I participate in about six HPDE events per year and have been racing for 15 years. My first car was a 2000 S2000. Since then, I moved through mostly Porsche 911's and now have a 2024 Corvette Z06. But I have always missed the pure driving experience of the S2000 on the track. I just purchased a one-owner 2007 S2000 that is completely stock. I want the car to remain mostly stock for the first year on the track, but need to get it track ready. Initially, I am just looking at track wheels and tires.

So here is my first question... I'm looking at a set of Apex Wheels (17x9" ET61 or 17x9.5" ET51) with 255/40-17 tires. Thoughts on these wheels? If I decide later to do a big brake package, does anyone know if these wheels will accommodate that?

Thanks for any advice!

 

Personally I'd just fit your choice of tires to the existing wheels for at least the start of this season and build off the experience. Considered a set of UTQG 100 (like the R888R) or 200 (R1R) "CR Spec" size tires on your current wheels to get an idea how it feels to get back in this car? You'll wear them out quickly of course.

-- Chuck

 

You will need to talk to the people making the BBKs to get some input on that fitment unless someone here specifically has used it. As far as fit on the car, they may work if you are not lowering the car, maybe someone not lowered on a square setup can chime in. If the car is lowered at all then even with those offsets you still need to roll the front fenders and bend the tabs on the rear bumper to fender area. But stock ride height maybe not (I never ran 255 square on a stock height car)

Since you have been at it a while on the track I assume you know this but to be safe, flush and replace the brake fluid with higher temp fluid. that should be prep item number 1 for the track, item 2 should be proper brake pads for the track. Like I said you probably know that given you have experience but always good to mention in case others are reading this and taking advice

 

IMO, keep the stock wheels on it. Buy stock size Kumho v730s because they have plenty of grip and last. Enjoy the oem staggered front end feel. I love a stock S2000 on track, not the fastest but just rewarding to drive when pushed.
Don't worry about a BBK. Its not needed. Run "track pads" like carbotech xp12 front and xp10 rear. Slight bias is nice, never liked square brake compounds on track in the S2000.

 

Agree on those tires and those brake pads.

And yep, a BBK only helps reduce consumables, although doing the math and talking to people with them, it will take a LOT of track days to pay off the cost of the BBK in consumable savings, especially with todays pricing on the kits. The stock brakes do just fine on track with good pads, so a BBK is not so much about performance as much as trying to save on pads long term.

 

The 17x9" ET61 is designed to only clear the stock S2000 brakes, so if you're certain on doing a BBK of any sort in the future then your best bet is to consider the 17x9.5" ET51!

 

If you go with 17x9.5 +51 you'll definitely need to roll fenders.

I ran 17x9 +48 with 255 square on OEM suspension - had a flat roll.

Second Boston's recommendation to get Kuhmo V730s on OEM wheels in OEM sizes (either 215/245 or 225/255) - drive on it and then upgrade wheels, suspension, and tires together. BBK after that if you find that you're wearing out pads and cracking rotors after 3-4 track days (my own experience once I got faster). Brake wear will be heavily dependent on your local track(s) layout and driving style.

 

yep I ran the V730s for a season and was super impressed with them. Very fast tire for the price and wears well on track.

 

Thanks, everyone! I typically trailer the car to the track in case I have any mechanical issues. So it makes sense to have a separate set of track wheels and tires.
It looks like I can get a set of Enkei RPF1 (17x7.5 front, 17x9 rear) for under $1,200. Good weight at less than 16lbs each. Combined with the Kumho V730's and Carbotech pads, it should be a great first season back in the seat of the S2000. Probably going to feel a little different than the 2024 Z06!

 

Not a fan of RPF1s, they're made of glass and crack and bend easily.

Also, in those sizes (17x7.5 front, 17x9 rear), I know that for sure you'll need to roll the rear fenders. The highest offset that 17x9 comes in is +45. If you want to avoid rolling fenders, you'll need +55 offsets or higher. I think the 17x7.5 up front comes in a +48, which will also need a roll.

Might as well get the APEX 17x9.5 +51 wheels and just buy once, a much better wheel and will accommodate a BBK in the future.