Next time you fill up the tank, ask an assistant to put in more VTEC in the gas.

 

Nah.

 

More Power! with a Tim Allen grunt.

 

Hi Talent... I completely understand where you are coming from...

Different cars make their impressions in different ways... The S2000 is not designed to impress on "off-the-line" acceleration... Period...

You can do some things to overcome this a little, but not at a cost that you should be willing to pay... Launching the car might give you some short-term satisfaction, and provide the perception to others that the S2000 low-end launch performance is better than it really is...but it will come at the longer term cost of your clutch/transmission.

It doesn't mean that our cars aren't highly tuned sports cars... They are... But the fun is not in the launch...the fun is in the handling and the profile/personality of our acceleration curve "at speed" (enabled by our tight suspension and the high RPM and VTEC engine)...

It's been said before that it is more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slowly...and while I wouldn't necessary call the S2000 "slow", I do think that the saying applies here...

1. Launch the car like you own the car (because you do)... Learn where the clutch "bites" in 1st gear and hammer the throttle after a smooth 1st gear grab...
2. Take every gear to the car's "sweet spot" before shifting and giving up the performance of your current gearing... Doesn't necessarily have to be at the red line each and every time... You will learn the most productive parts of the power band...
3. Learn to rev-match and downshift when you are under your power band and need "more"
4. Be careful...Street racing is not advised (and it's illegal)... The S2000 has a wicked tail if you aren't used to RWD and the handling characteristics of the car specifically... Be okay with losing "face" before losing the car...
5. Don't worry about making an impression "off-the-line"... Don't try and make your impression from 0-to-30... The car makes a better impression from 30-60... Remember, the car has a zero-to-60 of around 5.5 seconds... The slower start is followed by some great power after the costly start...

I am not sure what else to tell you. The S2000 is a fun, high performance vehicle. But every car has different personalities. I am sure you could own some American Muscle car and make a great "statement" off-the-line...but you'll get lost in the turns...

Most important...have fun! It's a fun car... If you measure your enjoyment on how many road challenges you dominate, you are in for a wake-up-call... There will always be faster cars out there... Drive like you have nothing to prove and enjoy the stares... There are a lot of folks on the road that would trade positions with you...

 

Lack of (low end) torque plus lack of technique will always get you left behind at the line.




You have at least one of these deficiencies.

 

in a straight line, there are several, automatic equipped, 4 door sedans, that will step out and give your s2000 a run for the money. Show those same cars Hell Bender and you'll leave them in your wake as they understeer into the woods.

Hell, my 2000 civic Si is pretty slow now in a straight line compared to most newer sport compacts (abarth, GTI, WRX and STi, ST's etc).

Don't stress. the lack of torque is a big issue. The s2000 isn't really a straight line type of car anyway.

If you really want off the line performance, consider the early 2000's ZO6 or mustang GT.
later

darcy

 

You could practice on how to launch the car from a dead stop but i think your tranny and diff wouldnt like you too much.
Just if you do, make sure you dont do it on a public road at least. You dont want to end up facing traffic.
Happened to my friends in a 350z who had no idea how to drive a rwd thought flooring while making a turn was a great idea.. totaled.

 

Still a great fun car I love the EM1 Si

 

This information is the best response to the original post. Nicely worded and accurate.

 

Key is to keep the engine in V-TEC country as much as possible. Quick, redline shifts... IMHO. Staying in that upper torque plateau, above 6K R's.


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