I'm a new S2000 owner and I hear all this about about launching a 8k rpms. Doesn't that destroy your drive train? Sounds crazy to me.

 

It isn't something that should be done on a too regular basis. And you have to learn the trick of winding up the slack in the drivetrain before letting it all go.

But yes, you need to launch an S2K at 7500 rpm or so to get the best of it. Try it, you'll love it once you get the hang of it

 

Do a search on Differential, Clutch or Axle for the answer to your drivetrain question.

The more you do it, the sooner you'll have your car in the shop.

 

You would think.

The argument is that when you launch at anything below that then there is not enough torque to break the rear tires free. That puts all of the power on the drivetrain to absorb. So, something gives and it is usually your clutch.

Everyone launches so high because the power from the motor is rarely seen below 6250 or wherever VTEC switches in. So the theory is that to race other cars you must either run from a roll or drop the clutch at some hideously high RPM.

That is a very brutal summation of what the reasoning is. From what everyone says the car can take a few of these, but you will become close friends with your neighborhood service writer.

I do remember one post where someone said that they were actually going to go a practice their high RPM drops somewhere. Thought it was funny at the time.

 

IMHO I think that the S2000 is such a thrill to drive through the hills and twisties in my area and in southeastern Ohio running at 4-6K rpm that I rarely V-TECH, except to pass road turds. I think that if you want to make a dragster or racecar out of your car, as in running constantly on a track or in V-TECH range, that you are asking for big repair bills and too much hassle and down time for my level of patience with mechanical things. In nearly every NASCAR race, one or two drivers loses his engine. Broken valve springs and blown engines are fairly common in just a 300-350 mile race. And these are racing engines! If you want to drop the clutch at 7K+ rpm that's your call. I just don't see the thrill in straight away acceleration or speed. Guess if I wanted that I'd have bought a Viper.

 

A few? Jason has done 800 drops with stock clutch, diff, etc.:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=35180

Such disapproval for anyone who would do a clutch drop... No track time, either? And no VTEC, for crying out loud? Did everyone in this thread know that they were buying a sports car, not a Miata?

My 3 cents,
Tanq

 

No dissaproval here, to each there own. I am a little too paranoid about replacing expensive parts to do anything that significant.

As for buying a sports car, yeah I knew that.

 

Speaking of NASCAR and pushrod motors, S2000s rev as high as any Winston Cup engine, and last the lifetime of the valvetrain and cylinder head. Our F20C has almost the exact same stroke as a ~358 cid V-8, revving just as high. And that is with factory mass produced components.

 

If you want to do this, make sure the weather is fine and no chilly winds in the air, meaning like a summer's night is probably the best time. Don't rev it to the limiter but close and try to hold it, once you get the hang of it ... Step on the clutch and engage the gear, and drop the clutch then floor the accelerator as fast as you can.

If the clutch slips and doesn't bite, then terminate the whole thing otherwise you'll start to burn your clutch at amazingly high abuse rates. Or the other problem is you might start to fishtail either because the ground temperature is not suitable for doing so or your tyres are just not warm enough, terminate it as well since you're wasting precious tyre thread. Once you get the hang of it through numerous practice with high accuracy, you'll like it. I personally prefer a rolling start.

 

Damn..8K rpm clutch drops!!!! Sounds wicked and living on the edge.


Now not shifting past 6500 rpm in a S2000 means you should turn your car in. The car only comes alive after VTEC!!! Come on dude DRIVE your car!