I've nevr spun mine, but yeah, I think the tires are the main culprit. Get some AP2 wheels, or run a 205/245 combo in a diff brand of tire, and if you spin, it'll be due to your driving, not the car.

 

I think the AP1's reputation as a spin out machine is a bit undeserved. As Red Mx-5 stated, at the limit where the Ap1 spins, most other cars would have slid off the road. I've had my Ap1 for nearly two years and I've spun it 3 times. Twice at an autocross and once at a track day. I was driving at the limit, and I stepped over it. On public roads, one should not drive a car like an S2000 at the absolute limit. I disagree with those who say the S2000 is a hard car to recover in a skid. I've lost grip and had the back step out several times on autocrosses and the two track days I've driven and I've been able to get it back. I've never driven a car that rewards smooth driving like the S, and the 3 times I spun I was far less than smooth. Never push the car on public roads like you would on a closed course and you will be fine. Also, wet weather and cold tires are not your friend. A little awareness of your conditions will keep you out of trouble. It's a responsive car with a lot of grip, but it is not waiting to swap ends on you the second you pull out of the driveway.

 

Jimmy, ever race in a Miata or C5 Z06? Those are both pussycats in terms of atitude control compared to the early AP1. I've raced in all three in stock trim. The difficulty is real.

Years ago, when I was racing regularly, I had two SCCA national champions spin out in my early AP1 (with confirmed OEM alignment). I was in the passenger seat. Both complained about the odd behavior, like a weird rear balance shift at the limit, as did a few other hot shoes. Honda agreed. That's why OEM suspension and tires changed over the years. My AP2 is a big improvement over my AP1 stock-versus-stock.

 

For the first few years I could barely get the back of my car loose, even when I was trying. Then, when I got tired of replacing the rear tires every 10K miles, I swapped over to UK alignment specs. I read somewhere the US specs for rear tire toe in were for legal reasons....??? Anyway, after the switch, my tires last much longer and the back is looser. I can easily tell the difference.
JASON

 

"A car is only as good as its tires"

Words to live by...these cars really aren't that bad though. They suck in the snow but I never spun out with it once other than that. Maybe it's just my skills I don't know

 

ap2 is the shiz

 

GO HOME.








get an ap1

 

Dude, your AP1 isn't REALLY an AP1.

Your car is a USDM 2008 S2000 with a 2.0L engine and AP1 gear ratios. Everything else is still an AP2!!!!! You have the 2008 suspension, CDV, AP2 subframe, AP2 differential, etc.

 

USDM AP1 is a bit more tail happy to most drivers, including myself.

The AP2s are a bit more forgiving.

As for 9000 (or more like 8900rpm) redline? It is a tad over rated, in the sense that people think the F20c is a better engine because it revs higher ... The F20c engine makes track driving a bit nicer, because you have a bit more slack (i.e. 700rpm) in the VTEC range. AP1 cuts off at 8900, while AP2 cuts off at 8200 rpm from my understanding ...

 

Either of the cars can spin. The ap2 is a bit more forgiving as it has more understeer dialed in and has solved the bump steer issue. But no one should delude themselves that the ap2's changes will suddenly make the car spin proof. Both cars can bite hard. But the ap1 will be less forgiving of mistakes and more of a handfull on bumpy roads (unless you have an anti bumpsteer kit installed).

The CR is a different animal entirely...and that suspension set up is very forgiving from my limited road testing.

BTW...to show the ap2 can spin...here is an ap2 spin and a couple of near spins recovered. Note that all shown are on street tires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryFyN_KlMvA

The first 2 cars are ap2, 3rd car is modded ap1 with coilovers, front swaybar and anti bumpsteer kit (so not a good comparison of stock). Note the recovery at the end of the 2nd car's run.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/s2k-autox_141448.htm

BTW...I encourage every s2k owner to learn the limits of their car in a relatively safe enviornment such as shown in the above autox vids.

Ks320...fuel cut off for the ap2 is 8200, but the fuel cut off on the ap1 is 9100. Redline on the ap2 is 8000 and the redline on the ap1 is 8900.