New AP1 owner with some questions
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New AP1 owner with some questions
I recently purchased a 02 AP1 with 120,000 miles. I'm trying to learn as much as possible about owning this particular car and preventative measures I can take to make sure it's in top shape.
1) The TCT on my car was bad when I bought it. I replaced it with the Ballade TCT. My question is, should I take it in to have the timing checked? Is it possible that the cars timing is possibly out of wack because of being driven previously on a bad tensioner? The car runs and drives fine, but being my first s2000, I don't know what it SHOULD be driving like.
2) Cracked valve spring retainers. I read I should be upgrading to AP2 retainers? Any specific ones recommended? OEM? Anything else I should do while I'm in there? New valve springs?
3) I'm located in Los Angeles, any recommended shops to take the car into to do the valve spring retainers?
4) Common problem list says :
What do they mean by "+ 60 degrees lbs"?
5) Soft top issues? Do the AP1 have the same common tearing issue? My car has a brand new top on it and I'd like to preserve it. Do I get that bike chain cover and wrap it on the curved arm? What else?
6) Suspension : Car drives fine, plenty of grip and doesn't seem to have any excess play anywhere. But I imagine at 14+ years old now, a lot of the bushings are showing their age. I plan to autocross the car in the future eventually. What do you guys recommend checking? What do you recommend replacing it with? Oem? specific aftermarket pieces?
7) Interior : The seats don't have any tears, but the bolsters are definitely showing their age. Plenty of small cracks in the leather. Anything you guys recommend that I can do to either repair the leather, or preserve it for as long as possible?
8) Thanks for your time and knowledge!
1) The TCT on my car was bad when I bought it. I replaced it with the Ballade TCT. My question is, should I take it in to have the timing checked? Is it possible that the cars timing is possibly out of wack because of being driven previously on a bad tensioner? The car runs and drives fine, but being my first s2000, I don't know what it SHOULD be driving like.
2) Cracked valve spring retainers. I read I should be upgrading to AP2 retainers? Any specific ones recommended? OEM? Anything else I should do while I'm in there? New valve springs?
3) I'm located in Los Angeles, any recommended shops to take the car into to do the valve spring retainers?
4) Common problem list says :
Code:
Problem: Clicking noise from rear when moving in first gear or reverse. Sounds like two metal marbles. Solution: Honda use to torque the axle nuts to 180 lbs. The correct torque is now 200 ft-lbs + 60 degrees lbs. Torque your axle nuts.
5) Soft top issues? Do the AP1 have the same common tearing issue? My car has a brand new top on it and I'd like to preserve it. Do I get that bike chain cover and wrap it on the curved arm? What else?
6) Suspension : Car drives fine, plenty of grip and doesn't seem to have any excess play anywhere. But I imagine at 14+ years old now, a lot of the bushings are showing their age. I plan to autocross the car in the future eventually. What do you guys recommend checking? What do you recommend replacing it with? Oem? specific aftermarket pieces?
7) Interior : The seats don't have any tears, but the bolsters are definitely showing their age. Plenty of small cracks in the leather. Anything you guys recommend that I can do to either repair the leather, or preserve it for as long as possible?
8) Thanks for your time and knowledge!
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 13,862
Likes: 1,561
From: Chesterfield VA
Every one of these topics is covered in detail here with little need to repeat them yet again.
Sit down Saturday morning with a full pot of coffee and start reading the threads. Let us know if you don't understand something that's been posted or can't find a topic. Check the maintenance section first. You'll need the coffee as there are 16 years of notes here.
-- Chuck
Sit down Saturday morning with a full pot of coffee and start reading the threads. Let us know if you don't understand something that's been posted or can't find a topic. Check the maintenance section first. You'll need the coffee as there are 16 years of notes here.
-- Chuck
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 162
From: Fremont, CA
Responses in bold.
I recently purchased a 02 AP1 with 120,000 miles. I'm trying to learn as much as possible about owning this particular car and preventative measures I can take to make sure it's in top shape.
1) The TCT on my car was bad when I bought it. I replaced it with the Ballade TCT. My question is, should I take it in to have the timing checked? Is it possible that the cars timing is possibly out of wack because of being driven previously on a bad tensioner? The car runs and drives fine, but being my first s2000, I don't know what it SHOULD be driving like.
Your car is fine.
2) Cracked valve spring retainers. I read I should be upgrading to AP2 retainers? Any specific ones recommended? OEM? Anything else I should do while I'm in there? New valve springs?
Only if you track your car IMHO. Not necessary for daily driving...
3) I'm located in Los Angeles, any recommended shops to take the car into to do the valve spring retainers?
4) Common problem list says :
What do they mean by "+ 60 degrees lbs"?
The nut should rotate an additional 60 degrees AFAIK
5) Soft top issues? Do the AP1 have the same common tearing issue? My car has a brand new top on it and I'd like to preserve it. Do I get that bike chain cover and wrap it on the curved arm? What else?
6) Suspension : Car drives fine, plenty of grip and doesn't seem to have any excess play anywhere. But I imagine at 14+ years old now, a lot of the bushings are showing their age. I plan to autocross the car in the future eventually. What do you guys recommend checking? What do you recommend replacing it with? Oem? specific aftermarket pieces?
First that I notice to go are the rear left diff bushings and the motor mounts. Go OEM if you don't want additional vibrations, aftermarket if you want more performance and can tolerate more noise/vibrations. This is very subjective...
7) Interior : The seats don't have any tears, but the bolsters are definitely showing their age. Plenty of small cracks in the leather. Anything you guys recommend that I can do to either repair the leather, or preserve it for as long as possible?
8) Thanks for your time and knowledge!
1) The TCT on my car was bad when I bought it. I replaced it with the Ballade TCT. My question is, should I take it in to have the timing checked? Is it possible that the cars timing is possibly out of wack because of being driven previously on a bad tensioner? The car runs and drives fine, but being my first s2000, I don't know what it SHOULD be driving like.
Your car is fine.
2) Cracked valve spring retainers. I read I should be upgrading to AP2 retainers? Any specific ones recommended? OEM? Anything else I should do while I'm in there? New valve springs?
Only if you track your car IMHO. Not necessary for daily driving...
3) I'm located in Los Angeles, any recommended shops to take the car into to do the valve spring retainers?
4) Common problem list says :
Code:
Problem: Clicking noise from rear when moving in first gear or reverse. Sounds like two metal marbles. Solution: Honda use to torque the axle nuts to 180 lbs. The correct torque is now 200 ft-lbs + 60 degrees lbs. Torque your axle nuts.
The nut should rotate an additional 60 degrees AFAIK
5) Soft top issues? Do the AP1 have the same common tearing issue? My car has a brand new top on it and I'd like to preserve it. Do I get that bike chain cover and wrap it on the curved arm? What else?
6) Suspension : Car drives fine, plenty of grip and doesn't seem to have any excess play anywhere. But I imagine at 14+ years old now, a lot of the bushings are showing their age. I plan to autocross the car in the future eventually. What do you guys recommend checking? What do you recommend replacing it with? Oem? specific aftermarket pieces?
First that I notice to go are the rear left diff bushings and the motor mounts. Go OEM if you don't want additional vibrations, aftermarket if you want more performance and can tolerate more noise/vibrations. This is very subjective...
7) Interior : The seats don't have any tears, but the bolsters are definitely showing their age. Plenty of small cracks in the leather. Anything you guys recommend that I can do to either repair the leather, or preserve it for as long as possible?
8) Thanks for your time and knowledge!
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