Hi guys,

I am a UK S2000 owner, having owned by car for around 5 years. I want to supercharge the car. Now my favourite aspects of my s2000 (which is basically stock suspension wise) is the way it feels light and agile and turns in sharply. I am lucky enough to own a few other interesting cars that have totally different handling characteristics (Evo 8MR, Audi B8 S4) but if I'm honest I love the S2000 agility and how light it feels on its feet with no nose heaviness.

My concern is, if I put a supercharger on, it adds weight to the front end and it will upset the balance and affect handling. I am not really interested in absolute straight-line performance, since for me that is not what the s2000 is about - its about cornering and handling and balance but... it needs more POWER! lol

I was looking at the SOS Stage 2 kit due to reliability and a proven track record. Are there other kits out there that are lighter or position the supercharger further back in the engine bay so as to not upset handling as much.

Once a supercharger is fitted, what can be done to negate the weight it adds at the front? I was thinking of a lighter battery and maybe a carbon hood (but I'm not convinced on these due to fitment concerns). I was reading about corner weighting (I intend to get coilovers) but wasn't sure how that helps. Can geometry changes help?

My car is my daily driver during the summer and I enjoy using it on twisty UK B roads (similar to your mountain roads I would guess but much bumpier!)

Thanks for your advice and input.
Anees

 

First I think the added weight would not effect anything, it is not that much. A lighter battery is not a bad idea. I relocated my battery to the rear in the boot. Coilovers and a corner balance would certainly not only offset any effects but improve the cars balance and handling. Corner balancing will adjust the weight on all four corners of the car, side to side and front to back. It is done with the driver seated in the car or sand bags matching your weight in the drivers seat with a 1/2 tank of gas. A UK spec alignment and you will be better than before.

The S hood is made from aluminum and is light as a feather, most carbon fiber replacements weight more unless you spend $5,000USD for a dry carbon one, it is just not worth it.

For further reading go to MotoIQ.com and look under projects, Honda, S2000. There are 22 parts and alot of it is on improving handling.

 

You won't notice added weight at all. It's not like you are adding hundreds of pounds. More like 50 or so. If really worried about it relocate battery to trunk and should be same balance as before then.

 

So basically I am worrying too much and I should just get on with it? lol

 

Haha pretty much!

 

Thanks - I have PM'd you

 

Unless you're extremely in tune with your car it shouldn't be an issue. You'll be more focused on how much more power it makes and getting used to that.

...and after you get used to it you'll want a good set of coilovers (KW V3 or Ohlins DFV etc) cause you'll find out really quickly how much more control you'll need...and then a good set of brakes! Good luck!

 

Itll be more fun with a supercharger. Handles great. Nothing to worry about.

 

As others have mentioned, it won't throw your weight distribution off to any noticeable degree! I had the pleasure of experiencing a BRZ before and after having a Kraftwerks SC kit fitted. The BRZ is similar in that it's all about light weight, and being light on its feet. Handling wise, nothing changed, it just gained a whole bunch of power

We have excellent pricing on the Kraftwerks kits for the S2k. Feel free to shoot me a PM!

 

Check out the HKS supercharger.


In this video, look at the 3:16 mark.
[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O64CyrhenVk[/media]