I was on the S2KCA site for the first time (got linked by following a post on here) and someone mentioned that the compression ratio is changing in Model Year 2003.

For '00 - '01 - '02 the compression ratio was 11.5:1
For '03 the compression ratio is going to be 11:1 ????

Changing it because of the oil consumption???

Can anyone verify this. And for guys like XViper and such who are great at enlightening me, can someone also explain what the compression ratio is and what effect this change will potentially make?

 

Compression ratio is the ratio of the volume of the cylinder from "bottom dead center" (when the piston is furthest from the head & valves) to "top dead center" (closest to the head/valves).

Both practice and thermodynamics indicate that efficiency and power are increased with increasing compression ratio.

Downside is higher temperature (materials constraints and emissions). Higher octane fuel is also needed at higher compression ratio to avoid pre-detonation. Perhaps others? Engines used to be higher compression, but I think emissions regs and the demise of leaded gas took care of that. AFAIK, the S2000 has one of the highest compression ratios of a production engine.

Don't know about your rumor.

 

FCGuy is correct in his explanation.
In "layman's" terms: Your cylinder has a certain max volume. When it finishes squeezing the contents, those contents will be 1/11th its original volume.

I'm a little confused by what you meant by 11:1 1/2. Compression ratio is expressed as "something":1
Please elaborate.
Like FCGuy said, I don't know about the change for '03.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
[B]
FCGuy is correct in his explanation.
In "layman's" terms:

 

Except for color choices, there's no change to the '03s whatsoever.

 

I had a look at the 2002 and 2003 brochure. The compression ratios are identical for the 2 model years. I did notice that the stabilizer bars for the 2003 is a couple millimeters smaller in diameter in both front and back. Other than that and the color changes, I don't think there is any difference.

 

Are you sure? They did change the bars for '02; this would be a second change?!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by twohoos
[B]
Are you sure?

 

The 02's has smaller swaybar's? Was this an effort to reduce the tendency to oversteer at the cost of handling? Hmmm...............

 

According to my 2003 S2000 brochure, the comp ratio is indeed listed as 11.0 to 1., hp is 240 @ 8300 rpm's, torque is 153 ft.lbs. at 7500.