Hi. I'm looking into buying a s2000. Currently drive a Nissan silvia s14a so I'm very unfamiliar with s2000. I'm not looking to make a car overly powerful, more like a feather around corners, and the na engine has appealed to me ever since initial d. I was looking for some advice that this forum might help me with. I have a few questions but any additional info would be appreciated. Firstly, I would like to know which model most enthusiast go for. The AP1 or AP2? And why? Can the AP2 engine limiter be extended to 9k with out doing damage? And is the 6 speed in AP1 stronger than the 5 speed in AP2? In most cars the 5 is always better. I appreciate any help with this

 

there is no 5 speed for the s2000, the ap2 trans is a 6 speed that has shorter gearing.

this guide will be your best friend
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/775...-a-used-s2000/

now ap1 and ap2 does not have a whole lot of difference and there is a good number of parts that are interchangeable between the two. a quick rundown

MY00-03: f20 (2.0L) about 195 hp/ 138 tq at the wheels 9000 rpm
MY04-05: f22 (2.2L) about 200 hp/ 150 tq at the wheels interior upgrade/ visual upgrade 8000 rpm
MY06+: introduce DBW for the f22 some love it/ some reflash it.

some of these numbers are "average" as to what people put on the dyno. some members reported more some reported less.

I would recommend not getting so caught up in 9k redline and what "purists" think, i would look into what is the best s2k all around, they're all extremely capable platforms and just look for the best condition. The reason i bought the ap1 is because it was a good deal and had less miles than what NFR ap2s typically go for. and i threw a bunch of ap2 parts on it. and some owners do the same with their ap2's by putting ap1 parts on it ( usually just the rear bumper though).

one thing to note is yes, these car do have "glass" rear ends. so clutch dumping at 6000 rpm will not be in your best interest.

 

There are countless AP1 versus AP2 threads that you can refer to. It all boils down to preference. Some enthusiasts prefer the AP1. Others prefer the AP2. If we all preferred one or the other then all of us would drive one of them and none would drive the other. Clearly, that's not the case.

Test drive both and select what suits you best. You can't ask others to tell you what you will or will not prefer.

Why are you fixated on 9K -- especially if you are very unfamiliar with the S2000? Again, test drive and verify your preferences. Don't just assume even if it's based on reading. First hand experience is how you determine these things.

 

dont buy s2k, slow and no driver feel, too big, not enough revs....












haha jk, best car for the $$$ literally. ESPECIALLY in the well under $20k range. its a non decision, just find one that wasnt abused (doesnt have to be mint cuz they run!)

 

The ap2 can have the revs extended, I've heard of some peopl running there's to 9k, but I wouldn't, since from what I know the ap2 doesn't make power past 8300-8400 or so, anyone feel free to correct any point I am not correct on. If I were you, I'd go for the ap2 if you want a more daily driver oriented car with all the same/more power than the ap1. Plus 06+ get flashpro, main reason I bought an 06.

 

I think using google to search this topic will give you years of reading.

It's going to come down to two key things:
1. Driving experience you're looking for
2. Desire to modify - 06+ is a must then if you're touching the motor

 

Thanks for your help. With the glass rear end reference, would it a bad for me to me kicking the rear out to push me around corners or would that cause too much of a strain on the engine? The 9k limiter is purely just to give me extra revs to play with. I would google a lot of this stuff but google tends to give lots of different answers, some of which seem to be incorrect.

 

If you're new to manual driving at all, and got an ap1, go ahead and switch out the retainers to ap2 ones, because that's the weak point in the head, one overrev from a missed gear can crack one. And to my knowledge, giving your car gas around a corner, I'm assuming to get it sideways.. Isn't what harms the car, of course you're putting extra strain on the car, there's no getting around that, but its the torque that can damage the rear end, say from dumping the clutch at 6k, doing hard launches, probably even clutch kicking, it's just not worth the risk, even though its hard to resist. If I'm wrong on any of that someone will correct me.

 

almost all s2000 owners will agree that literally dumping the clutch at 6,000 rpms is the best way to keep the diff from breaking when launching. Not launching is an even better way to keep the diff from breaking, but launching like that gets the tires to spin, which takes some stress off the diff.

 

Yeh iv been reading a bit and most people seem to switch the retainers. Any idea how a twin plate clutch and two-way LSD would go on a s2k?