I'm thinking of buying a track day car, and was curious to hear what people think of going AP1 or AP2? The AP1's can be got for a much better price, but if I'm spending moolah, maybe I should save up for an AP2. I have previously owned an AP2 and loved the car, but then kids came and the car had to go. I'm in the market again, and would likely gut the car, install a roll cage, and start tinkering...

 

I think this is going to be a bit of a religious debate. I like my AP1. Some people like their AP2. It will also depend on your goal. Have fun? Win some NASA TT? Etc.

robert

 

I am curious to own an AP1 after having the AP2. If it is debatable, meaning they are close, I might go with an AP1 to save some money that can be put towards a roll cage.

 

Cannot go wrong either way... I would vote for ap1 with roll cage since you had ap2 before. Why not try something different.

 

I have owned/tracked both.

I loved my AP2 color combo white/black interior. I loved that I picked it up with 19k on the odometer and it was pristine. I have regrets selling it and always have my eyes open for a clean 06 or 08 GPW OR a CR, but those are the only AP2s that excite me (there was a 08 blk/red that if it were closer I would have looked at).

My AP1 is a SSM/blk 01, about as plain as it gets. It has 140k on the odometer and I have to check the oil frequently. The previous owner maintained the heck out of it, and added some great upgrades/maintenance items (bushings, new top, etc.). I paid $10k and then spent about $3k to make it exactly what I wanted. So for $13k I have a well maintained high mile "toy", that I never feel a bit of guilt beating the crap out of it or letting it sit in the garage for months on end.

Uniqueness in color/pristine condition of my AP2 aside, I like everything about my AP1 more. It is just a fun raw car, even having to keep up on oil consumption adds to the experience. Aside from what I mentioned above, I don't think that I could ever go back to the 2.2, I never would have thought 800 rpm would make that big of a difference, but it does.

Specific to tracking the AP1 does have a couple things to note:
-oil consumption, check your oil!!
-smoke screen from oil getting past the PCV, you need a catch can and need to be sure you don't overflow it.
-front control arm welds (lots of guys reinforce these, I did not).
-temp gauge, a modifry etc is a must
-retainers, check them when you buy it, check them every valve adjustment, if they are not cracked and you never money shift don't worry about them
-00-02 oil squirter banjo bolts, I wouldn't worry unless you go FI
-rear differential is a bit weaker, I never had issues.

Hope this helps!

 

^ What he said. Also, i've been tracking my 01 AP1 for 3 years now with no issues what so ever. And my car is still mostly stock with the exception of better brake pads and 17s from the AP2. I love how it also revs to 9000 rpm. In stock trim, it's the perfect part time track can and still drivable weekend car.

 

Funny how different people feel about certain aspects of this car. In particular note to the engine. I would never go back to an F20 after experiencing what an F22 does, especially with a 8lb flywheel and lowered vtec/tune. Its just a more practical power producing engine that takes less work to go fast around a track or on the street for that matter. It also doesn't burn oil or have any of the weak links the F20 had. The added rev band loses any luster once you mate an ap1 ecu to it. I also think the ap1 trans gear spread works better overall with the broader trq band on a tuned F22 has. Chassis wise it almost doesn't matter once you start modifying the spring rates and chassis tuning. Though the rear control arm geometry was refined in the ap2 for less toe influence under suspension stroke. A bump steer toe correction kit solves that easy enough on an ap1 though. I think the early ap1's are probably going to be the best option because they are the lightest and the cheapest. But the engines leave some to be desired. I have an 01 powered with an F22, but it took years of ownership to finally arrive with the best melding combo. It doesn't make sense to do right off the bat, unless you get lucky and get an ap1 with an f22 in it already from someone else's project or previous mishap.

 

ap2 is faster

 

In all fairness the OP asked about AP1 vs AP2, he didn't ask AP1 vs AP2 vs frankenbuild

Truth is if my engine takes a dump, a 2.2 setup as you have yours will certainly be on the short list, but you basically have a 2.0 with more displacement, so what is not to love

 

That may be, but the way my logic works is that the money I save buying an AP1 over an AP2 can go into making the AP1 faster! I'll save nearly $4000 or so going AP1.