I recently sold my FF Cobra but find I really miss driving a roadster. The S2000 looks like a great replacement (and an whole lot safer too). I loved driving on the track and have been a NASA member for 4 years on the tracks in AZ. I am looking to pick up a used car but could use advice on proper set up. The car will not be track only, nor will it be a daily driver. Just for fun.

What year vehicle? What do I need to do to make this car work properly without getting too radical? Afterall, it does need to be street legal and I don't want another Deathmobile. Where do I look to find the right vendors to buy these things?

I am thinking R compound tires, wheels?, upgrade brakes or just pads?, roll bar and final drive change 4.77? The tracks in AZ are not that long and I seldom ever got my cobra over 135 mph. A lot of guys I run with in HPDE 4, have recently been adding ground effects front and rear and have dropped lap times by several seconds. Wing?

I would appreciate any valid comments from you guys that have been there done that. I learned the hard way with the cobra and am not too proud to ask first rather than writing checks for stuff I don't need.

 

Actually, the car works pretty darn good in stock form. The only exception is the brake pad material, which won't stand up to much track usage. Roll bar and safety upgrades depend on your personal preference.

Since you have a bunch of experience already, I would suggest just going for it and then deciding for yourself what the next steps should be. All model years are quite similar. The biggest difference is that '04+ cars have the larger engine and generally post slightly quicker lap times.

 

Old one with 9k redline, or newer 06 with VSA that can turn off.

 

Welcome!

The advice above is good. Stock is the stock answer until you get a feel for what you want to change. It's a very capable track car with nothing but racing brake pads and fluid.

As a toy maybe consider an older one. It will be a lot cheaper and there isn't much between them. The car got tweaked a little each year but nothing major. I suggest a 2002 if you want the 9K redline (it has a glass rear window and a stereo upgrade) or a 2004 if you want the 2.2L engine with 8K redline. 2006 adds traction control and electronic throttle (pre 2006 have direct cable linkage) but it's otherwise the same as the 2004.

If you had a Cobra I assume you can turn a wrench, get yourself 10, 12, 14, 17 and 19mm wrenches and sockets.

 

There are a few exceptions, but yes, these will do almost everything on the car.

Also get the Helm manual. One of the best things about owning a Honda is that unlike some other marques, Honda will sell you the official factory service manual (via http://www.helminc.com/ ). These are by far the best manuals I've ever used, aftermarket or factory. An essential $70ish investment.

 

JB,

Come out to a NASA/CRA event and you will see a few S2000's with various states of trackday readiness. Our next event is PIR on Feb 3-4.

CRA/NASA AZ website

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Hope to see ya soon!

-Ryan

 

Thanks for all the advice guys...I do appreciate the info. I stopped by a shop in Tempe today, Science of Speed and the GM, Chris basically agrees that the car is quite good in stock trim. He suggested a 2002 but to change the pads, tires and add a heavy front sway bar with anti bumpsteer links for the rear. Fairly easy too.

As for track dates, I am out at NASA and ProAutosports events often and am still listed as an instructor, but have resisted the urge to get on the track with students as I then get the bug real bad. Maybe see you guys on the 3rd but, leaving for Kona the 4th.

Anybody done any final gear changes? What groups do you run in and what lap times are good at PIR for an S2000?

 

You should see if Chris will sell you his car since they never drive it.

I've only done a couple timed laps and that was about a year ago. It was a time attack that you only get 2 hot laps then come in. I didn't adjust my pressures to come up quicker but I managed a 1:13.8 the first lap and missed 3rd gear coming out of the carousel on the 2nd lap and dropped to 13.9. I've made some changes to the car so I'm hoping to get into the 12's this next event.

 

I found the shocks would overheat and fade substantially, leading to a very squirrely car after 10 min. You might also budget for a set of coilovers.

But basically, yeah...go out, drive it around and fix what your driving style warrants fixing.

 

stock shocks? You have to had a bad one. I've never heard of this before.