Hi 2kturkey, the road surface we had was pretty good, but I'm sure that it's possible to 'engineer' something better. I remember not being able to launch the car with more power (ie. higher revs than 7.5k) without getting too much wheelspin. I'm sure that being able to lauch it with more power would improve the times ... also, it would keep the revs a bit higher when the tyres actually grip, I remember that 7.5k launch still dropped us down to about 5-6k revs when the tyres gripped (I would think that ideally you'd want to be at 6k+).

I cannot imagine the 'roof down' influencing our 0-100km/h times. Even at 100km/h the air resistance plays minimal factor. At 160+km/h it could have some effect ... though again 160km/h still seems too slow to me for the roof to be an issue. Has anyone tested 'roof up' vs 'roof down' acceletarion (Sev?) ... if so, could you measure any difference for the 0-100km/h and 400m times?

ps. Just had a thought back to all the local S2000 write-ups- every single article reported not being able to do good launches 'cos the clutch was slipping. I remember one where they said that the car got slower after each run because of the slipping clutch (hence the 1st attempt was the fastest time they got). Anyway, neither one of our cars had anything resembling clutch slip (absolutelly no sign of any clutch smell either). I wonder why we wern't suffering from slipping clutch.... maybe they were riding the clutch instead of dropping it

 

I do remember when I was working on electric and solar car projects that air resistance came into play as low as 30 MPH or about 50km/h Drag was our biggest enemy of the low powered cars.


DaividM, maybe you have a better clutch than the mags?What year did you get? I hope mine lasts another couple thousand miles when I get the new one.

[Edited by cmnsnse on 02-13-2001 at 05:08 AM]

 

Dave and 2turkey,

Excellent posts - very comprehensive and unbiased. I think that 2turkey's car will be faster because of the fact that it has more k's on it and is more 'run in'. Fix that synchro and have some better grip and it should easily get under 6 seconds. 0.15-0.2 is not a lot of time here! Dave, your car probably hasn't loosened up yet.

Importantly, I remember with my old B16A CRX, the car pulled SO MUCH stronger on cool nights - the difference was like night and day. 20 deg C is still reasonably warm. I'd reserve your judgement until you can test with the roof up and in much cooler weather.

It's funny, the S2000 must REALLY pick up in the higher rev range, to compensate for the weaker bottom end......as right now (under 5800 rpm), my car really doesn't feel fast at all!

Also, I know that the purpose of the test was to test a 'stock stook', so the times you achieved were for a stock car....but, if you replaced the air filter, it would give you extra power and drivability - and you'd definitely get into the 5's.

Also, how does the car feel sitting on 8000rpm for the launch Dave? Does it feel like it is unhappy - or is it just a walk in the park for the car?

I am jealous of you guys having the roof off! I haven't been able to take my roof down once yet - although I've only had my car a week and a bit! Still, summer here is coming though!

BTW Dave, 30m is NOT 10-17 feet!!! 1 metre is equal to about 3.1 feet!

Cheers,

 

By off-idle launch. I mean a COMPLETELY regular 1000 RPM clutch slip launch that you do everyday.

What RPMs are you shifting at?

On the roof up / down issue, i tested a difference of 0.1 on the 1/4 on a few runs i did back in the summer.
I can't really say if they were consistent runs though.

For 0-60, i have tested on many different roads. For 1/4 mile there is only 1 patch of road that it can be done safely. They are regular asphalt roads...

Try raising your tire pressures, taking out your spare, closing your top, running with a 1/4 tank of fuel and combined with a little time and experience, you will easily gain 0.5 seconds on the 0-100.

Thanks.





[Edited by Sev on 02-13-2001 at 08:53 AM]

 

Sev, we were shifting at redline ie. 9k revs (also to 100km/h you only need 1 shift - which is very quick in particular in my car). Also, I am running 36psi at the back while 2kturkey is running 39psi ... though, I haven't played with the pressures much yet - I will. Isn't LESS wheelspin more desirible though? ... I though I was lacking a little bit of grip.

Hey Sime, 0.2 sec is not much at all - though when the best you can do is 6.15 then to get 0.2 sec quicker seems more difficult then you would think. Next time something like this comes up, I'll put the roof up, though, I still cannot see it making any measurable difference to 100km/h. As far as the cold/warm night thing goes - I noticed the very same thing, though it's not necessarily temperature related. I do notice fast/slow nights but the 'fast' nights are not always cold nights. I think the quality of air has more to do with it. Anyway, the night we did this was pretty good, I'm sure you can get a 'faster' night but this night already felt pretty good.

About the 'weak bottom end' of the S2000 - it is deceptive - it's barelly quicker than an MR2 or even MX5 if you keep the revs bellow 6k. The top end is almost brutal though :-)

'How does the S2000 feel being launched from 7 - 8k?' - It felt very comfortable, composed and willing. The clutch was very positive, wheels slipped easily at those revs and the car 'slithered' forward with wheelspin until your speed/revs reached about 5-6k and then you're already flying ... after all, I got 6.15 on my very 1st launch!! - how is that for luck? :-). My only concern was the tyres - obviosuly you're wearing them quicker than if you were driving. Besides that I was very imressed with the S2000 under these conditions - held up a lot better than I expected.

About the KN filter - other people here say that it'll give you extra 1kW - I can't see that alone making your S2000 quicker in the 0-100km/h or 400m runs. Also, it is the 'stock' performance that interests me.

ps. So how many Ks (or miles) have you got so far Sime and what are your impressions so far?

Cmnsnse - my car was purchased on 29/12/00 and built at 11/00 ... not sure if I have any 'better' parts but it is possible as my clutch felt pretty strong and I don't have the 1st to 2nd 'grind' reported by others.

[Edited by DavidM on 02-13-2001 at 11:58 PM]

 

Keep us posted on future tests.

 

Sev, one more thing - what revs do you drop the clutch from for a 'fast' launch? In my case 7.5k seemed to be the 'magic' number. Also, what psi are you running in your tyres?

ps. Any idea how much the spare wheel weights?
pps. How much do you weight - I weight about 76kg.

 

Dave,

So far I have completed 440 miles. Mostly varied driving around the city. So far I have managed to keep the revs under 6000! I have 'slightly' ventured into vtec once when I selected 3rd instead of 5th on a downchange, but it wasn't far into Vtec and only for a split-second until I corrected my action.

I checked my oil last night. From what it appeared, it was at about the 85% mark. I never checked it from brand new so, it may have never been full to start with. So it may not have used any oil yet! In any case, if after 440 miles it has only used 150 mls on a brand new engine that's known to use oil on break-in, then that's pretty respectable usage!

My impressions of the car? Well, if i could say it without sounding like a panzy, I am falling more and more in love with the car and it's qualities every day. And that's with the roof on too and no VTEC!

I love the front end - it is the most direct car I have ever driven. You can do a quick lane change at 85mph (~135kmh) and the thing just moves over - hardly any body roll, no squirm and no loose tail. I was VERY impressed with that manouevere. Perhaps the only car that could do it as well was my RX7, but THAT still disn't feel as composed - and it was lighter than the S2000! (go figure - it looks heavier than the S2000).

Even my CRX was 'looser'......it was a tight car with the 9 point rollcage, bigger anti-roll bars, strut bar, plus the Bilstein shocks/17" wheels, but it was no where near as confidence inspiring as the S2000!!!

I've been a little scared to 'push' the car yet because of the reported 'slipperyness' of the S02's as some other members have pointed out when the tires are cold. Right now in Michigan, the roads are only a few degrees above freezing (if that!!), so I don't want (or need) to push the car just yet. I did hit a patch of snow on the expressway the day after I got the car, and as a result, I lost the back at about 65mph, but it was brought back into line without any drama. From the twisty roads and freeway onramps I 'have' taken at speed, the S2000 seems remarkably composed and surefooted. Great brakes too. Very confidence inspiring!

The car seems to be pulling a little harder now - I think as it runs itself in. I have noticed on a few very cold mornings that after I started the car, it stalled a few times. That is not a concern though.

I did have some problems with fitting into the car at first. As you know, the seats lacked the underthigh support that I needed as I am taller, so my legs are bent. Also, there didn't seem to be quite enough rear seat travel for me, so I did some 'Simon' mods....

First, I went to the hardware store and bought some Grade 8 washers. I loosened up all four drivers seat bolts, then removed the front two. I put six washers each side between the seat rail and the floor, then put the bolt(s) back in. What I did is effectively add spacers that raised the front of the seat up. It has helped a lot. Also, I removed the little 'hooks' for that optional bag that sits behind the seat. Now, I can recline my seat back a little further. You just have to give it a firm push to the rear to get the seat to lock into the last notch.

I put my new stereo in too. I got the Sony CDX-600 with the Kameleon faceplate that has a display on either side. I also have the X-Plod 10 stack CD changer, 1631 6.5" X-Plod 3 way door speakers, plus a Bazooka 10" amplified subwoofer in the boot (trunk for all the yanks!). It sounds pretty good, but I haven't hooked up the sub yet.

I am looking forward to putting on the 18" wheels (style undecided yet) and lowering the car. I am going to buy the HKS Hiper exhaust and have ordered Mingster's JR air filter

All in all, I LOVE the car. The Spa Yellow is an awesome color and I am very happy that I bought it over the other colors. I mean, I do love the Silverstone metallic and the White, but the yellow is a really fresh color. I get HEAPS of looks. In the last 3 weeks, I've only seen one other S2000 on the road - another yellow one . I am thinking on getting a set of Australian S2000 headlights with the clear front indicators when I come over in July.

If I don't build the Cobra, I am thinking that I might do the Comptech Supercharger thing - that - or a Turbo. I'll buy another bike as well - maybe a Ducati 996 or a Yamaha R1.

So that's it - my impressions of the S2000! I'll keep you updated as I find out/learn more.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DavidM
[B]Sev, one more thing - what revs do you drop the clutch from for a 'fast' launch? In my case 7.5k seemed to be the 'magic' number. Also, what psi are you running in your tyres?

ps. Any idea how much the spare wheel weights?

 

I'm surprised no one has considered that this could be one of those weird Australian "south of the equator" issues. Remember: Their toilet flushes go down the WRONG DIRECTION!! Obiously we've got some strange gravitational pull issues making things difficult on our Aussie friends.

OK, sorry, I couldn't resist.