody else? I think he's running about 8 or 9 lbs of boost. I wish i could give more info, but i really dont know much about it. Is anybody familiar w/ the aem computer where as he could change things himself? or is it more a job for a professional? Any other tuners would be great.

 

This is something a professional should do. That way tuner can diagnose any problems and use the dyno can graph air fuel ratios. It would be very tough for your friend to tune on the street.

The car should get over 300 whp with that much boost. Hell, I get more than 200 to the wheels with my NA motor :-)

Seriously, you can't go wrong with JE.

 

does it run terrible when he gives it gas and the car starts to see boost or what?

 

actually it doesnt idle that great, but it blows the black smoke upon acceleration, once it gets into the upper rpms you can just feel the power level off at like 6k, and thats not how it should be. Im sure its just way rich, but that doesnt explain the vtec not working.