My primary car is an Ultima GTR. Unfortunatly, I'm just finishing it, and I know its going to take a year to get it reliable. Since my wife and I both drive, its a perfect time to get a second car. I've narrowed it down to an S2000 or a c5 corvette. We've got a lot of corvettes in our club (checkered flag racing association) but no S2000's.

I'm looking to keep the car as reliable as possilbe, aka I'm spending most of my time on the Ultima. Here is what I've come up with:

2001-2002 S2000.
Front Anti-rollbar
Hardtop with custom rollbar
Seats and harness, etc...
Brake pads
18x9 and 18x10 track wheels with 245's and 275's

Stock shocks, engine, etc...

How does this sound? Have I missed anything?

Bill Lackey

 

Those big wheels on stock spring rates are probably gonna be a bit and you'll definately have rubbing because of the body roll from all the grip. Also on AP1 s2ks (pre 04) you'll probably want a Bumpsteer Kit (BSK) too.

You'll have a very fast track car there.

-Ry

 

I just started tracking the S last year. Nothing competitive though.

I run 18s on the street but just throw on the stock 16s for the track. They do for my needs and I already had them in the garage.

I do have upgraded pads, rotors, fluid, and braided lines.

I have an '01 and as I recall the '00 and '01 but I think you'll be okay with an '02 (?) you will want to upgrade the oil bolts. There's four of them obviously and they're about $10/each. No biggie but dropping the pan and getting to them is another story. After seeing a buddy do his and how much "fun" he had I put mine in the shop, actually today, to have the work done amongst a few other things. You might also look into an oil catch can which is an easy install. Depending on the type of tracking you're going to do you might research the baffled oil pan.

I'm going to keep the car a straight convertible but I would like to add a roll bar (Elda?) and harness.

Best of luck. Be safe and enjoy!

 

Hey Bill,

Hope I did not reignite the S20000 bug with you yesterday Thanks for te advice btw.

Rylan and Richard are probably the best two to get advice from, considering that they are pretty darned fast. Remember that supercharged NSX that ran with trackmasters yesterday? Well the owner (Kip) was telling me that Rylan runs neck and neck with him at Laguna...no small feat I would think, low 40s I think.

As far as the tire rubbing, if you get a set of Kenisis or Forgeline for track wheels, you can definitely get the 275s to fit in the back without rubbing (my brother runs 285s on 18x10s). It would not be unrealistic to run 245s up front especially if you roll the fender.

I would second Rylan's suggestion to get a different suspension and the BSK.

Bassem

 

thank you, kip kicked my ass at laguna . But it was the first time He's a great guy, I want to get him racing a s2k

I don't think Bill's looking for a race prepped s2k. But if he wanted to live w/o some of the creature comforts he could have a pretty light one/fast one.

 

And for wheels get the CCWs, they're the best and the cheapest. The the rubbing on the wheels happens on the top middle. So it's not a fit issue, but a spring rate one. Too much grip causing too much body roll. I ran my 18x9.18x10s on my stock street s2k and they fit fine, but when you really load up in the corner the fronts rub on the upper frame member.

The KWs are a less expensive shock with a spring rate that should handle the big wheels a lot better.

-Ry

 

Bill, the stock front bar is fine, and I would add a wing instead (mounted on an extra old trunk lid if you don't like it on the street). 245-275 18's are expensive, and if cost is concern then consider 255 17's all around (like Maxrev's), or 235-275 17's. (I'm assuming RA1's). A set of good coilovers would make a big difference in feel.

 

18s tires are about ~100/set more. But the fit and work a lot better and offer the best choices in tire sizes.

 

Actually over $300 more a set (245/275 18 vs. 235/275 17; $1100 vs <$800), and the 4x255 17's might even be less.

 

hmm I thought it was less. But yes 18" tires are more expensive, but the 235/275 is a reciepe for understeer. 255 all around should work with the right setup.

Still tho on RA1s not shaved race short you'll make a whole season on 2 sets unless you're doing 20 events a year.