I would be hesitant to use any aftermarket filter with the S2000. This issue is oil bypassing at high pressures (delta P). The EA filter media is the best on the market. However, the pressure drop in every aftermarket filter is too substantial and will ultimately cause the filter to bypass oil. The S2000 can see pressures in the 90 psi range, and most filters will start to bypass oil due to the drop in pressure across the filter media (most filters will only pass pressures up to the 70 psi range, therefore forcing the bypass valve to open).

Even though I'm an Amsoil dealer as well, I tell S2000 owners to use the OEM PCX filter - it's specifically designed for the AP1 and AP2 motors.

 

To SS444,

I wouldn't give up on using the Ea filter just yet. I have taken apart earlier Amsoil filters and seen the construction to be very well done (their filters were seemed nearly identical to what Mercedes used in their factory diesel filters). Those Amsoil filters had normally thicker walls, higher burst pressure, bigger filter surface area and media volume than most other brands.

I do not have the relief pressure values of the Ea filters but the Amsoil prev. generation SDF's bypass at approx 8 psi or 18 psi depending on the filter.

If the pressure (?p) drop across the filter, when dirty, only hits the bypass value at very high rpms then the Ea is still a viable option in my opinion.

What we need is to find out what the AP1 and AP2 motor's highest oil flow gpm rate is. Then investigate what Amsoil has for data on the pressure drops across an Ea filter (after typical dirt accumulation for 25000 miles).

If the Ea filter bypasses only in the upper 10% of the rpm range I (personally) would be happy with that, since we spend very little time with the engine over 90% rpm unless we are on the track.

If anyone reading this knows the AP1 and AP2's oil flow curve (or maximum gpm) please let me know.

 

I'm with you up until this point. LE-607 is a straight 90W gear oil. It's no thicker than any other straight 90W and it is, still, what Honda primarily recommends for the S2000 diff. They amended their service procedures to allow 75W-90 when they realized that 90W wasn't commonly available.

J.P.

 

I think the diff fluid is an area where a lot of people disagree. My recommendations are not from a sense of loyalty to Amsoil. I use the best products available for my S2000 and my recommendations are based on facts and/OR personal experience.

I've used a number of diff fluids over the years (LE, Redline, Mobil 1, Royal Purple, Valvoline, and Castrol) and I have had the best results with Amsoil. The only ones I'd personally tell someone to shy away from based on my experiences are Royal Purple and Castrol. I had a catastrophic experience with RP (different vehicle), and Castrol Gear oils really don't provide enough protection for the S2000 - again, personal opinion.

The biggest difference I noticed in my S2000 diff is the fact the fluid actually stays clean. No other fluid has come close. This tells me there is less point friction and wear. I put LE-607 in for ~4300 miles and it came out filthy. I think this was because it doesn't circulate fast enough in temps much below 80F, which causes a lot of wear.
The fluid that was in prior to the LE-607 was my second use of Amsoil SVG. The first use of SVG was for 3000 miles to clean out any residuals (it still came out pretty darn clean). The second fill came out clean (looked like it came out of the bottle) after nearly 6500 miles (these are estimates ... my maintenance logs are in storage with my S2000).

I think LE607 is a good fluid. I think it's best for the track and high temp environments. However, I won't use it again for street use - based on my previous experience. If I track my car, I might consider it though.
Nevertheless, as Road Rage has pointed out ... use what works best for you.

On a side note: I use Redline SI-1 fuel treatment. I have found it works a little better than Amsoil's. The only down side is the Redline seems to discolor if it sits on the shelf for more than a few weeks. Amsoil PI does work well though. I just prefer Redline SI-1.

 

I'm not talking about loyalties to products here. A feeling that something works better is proof of nothing. Unless you actually did an analysis of the fluid to determine wear rates, then you haven't demonstrated anything other than LE cleaned your diff better than amsoil did


The last thing I want to see when I change a lubricant is that it came out clean. This applies to engine oil, trans fluid, diff fluid, whatever. What that actually demonstrates to me that it was incapable of holding contaminants in suspension.

 

[QUOTE=slipstream444,Jan 21 2006, 03:07 AM]Don't use 0W30 in an S2000 unless you live in sub-zero temps.
It's NOT Amsoil's best oil ... especially NOT for the S2000.

 

Riceburn,
In my opinion, I wouldn't worry about the need to change the oil right away although Slipstream might add his feelings.
Amsoils lubes are all very good, but some as Slipstream says might be better.
If you plan to track the machine or do a lot of redlining then a change to the heavier oils would be advisable.
Nonetheless, this oil should protect from wear etc very well until your next change.

 

Although I do find it entertaining to read personal opinions offered as expert advice on lubricants (and it's always good to hear from a shipmate serving our country overseas), I would prefer to see your UOA's on the products you are using and making "this is better than that" comparisons. To my knowledge, the only UOA on gear oil that I've seen on this site is the one I posted almost a year ago for LE-607. I don't remember seeing any UOA's for transmission fluid either. With all the members on this site that are interested in getting the best lubrication they can find to put in their S2K, we should have a very substantial library of comparative UOA data by now. There aren't that many products to chose from, especially for suitable transmission and differential lubes.
My UOA on LE-607, after 8K miles, showed unusually high nickel (a wear metal) content. This concerns me, but I have nothing to compare it to with other S2K UOA's using other GL-5 products. I plan to do another UOA, but it will only compare what I am already using.
Any UOA information that can be offered would be even more appreciated than your already expert opinions. Thanks.
Jack

 

Here's my opinion on the Series 2000 0W30 from Amsoil - it's no better than any other Amsoil synthetic. The extra cost you're paying is for the marketing.

Amsoil corporate pushes the oil because... well, there's a higher profit margin than with the 5 or 10W30 oils.
Amsoil really made no other consideration in their 0W30 recommendations than apply a blanket recommendation to any car that calls for any xxW20 or xxW30 weight oil. I spoke with their tech department and their lack of specific knowledge in reference to the S2000 was enough to support this theory.

It's wintertime so I wouldn't sweat using the oil. 0W30 will not 'hurt' your S2000 in cooler weather, but you are gaining NO benefit from the oil - you're just spending more money. 0W30 will not really provide your S2000 with an optimum level of protection at startup in hot weather though. If you used the 0W30 in the summertime should you worry? Probably not. If you drive your S2000 pretty hard in hot weather ... you need a higher viscosity. A lot of expensive parts are supported by oil.
I would say 0W30 is probably a bit too light for the S2000 for temp ranges reaching into the 70s. The 0W30 oil is a good oil (I used it in my Civic). However, after having oil analysis done on both the 5W30 and 0W30 on the same car (Civic) ... and not seeing a benefit (in the UOA numbers, mileage or otherwise) - I decided to save the $1+ a quart and stayed with the 5W30 in the Civic. 0W30 is not really mentioned in the S2000 manual as an oil option either. I would trust Honda's oil weight recommendation over Amsoil's.

My recommendations are 5W or 10W30 winter and 10W30 or 10W40 in the summer.

I hope this calms your concern though.

 

[QUOTE=Ludedude,Jan 21 2006, 02:04 PM] I'm not talking about loyalties to products here.