I'll list them in order (they are all from rolls):

Before first oil change:

Death! Top down, Fiance in the car with me, C5 T-top (tops on) walked me pretty hard multiple times (from 50-100). Cool owner thumbs up all around...

Kill! LT1 SS Camaro. Had ground effects and a "Ram Air Hood", exhaust from what I could tell... He also had a passenger. This one was a long one. Me: Top up, Windows up, alone. He kept pulling ricer stuff and I would start catching him. This went on and on until I went down a curvy road. Mistake. Dropped him by 10 car lengths through 2 "S2000" 90 mph curves.... That got him mad and I figured he would want a fair race cause I embarrased him in front of his buddy. 40 punch. He gets the jump (I'm 1 car length behind). I start pulling ever so slowly. Up to 120 I had passed his nose. Slowed down and gave him the thumbs up. He did not return the favor so I pulled off and turned around to my destination.

After oil change: (4K miles now)
Kill! Boxter S (Yes it had the split middle exhaust), top up no passenger (May have been the Auto, dunno). I was in the same configuration (Top up no pass...). Let the Boxter have the jump from 65 (3rd). On his rear bumper. Pulled slowly until even at 100-105, Then we hit one of the Big hills in Austin and I walked him hard (he more than likely shut down as I was still pulling at 120 (he was at my bumper then). Shut down at 135.

996 Carrera Convertable:
Tie! Both of us top down no passengers. Me behind him, he punches at 55 (I was in 2nd). Dead even to 130 when we shut down. Two good thumbs up. Cool guy.

I'd also like to add that when I had my WRX, I did alot of research into oil filters and bypass valves. We all know that the 1 hole banjo bolts caused premature engine failures. So Honda upgraded to 2 hole bolts. There is also a debate on why the middle 02 models (when the bolts were changed) made more HP. So back to my research. There was an independant test of filters testing the functionality of Bypass valves. The only filter that the bypass valve did not end up locking up on after 5K miles was Mobil1. With that said, after I changed my oil (Mobil 1 dyno oil and filter), the engine no longer sounds like its about to explode in high rpm ranges, my butt dyno tells me there is more power, and the power band is so much smother. I keep hitiing the limitter now because I'm used to waiting for the engine to sound like it is going to explode... Anyway, I'd say if you are not using Mobil1 filters, do so. You need this bypass valve to work if you VTEC it!

-Gabe



P.S. I hit 130 with the top down alot faster after the oil change than I did before, so I know there is more power. There was a brick wall at 115-120 before the change, now the wall is at 130 or so...

 

awesome !!!

 

cool that u stayed with the carrera!
cool runs!

 

what bypass valve, and how do i know if i need the new banjo bolt or whatever...see my sig for car #

 

Most of the high performance oil filters have a Bypass valve in them. What it does is when the filter senses too much pressure (which on a regular filter would cause oil pressure to drop), a valve with a preloaded spring opens up bypassing the oil flter material and letting the oil flow freely so oil pressure does not drop. What this means is that you will not get oil starvation...

The ones I remember are:

Fram Extra Guard : Fails after 1k miles. The bypass valve gets stuck shut
K&N: Bypass valve works unreliably
Mobil1: Bypass valve works effectively for over 5K miles.

So just go to Autozone and get a Mobil 1 filter.

The banjo bolts were replaced mid MY02 run. Do a search. You can also buy new ones if you have the one holes...

-Gabe

 

BTW, you do need the new bolts. It was a model #2000 something in MY2002 run...

There are some stories of good dealers replacing them for free... Especially if you have an extended warranty, speak with the service manager and explain that there was a design change to fix the Cylinder# 4 failures that occured on frequent MY2000-2001 S2K's. This was the change. Its the part that squirts oil under your pistons (the cylinder wall). Explain it as prevenative maintenance.

After driving it some more, my engine no longer shakes like most S2000's I have driven when it hits around 8K RPM.... It is as smooth at redline as it is at 6K.... So, IMHO, the filter is what fixed it more than the bolts... Even before the filter change, I drove a MY01 and the engine sounded so much worse than my MY03 at high RPMS with the stock filter. Now its so smooth, but it doesn't scream and shake as loud... And I keep getting wheelspin now from 1st to 2nd shift and its warmer out!

-Gabe

 

wow....i will have to go to the dealer and see if i can get it done for free....otherwise, how hard is it to do myself, being not super mechanically enclined.....i know some stuff, but not extensive!

 

You will have to pull the engine and remove your oil pan...

 

haha...ill have the dealership do that one!

 

"pull the engine"? Mmmm.... is there anywhere that has instructions on how to drain the oil and replace the filter, and then top up the oil again?

I'm no mechanical expert so I'd hate to stuff it up...