Hi guys. I took the plunge and am the new owner of a 2003 s2000 with OEM hardtop. My previous HPDE ride was a 2004 RX8. I have 18 days of track time under my belt (VIR, Summit Point(both tracks), Pocono,Thunderbolt and Lightning Raceways). In the next few months I plan to make the following mods in preparation for upcoming season. Any additional ideas or opinions will be welcome, especially from the hardcore track fanatics.

Tires&wheels - Enkei RPF1(7.5fr 8r) Dunlop Direzza Star Spec(225x45x17fr 255x40x17r)
Porterfield RS4 pads & ATE Blue fluid
Buddy Club N Coilovers
Fr Sway Bar (suggestions - CR bar......)
Cooling Mods if needed

Thanks

 

Cooling mods are unlikely to be necessary or useful, unless the car has forced induction.

Personally, I would take the car out and evaluate whatever suspension is on there right now rather than swapping some in a priori.

I'm not expert on Porterfield, but if "RS4" means the R4-S "street/autoX" compound, that won't be a good choice for HDPE. Especially since you have some track time under your belt, you want a full track pad. Fairly high temperature, too -- the S2000 brakes work pretty well but run hot.

 

My friend who tracks an RX-8 has had nightmares about cooling problems, but I assure you that the S2000 has much better cooling stock for stock, and you should be just fine. I've given my S2000 some hard days in 100-degree weather, and it held up just fine.

I agree that R4S is not a good track pad. I tried doing the streetable track pad thing, and went through R4S, Axxis Ultimates, HPS, Ferodo DS2500, and ultimately concluded that it is much better to just swap pads for track days. These streetable track pads have too much noise and dust and don't even hold up well to HPDEs. I recommend Carbotech XP10 front, XP8 rear (which is what I'm using). Carbotech also sells street pads of similar compound, so you can run both Carbotech street and race pads if you don't want to swap rotors and risk mixing pad compounds that are incompatible. Pad swap is very easy to do on the S2000 ... just two bolts per caliper.

I think you should try the stock suspension as is before you go with coilovers and sway bars. And if you do end up going with coilovers, I recommend KW V3s or better. The OEM suspension is quite good, IMO, and has good balance as is without having to mess with sway bars.

Good choice on tire. But you should just run OEM wheels, since OEM rears are 8.5" rear instead of 8" for your Enkei.

 

IIRC you need a rollbar for at least some organizations/tracks even with the hardtop, but I might be wrong.

The N+ coilovers are probably not ideal, you'll want something with better spring rates and damping. I'd at least go for the RSD if you want to get Buddyclubs (not much of an improvement over the N+ though). the KW V3s are a definite favorite on here and really seem like the way to go for a sub $2000 coilover for the track. You can find them used for between $1200-$1500 too.

 

He won't need a rollbar, the stock hoops are fine unless there is a specific organizer that demands he has one.

As for suspension I agree with mikes post above. See how it currently goes now before slapping something else on.

I also would advice you don't touch the sways.

Happy tracking

 

There are many that do, and many that don't. It all depends on the specifics of his situation.

 

I think VIR, a track he has been to, requires a 4 point roll bar. Hey Delaware, I advise to check with the organization you plan to run with and verify track by track about the roll bar. Some may even require 5 point Harness too. Double check these rules, don't do what I did, show up just to get sent home.

Congrats of the new S, you'll love it.

 

Congratulations on buying a better car! You won't be running Summit Point or VIR without a good rollbar. This requirement is new for Summit Point in 09. Any rollbar will do. I understand VIR is more strict, requiring that you pass the broomstick test. Neither track will care if you have a HT. Its the bar that matters.

Most of the Mid-A guys, including me, run the Hard Dog bar. http://www.bethania-garage.com/s2000.htm

Also, I second the Carbotech XP 10 and 8 recommendation for track days. They are perfect.

 

yes, last time I checked VIR requires a rollbar, regardless of what organization you're running with.

Also, IIRC NASA and SCCA both require rollbars now. It seems like it is a good thing to do either way for your safety just in case of a mishap, but also so that you don't have to worry about being allowed to run with x group but not with y group.

 

to the Hard Dog roll bar if you're looking to go that route (which it seems is becoming increasingly required).