It can be sometimes difficult for a man to admit that he doesn't know enough about manly matters to understand where those who do are coming from...However, I am comfortable enought in my manhood to say,

"What the hell are you guys talking about?!?"

Here's my plea for help. Is there any good resource to find out what would make my car tick better. (besides combing this awesome site night after night) I actually have some fun money ready to go and I have no idea where to begin. The only mod I plan on this summer is the stereo, after that it's anyone's guess. However, I do want to do something that makes my car...MY CAR!

I guess I'm looking for suggestions that would make a meaningful difference.

(For example, I've noticed many with HKS exhaust. What does that do? Better low end? Sound?)

Again, I'm don't know if I need my hand help. Which is why I'm wondering if there's a good resource. Maybe even subscribe to a magazine or something.

Thanks in advance since I know everyone is so helpful

Doug

 

Hey Hobe..born in Passaic here.
The folowing are suggestions:

1) MUZ MAT..see groupbuys (MUZ)....window protection .
2) Shift knob of Ti..heavier throw weight gives more positive engagement
3) HKS (or Muegen Exhaust) sound and minor increase in power. Choice depends on noise level tolerance.
4) Air cleaner various (I'm prone to the JK unit- see group buys from Mingster)
5)X-Brace or strut supports, see sponsors......handling
6) Rick's Accesories to make the inside look pretty...
7) ReedZ for "airbag" cover stickers.
8) Rick Hesel (Rick's Accesories) for caliper stencils if your gonna powder coat or paint your calipers.
9) Speaker upgrade....Sony Explode 1621 drop in, 1631 if you wana cut the basket.


I'll leave it to the other guys for wheels tires, Superchargers, etc....this is a "starter set".

 

If you are looking a magazine may you can look it Honda Tuning, Sport Compact Car and Super Street there is more out there but I like this two the best. All of them talk about what is port and polished / how superchargers and turbos work / all the thing you need to know.
On the exhaust "I've noticed many with HKS exhaust. What does that do? Better low end? Sound?" the exhaust give engine a better flout, better horse power and lorque, the sound is better. But I like the Mugen "King Motorsports here" I'm going with Mugen stuff on my S2000 and Comptech supercharger and everything I can do to my car the stereo no 12" or amp keep the car light that is what I like.
If you need to see "what is port and polished / how superchargers and turbos work / all the thing you need to know." you can find my e-mail in the members.
Good Luck!

 

Many of us just want to 'change' our S for a bit of individuality. The HKS exhaust is a prime example. It costs up to a grand and for that you get different exhaust tips, nicer growl, and the satisfaction that you're tinkered.

With the exception of the Comptech Supercharger there aren't really any performance enhancements with a decent 'bang for buck' ratio. That's because Honda did a great job in the first place.

So if you've got $5K go the SC. Otherwise you may have to settle for the satisfaction of tinkering or more aesthetic and aural enhancements.

As I'm trying to convince myself that spending $USD5K on an SC, losing my warranty and jeopardising my insurance is a viable proposition, I have so far splashed out on some 17" wheels, nice stereo, dead pedal, MuZMaT, Momo knob and upgraded horn. I haven't dyno tested it yet but I believe these add up to about the same hp increase as the HKS exhaust.

 

We have been down this road before and as people above mention their is little to be gained with the exception of the SC (or NOS ).

IMHO, the following are the "best" (if you can call it like that) bang for the buck:

-K&N or other hi-performance air filter ($40-up)
-Spoon or ProFlow 70mm throtle body ($130 for Pro Flow)
-Toda Flywheel ($495 + installation)

After that I would go with either an adjustable fuel pressure regulator (cheap but not to flexible in setup) or the APEX V-AFC (a little more expensive but very good in tuning flexibility)

If you still have a cash you could go for the Mugen header ($1300) and just to be on the safe side thir Thermostat ($69) and radiator cap ($30).

With the exception of the Flywheel and maybe the V-AFC (if you are not that mechanically inclined) alll mods are pretty easy to install and you will enjoy personalizing your car.

 

Doug,

If you are wanting to personalize your car, how about wheels and tires. I think these make the biggest visual difference on a car. Here's a picture of my Yellow S2000 and my friend Rob's White S2000. We both have 18's. The picture isn't that close up, but notice how the fender wells look more full.


Here's a side shot of my Yellow. I think the larger wheels and lower profile tires give a more aggressive look.


Down in South Florida there are a lot of S2000's (unfortunately), so you gotta be different or you'll never get noticed.

 

Doug,

First of all you have to ask yourself what you are planning to do with the car. Some of us bought the car for its great handling and track capabilities, so those people spend money on mods that make the car more functional rather than looks. I have a few mods on the car that you could immediately feel on the car such as the spoon x-brace, toda flywheel, JR filter, and soon I'll be installing my carbon brake ducts. All those little pieces make the car handle just a bit better, or drive a little faster. Now unless you get a supercharger for the car, there is no mod thats going to give you an immediate reward for your efforts to play with the engine. By the time you get an exhaust ($1000+) here or get a header there (Mugen = $1300), you are more than half way to a supercharger and eternal bliss. OR if you are happy with the way the car handles, brakes, and accelerates already, (and you don't plan to autox or track the car) go with the cosmetic mods such as bigger wheels, painted calipers, Rick's leather accessories (this is a must!), smoked windscreen, euro clear front headlights, clear side markers, remove the black tape from the windshield, and a tasteful bodykit if you so dare. I could spend hours writing this, but feel free to drop me a PM if you have any questions and don't think about it too much, it's only a car.

[Edited by autoxEX on 03-09-2001 at 06:56 AM]

 

autoEX,

Would you recomend the Toda Flywheel to someone who will probably never race their car?

I put a Toda Flywheel and RPS Turbo Clutch in my Del Sol VTEC, and it was definetly worth it. Made for a much better feel. I would think about doing the same in the S2000, but would like to know your thoughts on it. Did you upgrade the clutch?

 

S2K-F8, actually the flywheel helps out a bit when driving around town in the first two gears and with rev matching. It feels a little peppier when you leave the line since I generally don't hit VTEC when I'm driving local. It gives you the false impression that your car is a little lighter and more nimble. I hope someone else who has this mod can back me up on this as I don't have any dyno results to show for it. I foolishly did not upgrade my clutch when I had the chance because I thought that the stock one would do since it was only 3000 miles old. But boy do I regret it, it slipped big time at the autocross last Saturday (for a good 2-3 seconds before I relealized that my tires weren't spinning, my clutch was!) and it sometimes won't get a solid grab when VTECing through the first 3 gears. I wouldn't recommend a flywheel upgrade unless you are getting a replacement clutch as well, my install was free at the expense of the #4 cylinder problem. They had to pull the tranny anyways so I had them install the flywheel.

 

autoEX,

Thanks for the info. I would definetly do both clutch and flywheel at the same time. Now, who is making a good clutch for mainly street use?