Just purchased my 2002 S2000 earlier this month. I think the car is pretty clean overall, but there are some preventative maintenance items I’ve started and a few more I plan to get around to. For now, I’m more focused on maintenance over mods, but once I work through my list I’ll probably start considering some other items.

So far I have ordered/done:

• Engine oil + filter (done)
• Transmission fluid (done)
• Differential fluid (doing this weekend - didn’t have the 23mm wrench when I did the oil/trans)
• Brake/clutch fluid flush
• Clutch slave cylinder (ordered/delivered, will install with master)
• Clutch master cylinder (ordered/delivered, will install with slave)
• OEM shifter rebuild (went full OEM parts - the Honda grease took longer than expected but should arrive today, so I’ll probably do it this weekend or next)
• Serpentine belt (done) - going to replace the two pulley bearings as well.
• Valve adjustment (TBD, but definitely on the list)
• Spark plugs (TBD, will likely do with valve adjustment)
• Valve cover gasket + tube seals + grommets (doing together with valve adjustment)
• New soft top install (went with Sierra Auto - just need to find a full day to tackle it)
• Head unit install (car came with an amp/sub setup and an aftermarket head unit that’s probably 15 years old now. Steering wheel controls still work, but wiring isn’t really my thing so I’ll probably have an audio shop install the new head unit)
• Tires: went with Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS for the fronts and 71RZ SL for the rear. They should be here this week and I’ll get them mounted and aligned.
• TCT - trying to get my hands on a new timing chain tensioner. Not having issues yet, but at around 80k miles I’d rather replace it before it becomes a problem.


For now this is it, all simple enough to handle as a DYI, but let me know if i missed anything.

 

Congrats! And good luck with the new ride!

Are you going to be the mechanic?

 

Congrats!!

 

Congratulations and welcome! You sound like me a few years ago when I got my 2004. It was so exciting to start wrenching on the car. You have a good list! I would add coolant replacement to the list. You can find lots of tips here on replacing the coolant on an S2000. It can be a little tricky to get all the air out of the system and you want to make sure you do otherwise you can get into an overheating condition. Welcome aboard!!!

 

. Our cars are very sensitive to having all the same tires on all four corners. Wear and pressures affect the car so let us know your experiences. The tread patterns of these two tires are quite different. Not recommended to mix them so your input will be valuable.

The Billman TCT (timing chain tensioner) is a no-brainier and the Gold Standard here. Contact Bill directly on this site. 10 minute installation. I swear 20% of the messages here are how to contact him, it's easy!

Replacing the antifreeze is a 5-year replacement. If in doubt change it now and reset that clock.

-- Chuck

 

Enjoy.

 

Couple suggestions:
Billman tct. This is the only choice you should consider.

Oil filter, buy the S specific Honda oem filter. Follow instructions written on filter about torquing it down. Note, this cannot be done hand. Failing to torque it down per instructions risks filter spinning loose, engine fire, car burns to ground. Low risk, but it has happened many times, and Honda specs this for a reason. You can tell if they're trying to sell you the standard filter if it doesn't have the numbers 1-8 written across base (these are one method of torquing it, tighten 7 digits higher than where it lands when gasket first mates to base). There are fakes, so buy from reliable Honda dealer. Note, the fakes are fake oem filters based on generic Honda filter that fits all Hondas, but just has the S content written on side. So its a different size filter than the real S oem one. Also the gasket won't have the double raised metal reinforcements, which is entire point of S specific filter, so another way to tell.

Also note, a filter safety wire kit is another option. Then you can use any brand filter, tighten normally.

For the plugs, be sure to use the updated torque spec. Original was like 13lb/ft. Current (Billman approved) is 22 lb/ft. Undertorqued plugs can come loose, cause misfire which breaks off fragile plug tip, rattles around cylinder, destroying engine.

Note there is a sticky thread for stuff new owners should do and check. Find it, follow it.

 

Here are the threads mentioned above:

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/775...#entry18385384

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/102...replace-first/

 

Congratulations! What nice condition!

 

I actually saw you say this in another post but they are already ordered. Im hoping its not an issue since the backs are just the newer version, but ill keep an eye out for wear. TBD!