i have an ap1 my bro has an ap2 ...and we are both very happy S owners

 

Sure, but are you and your brother outside figthing on the lawn everytime the AP1/AP2 debate come up?

 

IMO AP1 FTW obviously, but no mention has been made of the AP2's stronger rear diff - I'd go with AP2 if you're mainly buying the car to drag it (and again, if that's the case, why buy a Honda?)

 

If you're just a regular person and just using it as a DD, get the AP2 if you can afford it with some extra $$ leftover for other stuff. If you're bearly able to afford an AP2, then get the AP1 so that you can afford maintainance, insurance and unknown stuff.

Either way, you have an S2K...but the AP2 headlight is sexy.

 

Did you really just say that the S2000 is like the Evo, not good for dragstrip? While the S2000 may not be unless you go FI, the Evo is an awesome dragstrip car. Being AWD can launch the hell out of it, and can make insane power fairly easily. Might want to rethink that comparison.

 

+1. This is a handling car with a great engine note.

 

i had an ap1 abd ap2. it i was getting another s2000. it would be an ap2 with the ap1 engine and tranny. I never like the drop in rpm and changes to the gearing in a ap2. it just was not as fun as the ap1's 9000 rpm and gearing.

 

AP1 + 4.44 gears + PSS9 + Amuse + AP2 bumpers > AP2

9,000 rpm

 

I think that former AP1 ownsers being more satisfied with the AP2 is mainly a psychological thing. Of course you're going to think your new AP2 is an improvement and ignore anything to the contrary. No one would affirm that they were making a downgrade to the AP2 (even though a few have).

However...I believe best motoring did a bit on the AP1 vs. AP2 J-spec versions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gtu1QgxxuE

I dont know how the changes they talk about compare to the US spec models but take it for what its worth. I'm particularly interested at the end where they discuss the "optimization of the suspension geometry." Is this true for MY00-01's only or does it apply to all AP1s? I believe there were suspension changes for 02-03 model years...correct me if im wrong.

There is also another ap1 v. ap2 battle i cant find it but i know they were talking about how the ap1 could get through a corner without dropping gears while the ap2 drive had to downshift and that cost him a bit of time. I believe the result was that the ap2 was a hair faster...

Having driven everything from turbo civics to lincoln LS's i can say that the AP1 is hardly sluggish at any RPM. Great throttle response. You win with either car.

I think I'll be test driving an AP2 in the near future and I will report back with my impressions.

 

Another one of these AP1 vs AP2 threads!!

The infamous 9000rpm argument
Regarding your point of AP1 having a bit more flexibility in revs, that is correct. The AP1 and AP2 have same gearing in the first four gears, but the AP2 has about 800 fewer revs. That means that each gear's top speed is lower on the AP2. The AP2 also has a shorter secondary gear if I remember correctly -- that's what makes the AP2 gears shorter overall.

I used to have the F22c engine, and now with the F20c engine. I will say that the F20c engine does sound better with the extra 800 revs, and makes it easier to stay in VTEC. Each gear is about 2000 revs from the other one, and that's exactly how much VTEC (well, 2200 to be exact) the AP2 has. Where as the AP1, you have another 800 to play with. However, the F22c does make life easier in city driving. F22c engines tend to have higher dyno results, but that probably doesn't have any material difference in performance.


The looks
On a cosmetic standpoint, I like the looks of the AP2 much more than the AP1. The lights, bumpers, wheels, centre console, and the cluster look nicer on the AP2.


Other things
The AP2 has a stronger subframe and stronger synchros. One could do AP2 conversion, but the subframe is extremely difficult to change. And transmission isn't easy to replace either. The LSD housing is also said to be stronger on the AP2 -- but there are many debates over this. Nevertheless, the subframe and tranny aren't easy to replace, and those are certainly improvesments.


Suspension
"Edginess" or handling characteristic of AP1? Well, if one wants to, I'm sure he could get coilovers to tune an AP2 in that way.


Anyway, imo, the only real good reason to get an AP1 today is:

1. You REALLY want the higher redline (which i could see why ... sounds better, has more room on track to slack off)

2. Financial reasons

One could tune the suspension to behave like an AP1 on an AP2 anyway ...

The AP2 has been tested to be quicker -- yes, using very unscientific comparisons from what various BM videos showed and what others have said about their experience on the track after owning both cars. Sure there are many variables. The drivers might have gotten better in driving by the time they got the AP2, etc etc. Why can't people admit that fact?