Hi all!

Have had a string of many different cars in my 13 years of driving pleasure, S2000 has been at the back of my mind for a few years now.

I've just got a 09 S2000 GT final edition 38,000 miles on the clock full honda service history the only major mechanical work it has had done other than general servicng, tyres, pads etc is a replacement cam chain and tensioner due to a rattle this was done approx 1000 miles ago. The engine certainly doesn't rattle now and the car was also serviced approx. 1000 miles ago oil is very clean and at the high level.

My quirey is with the vtec, it doesn't really cut in with a punch as so to speak! You can notice the difference but is generally progressive when it's cuts in?

I remember going out in a type R civic a few years back and the vtec would really punch in. I also took a friend of mine out in it and he had an early S2000 (year 2001 I think) he said it seemed fine but he can remember his having a lot more punch when it kicked in.

I've read quite a lot and there are rumours that when they made all those changes in 2004 that they may have had a slight re-map although honda won't acknowledge this. I was wondering if they did give it slightly more torque that made the vtec cut in less aggressive from 04 onwards?

All your knowledge and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Apart from that all is well apart from the seized rear suspension arm bolts, which I'm getting sorted ASAP as geometry is well out!

 

Are you aware of the 09 engine issues? Someone will be around with more knowledge on that front to fill you in shortly.

 

It is very interesting that you feel there is little to no punch when Vtec kick in YO!

I let my stepdad drive mine home from the leisure centre when I broke my foot a couple of months ago, he hit vtec a few times but was in the wrong gear for it to really kick in (with a punch) YO!

I then told him how to basically drive the car, IE being in the right gear at the right time and then he really did start to appreciate the car.

I have been in and driven a few Civic Type Rs and I have to say the older model (EP3) had much more aggressive vtec pull than the S2000, if you really want an aggressive vtec pull then I suggest going out in an ITR (DC2) those things really pull nice when the vtec kick in YO!

 

I have heard about 09 engine issues, don't think there's anything majorly wrong with it? ( I hope ) The vtec cut in just doesn't feel very sharp???

 

Interesting what your saying, not quite sure I fully get what your saying about right gear right time etc? I think im keen to find out wether the vtec should be really punching in on a 09 S2000 and if there is any difference between pre and post 04 cars?

 

Later cars really don't seem to have the audible / marked change over that the pre facelift ones do.

 

my advice is enjoy the car the way it is

if it makes you feel any better I removed the vtec altogether from my DC2...

 

01 vtec was pronounced but as stated facelifts smoothed it out. Def investigate the engine info to try and minimise any problems for yourself.

 

Say you exit a roundabout in 3rd doing 30-40 and then engage vtec, the initial pull is not that great.

Now sawy you exit the same round about at the same speed but in 2nd (revs being at the brink of engagement) the pull will be greater as you are in the correct gear.

 

Thank you all for your comments and advice so far!

there is a significant difference between normal engine Rev range and vtec rev range but the cut in is just not night and day it's quite progressive, I think it's just how the car is unless anyone knows or experienced different???

Really appreciate all the helpful feedback so far!