I sort of threw this out on another thread, but didn't want to hijack that thread.
Someone said it was an engineering marvel. I'm not picking on that person, cause I hear that a lot on this board. Just curious what everyone's thoughts are.

I think it's a great car, but wouldn't go as far as "marvel". If you're looking at the N/A power thing, is it really that hard to take a four cylinder to 240 hp with enough mods? So power-wise, it seems to me that Honda just threw all the performance parts they could at a 4 cylinder. Don't take that as an insult, I really do like the car. Maybe it's the ability of the engine to reliably rev to 9k. Maybe that is what's most impressive. But is it really that awesome to get 240 out of 4? I know, it's the highest PRODUCTION N/A out there, but couldn't anyone do that if they really wanted to??

PS: I'd actually be happy if someone proved me wrong..

 

Well since I'm an engineering master genius, I'd know all about it.... That should be proof enough.

What a subjective thread.

 

Yeah, that's why I asked for "opinions".

Some people are so enthusiastic about how amazing the S is, and I'd like to hear from some knowledgeable people about why it is or isn't.

 

Try modding a four cylinder as you described and still have it run 100k plus miles without breakdown.

 

Yes, it really is that awsome to get 240 hp out of a 2.0 litre n/a 4.

 

If anyone could do this, why havnt they?

 

IMO...
The Brooklyn Bridge is an engineering marvel.

The bullet train is an engineering marvel.

The Eiffel Tower was an engineering marvel (for it's time).

The Great Wall was an engineering marvel.

Taken in that context, the S2000, IMO, is not an engineering marvel.

 

Consider that a 2 liter engine is 120 cubic inches, give or take a couple. So, we're talking two horsepower per cubic inch. Way back when, in the days of GTO's, SS Chevelles, Boss Mustangs, and Six Pack Mopars, one horsepower per cube was considered to be a pretty impressive number for a street car. Even with today's technology, two horses per cube NA is unheard of in anything less than an all out race engine. You know, lumpy cam, poor fuel mileage, limited relaibility, excess emissions. Marvel is a good word, but to me, miraculous may be a better one.

 

Economics..
Maybe they felt it wasn't the best use of their resources.

But if it's truly very difficult to mod a four cylinder to 240 hp (without NA), then I'm impressed. Re-impressed, I should say. I just wanted to hear some real justification, that's all.

 

maybe not a marvel...but it is an impressive car to say the least...and 2 n/a hp per ci is a big deal...especially for honda to just pump them out like it is nothing...there are guys who strive to tune for that, and, there are many cars that car rev to 9k...but how many production cars do you see being reved to 9k and selling for under 35k, none? or even selling for under 150k? Not many...

but there are better cars out there than the S2000...so maybe you could say certain aspects of the car are marvels, and the car overall is impressive