I feel stupid for asking but here goes. As we all have noticed, the S2000 (mine's an AP2) spins quite a few rpms on the highway. My daily is a 2004 CR-V 5spd which spins pretty high itself. This was further highlighted after returning from a trip in my mom's Mazda CX-5. The CX-5 only turns like 3000rpm at 90mph in top gear. I can't remember exactly but the S turns around 5k at that speed (somebody correct me if I'm off). Now, I'm not the type to set cruise at 70 and sit there all day on a long trip. I'm going to be between 80-85 whenever traffic is light and conditions are clear, with an occasional sustained 90-95 for a few minutes. Now if I'm driving on a long trip and putting in 8 hours or more in a day, that seems harsh on the engine. Is it just me?

 

It helps to think of it im terms of percentage of redline when comparing to other engines, instead of outright rpm.

By that standard its a bit less harsh. Its a lot less harsh if you compare it to something like a motorcycle application. Ride one of those on the hwy and the S rpm seems tame bu comparison.

The S was designed for that sort of sustained rpm. Each engine being hand assembled, with the bearings and piston sizes specifically selected for each combination of block and crank.

It can take it.

 

Thanks for the reply. I figured it was fine, just food for an interesting discussion I guess. The S would be about 3k under its redline, same as the Mazda in that perspective.

 

At Watkins Glen last weekend, I did (i think) 236 miles JUST on the track over a 3 day weekend. My average speed on hot laps was 88 MPH according to Harry's Lap Timer. Top speed was 126MPH.

You could always put a 3.9 gear in your diff.

 

I've driven Hondas most of my driving life.

I've taken trips in a 4.78 final drive equipped ITR, and driven my S2000 to both coasts. Sometimes 15 hours at a time. And been to countless track days.

I also used to daily drive a 99 civic Si. I had a 90 mile daily commute. Steady cruise speed anywhere between 70 and 130mph.

You won't hurt it. Its designed to rev out.

 

The S2000 engine is designed to run at high rpm. Both versions of the engine red line above 8000 rpm. We run pistol aircraft engines all the time at a recommended 75% power which according to the dyno curve for my car is about 6800 rpm. As an 80mph cruising speed at a little over 4000 rpm there's plenty of safety built in. My 6000 pound Expedition is only turning about 2000 rpm at 80mph! Different engines. Different cars.

-- Chuck