New to S2000
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 92
From: SoCal
New to S2000
I just picked up my 2001 Spa Yellow S2000 on Monday. I did a lot of homework on car research before I finally pulled the trigger. I narrowed the shortlist to Z06, C5 coupe, Porsche Boxster & Boxster S. I wanted something that would be highly reliable, very usable as a daily driver, and also fun on the track. I almost bought the Z06, but the S2000's tremendous value and the ability to indulge in open air motoring swayed me to the Honda.
I owned a third-generation RX-7 up until last week. It was a Touring model with a very extensive list of modifications. Unlike the S2000 it's very easy to get big power out of the RX-7. At it's strongest my RX-7 made 368rwhp at 15psi of boost from a street ported motor. This was achieved with simple breathing (intake, exhaust), cooling (big intercooler) and fuelling mods (standalone fuel computer, big fuel pump). Unfortunately, it was also very easy to cause terminal damage to the rotary and subsequently the bank balance. The car's third motor blew last December, with engine debris also destroying the impellers of the turbochargers.
Everything eventually came together by Summer, and I tuned the new motor for a conservative 305rwhp at 11psi. However, I found I couldn't fully enjoy driving the car again. At the back of my mind I was always worried about temperatures, boost spikes, lean conditions, etc. Every WOT trip up the rev range had me monitoring the J&S knock sensor out of the corner of my eye. I didn't like that uneasy feeling and knew I had to get out of the RX-7 and into something I could push without worry of impending engine destruction.
Now I'm looking forward to learning and enjoying the capabilities of the S2000.
I owned a third-generation RX-7 up until last week. It was a Touring model with a very extensive list of modifications. Unlike the S2000 it's very easy to get big power out of the RX-7. At it's strongest my RX-7 made 368rwhp at 15psi of boost from a street ported motor. This was achieved with simple breathing (intake, exhaust), cooling (big intercooler) and fuelling mods (standalone fuel computer, big fuel pump). Unfortunately, it was also very easy to cause terminal damage to the rotary and subsequently the bank balance. The car's third motor blew last December, with engine debris also destroying the impellers of the turbochargers.
Everything eventually came together by Summer, and I tuned the new motor for a conservative 305rwhp at 11psi. However, I found I couldn't fully enjoy driving the car again. At the back of my mind I was always worried about temperatures, boost spikes, lean conditions, etc. Every WOT trip up the rev range had me monitoring the J&S knock sensor out of the corner of my eye. I didn't like that uneasy feeling and knew I had to get out of the RX-7 and into something I could push without worry of impending engine destruction.
Now I'm looking forward to learning and enjoying the capabilities of the S2000.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,144
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From: Seattle
Welcome aboard!
The S2000 will be very different than your RX-7 and the other cars on your list, but it sounds like you're a certified car nut like most of us here and will enjoy it for the little masterpiece it is.
Ted
The S2000 will be very different than your RX-7 and the other cars on your list, but it sounds like you're a certified car nut like most of us here and will enjoy it for the little masterpiece it is.
Ted
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