This is a very civilized return to a sometimes very contentious subject.

Cosmetic modifications are harmless exercises of taste or lack of same. I designed headrests for increased comfort, and love them. Sorry, all gone, but Rick is working on some which will be terrific when done, I'm sure. I dressed up the center console with Rick's leather console cover and leather shift boot. I shortened the shift throws with a Voodoo Titanium shift knob. I brightened the stark interior with the MG Racing Aluminum trim pieces.

Stereo modifications are necessary.

Bracing modifications. Products sold on this site range from totally ineffective to terrific. Totally ineffective: Spoon rear lower brace. Modestly effective: RM Racing Strut Tower Brace (and all other STBs). TERRIFIC: Spoon front lower X brace.

Suspension modifications. I think the S2000 has some suspension design problems. (Front and rear bump steer, oversteer which comes on more dramatically than most drivers would want) One of the ways Honda dealt with these issues is by delivering the car with S02s. Clearly, this was inadequate, but be careful about changing wheels because S02s (Honda spec) don't come in 17 or 18" sizes. Coil overs and lowering springs may help but someone has to do some careful testing to advise us or each of us will be conducting an expensive experiment with no assurance that the modificaitons will improve the situation instead of making it worse. Some very sophisticated members have experimented with sway bars. They definitely change the handling characteristics of the car, but no consensus has emerged on the ideal street set up, especially in conjunction with other suspension modifications.

Brake modifications. I had stainless steel braided brake lines installed. Firmed the pedal. Some have cut out the lower front air intake dummy panels and installed a brake cooling line. This may be effective to alleviate fade caused by heating.

Engine modifications. Here's the big one friends. Who wouldn't want an extra 30HP without tradeoff? On most cars it is easy to get 30 HP - intake, chip and exhaust - bingo. Not so easy because Honda did not leave much on the table with our 120 HP/liter engine. We can spend a small fortune for a Mugen intake, headers and exhaust but in return we get indifferent gains. We can force air into the engine with the Comptech Supercharger, but it twists off its mounting, and puts out more power than the clutch, differential and axles can handle. Worse, there are widely reported driveability problems with the supercharger and even when working properly the acceleration gains indicate that substantially fewer than 100 extra horses are making it to the rear tires.

I have the JR air filter element, and hope that in addition to delivering a whopping 2-3 HP it is also doing its job of filtering the dirt out of the air entering the cylinders.

One of my concerns is that some members who organize group buys and vendors who advertise and sell on our site aren overcharging fellow members for modifications of modest if any benefit.

My advice, make all the cosmetic changes you want (please no wood trim), upgrade your stereo but be careful of adding too much weight, and take it easy on suspension and engine modifications until we know a bit more.

 

2X6 Speed is that the aluminum interior you have on your car, from those shots they look amazing. could you please posts some more shots of it and what you think of it. does it scratch easy? thanks

 

As for moi, I haven't even taken delivery of my Spa Yellow S2K, but I can safely say, I will not be modifying the car. I have owned a few vehicles now, most of which were modified to one extent or another. I also have retained one vehicle solely for the purpose of modifying, and will likely stay away from some of the (tempting) mods available for the S2000. Why?
1) I can't afford them
2) I have another, older vehicle that is already HEAVILY modified
With point #2, I realise that not everyone has this luxury, and If I didn't, I likely would spend a little money on some cosmetic "extras" for the S2K, despite knowing that I'll never ever see that money again!!!
Just my 02c
Asif

 

Hi BladeS2K

I really like the aluminum trim pieces. I got them from Giampiero at MG Racing. The manufacturer charges him about $150 per set. I don't remember what MG Racing charges us, but I'm sure we can do a group buy. They come on a thick cardboard backing like this:


Note the large piece on the lower left of the picture. It is supposed to cover the radio door but looks like a meat cleaver. I didn't think it would be good in the event of a side impact accident, so I left it off with most of the other pieces shown. The greenish tint is an artifact of the fluorescent lighting.

Here's a picture of the console pieces just installed.


Here's a picture of the door trim piece, I had not yet installed the AC vent trim yet.


All you need is a steady hand, a warm day, some adhesive remover and a hair drier.

 

Wow this is really inciteful. Thanks a lot guys. I think it'll be great if I install the mods themselves too. I think I'll only be comfortable installing an exhaust however. So if I take it to a place to install everything it's not quite the same isn't it?

I'm just wondering what everyone does with their mods when they end up trading in or selling their cars. Do you take everything out?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Howie
[B]Wow this is really inciteful.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 2kturkey
[B]...If not, your lack of insight into the correct use of English grammar stuns me.

 

I gotta be careful that my English skills won't deteriorate from reading too much on the web. oops, did I say "gotta"

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Howie
[B]2Kturkey.

 

My mistake. My appologies. My stupidness and everything.

Ya like I said. Embarassingly I'm an english major. My spelling needs work, my grammar needs work, and my knowledge needs to be improved.

And you know what? I actually went and checked up the definition of insightful and managed to mispell it again.