The slightly dis-connected feeling is a function of the electronic assist.

Not much you can do to really change it.

The AP1 and CR rack are a little quicker than the AP2 rack.

CR rack has some additional stiffening, that can be retrofitted to any S2000.

The main objective in using the RX-7 rack is to get more steering angle, for drifting, than is possible with the Honda rack.

 

I was able to add some feel by adding a 4pt strut tower brace. The lower connection points are on the steering rack so it feeds vibes from the shock towers down into the steering rack.

S2X sells one identical to some of the more expensive versions.

 

I can see converting to a fully conventional manual steering column. But doing anything to just disable the EPS is waste. The motor will add significant drag on the system when not powered. It is not quite as bad as a hydraulic system failure but not good.

I like the idea of some EPS reprogramming but these systems are tuned for safety (I do engineering on non-Honda EPS sensors). If you are not careful, say just increasing responsiveness or reducing center deadband, the system can become unstable.

IIRC, the S2K EPS system has a helical-driven sensing element (inductive type, I think). So there should still be a mechanical "T-bar" (torsion link) in the column that allows the upper and lower column to move separately. Your effort at the wheel drives the sensing sleeve up or down to measure your input force and provide appropriate assist. Stiffer T-bars (in a given system) sacrifice resolution but gain some responsiveness. There do exist direct-sensing systems (e.g. strain gages mounted to the column) but they are expensive and not yet popular).

I do not know of any EPS system (yet) that has the feel of a manual. The benefits of EPS over hydraulic are improved gas mileage (not always pumping anything), less overall weight, no hydraulic fluid at end-of-life, safer if the system fails (easier to turn the wheel), and more ability to program low-to-high speed assist behavior.

 

Does retrofitting the CR rack stiffeners make much difference, then? From the discussion, it sounds more like a band-aid than a solution.

 

I had these bushings installed on my 2003 S2000.

It did not help steering feel at all and was a waste of money.

Lack of steering feel is the #1 reason why I sold my S2000....

 

Can we somehow trick the EPS into assisting half as much as it normally would?

I remember reading a thread a long time ago about ridding the speed limiter (88CRXw/b16 limited at 118 mph) that talked about splicing into the speed sensor wire and adding something (I can't remember the proper name.. relay?) that would cut the speed signal in half... therefore it would trick the ECU into thinking it was doing half the speed. This doubled the speed limiter to 236 which is just as good as getting rid of it completely unless you know of any CRXs that go that fast, lol. Could we do something similar that would trick the EPS into less assist?

Sorry if this makes no sense.... Electronics is my weakness.

 

There's no real solution that will make the S2000's steering feel like a Lotus or a Porsche.

Every car has its weakness.

The S2000 can't be perfect

 

I was spoiled with my Porsche 997's steering feel.

The S2000 seems better read from the tires. But I'd think a non-OEM steering wheel would help.

 

I agree that lack of steering feel is the S2K's biggest weakness. Having said that, it is extremely accurate with no dead spots.

I drove a few Evo IXs and they have the best steering feel I ever experienced. Porsche Boxters would come in second.

 

oh wow, this explains what I could not put in words. After having driven my S for so long, now I understand why I can't trust it at the limit. I felt that I didn't know what the car was doing. Thanks guys, now I have words to describe this feeling.