The S2000 is an open deck design as opposed to a close deck.
Open deck:


Closed deck:


as you can see around the cylindars there is a lot more metal in a closed deck. Open deck designs are used in many high revving modern engine designs for superior cooling and in some cases just because it is cheaper. This is one of the main reasons you dont' see 600+HP NSX's running around and you do see 600+HP Supras running around. Aluminum + Open deck == lighter, higher revving (possibly), less capable of holding HP! Almost any car that is going to have a FI system, from the factory, is closed deck. If you run serious HP you should go Iron block, closed deck.


here is a good quote describing the problem with newer WRX motors:
"What are different are the Turbo motors. The SOHC EJ22G produced for the US market from 1991 to 1994 and the legendary DOHC EJ20G in production from 1990(?). The EJ series was designed from the start as a turbo motor package. It has been build in several different configurations and has under gone steady improvement from its original 240hp to a 1997 motor that has "280"ps, but the acceleration figures suggest a bit more than that. Current "tricked" WRX-RA road cars are faster in a straight line than the 32mm intake restrictor Group A rally cars!

The early turbo motors have a closed deck block. Up to 1995 they were build for the World Rally Champioship and were expected to see 400+hp fro just two liters. Pure racing engines. The open deck N/A motors have open spaces between the cylinders and the edge of the block that comprises the mating surface between the block and the cylinder head. The early turbo motors have a flat-machined mating surface with the cylinders and several water and oil passage holes visible on a deck of solid aluminum. The early turbo block is much stronger and more stable for this reason. It is designed to withstand the thermal stresses of turbocharging and stay together atmuch higher specific outputs than the N/A motors. The coolant circulation in the upper block and head region is particularly improved. "
http://www.spdusa.com/turbos.htm

 

It sounds to me like you haven't read the entire thread. The block is sleeved, the sleeves are no longer aluminium. It remains an open deck, however the material used has been tested in extreme pressure conditions. The sleeving was done by Benson which is a well known engine company in Cali. They do the blocks on many pro drag racers. (The block that I have now was done for Mike Simon when is was drag racing in NOPI)

How long do I expect it to last? A long time.

Also, The 700hp figure is not realistic for a streetable application. However a very similar (lesser actually - my head has some pretty awesome porting) engine configuration was run on Mike's drag CRX and made > 730hp, with nitrous and tons of boost. He had done hundreds of dyno runs and inspected the engine many times for wear...

Anyways, the car is streetable now, today/tomorrow we will be working on wiring in a wideband O2 sensor for data logging. Mike has also driven it around for a little bit to allow for the clutch to seat/break in before the dyno.

Things appear to be ahead of schedule. Tomorrow we are getting the injectors and fuel pressure regulator. A quick multiplcation to the fuel values should allow the car to run with the new injectors. Then we will start tuning in boost conditions on the street w/ wideband.

Chris

 

iiiiiiitttts aaalive....

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cjb80
[B]It sounds to me like you haven't read the entire thread.

 

You should probably close your deck.

 

I'm not sure what your problem is, but I maybe that money you spent on the S2000 should go towards some class. I was just asking some questions. A little touchy are we? Did you not get enough hugs this week?
Good luck with the project. It's a cool project...can't say the same for you.

 

That's the funniest thing I've read all day. I'm surfing at work, and almost got busted by laughing outloud.

But anyway, the disadvantages of an open-deck design become irrelevant when the engine is resleeved w/ iron ductile stuff - most are guaranteed for up to some ridiculous amount of boost (30-50 psi).

 

I don't mean to be a jerk, sorry.

The poster above is correct, if you have a problem that is going to blow through a half inch of dulcite iron, then you have problems regardless if it's closed or not.

 

Chris,

I second (and third) the idea that you have a complete write-up of what to do (and what NOT to do) in recreating the yellow monster. Granted, I could slog through the myriad of threads pulling bits and pieces here and there, but when it comes to the search function, I'm pretty lazy, like most. Wish I was still in Florida so I could see this thing in action...hmmm, maybe it's time to visit the parental units...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cjb80
[B]I don't mean to be a jerk, sorry.