Is the S an engineering marvel?
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Originally Posted by dcak,Oct 12 2004, 12:14 PM
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..
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..
I believe Honda threw everything they could while working with a 30k budget. I still don't think the S2000 is "maxed" out because, if it was it would be a full race motor. However for a 30k car, it is pretty much "maxed." I believe if Honda had a 50k budget instead of a 30k, to play with, they can probably make this car a 300hp 9k redline car (if not more). Then again you got to remember the price of the car. There are lots of factor that comes into play, those are some reasons I consider the S2000 an engineering marvel.
-Alan
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 79,195
Likes: 18
From: Home
Take a look at 120HP/L in a NA motor (non-rotory) and ask yourself who else has acomplished this with a street car and a factory warrenty.
For a sticker price of $667,000 (came out more like $1m, and you had to own Ferrari's previously in order to buy one...) you could have gotten yourself a Ferrari Enzo. It's specific output is 107HP/L and it's in second place behind the S2000's 120HP/L. (Of course the Enzo has a 6L motor, but hey, who's counting.)
The car world remember the first car to break the 1HP/Cubic Inch mark back in the day. The S2000 (pre-04 models) are just a hair shy of 2HP/CIn. That's pretty impressive from an engineering standpoint.
Keep in mind we are talking about a production car, with a DOT exhaust and oh, did I mention, it's also an LEV? Yeah, it's a marvel of engineering.
In 50 years, will there be something that surpasses it technologically? Of course, and in probably MUCH less than 50 years. However, does that take away from what was achieved in 1999?
When invented, the steam engine was a technological marvel. The S2000 is the Steam engine 100 years later.
For a sticker price of $667,000 (came out more like $1m, and you had to own Ferrari's previously in order to buy one...) you could have gotten yourself a Ferrari Enzo. It's specific output is 107HP/L and it's in second place behind the S2000's 120HP/L. (Of course the Enzo has a 6L motor, but hey, who's counting.)
The car world remember the first car to break the 1HP/Cubic Inch mark back in the day. The S2000 (pre-04 models) are just a hair shy of 2HP/CIn. That's pretty impressive from an engineering standpoint.
Keep in mind we are talking about a production car, with a DOT exhaust and oh, did I mention, it's also an LEV? Yeah, it's a marvel of engineering.
In 50 years, will there be something that surpasses it technologically? Of course, and in probably MUCH less than 50 years. However, does that take away from what was achieved in 1999?
When invented, the steam engine was a technological marvel. The S2000 is the Steam engine 100 years later.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 39
From: Moselle MS
Honda definately got it right.....
I would say that yes Honda has done some pretty amazing things with this car.
Considering the fact that the car can be had for 30k. I have owned several other
sports cars that cost alot more than the S did, were they better..... not really.
I would say that yes Honda has done some pretty amazing things with this car.
Considering the fact that the car can be had for 30k. I have owned several other
sports cars that cost alot more than the S did, were they better..... not really.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 28
From: Longmont, CO
Everybody should read this all the way through before commenting in this thread.
http://www.itepsa.com/samples/SIET199907_CH1_MAIN.PDF
http://www.itepsa.com/samples/SIET199907_CH1_MAIN.PDF
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad
Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines Marvel as:
1 : something that causes wonder or astonishment
2 : intense surprise or interest
I'm not in the wonder or astonishment category but it is surprising and interesting.
Of course every good looking girl in a short skirt qualifies as a marvel to me. : )
Certainly the Eiffel Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, and the pyramids are a bit more of an accomplishment than the marvel that is our S2000.
JeffA
1 : something that causes wonder or astonishment
2 : intense surprise or interest
I'm not in the wonder or astonishment category but it is surprising and interesting.
Of course every good looking girl in a short skirt qualifies as a marvel to me. : )
Certainly the Eiffel Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, and the pyramids are a bit more of an accomplishment than the marvel that is our S2000.
JeffA
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg
i've built a 2.0L for my past car, no a/c, no p/s rev to 8.5k all day, fully built engine, trans, drivetrain, the works. was slated for 230ish to the wheels off the bottle. 6 days later it was all over I75 South, with a fire truck, and a FHP there shakin their heads.
This engine is a marvel.
Tim
ps. it was a stretched rod bolt that the guy balancing the block F'ed up on.
This engine is a marvel.
Tim
ps. it was a stretched rod bolt that the guy balancing the block F'ed up on.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Vienna
u built one urself? if u find some time, tell me how u did it, cuz i'm really interested in doing pretty much the same thing... e-mail is Killashahmafia@yahoo.com
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
I'm not sure the whole car is a "marvel", but IMO, the engine is. Sure, the S2k's chassis is something impressive by itself, but there are plenty of other cars out there with great chassis lacking a great engine. Fortunately, Honda was able to put it all together with this one
