Should I put Ap1 flywheel in Ap2?
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8,759
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If you distill the essence of S2000 to one thing, its all about responsiveness. The steering, throttle, brakes.
The oddly heavy ap2 flywheel deadens an important aspect of the cars responses. Its part of an attempt to broaden the cars appeal to wider audience. To round off some of the sharp edges.
But its precisely these sharp edges that are what makes this car so great. Certainly a race prepped car with no interior and harsh suspension would be TOO sharp for even most here for the street. So the struggle is to balance just the right amount of sharp edges.
When it comes to flywheel, most here agree the pendulum swung too far the wrong way with the ap2.
A lighter flywheel is, imo, mandatory for the ap2 to feel like this car should. At least an ap1 flywheel, if not something aftermarket even lighter.
The oddly heavy ap2 flywheel deadens an important aspect of the cars responses. Its part of an attempt to broaden the cars appeal to wider audience. To round off some of the sharp edges.
But its precisely these sharp edges that are what makes this car so great. Certainly a race prepped car with no interior and harsh suspension would be TOO sharp for even most here for the street. So the struggle is to balance just the right amount of sharp edges.
When it comes to flywheel, most here agree the pendulum swung too far the wrong way with the ap2.
A lighter flywheel is, imo, mandatory for the ap2 to feel like this car should. At least an ap1 flywheel, if not something aftermarket even lighter.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,899
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From: Ontario Canada
The first time I drove my s2000 after installing an 8 lb flywheel it stalled on me. After that one time I never stalled it again, it does change things a tiny bit but you learn to adapt and overall it was a nice mod.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 63
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From: Newtown, PA
Yes, this! Also, I'm running the ACT ultralite flywheel with ACT HD pressure plate & OEM AP2 friction disk. CDV is intact because I'm pushing 425whp and want to alleviate some strain on the trans/diff. Great engagement, crisp shifting - very satisfied with the upgrade.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 908
Likes: 80
Idk why a flywheel would make it harder to stay in VTEC.
Yes, almost anyone would recommend using the AP1 flywheel.
Removing the CDV is not too important unless you're driving the car in an environment where you'll be doing succesive fast shifts and requiring instant clutch engagement.
If you track a car with a CDV, you will have MASSIVE clutch overheating and slippage toward the end of a long session, for example.
If you drag race a car with a CDV, your power shifts will not be as crisp.
If you don't do either one of those...you won't even notice whether the CDV is there or not.
Yes, almost anyone would recommend using the AP1 flywheel.
Removing the CDV is not too important unless you're driving the car in an environment where you'll be doing succesive fast shifts and requiring instant clutch engagement.
If you track a car with a CDV, you will have MASSIVE clutch overheating and slippage toward the end of a long session, for example.
If you drag race a car with a CDV, your power shifts will not be as crisp.
If you don't do either one of those...you won't even notice whether the CDV is there or not.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
I put the AP1 flywheel in my 05 AP2 4 years ago and it is great. I left the cdv in and haven’t had any problems. If you shift fast enough you can still keep it in Vtec.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Thanks for reply Christian. Good to know looks like I'm going for it then!
Did it feel like there was enough RPM range to play with the faster reving despite the AP2 having 1000rpms less than AP1?
Did it feel like there was enough RPM range to play with the faster reving despite the AP2 having 1000rpms less than AP1?