V8 Swapped Honda S2000 Sold For Surprising Amount

With a GM LS2 and other tasteful mods, this 2001 Honda S2000 is a powerful V-8 beast!

By Mark Webb - November 4, 2021
An LS Powered Honda S2000 recently sold on Bring A Trailer for $27,500
This Honda S2000 is powered by a LS2 V-8
Other upgrades include aftermarket lower aerodynamic bodywork and custom exhaust with LHT Performance stainless steel tips.
The body was repainted from the original silver to Ferrari Grigio Silverstone
The S2000's bolstered seats were reupholstered brown and black leather.
Perhaps the original owner tired of the high strung nature of the Honda powerplant and decided more torque was the answer.  Certainly there are more unusual LS swaps.
Polar opposites, the Honda F20C's redline is 2000 rpm higher than the GM LS and requires every one of those revolutions to extract power.  The LS by comparison makes power just off idle.
While this S2000 is not the most pristine low mileage example, it is unique.

LS-Powered 2001 Honda S2000 6-Speed

Just $27,500 bought the new owner a well maintained 2001 Honda S2000 with 189k miles.  It does have a number of tasteful modifications, including a limited-slip differential, 16″ wheels, adjustable coilovers, and a stainless-steel exhaust. This 6.0 liter LS2 V8 S2000 proves once again you really can LS swap nearly anything with wheels.

Photos Courtesy of Bring a Trailer

Honda S2000 LS2 V-8

Equipped with an LS7 camshaft and L92 cylinder heads, the GM LS engine was installed by the original owner 8,000 miles ago.  The auction does not list the power output, but based on the LS2 crate motor specifications, the V8 produces somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.

>>Join the conversation on this V8 S2000 for sale right here in the forum.

Honda S2000 Tasteful Mods

At the same time, the transmission was upgraded to a Tremec Magnum six-speed manual.  A larger aluminum radiator with electric fans helps cool the increased displacement.  Other upgrades include aftermarket lower aerodynamic bodywork and custom exhaust with LHT Performance stainless steel tips. 

>>Join the conversation on this V8 S2000 for sale right here in the forum.

Honda S2000 in Ferrari Grigio Silverstone

Externally, the body was repainted from the original silver to a flashier Ferrari Grigio Silverstone.  The black finished 16-inch wheels provide sharp contrast and give the car a purposeful look.  The contrast whispers "I'm not to be messed with" instead of screaming "Look at me!"  

>>Join the conversation on this V8 S2000 for sale right here in the forum.

Honda S2000 Interior

Not to be outdone, the interior received attention as well. The S2000's bolstered seats were reupholstered brown and black leather.  The air conditioning works and the seller indicated that it has cruise control and keyless entry.  A leather-wrapped shift knob, S2000-branded floor mats, and headrest cushions add to the custom touches.  Continuing the upgrades, an Alpine head unit with Bluetooth connectivity is paired with an aftermarket amplifier and speakers.  

 

>>Join the conversation on this V8 S2000 for sale right here in the forum.

Honda S2000 Top View

The Honda S2000 used the F20C 4 cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower.  It's a high-strung motor that revs sweetly to 8,000 rpm like one of their sportbikes.  With a torque output also in the sportbike realm at around 155-pound feet at 7,600 rpm, it's an engine that has to be ridden hard to get the most usable power.  The auction doesn't say why the owner replaced the engine with an LS2.  Maybe they have wanted something different for the Cars and Coffee scene, or maybe at 189,000, the Honda engine needed a rebuild. Certainly, there are more unusual LS swaps

>>Join the conversation on this V8 S2000 for sale right here in the forum.

Honda S2000 Engine Bay

Granted the V8 doesn't spin like the Honda's F20C, the more powerful setup for the S2000 makes sense.  The redline is 2000 rpm higher than the GM LS but the Honda requires every one of those revolutions to extract power.  However, at the polar opposite, the LS makes power just off idle but is also 150 pounds heavier.  There are tradeoffs, but the choice is like six on one hand and a half dozen on the other.      

 

 >>Join the conversation on this V8 S2000 for sale right here in the forum.

This Honda S2000 V-8 swap was done right

If you are a dedicated Honda enthusiast, and the idea of this LS swap unhinges you like Joe Pesci being told to get his shine box, then this car isn't for you.  But if you want a fun roadster, with lots of tasteful custom touches and an LS swap done right, you could do far worse.  And at $27,500, the buyer of this Honda would certainly agree with you.     

>>Join the conversation on this V8 S2000 for sale right here in the forum.

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