Using the s2k to its potential
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 305
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From: South East Queensland Oz.
I have an auto 1994 Mercury Capri I bought for a daughter who needed an auto after an operation. It has similar miles to your S2000.
These have Mazda 323 running gear, [3 speed auto, with overdrive] with about 2 chicken power when new. It revs to 6500 in first & second if you try to keep up with a fit young cyclist away from the lights.
If a little old Mazda can handle it, I'm sure a Honda in reasonable condition can.
These have Mazda 323 running gear, [3 speed auto, with overdrive] with about 2 chicken power when new. It revs to 6500 in first & second if you try to keep up with a fit young cyclist away from the lights.
If a little old Mazda can handle it, I'm sure a Honda in reasonable condition can.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Charleston, SC. \>
Originally Posted by Gigdy' timestamp='1434972186' post='23655885
Rev to 9k and taxis still leave you in the dust here.
In third gear at redline, my AP2 is at 75 mph. Where I'm at it's 10 over the max....
I hear you about using the car to it's potential, but on public roads in the US, it's prolly not happening....
In the fall I plan to install a HFC and a Flashpro and then get Gernsby to tune the thing where the VTEC engages about 3,500 rpm. That would be power I can use in daily driving.
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Joined: May 2014
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The car was built to rev high. Why would you NOT want to do that? The rev limiter is there to prevent revving to a point you damage the motor. Drive the hell out of it (safely on public roads though please .. dont be that guy). They didnt set the rev limiter so high because it would hurt the car to rev over 4k.
And anyways, why buy a car like this and not do what it was meant to do? May as well have just bought a del sol and baby that. I believe in buying cars to drive, not to look at. This is a rock solid car, treat it well (keep the oil checked and changed, all other maintenance up to date, etc) and enjoy it for what it is.
The previous owner autocrossed mine for 5 years, I am on season two. That is multiple 6500 rpm hard launches, shifting high in 1st and shifting hard at each event. We both drive spirited normally and never hesitate to run it well into VTEC on a regular basis. Zero engine issues, zero failed axles and even zero failed diffs in his ownership and in mine so far. The only thing I expect to maybe go is the diff one day seeing as how the autox hard launches are pretty tough on them. But the motor has no issues running the way it was meant to be driven. This would be one boring car if always driven below 4000 rpm.
My scion tC gets shifted at 5000 rpm a LOT (its rev limiter is just over 6000 rpm) and was autocrossed for almost 8 years, which meant it was bouncing off the rev limiter (short 2nd gear!) very often as well. Still going strong at 130,000 miles or so with only a wheel bearing, alternator and water pump failing. And thats just an econobox.
Do yourself a favor and enjoy that high revving S!!!
And anyways, why buy a car like this and not do what it was meant to do? May as well have just bought a del sol and baby that. I believe in buying cars to drive, not to look at. This is a rock solid car, treat it well (keep the oil checked and changed, all other maintenance up to date, etc) and enjoy it for what it is.
The previous owner autocrossed mine for 5 years, I am on season two. That is multiple 6500 rpm hard launches, shifting high in 1st and shifting hard at each event. We both drive spirited normally and never hesitate to run it well into VTEC on a regular basis. Zero engine issues, zero failed axles and even zero failed diffs in his ownership and in mine so far. The only thing I expect to maybe go is the diff one day seeing as how the autox hard launches are pretty tough on them. But the motor has no issues running the way it was meant to be driven. This would be one boring car if always driven below 4000 rpm.
My scion tC gets shifted at 5000 rpm a LOT (its rev limiter is just over 6000 rpm) and was autocrossed for almost 8 years, which meant it was bouncing off the rev limiter (short 2nd gear!) very often as well. Still going strong at 130,000 miles or so with only a wheel bearing, alternator and water pump failing. And thats just an econobox.
Do yourself a favor and enjoy that high revving S!!!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 543
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^^ What he said....also...I always try to drive the car to its potential at track and autocross events 
It revs to 9000 for a reason (AP1 anyways) and that's where you can hear the engine sing. As far as it being high mileage...as long as you take care of the regular maintenance...you should be fine. Good luck and enjoy!
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4bgmo8toD8[/media]
It revs to 9000 for a reason (AP1 anyways) and that's where you can hear the engine sing. As far as it being high mileage...as long as you take care of the regular maintenance...you should be fine. Good luck and enjoy![media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4bgmo8toD8[/media]
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It helps if you have ever ridden a 2 stroke dirtbike or a crotch rocket ... 9k doesnt seem so insane then 
The first real dirtbike I ever owned I got when I was 7. It was a Honda (is there any other motocross bike??) CR 60. 60CC, full built racebike ... actually was a bit dangerous considering what it could do for the size of rider that fit on it ... but ... I ran the crap out of that bike every single weekend for a long time and never rebuilt the motor (Was not racing it, just riding on the weekends). Lots of trail riding and hill climbing which is hard on them. At least up until about 10 years ago, I hear that bike is STILL running! That is 22 years of high revving honda motor folks! It has been passed down and passed down to family members. I hear the rest of the bike is beat all to hell ... but that motor still screams. Motors can do what they are built to do if they are high quality and maintained well. The first part was taken care of by Honda on this car, the second part is up to the driver.
The first real dirtbike I ever owned I got when I was 7. It was a Honda (is there any other motocross bike??) CR 60. 60CC, full built racebike ... actually was a bit dangerous considering what it could do for the size of rider that fit on it ... but ... I ran the crap out of that bike every single weekend for a long time and never rebuilt the motor (Was not racing it, just riding on the weekends). Lots of trail riding and hill climbing which is hard on them. At least up until about 10 years ago, I hear that bike is STILL running! That is 22 years of high revving honda motor folks! It has been passed down and passed down to family members. I hear the rest of the bike is beat all to hell ... but that motor still screams. Motors can do what they are built to do if they are high quality and maintained well. The first part was taken care of by Honda on this car, the second part is up to the driver.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Good discussion. I have a related question:
I recently purchased an airplane with quite a few hours on it. Accordingly, I've been limiting engine speed so that it never reaches actual take off. In other words, I just taxi around in it.
Do you think it would be OK for me to occasionally take off and fly?
My tires and brakes are getting a little worn.
I recently purchased an airplane with quite a few hours on it. Accordingly, I've been limiting engine speed so that it never reaches actual take off. In other words, I just taxi around in it.
Do you think it would be OK for me to occasionally take off and fly?
My tires and brakes are getting a little worn.