I'm planing on buying a 2000-2003 s2000, and I have a few questions about performance and mods.

I've been hearing that the 00-03 s2k has almost "none existent torque in the low RPM range." How true is this statement? And for those who own or have drive 00-03 s2k, is it really that bad? (does it even really matter if the car is going to be given some modifications?)

And, would a ECU upgrade solve, or drastically improve the torque problem I've been hearing about?

Thanx.

 

You should test drive one. "No torque" is somewhat subjective. Compared to a Vette...yes, any s2k has no torque. Compared to a Smart car...it is a torque monster.

The s2k is a different driving experience since the torque curve is very flat. And that does take some getting used to. The acceleration is very even, so on upshifts you aren't going to be thrown back in your seat.

 

I've driven both ap1 and ap2 both have little torqe. I couldn't tell a difference till I ran it agaist my ap1, that the ap2 was pulling quicker down low. But the ap2 was easier to drive in the city thou, eliminates alot of the blog when you dont have to rev-match in 2nd gears just to turn into a parking lot. My old little truck has more torqe than my s, but its borning as hell to drive compare to the s with little torqe

 

Torque is definitely lacking. I have a love-hate relationship with the powerband. It annoys me at times when I'd like to pass a car without downshifting 2-3 times. But, I've driven a few cars lately with nearly twice as much torque, and I just don't feel the excitement near redline like I feel with the S2000.

 

Its true, there is no torque!

No really, the car is great but if you are looking for torque its really not there especially in the low rpm range. You have to really rev the engine to get going. Like said above in order to live with the powerband you have to really get friendly with the shifter and stir it around through the gears.

 

[QUOTE=inoksu,Apr 18 2009, 04:49 PM]I'm planing on buying a 2000-2003 s2000, and I have a few questions about performance and mods.

I've been hearing that the 00-03 s2k has almost "none existent torque in the low RPM range." How true is this statement?

 

For bloody sake, S2K has torque!

It is incorrect to say 'no-torque'. How can an engine overcome inertia without torque?

S2K engine has a reasonably flat torque curve unlike those boosted engines where you encounter torque-spike and that becomes a 'whoa' moment. Most of boosted engines run out of puff at higher end of the RPM while S2K engine is keep going as power delivery is linear. That is what Honda intended their I-VTEC system to deliver - flat torque and linear power delivery.

As negcamber has pointed out, as a consequence you would barely feel 'push-to-back-of-your-seat' feeling and instead it delivers you exhilaration at upper echelon of the RPM where power and torque reach maximum.

Some people love the concept and some people hate the concept. I am not the latter for sure.

 

You really need to be test driving then if you're asking this question. It's a subjective matter and you need to know how you feel about it. If you have a torque fetish it's true and it will be an issue for you.

 

You gotta understand... you can't just look at the numbers. They don't compare directly to other cars, even AP2s. See, you have to understand that the AP1's have RAWNESS.

They say there's no replacement for displacement, but they didn't take into account RAWNESS. Seriously, you can have lots of torque or horses, but if you ain't got RAWNESS, then you ain't got nothin'!

Or that's what I hear on the forums at least.

 

I find driving below 5K RPM comparable to a base RSX and quite possibly a little slower then that. The car is perfectly drivable down low just annoying when you need to get going and out of the power band.

Having to completely floor it to pass a SUV with the motor making a huge ruckus gets annoying at times. Especially when that would be considered "casual" acceleration for the SUV.

That's the only problem I have with the car really, the effort/noise required vs cars with more torque is a nuisance.