Daily Slideshow: Ways to Modify your S2000 Engine
Handling and balance are great, but you can’t count out big power for ultimate performance. The S2000 lacks torque, but makes up for it with a high revving engine that still has room for improvement:
Turbochargers
At a stock torque rating of 162 lb-ft @ 6,800rpm, the F22C isn’t going to uproot any trees. Adding a turbocharger is about much more than boosting peak horsepower to brag over beers. You need torque to take advantage of everything this car has to offer. Aftermarket kits that are paired with other modifications in this list can see big gains, but the fundamental principle is the same: to get torque out of an S2000 you need to introduce more air into the system. Boosting a car this way is efficient and cost-effective compared to embarking on an all motor build that will never produce the same horsepower and torque per unit of dollars spent.
Forged Internals
When serious horsepower levels are asked for (in either F20C or F22C) the limitations of internal components are bound to be tested. Simply throwing in forged internals is only half the story. In order to make the most of this modification, care needs to be taken that each part is blueprinted to spec. Kits run anywhere from $1,400 all the way up to $7,000 depending on quality! It’s a preventative measure that will allow more stress without the need to worry about parts blowing up all over the track.
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Cylinder Head Porting
Correctly porting a cylinder head is the key to unlocking power in any engine, but be careful with the F-series. They have large ports already (330 cubic feet per minute of airflow) that fit the higher end of the RPM scale. If you’ve ever felt the “laggy” nature of the S2000 at low revs, this is why. A true black art, this is one area of engine modification where you need to be very honest when assessing what the car is used for. Going crazy on porting can quite literally ruin the response of your engine and leave you with a lemon!
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E85
Alternative fuels have been huge in the aftermarket for the last few years. E85 is a very cheap way to add substantial power gains to boosted motors. If you’re using 91 only on a turbocharged F20C or F22C you are living in medieval times. Get with the 21st century and upgrade to this alternative fuel so you can smoke Mustangs when they aren’t busy running into crowds. It’s a safe fuel that is available in most places right out of the pump!
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Camshafts
Light enough to easily hold in your hand, this modification has a big impact when it comes to power. Cams can change everything from how your engine delivers its load to where in the rev-range it does so. It’s all about getting the engine to breathe better within the parameters you use it most. Street cams and race cams are radically different and may affect valve overlap (the time in which the exhaust valve and intake valve are open together). Camshafts shouldn’t be looked at as an individual component, but rather as one that works in conjunction with the other mods in this list to create a total package. Remember: getting big horsepower out of a small displacement engine is all about how the parts work together.
>>Join the conversation about ways to modify your F-series engine right here in S2Ki.com.
Anything else?
Hope you enjoyed reading this article. These are the modifications you should look to if you are pursuing serious power in any F-series engine. Individual application and numbers for each part will vary depending on driver ability and how the car is used. The most important thing is to understand there are trade-offs on the street and track. You can’t perfect one without hurting the other! Until next time…
>>Join the conversation about ways to modify your F-series engine right here in S2Ki.com.