Daily Slideshow: Turbo K24 Swapped AP2 Keeps It in the Family
Despite a crushing series of setbacks, the owner of this sweet S2ki wasn't about to give up on his dreams.
1. The Dream That Wouldn't Die
The story is familiar enough to most of us. As a budding young teen, Duc Trinh dreamed of owning his first car. So he scrapped and saved his lunch money, trading hunger for the chance to inch ever closer to obtaining some wheels. Eventually, that led to the acquisition of a '89 Honda Civic hatchback. But there was just one problem - he wasn't old enough to get a license. So at the insistence of his parents, he gave the car back. But his love of all things Honda didn't waver. After going through a few front-drive cars, he picked up an AP1. And even after blowing a motor and eventually losing the car to theft, Trinh never gave up on his dream, as he explained to Super Street.
>>Join the conversation about the Turbo K24 Swapped AP2 right here in S2Ki.com.
2. Bad Luck Comes in Threes
Trinh flirted with the idea of an NSX for his next ride, but his friends and significant other talked him into staying with the S2000 family. And this time, he was going to build what he considered the ultimate S2ki. So he began ordering parts before he even found his next ride, which turned out to be a clean AP2. As luck would have it, however, the stock engine gave out shortly thereafter. Trinh toyed around with the idea of an LS swap, but iLL Garage talked him into a turbocharged K24 instead. And things just escalated from there!
>>Join the conversation about the Turbo K24 Swapped AP2 right here in S2Ki.com.
3. Making Something Good Even Better
Before installing the new engine, which consists of a K24 bottom end and K20 head, virtually anything and everything that could be replaced with a lighter or stronger component came out. Everything was then balanced and blueprinted from top to bottom. With a Precision Turbo on top, the Honda mill now pumps out a stout 500+ hp and 400+ lb-ft of torque on pump gas.
>>Join the conversation about the Turbo K24 Swapped AP2 right here in S2Ki.com.
4. She's a Looker, Too
To make this AP2 look as good as it runs, Trinh installed a number of new parts, including Seibon front fenders, Auto Plus rear fenders, a Voltex Street front bumper, Auto Plus side skirts, and a +iNGS rear bumper. A set of Megan coilovers fortify the suspension, along with SPC camber adjustment ball joints and Cusco braces. The whole thing rolls on 19x9.5" and 19x10.5" three-piece Work S1 Meister wheels, which fill out the wheel wells quite nicely.
>>Join the conversation about the Turbo K24 Swapped AP2 right here in S2Ki.com.
5. Perseverance Pays Off
If ever there was an automotive example of what happens when you don't give up, this is it. Trinh deserves a lot of credit for persevering despite encountering multiple instances of horrific bad luck over the years. But it was clearly all worth it in the end because now he's got a ride he can truly be proud of. It's quite simply his idea of the ultimate S2000, and the stack of awards he's gathered up showing it off is a testament to his hard work and unwavering dedication.
>>Join the conversation about the Turbo K24 Swapped AP2 right here in S2Ki.com.