How do I accelerate faster?
Former Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24,771
Likes: 311
From: Stanmore
Acceleration is proportional to engine power, not engine torque, so once you are doing above about 20mph in 1st gear, you're getting as much acceleration out of the car as you can (provided the pedal is to the floor).
The only ways to improve upon that are more power, or less weight.
See the link in my signature for an explanation of power and torque.
The only ways to improve upon that are more power, or less weight.
See the link in my signature for an explanation of power and torque.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,636
Likes: 45
From: Basking Ridge, New Jersey
S2000 revs to 8.5 or 9K. lots of time involved in getting from 1000 RPMs to red line. it's faster to shift at 3K, I can get into 6th gear from a standing start in a few seconds. 6 gears can be time consuming too, start in 2nd then go to 4th then to 6th. huge time saver.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 3
From: Houston, TX
As indicated above they're not mutually exclusive. I don't have to max RPM's or shift all that fast to accelerate faster than most automatics. How slow are you? It sounds like you just need some more experience behind the wheel (and shifter).
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,792
Likes: 1
From: New Market, AL
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...
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...
Well said!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,342
Likes: 103
From: Raleigh
I take it this is your first manual car. Dont worry about shifting fast until you can shift smoothly and accurately. The last thing you want to do is misshift 3-4, land 2nd instead, and BOOM there goes your motor.
tires...definitely tires...and if you aren't currently running 17s then get a set of 17"s too.
tires...definitely tires...and if you aren't currently running 17s then get a set of 17"s too.
