Hi guys,

I'm planning on running the S2000 in A Stock. I've been out of the loop for a while, and honestly I'd like any info you guys could give me. At the moment I'm planning on installing Koni shocks, using the stock rims and putting Kumho or Hoosier tires on them in 225 front and 245 rear. I'm thinking about an exhaust system, but it seems the only ones that make real power are the singles and they are supposedly unspeakably loud and I'm not sure they'd clear the db meters at some events. I'd also like to use the car for regular driving frequently and I'm not sure if I'd want that much noise. So maybe I'll just get mufflers since the car is too quiet for my taste. I don't know if it's worth it to try and lose a lot of weight off the rear of the car. The car seems a tiny bit push-y in stock form, though I haven't been on the track yet, and you can only push a car so far on the street.

When I was racing with my '89 Vette, I raced on BFG R1's. Do these exist anymore? Everyone used those or the Yoko AutoX tire (A007?). I have heard some good things about Yoko's A032, but only from Tire Rack's customer feedback. The A032 had just come out when I was racing and I'd heard they weren't very good for Autocrossing. I was thinking of putting them on my Cobra replicar and using them "daily" since I don't drive that car too much, but I like racing it now and then. Anyone hear anything about their AutoX competence? There's also more size options for possible use on the S2000.

Is the 225/245 combo the ticket? I hear Kumho's last longer than Hoosiers, but are they race winning tires? I don't plan on getting back in the sport just to make up the numbers. I've won races before and I'd like to get back to that if I can. I figure if they're pretty equal in performance, I'll go with the Kumho's.

Also, what do you guys think of the Koni's? I have Koni's on my Vette and it was pretty much a national level car (for sale by the way), wish I could say the same for the driver. I haven't noticed any other shocks for the S2000 (other than the hideously expensive Mugens)

Anyway, that's a lot of questions, but I'd appreciate any answers you guys could give me. Also, if you have any other advice or warnings, I'd appreciate those as well.

Thanks a lot,

Robin.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fieryermine
[B]Hi guys,

 

One added note....

Like jzr said, you will need a bigger bar if you go with the race tires. The S2000 likes to spin with the OEM bar and race tires. I have heard of using 265's on the back instead of getting the bar, although I personally do not know how the car reacts with this setup. You also might want to look into getting a race alignment. This takes away from the street comfort though. The car likes to walk on the interstate.

I think you are headed in the right direction though. I have installed Koni's (not raced on yet) and have a Comptech adjustable bar coming. I also use the Kumho 225/245 combo.

Just my 2 cents.

 

You've received good advice, I have one detail to add. The Mugen exhaust weighs 21 pounds less than the stock exhaust, plus it makes it easier to hear the engine note.

 

Coral,
Does that exhaust sound like a tin can? I am starting to look into an exhaust. I heard one them kinda sounded like a Ferarri on the S2000.

Maybe I should start another thread.

 

I'm thinking the car won't be legal with a front sway bar? I don't think it was legal when I was racing.

I'm surprised we were moved to B Stock after winning a national championship in 2000. Gary Thomason is awfully good (he was dominating SS in an RX-7 when I was racing), but even he isn't going to win a national in a non-competitive car, and the S2000 looked pretty good the last time I was at Hollywood Park with the Cobra a couple of months ago.

Now I'm thinking I'm going to go with the Veilside Titanium Exhaust since any car that can pass db at San Diego can't be "too" loud. What the heck, I drive a Cobra replica and it doesn't bother me.

Thanks again,

Robin.

 

Changing the front sway bar is legal....the back one is not.

 

Speaking from experience the Mugen exhaust system is quite nice. It has a low burble to it that really doesn't sound like a Honda. At high rpm she is a screamer but still not mechanical sounding.

I really like mine a lot.

 

The whole class structure was changed for this year because the Z06 was kicking too much a$$. For the most part, everything just got moved down a class level. However, there is a lot of talk on the SOLO II lists about moving the S2k up to AS next year. Of course this talk is based on just one pro-solo event. (Jason...you gotta start sandbagging buddy. )

 

Robin,

How competitive do you want to be?

Tires: Yoko A032Rs are great tires for lapping days, and probably the only R compound you could truly consider a "dual-use" (street/track) tire. That said, they aren't that good for autox. Kumhos or Hoosiers are going to be your best bet (although Michelin has a new R compound tire finally available to the general public - wanna be a guinea pig?), depending on your local racing surface, tire budget, driving ability, etc.

Kumhos (Ecsta V700 or Victoracer) - Excellent "budget" race tire. Longer lasting than Hoosiers, although not quite as grippy, especially on concrete surfaces. Very predictable at the limit, and less senisitive to temperature/pressure changes. Also more forgiving nature than Hoosiers - less likely to be flat-spotted. Can be driven on to and from events, but I'd recommend a tire trailer. Downsides? Not as fast as Hoosiers (argue all you want - your mileage may vary). Also noticeably heavier than Hoosiers - which can be important on low torque cars like the S2000. I use these - my budget just won't support Hoosiers (although I've used them in the past).

Hoosier (A3S03) - Fastest of the fastest. Yes, some people win on Kumhos... and some people are just plain faster than you (or I) will ever be. Hoosiers are a competitive advantage - especially on concrete, not as much on asphalt - over Kumhos. Downsides? Expensive, much more so than Kumhos. Don't last nearly as long (generally less than 1/2 as long as Kumhos, imho). NOT recommended that you drive on these anywhere but the track - very easily damaged by road debris. Easy to flat spot - one spin is all it takes, and you could be looking at another set. Not as forgiving at the limits as Kumhos. Fast, expensive, easily damaged, and short-lived. Like some relationships I've had...

As for shocks... the question again arises: how competitive do you wanna be? Regional level? Then Konis (yellows) are probably OK. You can have them revalved or converted to double-adjustable later if you want to improve them. However, things have changed a lot in the last 10 years; the top competitors at the National level in Stock classes are now routinely using Penske, JRZ, Ohlins, MOTON, etc... some very pricy shocks. Stuff that makes Mugen's coilovers look like the budget alternative. But that - along with a lot of natural ability - is what it takes to win at the National level these days.

I'd recommend a couple of things to you. First, get an alignment to competitive specs (while you're in the car) by a shop you can trust. I don't know what specs work on an S2000 (I race a Miata), but I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction. You might also want to brush up on the SCCA's Stock Class Rules so that you're more familiar with what is and isn't allowed these days. That, and seat time, seat time, seat time!

Best of luck,