I have a highly modified MR2 which I have been taking to time trial events for over a year. After my recent blown motor and swap I ended up with a gazillion problems. So I decided to buy a new "problem-free" car (2002 S2000). I decided I would not modify this car in anyway and keep it running perfectly 365 days per year. But the car IS leased with a matching warranty. hrmm....I read the nsxfiles and see Doug Hayashi racing his S2k and read about the S2k challenge. Hrmm.....

Before I join up w/ the S2k challenge and spend all my time and money on my car (again), can someone please tell me what parts they have broken (and why) during road course events so that maybe I can talk myself out of driving my car into the ground?? I own a car shop and seeing fixed up cars/car parts all day everyday is convincing me to buy out my lease and go nuts on my S...

Thanks..

 

-Some High RPM launches killed a couple diff. on superchaged S2K's
-Same with axles
-A Spoon or Mugen oil pan HIGHLY recommended before hitting the track!
-A lot of high RPM driving Drinks a lot oil!!! This is normal- So always keep a close eye on your oil level!!!
-Make sure your oil filter, oil cap, are tight- apparently in some cases it worked its way loose
-Make sure your spark plugs are torqued properly, again, some cases it worked its way loose

I'm sure there are some small things i'm forgetting?? I'll be back if I remember them. Other than that enjoy!!

 

I've run into quite a few transmission problems, not just my own car. People grinding and/or losing a gear or two, but that's all on pre-'02 models.

 

I don't think I have broken anything with many track hours. My transmission (1-2 grinds) and clutch problems (slipping) have more to do with parts that are not up to the job of aggressive street driving. The track has eaten a lot of brake pads, tires, and Dollars, but not directly resulted in failures.

 

Be sure to switch to better brake fluid and pads, at a minimum.

But the S2000 is surprisingly fit for the track right out of the box.

Ted

 

What did I break? After two years and about forty track days? Nothing!! The car is virtually bulletproof. Leave the motor alone, upgrade the brake pads, suspension and sway bars. The stock shocks crap out, especially with more than 5000 miles on them.

 

I think you are the first one to post something like that, but I'd have to agree that the stock shocks eventually lose effectiveness. I have 30K miles on mine and the back of the car felt very bouncy on undulations on the freeway; cornering limits were lower than I had hoped as well with proper alignment. I replaced the shocks and springs with agressive aftermarket set, and now it feels as though I have a completely different car, with handling I'd expect from such a car.

Of course, having taken out that spring spacer may be helping the handling as well!

 

Al, don't tell me you *just* found a spring spacer!? So it was there at Laguna and Buttonwillow??