I'm in the process of hunting down an S2K as a primary Autox car. Now I know they made some suspension changes from the 00 and 01, to the 02 and 03. So heres the question. Are the Changes for better or worse?

 

the key suspension changes between 00-01 and 02 are:

1) 02 has thinner front sway
2) 02 has softer shocks front and rear
3) 02 has stiffer springs front and rear

because stock class lets you change the front sway and shocks and not the springs, it seems to me (someone correct me if i'm wrong) that the stiffer springs on 02 make it the better car for BS.

there are lots of threads about the 02 suspension in general which seem to say that it makes the car easier to drive...

... but the glass window i think is the biggest reason of all to pick 02!

 

I was told there was also a rear sway bar change. Is this true?

 

check out this thread ... pretty complete ... an no, the rear sway is the same.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=71147

 

Humm, those threads were interesting. The theory I had heard towards the suspension changes were....
Honda set the car up how they liked it "perfect" originally, People wrecked theirs and killed themselves so Honda Changed it to be "safer".

What that says to me is the 00 and 01 are probably still the better autox car. But I'd like to get some more opinions before I make a $30K decision. I guess the real debate is...
Are the changes worth the extra $5000 or so for an 02. Seeing as Springs can't be changed a stiffer front spring could be worth all the money in the world it it actually makes the car faster.

 

whoops! i have yet to find another source on this, but per Jason Saini, the rear sway has the same diameter, but is thinner for 2002.

 

arghh!! ok, so the link above shows that the T = thickness, and the sways (F+R) are thinner for 2002.

 

Go with the 00 S2K. It's lighter. Windscreen is not standard equipment

 

Cost not a factor, I think the '02 car with stiffer springs/softer rear bar looks like it would be a better car. However, the changes are not dramatic (that's debatable of course) and may be overwhelmed by the other solo2 specific setup parameters (DOT tires, huge front bar, aftermarket shocks, etc.).

Besides, the cost factor is only for price of entry. You're going to realize better resale value in an '02 down the road, assuming mileage isn't a factor.

-Andy

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by s2k2fast4me
[B]Cost not a factor, I think the '02 car with stiffer springs/softer rear bar looks like it would be a better car.