First guys/gals, thanks for taking the time to read, and help out. I am looking to buy a 2003 S2k for Track days and autocrossing. I have extensive track experience (15+years), but little experience with this little car. I am coming to you from the world of Evos, and please, DON'T make this a thread about which is better. I have been down that road, and I decided to move on, enough said.

Anyway, back on focus, I am looking at a 2003 S2k with @ 40k on the odometer. The car is bone-stock, and looks to be in great shape. I want, no need to know what things to do to make this car handle exceptionally well. I don't want to piece-mail this like my Evo, I want to do one purchase, of ALL the things I need to make this things turn (and stop).

Can anyone recommend a 'good' setup, that will be stiff enough to run slicks/R compounds with and still be able to pull (very light) street duty?

Thanks all for your time......

 

Stock alone is a "good setup"

 

Stopping is no problem brake balance is great just get some decent pads i am going to try Akebono Pro Ceramic and see how they hold out.

Upgrade the brake fluid with something good Dot 4 or Dot 5.1 don't get Dot 5 because you can't mix it with Dot4 or 5 because it's synthetic.

the car has a tendency to over steer but the only way your going to find out is take the car to the track and figure it out for your self.

Good suspension setup that has been neutral with most H&R Race springs/ Koni Yellow.

I have PSS9 which i plan to try out @ willow springs in November.

some things you might want...
Xbrace up front, T1R strut bar, that will help stiffen up the front because you can feel some flex when your hitting a turn hard. the rear end is fairly solid i don't think you need swaybars you can tune with suspension and alignment.

But box stock it's driveable around the track just watch that rear end it loves to glide out... it won't whip out it gradually slides out.

 

Guys / Gals......keep the comments coming.

Here is a list of how my Evo was setup, I thought it would help you guys in recommendations. I also added vids from the time attack at Road Atlanta. I was running in the 1:43's that day, but on Saturday, when the tires were better, I was in the 1:39's. I did melt down the stock Evo brakes, twice, which made 10A interesting, twice. THis was with Hawk pads, and Motul fluid. I added venting, but never got a chance to try it, before I sold her.

Thanks for the comments,

Mod list from departed Evo.

Cusco Front and Rear Swaybars
Tein Flex Coil-overs w/ Custom springs
Cusco Rear Strut-tower Brace
Chassis tuned with help from Jon K @ AMS
RacingBrake Rotors
SS Lines
Hawk Pads
Custom AMS Flash
AMS Lower Intercooler Piping
AMS Down-pipe
AMS Cat-back
SAFC2 (For track adjustments)
WideBand 02
AMS Racing Intercooler
Buddy Club Racing Cams


Last Dyno: ~314whp Open-Track tune on pump gas

 

I have done more than 30 track days with my S2000

Edit. see the racing and comp forum, much better info.

Here is a list of stuff to consider and in order of importance IMO.

First, get a new alignment. More agressive for track use

OEM tires will be wasted quickly with hard track driving, I had great performance and life with Shaved Toyo RA1's, 225 in the front 245 in the rear on OEM 16" wheels

A heavier front Sway bar is a really good first step, Comptech, Saner, Gendron are the 3 choices. The car will understeer with oem tire stagger.

Carbotech Xp10 front Xp9 rear, or Cobalt Spec VR pads for really agresive (ie racing) track use

Super ATE blue brake fluid, bleed every event.

Stainless front lines give a little better feel but are not really nesessary

Change the transmission and diff fluid 2-3 times a year

A header and cat back will lighten you car a bit and your wallet, small gains in power,

Mugen, fan switch, thermostat and rad cap.

Good coilovers, KW, Konis, higher end JDM.

Cornerweighting,

 

Ceramic pads, in general are not suitable for track duty. They tend to hold too much heat.

Dot 5 is not synthetic. It is silicone based and not compatible with ABS braking systems, it is also compressable.

The Xbrace has been shown to do NOTHING for handling. Strut bars (which is a misnomer since the S2000 doesn't have struts per se.) have been shown to do nothing for the car. Front anti-swaybars have been shown to provide much more balance.

 

Great information, thanks guys.

I had the Evo corner-weighted, and I got so obsecive (sp), I would change the setup per track. Moving weight to and from, to all the car to laod or unload as track demanded.

I also only run on slicks or RA1's, although, I have found the Nittos to be about .8s per 1m of track time faster than an RA1.

Maybe I should have them move this to the Competition forum.

thanks,