Can anyone point me in the right direction to begin learning about performance modifications (i.e. turbo chargers, superchargers, exhausts, intakes, etc.)? I've never had any exposure to this aspect of motorsports, and want to start customizing my S2K. Only I want to do it the right way.

 

There are some articles in the FAQ section regarding a few customizations. It all comes down to how much you have to spend, or how much you want to spend.

If you have X # of dollars to buy everything under the sun, I suggest you do one thing at a time. For instance, start off with a cat back exhaust system, and then a header. Right know, there is an August special running in the Group Buy section for HKS cat back exahust.

Just so you know, the engine 'header' collects the exhaust through four tubes, exiting out of each cylinder then joining into one. This item is the 'header'. After that, the catalytic converter, and then the 'cat back exhaust' system which then duals out or stays as a single output in the rear of the car.

Most exhaust systems increase a little bit of the HP/Torque range, but the gains are usually minimal. However, the sounds are quite incredible and usually worth the extra few dollars you put into it.

As a suggestion, start off with a Voodoo knob from www.teamvoodoo.com and get yourself a JR Filter from Mingster's ImportDevelopment (banner at the bottom of the page) to gain a little bit of breathing for the engine. Then Bulletproof and ImportDevelopment can set you up with whoa power - brake lines, pads, and quite a bit of go-power including various suspension and exhaust components.

Most importantly of all, know that engine modifications such as superchargers, will reduce the lifespan of the engine itself. But is it worth it? You bet! Just use the search functionality for topics and see if there are any old threads around.

 

Thanks for the info. Part of my curiosity is why do one thing before another? For instance, you mentioned starting off with a header and exhaust system. Furthermore, how do these things relate to performance/reliability?

 

They help the engine breathe. Its important to get the air in and get the air out of the engine. The air filter helps the air into the car, as well as a CAI (cold air intake) which retrieves 'cooler' air, which isn't heated under your hood like it is now, into the engine itself. AEM has a CAI coming out very soon and we're taking deposits on those now in the group buy forum.

The intake and exhaust will not really effect anyreliability issues you might have with the car. The reliability of the car depends on how you drive it, and how you take care of it - in my opinion. Unless you stick a super charger on your s2000, even then, your reliability issues will be very minimal over what it is right now.

So, you have a few routes you could go towards:
- Intake (filter/cold air intake)
- Exhaust (header/catback exhaust)
- Cooling (radiator/hoses/coolant)
- Suspension (shocks/swaybar/wheels & tires)
- Interior (Rick's stuff & stereo stuff)
- Misc. (voodoo knob)

I feel that knowing your application for these modifications is just as important too. Also feeling the most of what you are putting in the car will have the greatest impact on your next modification. So, if there are any track events in the area (I know ben@bulletproofautomotive.com has lived in your area), sign up for them and learn the limits of your car and you - the driver.

That's my two cents.

 

Schatten (and others),

This brings up a question: do all of the CAI systems (AEM, Mingster's, Injen, etc.) use a stock air filter? You recommended the JR filter and you recommended a CAI, but do they work together?

Tanq

 

correct and a good point! the Mugen CAI, MG Racing CAI and the AEM CAI all use their own filters.

Mingster's CAI and the Spoon CAI use the stock box which retains the stock filter.

Thanks for catching that.

 

I suggest being really, really careful. The S2000 is an extremely nice car upon delivery and there is no rush for anything. Quality parts are expensive and you should understand their effect(s).
First determine the car's purpose;
auto cross (modification by SCCA rules only)
tuner or show car
street performance car
track car
Then do "site searches" on what's applicable, say "brakes" - "rotors" - "calipers" etc. Then do web searches for information. Then if you want a part like say a header for $1300, send $1300 to your lien holder to pay off the header that's on the car and will end up going in the garage, then buy the modified header for $1300. This way you won't be paying interest on parts laying around your garage and, if you can't afford to do it that way you're stretching and shouldn't be buying the part anyway.

 

On top of what Dave (4743) said, I'd recommend you research before you do anything since some mods will counteract others. For instance, for something like a supercharger, other items like header, intake, throttle body, or intake manifold work are not necessary and can even have a negative effect. Surf the net and do some reading... you may even go pick up some domestic magazines like Hot Rod. Combustion engine technology has been refined a lot over the years, but intakes, exhausts, headers, turbos, superchargers... the basic function has been the same for 100 years.

For what it's worth, it would appear that dollar for dollar, most intake/exhausts mods aren't worth it, at least compared to most other cars. Isolating the factory intake system (which is, by the way, one of the best out there) from the heat of the radiator and engine bay results in almost as much power gain. Exhausts like the Amuse add power due to improved scavenging (one pipe instead of two) but probably do more for you by shaving 50 lbs off the car.

For more "generic" info, check out http://www.autospeed.com (have to be a member for a lot of stuff, click the "free" link) and http://www.motortecmag.com. And before anyone says anything, don't pay attention to any S2k articles on Autospeed- they are full of crap.

 

What would you all recommend to S2000 owner as "must have"'s? Is there any item that you feel should have been stock? For example, would you tell all owner to start with the "Intake" upgrade because dollar for dollar it is a good upgrade regardless of intended use?

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Question - What are the most common ways people get more HP/TQ out of the S2000 while remaining NA?

 

The stock pressure plate needs upgrading, but then you get that as long as I'm in there a light flywheel would be nice since I'm paying the labor anyway. There are threads about economical heat shields which combat the warm engine compartment issue, or a cold air intake does improve performance dollar for dollar more than most modifications. I go back to, "WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CAR?"