I notice a couple of threads where it was mentioned about filling up with Super unleaded petrol, although they didn't expand on whether it makes much difference.

Is this likely to make a noticeable difference to the performance? Is it any good for the engine long term?
Does a decent Air Filter make any difference?
Can the car be chipped - if so, what does it push the bhp up to?
Will the drive train take the strain?
Are there any simple (DIY) tweaks to improve performance without adding expensive hardware like Turbo's or re-boring etc.?

Questions, questions ...

Answers on a postage stamp please.

 

hello from the US...Inregards to your questions YES!!

higher octane gas always improves performance and should always be used for the S2000 engine so is not to damage it. Because it runs at a lofty 11:1 compression and goes up to 9000RPMS! The higher the octane the better it prevents things like detonation and pinging. Please use 91+ octane rating. as for perfomance it is a little improvement just mostly keeps your engine running and problem free.
As for air filters yes a big differance. This is how your car breaths the less restrictions the better. for just a filter replacement K&N is great, but better yet add a Cold Air Intake. This will give you noticable gains that you can feel and a meaner sound esp. as the RPM's rise.
There are many forms of "Chips" out there just depends on how much you want to spend and what you want to put into it. Makers like Spoon, AEM, Apexi, etc...
The drive train will be fine people put turbos and superchargers on these cars with out changing out the drive train. Now again there are many companies out there that offer upgraded componants for you just depends how much you want to spend.
As for DIY yes and no just find other threads of what people have done.
thats my .02

Travis
PM if you want

 

Careful. Super Unleaded (Also known as lead replacement fuel) here are allowed to contain some lead, as long as it does not exceed a certain amount. Better off paying a few extra cents for the premium unleaded.

Over the long term, it may poison your oxygen sensor and cat.

Decent air filter? Probably not a lot. Not a drop in anyway. A CAI gives you just noticeable power. Just my 2cents.

Chipped? Yes, the engine runs rich and timing can be advanced as much as 5 degrees in some places. Lots of power to be gained there.

Drivetrain is good to about 350Kw at the flywheel. So says some turbo manufacturers. I'm sure people have snapped axles well under that, though that could be driver error.

 

Thanks fella's ...thats all really useful info.

When you talk about adding a cold air intake, I know this would make a difference because of the way my bike runs in the cold.
Do you just add a tube of some kind to the main inlet and put it further forward ahead of heated parts of the engine?

Also ...if a new filter allows more air in doesn't this affect the mixture and does it mean it needs to be re-tuned?

Do mods like this have any effect on your warranty if you still take it in to the dealer for regular servicing?

 

cerberus, you should really post a query in the UK Forums - there's a lot on this subject.

Some quick answers:

The S2000 can run on premium unleaded, but should be run on Super Unleaded.

Super Unleaded in the UK is higher octane (97 octane as opposed to 95 octane for premium unleaded. Note that the UK quotes octane differently than the US.)

There's also Optimax which is ~98 octane.

UK Super unleaded isn't LRP - there's no lead in it.

-Brian.

 

Thanks.

Yes I was trying to work out the best place for the post but I couldn't see anything specific. It seemed like the right choice at the time. I'll have a look around and try to re-direct things a bit.

 

Hmmmm..... where might i find this mystical Optimax u speak of??

 

Don't know if you have 'Shell' stations over there ...but they have it at most of their petrol stations on some of the pumps.

I put it in for the first time last night and it seems to have made a slight difference to the acceleration.

thinking about getting it chipped now.....

 

If you have Mobil Stations there, they sell something similar to Optimax (High Octane, High Density). It's called Synergy 8000. (98 RON)

I personally found that Synergy had a better response rate, but Optimax went further and had a smoother acceleration and idle.

 

im confused now. the synergy 8000 is pumpgas? and i can get it at any mobil stations? is that what i get when i put in premium???? sorry if i sound stupid