There are alot of things you can do to these cars...they are definitely modifiable...but, what mods are actually UPGRADES over stock?

I am guessing that many mods are simply a matter of taste, but not actually upgrades.....

I'm just wondering..and could use the input of this board...

My mods would include:
18' wheels w/beefier tires than stock (yeah, I like the look of custom wheels over stock, but I can't honestly say that this would be an upgrade);
lowering springs, another 'look' item which may actually hamper the comfort of riding in the car;
front lip and rear spoiler, more 'look' items;
K&N FIPK air filter, which may give a very little (unnoticeable?) upgrade, but makes the sound 'better';
maybe a stainless exhaust, pro'ly no better than stock, and $$$;
brushed stainless interior pieces, another 'look' item;
front strut bar, an actual upgrade for cornering?, with possibly an X brace?;
shift knob!!!!

I dunno!? I would have a nice lookin S thats really no better than a stock S, only about $3+K more!!!!

Can anyone help me here? What mods actually make a difference, and what are the best mods for the $ ?

HELP!

 

The only mod there that will get you a little bit of power is really the K&N FIPK gives a little bit of power. I noticed a little bit more pull on the butt dyno after installing mine. Been shown to gain a little bit. An exhaust depending on which one you go with can gain a little bit of power. If you go with a single exit exhaust you can gain a little more.
Lowering springs if paired with some good shocks can improve the handling.
18" wheels will hurt performance for sure. It is heavier and takes longer to spin.
Front strut bar is useless. An aftermarket front sway bar can help reduce a little more body roll, however a strut bar really does nothing.

If your actually looking for some cheap ways to get some power, I would get a test pipe and a single exit 70mm exhaust, and a VAFC2 to tune or emanage ultimate or some tuning device. If you have an early Ap1, '00,'01 then you will get a real nice gain from a vafc tune since these years ran really rich from the factory.
If you want to spend all that 3-4k on the car, you really could just go get a supercharger or turbo kit or something used for that amount. Find them on the classifieds all the time here for around 3 grand or so. That will make a huge difference in performance.
Instead of getting an extra 20whp from little bolt ons(which i have been doing hhaha) you can get about 100whp from a bolt on supercharger kit.
Hope this helps a little.

 

Horsepower wise, forced induction is the only way to go with the s2000. an N/A build is so much less cost effective. Handling is where this car shines, so if you want a good performance upgrade in that respect, a good set of coilovers and front sway bar will do you very nicely. Like the post above, says, there isnt much of a gain with bolt ons, but they definatly to enhance the experience through sound though. I honestly think that is an upgrade. Experience wise sound is an awesome upgrade. Once you find a setup you like you will fall in love every time you get in your car. for your sake I hope you dont fall in love with the j's racing exhaust. It will be a long wait for you if you do. It sucks for the rest of us who that has hapened to. Take it easy man.

-Ian

 

In most cases, you will find most of your "investments" (or more like money spent) to be of little to no improvement over stock performance.

But then, who cares? It's your car. If you are happy with those mods? By all means go ahead. I think it's whatever makes you happy that's most important. Most exhaust systems would not add (much) HP, if at all -- but then they do sound nice. And if you enjoy the sound of it, and could afford it, then you should go for it

Afterall, customization / mods are tailoring the car to your taste. I couldn't care less if people call my car rice with the mods, as long as I like the mods

 

Ks320, I think you worded it a little better than me, but I agree with you there 100%. Its all about your preference.

-Ian

 

Sounds like your building your car for "Show" versus "GO"....

The 18's will negate the FIPK. The rotational mass will really be evident on the quickness due to the lack of torque the car already has.

For $3K+ that you plan on spending... the best mod is to go F/I.

Think of it this way... if you go F/I, you will most likely buy the other "show" pieces. If you go "show" first, pending your financial situation, you might not ever pull the trigger to go F/I.

JMO...

Tim

 

OEM AP2 Shift knob
OEM Lip kit
Test pipe
Lighter wheels (performance/looks)

 

a nice set of light wheels will cost you about $2k+

 

Invest in performance driving courses.

Learn everything the car has to offer you in stock form and then you can make a more educated decision about what to modify that matches your new driving style.

 

function over form or form over function. The latter is just rice if you do too much.