Wow, 502 whp? Pappy, I'm impressed.

I'm curious, but how much of a capital investment would you say you have in the car? I'd just like to know, because I know projects like yours can often drain money from the wallet rather quickly. There has been some speculation in this post already about whether or not 500 whp can be reached for $40k or $50k or above. Since you've got first hand experience, can the original poster reach his goal for less than $40k? Less than $50k?

I'm not being sarcastic or anything, I'd just really like to know. Here's a little guy waving, to prove that I'm being friendly:

 

I will strongly against the idea of the new Mustang GT... As much as people have done to it, my co-worker has one and he bought it back in last november. First few people who got it... The transmission is giving him nothing but problem. I am sure in the next few years they will have those bugs fixed. My co-worker brought his car in when the transmission light came on, they shipped the trans back to the factory for the engineer to study... 3 weeks later they shipped the replacement. And later on realize missing a bolt that is needed in the new design... and they shipped an original type to him and ask him to drive around with that a bit before the new ones arrives... It was nothing but headache... good thing it is all covered by warrenty... but this would be out of the topic of this thread...

Anyway, I will say test drive the car and DON'T think about mod until you can afford it. By then you will probably want another car anyway. My personal experience was the civic I bought in college and I save and save and try to add things to it bits by bits... When the warrenty was up and the time comes to buy my FI... I decided to hold off and 2 years later... I put the money that I saved on the down pay for my S. Much happier with my S...

If you want a 500 rwhp bragging machine... look into 240SX. My friend built a 300 HP one around 8000 bucks (including the car). I can try to post pictures of his car later if you want. He did not want to spend too much money on the block since it already got some mileage on it and he will do that to the next motor but we are looking at a couple more years before this one is gone. I think there is a 240SX forum as well... It is easy and cheap to mod. rear wheel drive and a strong rear end. 500 hp for that car is not impossible.

 

Another thing: Don't do the add bits and pieces as you can afford mod... you will simply spend too much money and not get the result... (personal experiences).

You want to lay out the project and know what you need and do it according to the plan.

 

Eh, not to bash and trash... but I'm going to anyway.


An 18 year old kid modding up to 500 hp? If he plans do that on ANY car, he'd better buy a cemetary plot, tomb stone that reads "too young, too inexperieced", and a casket. Just to save his parents the hassle.

 

Did anyone catch this kid is only 15 or so? He graduates in May of 08. I think we can pretty much chalk this thread up to wishful thinking.

 

I didnt see anything about high school. Maybe college?

But then again, would his parents be helping him with a car
when he just graduated college? hmmm...

If your in high school... wishfull thinking indeed hahaha

 

Graduating from COLLEGE. I will be 22 by then. Neon = FWD. FWD + high HP = Whole lotta wheelspin, not a whole lotta go go. I do have a plan laid out for the car, and I will have even more time to think about it the next three+ years. Eh, I guess im still just a dumb ol' teenager who has no idea what he's doing and doing too much wishful thinking....I should probably just slit my wrists now.....

 

Dude i'm assuming your in the 20 right now. As they said, drive the car before thinking of high hp numbers. Gas guzzler? Anything that you want to produce a lot of hp will suck up gas to produce that amount of power. Just go test drive some cars you have in mind now. Buy it and gradually add more HP as you need it.
FWD + High HP + good tires = no spin out. Because rwd with high hp and sucky traction = spin out too. Even awd Its all about balancing everything to work in harmony with each other

 

Sorry man... I come from the Celica world, where anyone saying they are getting the car as a grad gift is some 16 year-old who wants to "run 10's". Just assumed it was talking about HS... if you're in college now it's not as far-fetched. Didn't mean to offend too much.

Anywho, I still say this isn't the car for the purpose you're seeking. Anything from a Supra TT to a STi would be better suited. By then, C5 vettes won't be TOO expensive either. Lots of options... trying to turn a S inside-out isn't one of the better ones. Of course, if you really just love the design of the car, then I won't argue if you decide to pursue it.

Best of luck in whatever path you take.

 

500whp...damn I cant imagine how that would feel in a s2000 ..I actually saw 1st hand what a 548whp turbocharged s2000 set up looked like at the SESM...it was insane!!!...I'm not going to go as far as to say it's not possible, because it has been done and duplicated by a few people...How that much whp would be usable in this car is beyond me...I think you are planning "way" too far into the future...You should buy the car 1st...and then start planning your mod's...Get a feel for the car...learn what it's all about...and spend some time and money at auto cross events to learn how the car handles...Beleive me that is money well spent...I'm not going to bash you at all for posting this...Hell before I got my s2k I was dead set on getting an evo, and even had a list of mods I was going to buy for it day's after arrival....I test drove an s2000 (the one I own now ) just for a joyride on my way to get the evo..and ended up driving off with it later on that day ...I have driven the evolution numerous times..and the fun factor was just not near as present as it is with the s2000...

You will see that you dont need 500whp in this car to have a blast...In its stock for alone its a very fun car to drive..and once you start modding it (dont skimp on cheap parts)..it will just be the icing on the cake...

However, if you are looking for insane whp gains...the inline pro kit would be a great start...the are runnign 442whp on stock internals at 18psi, that coupled with a 3mm head gasket has proved to be about as reliable of a turbo kit you can buy...And I will invest in this kit down the road.

Hope this helped you out somewhat with your deicision and mod plans

~cody~