Bullwings

No boost for me, ever. It's gonna be NA all the time. Reliability > power.

This is gonna be a track car. I don't even plan on doing any tuning/power mods until 3 years out. I want to learn how to be fast on stock power. Brakes, hardtop, and suspension only for the first three years. Brakes/hardtop only for the first year tracking.

Anyway, you guys are making this tough, hehe. If AEM only costs around $1k extra, it doesn't matter since the price difference between an 06+ and the older models is easily around $2k on average.

Traction control would actually be nice for the rare occasions the car sees rain (i'm in SoCal and I also have a truck...)

wadzii

after looking over the dbw intake manifold.... get an 06+ you start with a better intake manifold and bigger throttle body. Thats where the non dbw cars are hurt alot.

most 06+ cars i have seen on the dyno make more power than the older ones from the jump, and flash pro is easy, cheap and passes inspection.

GrandMasterKhan

I have to agree. 06 has better tuning solutions. FlashPro is easier, and your tuning from the OEM ecu.

Stand-alones are at the mercy of your tuner so as to how well they will run on a daily basis, how well they will react to cold/hot days, elevation changes, and how well the car will start etc etc.

If your going i/h/e the flashpro has premade tunes which provide incredible gains right of the box and allow for a wider vtec window 4600-8600rpms. Sure you could do the same with an AEM EMS or Kpro for an older s2k, but once again how many hours do you want to spend fine tuning your s2k to run like OEM?

Flashpro also allows you to keep OBDII so its easy to pass inspection.

If your looking for ultimate 600+whp turbo setup or extreme ITB n/a setups then AEM ems or kpro is a better choice, if your sticking with the basis its hands down flashpro is the best solution for tuning and thus this makes the 06 a much better choice.

Bullwings

Fair enough, the arguments for a 2006 are rather compelling. That being said, I don't think I'll have much problems as far as tuner/aftermarket support goes. I live around 12 miles from Evasive...

camuman

buy whichever year 05 or 06 s2k you will get the best deal. both can be modded to the same point so who cares. ITB's i suppose are the one problem, but bleh to them anyways. its my opinion, and i am entitled to it

but i agree, an 05 is easier if you plan to boost the car beyond 450+. otherwise, its not a big deal.

Gernby

I've heard people say this before, but I think it's a bad phylosophy (sp?). Even if your drivetrain is bone stock (no bolt-on power adders), a good tune will make it easier and safer to drive fast. The AP2's low gearing and small VTEC window make it hard to drive fast. If you set VTEC engagement to the "correct" RPM, power delivery will be MUCH smoother, and you won't fave to fight with gears so much.

JHooby

isn't it truely FUNNY that whoever has a 06+ argues that it's better?
and the 05 owners think that theirs' is better ?

wadzii

eh, i have an 01, but if i had 05-06 s2000 money i'd buy an 06

spectacle

This is a no brainer. 06+

w00t692

I have no doubt if i could have chosen between 05 and 06, i'd get an 06.