First post. Don't have an S2K...yet. Gotta buy the wife a hosue first, but looking to buy a MY04-05 later on this calendar year. Anyway, on to my question...

I'm not looking to dump a lot of money into my future S2K, so FI isn't something I'd want to go for. But I would like to do some other, smaller, less expensive stuff. Specifically, I've been looking at the Comptech website just getting curious.

I was wondering about the following parts and if they make a significant difference, or are worth the cash.

Power:

Comptech Icebox intake and exhaust - I understand they won't make any significant power increase, but I've read they improve throttle response (plus, the exhust probably sounds nice). Worth it?

Suspension:

Adjustable spring kit, Ti front strut bar, and billet rear tie bar. Spring could bring me lower, I know, but would it really improve the handling of the car?

TIA...

 

Welcome to the site.
I'm going to move this thread to S2000 Talk as you are asking for general opinions on the viability of some mods. UTH is meant for questions dealing with installation, uninstallation, fitment, etc of parts and accessories and problems and issues with this process.

I hope those in the know will answer your questions but until they step forward, perhaps snoop around the site and see if the search function will shed some light on your topics.

My take on it is as follows:
You are right that nothing short of big money will generate much gains. Throttle response is a fairly minor improvement with the mods you stated but this comes at some expense. Only you can determine if they are "worth it". The car, as is, is already very good in terms of response and power delivery. Let's face it, a Comptech "Ice Box" will run you hundreds of bucks and the cat back will be over a grand. The intake will make for nice sounds, clean up the engine bay, give a bit of gain in terms of a couple HP. The exhaust will remove a lot of weight and make more good sounds. If this is worth it to you, then spending over $1500.00 is a good expenditure.
If you are a fan of lowered cars, then do it for the looks. However, don't expect huge improvements in handling as the stock car is already world class in that department. If anything, lowering the car will cause other issues that may create a headache for you (alignment, odd tire wear, stress on drivetrain components, etc.).
Any mod you do, although it won't void the basic warranty, has been known to void the extended warranty. Again, this must be your choice.

 

Sorry about posting in the wrong section. Thanks for the info, as well. I guess it does all boil down to personal opinion about what is valuabel ans what is not.

Is there any numerical data concerning throttle response, like time taken to reacha given RPM from a certain speed when X amount of throttle is applied? I have heard somewhere that the S2K handles pretty good... , so the spring would just amount to looks after all. Anyone what the distance is between the tire and the fender with stock 17" wheels and tires?

Thanks again.

 

No problem about where you posted. Not an uncommon thing.
Throttle response has only been "documented" by butt dyno and as such, isn't really objective. One fellow did a stopwatch timed series of runs up the same hill before and after such mods and did find a slight improvement in the time it took to run distance. However, using a handheld stopwatch to measure differences of a tenth or two and even "hundredths" of a second is somewhat suspect.

Sorry, I can't answer your question about the fender clearance.

 

When I bought my car, it already came with the Comptech Icebox, Comptech Exhuast, and the Comptech STB. Honestly, I had never driven an S2000 before so I can't tell you what kind of difference these mods made... but I can tell you that the sounds are nice

Actually, at first I felt that the Exhuast droned a lot, but I got used to it after 2-3 weeks (Basically last week since I've had the car for just over 4 weeks, lol). My friends keep telling me that my car sounds REALLY nice. One of them actually had an S2000 before...

You hear the exhuast until around 5000-5500 rpm, after that the sound of the motor starts overtaking it. At least thats how it sounds in the cabin. It sounds just like how Id like it to...exhuast low end, and motor in higher rpms.

The Icebox I have doesn't have the top, so its not really a box, lol... But it does make nice whistly sounds and deep rumble like sound when i get on the gas.

Overall, I think they are nice parts. The exhuast looks really nice from behind, and I like how it says Comptech Sport on top of the tips. You can see it if yorue standing behind the car right next to the trunk and just look down...

Heres a pic in case you were interested:



Let me know if you have any other specific questions youd like me to keep in mind when i'm driving or something...

 

BNav - do you have, or do you know where I can find, an audio file of what the Comptech sounds like?

Not too worried about droning - I currently drive a VW Jetta TDI w/a manual and a mufflerectomy - no muffler. The turbo soaks up most of the noise, but you have a nice whistling sound when the turbo spools up/down and it does sound pretty "diesely", but not like an F-250 or anything. Droning is a small issue, but not enough to make me put it back on.

 

http://www.s2000library.com

That site says that it has a sound clip of the Comptech. But honestly, I have NO qualms about the Exhuast anymore. I am used to the drone, and hell I don't even notice it any more. Other than that, I think it sounds really nice...

 

Here are sound files of most known exhausts for the S2000:
http://s2000library.com/

 

Thanks, y'all.