well i managed to clean the s2000 today for the first time since i bought it and give it its first run around with the hardtop removed and the roof down.
The car is less harsh over bumps and the absence of rattles from the hardtop makes it a much better place to be.
i let my mate have a go as he was thinking of buying an s2000 or an mx5 like he had in australia… after a few runs up the local bypass he came to the conclusion that he is definately looking for an s2000.
i just need to start thinking about replacing the clutch sometime as it slips when you try to wheelspin it ,although it does not slip under normal driving yet.

 

If you have an 04 or later, it's probably just the Clutch Delay Valve (CDV). It prevents you dumping the clutch to prolong the life of the drivetrain.

 

Could just be the clutch delay valve kicking in if you're trying to spin the wheels up. Its in the later cars. I keep meaning to get mine taken out.

 

cheers .. i guess it is worth a try .my clutch does bite quite high up so that is what was making me look towards a new one ,but i will get it on the ramps at work and take the valve out first to see if it alters the bite point.
i presume there is only one bleed point in the clutch system ?

 

They all bit fairly high, although you can adjust it slightly at the pedal. Bleeding is easy, one bleed nipped, easily accessible under the car on the side of the gearbox. Just get someone to pump the pedal as you only en/close the nipped each time.

You can remove the valve, although some can be a pain to get the circlip out! It won't adjust the bite point though.

 

As said clutch bite is high, don't be tempted to remove the CDV unless you like replacing clutches, diffs, drive shaft cups, bearings etc., it's there for a reason and that's not just to spoil your fun.

 

As above, it's an hydraulic clutch, so the bite point doesn't change as the clutch wears out.

It's very hard to induce wheelspin in these cars from a standing start, so I'd stop trying if I were you.

 

Indeed.

The clutch bite's pretty 'soft' on them, which means too many RPM and the clutch spins up instead of the rear tyres and it gets smelly.

Too few and the car will bog, but that's probably less costly. You just have to learn to do it right & get a slight tyre slip.

Most cars have a CDV these days, because clearly no-one can drive. I only ever notice the 86's when H&T fast down the box (I double-declutch) into a tight bend, and then only just. Mind you, the S2000 has less weedy brakes, so the rate of deceleration would be quicker and the CDV more intrusive.

 

I've removed my CDV and not broken anything - but then again I can't remember the last time I tried a wheelspin, I think it may have been some time in 1996. I do like the way it removes the slight vagueness and gives the control back to your left foot again.

 

Same here, if you have a modicum of mechanical sympathy, you'll be fine.