S2000 Tuning | Drifted.com https://www.drifted.com The Ultimate Online Drifting Experience Tue, 22 Nov 2022 10:35:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 Ultimate Honda S2000 Mods Guide https://www.drifted.com/s2000-mods/ Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:34:24 +0000 https://www.drifted.com/?p=157165 Are you looking to upgrade your Honda S2000? Say no more. In this guide, we’re checking out the ultimate mods for Honda’s epic RWD roadster.

The post Ultimate Honda S2000 Mods Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> Are you looking to upgrade your Honda S2000? Say no more. In this guide, we’re checking out the ultimate mods for Honda’s epic RWD roadster.

s2000 track

Introduction

The years between the 90s and early 2000s were undeniably the pinnacle of Japanese automotive engineering – the Japanese couldn’t miss even if they wanted to.

One of the most notable cars to ever come out of Japan was the Honda S2000 – arguably one of The Best Japanese Sports Cars of All Time.

While the motoring public might know Honda for their reliable front-wheel-drive econoboxes and their sportier derivatives in the Civic Type R and Integra Type R, in reality, Honda started by producing two-door sports roadsters in the classic Honda S360 and S500 – two roadsters that would eventually serve as the inspiration for the Honda S2000.

honda s2000 intro image

After nearly thirty years since their last production “S” car, Honda would eventually unveil their SSM (Sports Study Model) Concept at the 1995 Tokyo Auto Show. Just a short few years after its Tokyo Auto Show debut, Honda’s highly anticipated spots roadster would be launched in April of 1999 in AP1 guise – the Honda S2000 was born.

Since 1999 was still technically the 90s and early 2000s, Honda, expectedly, still couldn’t miss when it came to producing jawdropping JDM sports cars.

What Honda really didn’t want to miss, though, was the opportunity to show the world that they are the small displacement inline-four-cylinder maestros, and they did that in the S2000.

The Honda S2000 AP1 featured the all-new F20C 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine with Honda’s patented variable valve timing technology – VTEC. The result? A whopping 240-horsepower at 8300 RPM from a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine – that’s 120-horsepower per liter. Absurd.

f20c engine

Even crazier is the fact that 8300 RPM isn’t even the F20C’s fuel cut redline as the S2000’s F20C powerplant will continue to sing to an ear-piercing 9000 RPM – truly astonishing stuff from a small displacement four-cylinder Honda engine.

Honda would later release an updated version of the S2000 called the AP2. Mandatory updates to aesthetics aside, the most notable changes would be the now stroked 2.2-liter F22C engine that sacrificed the screaming 9000 RPM redline for more torque at lower RPMs

Throughout its lifetime and up until today, the S2000 continues to be a popular JDM project car for track days, time attacks, auto-cross, and drifting. The S2000’s lightweight rear-wheel-drive platform gives it very precise handling and reliability synonymous with Honda engineering.

Whatever your goals are for your Honda S2000, we have compiled the best upgrades and mods that will bring out the legendary Honda roadster’s full potential.

Best S2000 Coilovers

To this day, the Honda S2000 continues to be a very competitive chassis in just about any motorsport event.

In stock form, the S2000 already boasts fun and competitive handling characteristics. However, swapping out its stock suspenders should immediately yield a sharper and more direct handling feel.

As one of the most legendary roadsters ever made, the S2000 deserves nothing less than a reliable set of Coilevers from only the most reputable brands. These Coilovers should help you dial in the exact suspension settings that you want from the S2000.

Whether you want to take your S2000 to the track or simply want a lower ride height for an aggressive-looking stance, these Coilover options should provide a ton of adjustability settings to suit you and your preferences.

Drifted S2000 Coilover Choice

KW V3 Coilovers for Honda S2000

best coilovers kw variant 3

  • Manufacturer: KW
  • Levels of Damping Adjustment: 14
  • Construction Type:Construction Type: Monotube
  • Spring Rate Front: Progressive Spring (listed as 515lb/inch)
  • Spring Rate Rear: Progressive Spring (listed as 515lb/inch)
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase Link: KW V3 Coilovers for Honda S2000

The KW Variant 3 S2000 Coilover is one of the best (and most expensive) Coilover kits that you can buy for both the AP1 and AP2 S2000.

Rarely will you ever find a great balance between top-notch track performance and ride comfort in a single package. Usually, you’re going to have to sacrifice one for the other depending on your ride priorities.

However, the KW Variant 3 Coilovers for the S2000 should have no problems providing you with both the time-shattering performance you need on track and the ride comfort for the cruise home.

The KW Variant 3 for the S2000 can get a bit pricey, so if you’re looking for a more affordable yet still competitive Coilover option for your S2000, check out our Honda S2000 Coilover Guide where we have outlined a ton of Coilover options for the S2000.

Best Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

For track duty, you’re going to want to opt for a Coilover Kit since you can dial in an almost infinite number of adjustability combinations for your ride height and damping needs on track.

On the other hand, if you’re simply looking to improve the look and stance of your S2000, then swapping out the stock springs to Lowering Springs is probably your best bet.

Lowering springs are just that – they are shorter springs that reduce the overall ride height of your car (in this case, the S2000) The reduced ride height generally improves cornering behavior significantly by reducing overall body roll.

Since only the springs are swapped out, changing to lowering springs shouldn’t affect ride quality too much since you’re probably still going to keep the stock shock absorbers anyway.

With that said, lowering springs are the easiest and most cost-effective way of improving your S2000’s looks and handling.

Drifted S2000 Lowering Springs Winner

TEIN S.Tech Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

tein s tech

The TEIN S.Tech Lowering Springs is widely regarded as one of the best Lowering Springs for the Honda S2000.

Compared to TEIN’s High.Tech kit, the TEIN S.Tech Lowering Springs provides a more significant drop of up to 1.5-inches for both the front and rear, which should immediately make the S2000 feel sharper and more agile.

The improved handling is probably just a desirable side-effect for most enthusiasts, though, since most owners are probably after the more aggressive stance anyway.

These Lowering Springs are designed to be used with OEM or OEM replacement shocks as well, so you should have no problems popping these into your S2000 and calling it a day.

Best Honda S2000 Seats

The S2000’s competitive chassis, suspension, and engine make it a driver’s car through and through. It is one of those cars that will egg you to brake later and take the next corner even faster than you did the last time.

While the Honda S2000’s stock seats are already drop-dead gorgeous and comfortable, on more spirited drives, they will not be able to provide you with the support that you need to keep your booty from sliding over left to right inside the cabin.

The stock S2000 seats are not bad by any means. However, the moment you start swapping out the stock S2000 springs for lowering springs or Coilovers, your S2000’s newfound cornering prowess will have you wanting more bolstering support from your seat.

For that, you’re going to want an aftermarket racing seat.

Aftermarket seats do not only look cool, but they also generally weigh less and provide much more lateral support than the stock S2000 seats.

While there are a ton of options in terms of aftermarket seats that feature an incline function, the S2000’s limited cabin space will still be a limiting factor to keep in mind when shopping for aftermarket seats.

You might also want to consider opting for FIA-approved seats if you plan on joining FIA-sanctioned racing events in the future.

With that out of the way, here’s our pick for the best aftermarket seats for the Honda S2000.

Drifted S2000 Racing Seats Winner

Sparco Sprint Bucket Seat

sparco sprint s2000 seats

You can’t go wrong with the Sparco Sprint Bucket seats for the S2000 – these are the best-selling Sparco seats in Europe for a good reason.

Coming in at just $400, the Sparco Sprint Bucket Seats offer great value for money. Its tubular steel construction weighs just 8.74kg – much lighter than the stock S2000 seats.

The Sparco Sprint also allows for a 6-point harness for added protection when you’re out on track. Oh, and the Sparco Sprint is FIA approved as well.

There are three color choices for the Sparco Sprint – Black, Red, and Blue. Whichever color you end up with, the Sparco Sprint Bucket Seat is an awesome bang-for-the-buck aftermarket seat for the S2000 that you can lean on. Literally!

Best Honda S2000 Intake

The S2000’s F20C/F22C already boasts one of the highest horsepower numbers for a naturally aspirated engine ever created. The sound it makes when VTEC kicks in (yo) is truly breathtaking and is something that not a lot of four-cylinder cars, even those released in 2022, can match.

Intake upgrades are a popular cost-effective mod that can help your car breathe better. For non-turbocharged engines such as F20C/F22C found in the S2000, intake upgrades usually don’t amount to any additional horsepower, even though the stock airbox might seem restrictive.

However, don’t write off intake mods for the S2000 just yet.

A well-designed Cold Air Intake or CAI might not improve outright power numbers significantly but they can make your car a tad lighter (thanks to the removal of the bulky and heavy stock airbox) and produce an exhilarating intake noise that adds to the mechanical symphony that the F20C/F22C plays at high RPM.

The improved intake noise might not be as audible as in other cars such as sedans and coupes, but not in the S2000 – the S2000 is a drop-top roadster! With a CAI, you’ll have front-row seats to the F20C/F22C orchestra while you’re driving around town or your favorite back roads.

The improved air filter design that comes with aftermarket CAI kits also filters air more efficiently compared to the stock airbox, so that’s a plus.

No engine mod is complete without an aftermarket Cold Air Intake mod. Trust us. A CAI is probably one of the first upgrades you’re going to want to do to any car and the S2000 is no exception.

Drifted S2000 Cold Air Intake Winner

K&N FIPK Cold Air Intake System

k_n cold air intake

Most aftermarket Cold Air Intake kits opt to reach down into the engine bay where colder air potentially resides. However, these designs run the risk of sucking in water in unexpected situations, such as in a sudden downpour.

K&N completely avoids this risk and opted to keep the air filter within the engine bay. A carefully crafted heat shield complete with a special coating ensures the F20C/F22C inhales only the coldest air coming into the engine bay.

The K&N FIPK Cold Air Intake System is a highly regarded CAI kit among S2000 owners, and it’s not hard to see why. The K&N FIPK Cold Air Intake System comes in at a very competitive price, promises one of the highest power gains in a CAI kit for the S2000, and produces an exotic intake noise. What more could you ask for?

Best Honda S2000 Supercharger

Purists who swear by the VTEC gods will immediately cry foul when they find out that you’ve added forced induction to an S2000’s legendary F20C/F22C.

Unfortunately, there’s only so much you can do to add power to an already highly-strung inline-four-cylinder engine like the F20C/F22C. 120-horsepower per liter in a naturally aspirated engine is already an absurd number to think about – you’re going to need Arnold’s muscles to massage even a bit more power to the screaming inline-four engine.

In stock trim, the S2000’s high-revving 2.0/2.2-liter engine should have enough power to keep things fun and exciting while driving on your favorite back roads. However, if you plan on taking the S2000 to more serious track days, you’re going to start to feel the need for more straight-line power sooner than later.

On a technical track with a ton of flat-out corners such as Thunderhill, the S2000’s stock power levels should feel fine as long as you’re able to carry speed through the turns. On tracks with long straights following a hairpin, such as at the Circuit of the Americas, you’re going to be left wanting more power down the main straight.

Adding a Supercharger kit to your S2000 is the fastest and most cost-effective way of adding outright power to the F20C/F22C.

Compared to a turbocharger, superchargers deliver power more linearly – power comes in consistently without lag. On the S2000, a supercharger will simply accentuate the stock power curve of the F20C/F22C, improving outright power while keeping the power delivery smooth and linear.

Drifted S2000 Supercharger Kit Winner

Science of Speed Stage 2 S2000 Supercharger Kit

sos s2000 supercharger

Thanks to the overwhelming aftermarket support for the S2000, owners will have a couple of awesome supercharger kits to choose from.

Our pick for the S2000 is the Science of Speed Stage 2 S2000 Supercharger Kit – the most popular and sought-after supercharger kit around S2000 circles.

Science of Speed’s supercharger kit for the S2000 is capable of up to 500-horsepower with supporting mods – that is an impressive power figure to have in a relatively tiny 2.0/2.2-liter four-cylinder engine.

The kit comes with everything you need to get it up and running in the S2000 – the SOS Supercharger, Engine management systems, high-capacity fuel injectors, mounting adapters, and a high-capacity fuel pressure regulator.

The build quality for the Science of Speed Stage 2 S2000 Supercharger Kit is undoubtedly top-notch. However, it’s the company’s aftermarket and customer support that makes it a truly world-class product.

The unbeatable build quality, awesome customer service, and reliability make the SOS Stage 2 S2000 Supercharger Kit our pick for the best supercharger kit for the Honda S2000.

Best Honda S2000 Turbo Kit

On a chassis that was built with having a balanced and predictable handling characteristic in mind, adding power through the use of a supercharger might be the better route for the S2000.

A supercharger kit will give the S2000 the power boost it needs but in a smoother and more manageable power curve that will help keep the S-chassis’ handling predictable.

However, if you’re keen on squeezing out the maximum amount of horsepower from the F20C/F22C, there’s really only one option – turbocharging.

These days, the question isn’t really about how much power a turbocharger can make, but how much the engine in question can take.

If you scour the S2000 forums for answers, most owners will report that their F20C/F22C makes up to 400 wheel-horsepower safely on 93 octane gas. Any more than that, and the S2000 will need a methanol injection to run additional power reliably.

Turbo kits are a popular upgrade for the S2000 since the F20C/F22C already have forged internals (pistons and connecting rods) as stock – which is rather impressive for a sporty roadster built in the late 90s.

If you’re keen on increasing the outright power of your S2000’s F20C/F22C, here’s our pick for the best turbocharger kit for the S2000.

Drifted Turbocharger Kit Winner

Full Blown Stage 2 S2000 Turbo Kit

fullblown s2000 turbo kit

The Full Blown Stage 2 S2000 Turbo Kit is our pick for the best turbocharger kit for the Honda S2000. Here’s why:

This turbocharger system is one of the more popular turbocharger kits for the S2000, and it’s not difficult to see why honestly – the Full Blown Stage 2 S2000 Turbo Kit features solid build quality and a full bolt-on installation. Full Blown also offers a couple of other turbine options for this kit if you have other brand and model preferences in mind.

Full Blown’s Stage 2 S2000 Turbo Kit is highly configurable with two ECU options, four injector options, the option to add a boost controller, and a ceramic coating option.

You can’t go wrong with Full Blown’s Stage 2 S2000 Turbo Kit. The flexible turbine and supporting mods options give you the flexibility you need to build the Ultimate Turbocharged S2000.

Best Honda S2000 Exhaust

No mods list is complete without the most popular mod in the car world – the exhaust upgrade.

A vehicle’s stock exhaust system plays an important role in keeping cars within the emissions and noise regulations that a country requires. Because of this, the stock exhaust system in just about every production car is generally restrictive and not to mention quiet.

For the S2000, swapping out the stock exhaust for a free-flowing exhaust system can help the F20C/F22C breathe even better, which can lead to a significant power improvement when coupled with a good tune.

An exhaust upgrade is especially important when you start adding a supercharger or turbo kit to your S2000. The faster the F20C/F22C can expel the additional air being force-fed by a supercharger/turbo kit, the more power your S2000 will end up with.

However, the additional power is not always the allure of the humble exhaust upgrade – we all know it’s always going to be about the sound!

In terms of sound reproduction, not all exhaust systems are created equally. Depending on the type of material used to manufacture a specific aftermarket exhaust system, your S2000 could end up sounding tinny and unpleasant. So, it’s important that you pick and choose an exhaust upgrade that not only adds power but fits your sound preferences as well.

Drifted S2000 Exhaust Winner

HKS Hi-Power S2000 Exhaust

hks hi power

HKS has been around since the 1970s and is undoubtedly a house name in the JDM tuning scene by now.

With a rich history and race-proven track record that few other companies can match, HKS brings their Hi-Power line to the S2000 in the HKS Hi-Power S2000 Exhaust.

According to HKS, the Hi-Power line was inspired by race-derived products that have seen extensive use in endurance and GT racing in Japan. The HKS Hi-Power Exhaust improves overall airflow and increases top-end power due to a less restrictive design.

Let’s be real here, though, we know you’re more interested in the type of sound the HKS Hi-Power makes, so here’s a quick video clip of the HKS Hi-Power Exhaust on the Honda S2000 in action.

At lower speeds, the HKS Hi-Power delivers a deep burble that quickly turns into an angry growl at higher RPMS – a sound that definitely will turn heads wherever you go.

Thanks to its awesome build quality, reasonable price point, and utterly delicious sound, the HKS Hi-Power Exhaust gets our pick for the best exhaust for the Honda S2000.

Conclusion

We have zero doubts that the Honda S2000 will be going down as one of the best roadsters to ever come out of the Land of the Rising Sun. Honda’s build quality and racing heritage can be seen, heard, and felt in how the S2000 rides and drives through your favorite back roads or race track.

The performance potential of the S2000 platform as a whole is so high that a few simple mods are all it takes to unveil the full potential of this legendary roadster.

We hope that through our top mod picks for the Honda S2000. With this guide, you can be rest assured that you’ll be able to find the best off-the-shelf products and upgrades to build the ultimate Honda S2000.

Are you looking for alternatives to the products we have featured here today? Feel free to browse our standalone mod guides for the Honda S2000. In these, we feature a selection of coilovers, lowering springs, seats, intakes, superchargers, turbo kits, and exhausts so you can choose the perfect product for your needs.

So, there we have it! We hope that we’ve covered everything you could want to know about modding your Honda S2000 in this guide.

Thank you for reading our Honda S2000 Mods Guide.

If you enjoyed this article, please share it with the buttons at the bottom of your screen. If you’ve found this information useful, then please take a moment to share it with other Honda, drifting, and roadster enthusiasts. We appreciate your support.

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

The post Ultimate Honda S2000 Mods Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> Ultimate S2000 Lowering Springs Guide https://www.drifted.com/s2000-lowering-springs/ Wed, 06 Oct 2021 17:13:36 +0000 https://www.drifted.com/?p=129981 Are you looking to improve the handling of your S2000 while also improving the aesthetics? These S2000 lowering springs will get your S2K sitting pretty.

The post Ultimate S2000 Lowering Springs Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> Are you looking to improve the handling of your S2000 while also improving the aesthetics? These S2000 lowering springs will get your S2K sitting pretty.

s2000 lowering springs

In a hurry? Here are our S2000 lowering springs winners

Budget Choice Drifted Choice Premium Choice
godspeed traction s ap1 ap2 honda s2000 lowering springs tein s tech honda s2000 lowering springs swift spec r s2000 lowering springs
Godspeed Traction-S Honda S2000 Lowering Springs TEIN S.Tech Honda S2000 Lowering Springs Swift Spec-R Honda S2000 Lowering Springs
🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now

Introduction

Even in stock form, the S2000 can hang with the most impressive handling cars in the twisties.

Honda is renowned for bringing out the best handling abilities in their cars, and although they’re not often used to producing RWD cars, there’s no arguing that they did a fantastic job with the S2000.

However, tuning houses across the globe have been fighting it out since the initial launch of the legendary roadster in 1999, eager to prove that their aftermarket suspension setup is the ultimate choice.

We’ve written this guide to sum up the pros and cons of the most popular Honda S2000 lowering springs on the market.

But, before that, we’ll visit the most common consideration when it comes to choosing the ultimate aftermarket suspension for your specific needs.

Lowering Springs vs. Coilovers

When you dive into the controversial world of aftermarket suspension setups, you’ll revisit years of arguments on owners’ clubs about whether owners prefer coilover or suspension setups.

The beauty of tuning your car is that you can choose the perfect setup for your specific budget and requirements.

If you’re entirely new to aftermarket suspension, we highly recommend checking out our Coilovers Vs. Lowering Springs guide to help you decide which one will be best for you. We even dive into air ride and air cup setups to answer all of your suspension questions.

While both lowering springs and coilovers will vastly improve the looks of your S2K, coilovers come at a price that some of you would prefer to spend on other S2000 tuning upgrades.

black 2007 eibach lowering springs enkei rpf1 honda

With the savings made by opting for lowering springs instead of coilovers, you could perhaps consider an exhaust or intake upgrade.

Or, if you have big-power goals for your S2000, where handling isn’t so much of a priority, you could put the money saved into a turbo or supercharger upgrade.

Although S2000 coilovers are undisputably more adjustable and superior for track use, they often come at the cost of both cost and comfort.

Lowering your S2K by a small amount on lowering springs transforms the car’s aesthetics, improves the handling, and often retains the OEM comfort that Honda provided from the factory.

A coilover kit combines the abilities of a strut, with the damping of a shock within a single unit, instead of separate struts, mounts, and springs found on the OEM setup.

For this reason, lowering springs are often the perfect solution for a daily driven S2000 that looks the part when cruising the streets.

Fitting S2000 Lowering Springs

Thankfully, lowering springs fit onto your existing suspension setup, so all you’ll need to do is swap the old OEM springs over with the upgraded shiny upgraded ones before you can get back to cruising the streets.

black s2000 honda lowering springs esm 002r gold poke skunk2

However, some enthusiasts may also opt to upgrade the shocks with their new springs, with Koni Yellow Sport Shocks being the most popular choice.

However, once you’ve paid out for both shocks and springs, you’ll likely be forking out similar money as you would for a full coilover setup.

Although installing springs isn’t the most challenging task, we would recommend having a qualified mechanic or a knowledgeable friend help you out if you’re not too familiar with a spanner.

There are some fantastic videos on YouTube to show how its done, such as this:

Best Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

Now that you’re confident lowering springs are the best option for your needs, let’s take a look at the best kits on the market for your S2000.

Tein High.Tech Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

tein high tech honda

Our comment: Also known as the Luxury Master TEIN H.Tech, this progressive lowering spring kit is one of two options provided by JDM legends, TEIN.

The main benefit of this kit over the S.Tech alternative below is that this provides superior comfort, which makes them perfect for a slight drop on a daily driven S2K.

However, if you’re willing to sacrifice some ride comfort in exchange for a more significant drop and superior handling, then the S.Tech below is going to be the better option.

TEIN’s suspension offerings are among the finest in the market, and this “gentleman’s choice” option certainly won’t disappoint if you’re looking for an OEM feel with superior handling and a slightly lowered stance compared to stock.

Manufacturer description: “TEIN High.Tech springs utilize the latest spring and material technology to optimize comfort, performance, and quality.“

“Designed and tested in North America to be used in conjunction with OEM or similar shocks for excellent ride comfort and slightly increased handling.“

TEIN S.Tech Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

tein s tech honda

Our comment: Unlike the luxury-spec High.Tech kit above, which prioritizes comfort, the S.Tech lowering springs from TEIN puts handling at the forefront and provides a more significant drop.

This kit is one of the most popular choices and is often considered the ultimate choice when it comes to S2K lowering springs.

With a reasonable price tag, along with a sporty yet non-crashy ride and improved handling, it’s easy to see why these progressive springs are so popular among enthusiasts.

Manufacturer description: “TEIN S.Tech Springs are an excellent step towards suspension tuning. They offer approximately a 1.5 inch drop for a more aggressive appearance and increased road holding capability.“

“Designed to be used with OEM or OEM replacement shocks.“

Swift Spec-R Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

swift spec

  • Manufacturer: Swift Springs
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 1999-2009 (AP1 & AP2)
  • Front height reduction: 1.25″
  • Rear height reduction: 1.25″
  • Spring rate front: 7.5kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 7.0 kg/mm
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: Swift Spec-R Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

Our comment: The Swift Spec-R springs are another popular choice among S2000 enthusiasts, and many believe that these, combined with the Koni dampers, provide the perfect match.

If you’re planning on frequently heading to the track yet feel that lowering springs will be an ideal option, then these could be a perfect choice.

Built with track action in mind, these springs are designed to utilize the full potential that your OEM or upgraded shock has to offer while also being comfortable enough for daily use.

Manufacturer description: “Built for track duty, Swift Spec-R springs are designed at the upper limits of the OEM shock valving. Track tested and tuned for optimum performance yet comfortable enough for a daily driver.“

“From HPDE events to SCCA competition, Swift Spec-R Sport Springs are made for the track enthusiast looking to take their vehicle to the next level.“

Eibach Pro-Kit Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

eibach pro kit ap1 ap2 honda

  • Manufacturer: Eibach
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 1999-2009 (AP1 & AP2)
  • Front height reduction: 1″
  • Rear height reduction: 1″
  • Spring rate front: 4.7kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 6.1kg/mm
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: Eibach Pro-Kit Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

Our comment: Another aftermarket suspension giant brings their hand to the table, and this time it’s Eibach with their Pro-Kit.

With one of the smallest drops, Eibach’s goal is to provide the benefits that lowering springs have to offer while enforcing less pressure on your dampers compared to competitors to ensure maximum longevity.

This kit aims to improve upon Honda’s intentions, reducing body roll on the corners, nose-diving under braking, and squatting under acceleration.

With Eibach’s million-mile warranty, you can guarantee that this kit has been built to last and surely won’t disappoint along the way.

Manufacturer description: “The Eibach Pro-Kit is the perfect answer for most popular street cars. It´s our legendary spring system that dramatically improves both a vehicle´s street performance and appearance.“

“Every Eibach Pro-Kit is designed and tested by our suspension engineers and performance driving professionals, to deliver aggressive good looks and high performance handling, without compromising safety or ride quality.“

Spoon Sports Progressive Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

spoon progressive ap1 ap2 honda

  • Manufacturer: Spoon Sports
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 1999-2009 (AP1 & AP2)
  • Front height reduction: 1″
  • Rear height reduction: 1″
  • Spring rate front: 4.7kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 6.9kg/mm
  • Value for money: ???
  • Purchase link: Spoon Sports Progressive Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

Our comment: Honda fanboys rejoice! SPOON Sports enters the market with these progressive springs.

Designed to provide optimal ride height and camber, these will give a smooth ride while daily cruising but still provide optimal handling at speed.

While these will be a great choice, it’s difficult to ignore that they’re more than twice the price of some alternatives.

SPOON recommends using these with their dampers for optimal performance, but that’ll undoubtedly put you well into respectable coilover budget territory.

If you’re willing to pay the SPOON scene tax, we’re sure these will serve you well, but we feel the additional cash could be better spent on alternative upgrades.

Manufacturer description: “Spoon progressive springs are designed to provide optimal ride height and camber, while working in conjunction with the stock dampers or the uprated Spoon fixed dampers.“

“The progressive spring lowers the vehicle ride height reducing the amount of roll, increasing manoeuvrability and stability without compromise to ride quality. Comfortable ride at city driving speeds and stiffer, more responsive handling at higher speeds.“

H&R Sport Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

h and r sport honda

  • Manufacturer: H&R
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 1999-2009 (AP1 & AP2)
  • Front height reduction: 0.75″
  • Rear height reduction: 0.6″
  • Spring rate front: 5.2kg/mm (Approx.)
  • Spring rate rear: 5.8kg/mm (Approx.)
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: H&R Sport Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

Our comment: If you’re looking for a minimal drop along with near-OEM ride comfort, then this progressive spring kit may be for you.

Hugely popular among S2000 owners and with an incredibly reasonable price tag to match, H&R provides one of the best all-around packages with this kit.

If you’re looking to slam your S2K, there will be better-suited alternatives, but as a sensible option to improve your S2K’s handling while maintaining practicality, you can’t go wrong here.

Manufacturer description: “Sport Spring kits are H&R’s number one selling product. Enhance the look of your vehicle with a reduced fender well gap.“

“H&R Sport Springs lower the vehicle center of gravity and reduce body roll for better handling. The progressive spring rate design provides superb ride quality and comfort.“

Espelir Active Super Down Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

espelir active super down ap1 ap2 honda

  • Manufacturer: Espelir
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 1999-2009 (AP1 & AP2)
  • Front height reduction: 1.2″
  • Rear height reduction: 1.6″
  • Spring rate front: 5.5kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 7kg/mm
  • Value for money: ?????

Our comment: If you’re after a noticeable drop, this Espelir ASD kit is a popular choice with S2000 owners, with many that have fitted this kit believe it sits even lower than stated by Espelir.

Although these springs are becoming increasingly difficult to source, with many suppliers discontinuing their stock, many believe that these are the best value for money kit out there - assuming you can get your hands on them!

While we wouldn’t typically recommend going for used springs, it may be your only opportunity to get your hands on these in the current market. However, we feel there are enough great alternatives to consider where you won’t need to worry about lifespan.

Manufacturer description: “n accepting the challenge to develop superior suspension springs that meet governmental minimum ride height requirements while at the same time enhancing the need for road hugging good looks, ESPELIR proudly introduces LOW FORM.“

“LOW FORM continues the legacy of durability, refined road responsiveness, and superior technology that driving enthusiasts expect from the company that defines “Unrivaled Automotive Suspension Engineering.”“

Godspeed Traction-S Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

godspeed traction s ap1 ap2 honda

  • Manufacturer: Godspeed
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 1999-2009 (AP1 & AP2)
  • Front height reduction: 1″
  • Rear height reduction: 1″
  • Spring rate front: 3.0/6.8kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 2.89/4.6kg/mm
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: Godspeed Traction-S Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

Our comment: As the cheapest options in our guide, these Godspeed lowering springs may seem too good to be true, but we’ve been hearing impressive feedback from owners.

They’re certainly not the most popular choice, but they may well be worth considering for those looking to save their bucks for other upgrades.

Godspeed has used improved technologies with their Traction-S kit, which provides a multi heat-treated wire, preventing sagging over time, which many other brands suffer from.

Since they’re so confident in this technology, they’ve provided a limited lifetime warranty, which certainly makes them a tempting proposition for the price.

Manufacturer description: “Each GodSpeed Project Suspension product is engineered with care and further developed with comprehensive research and development tests while implementing advanced computer simulations.“

“ Parts have been tried and tested on the asphalt which resulted in championships and new records.“

Skunk2 Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

skunk2 ap1 ap2 honda

  • Manufacturer: Skunk2
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 1999-2009 (AP1 & AP2)
  • Front height reduction: 2.25″
  • Rear height reduction: 2″
  • Spring rate front: 6.8kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 4.3kg/mm
  • Value for money: ???
  • Purchase link: Skunk2 Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

Our comment: Skunk2 certainly isn’t shy when providing lows for the S2000 owners.

These springs have been the cause of many arguments among S2K owners over the years and have somewhat of a love/hate reputation.

Although they provide an impressive drop, enthusiasts believe that the setup works better when fitted the wrong way around (front springs in the back of the car, and vice versa.)

We prefer to go with tried and tested methods, and with enough fantastic alternatives out there, with plenty of R&D, we’d rather play it safe instead of switching springs back and forth to see what works best.

Manufacturer description: “Corner faster, stop quicker, and improve the look of your vehicle with Skunk2’s legendary Lowering Springs.Skunk2 Lowering Springs for the ’00-’09 S2000 are designed to dramatically improve handling performance and driver feel through significantly increased cornering grip and reduced body roll.“

“All Skunk2 Lowering Springs are CNC-wound using the highest quality SAE 9254V spring steel, shot-peen stress relieved, and corrosion-protected thanks to powder coating and specialized phosphate treating processes.“

D2 Racing PRO Series Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

d2 racing sports ap1 ap2 honda

  • Manufacturer: D2 Racing
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 1999-2009 (AP1 & AP2)
  • Front height reduction: 2.2″
  • Rear height reduction: 2″
  • Spring rate front: Progressive
  • Spring rate rear: Progressive
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: D2 Racing PRO Series Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

Our comment: Although D2’s coilover range is commonly used in the tuning scene, not so many have opted for their progressive lowering springs.

The feedback we have heard so far has been good, but unsurprisingly, considering the significant drop similar to the Skunk2 above, many have found it to provide a somewhat crashy ride.

Still, if you’re on a budget, and looking to slam your S2000, then these lowering springs could be worth a shot for the money.

If you’ve fitted them to your S2000, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this setup.

Manufacturer description: “D2 Racing Pro Series Lowering Springs feature an aggressive drop for those who want their car low!“

“To maintain ride quality with such a low drop, D2 Racing created these springs to be progressive rate which increases the spring rate the more the spring is compressed.“

Our winners

Our Drifted Choice goes to TEIN

Our S2000 lowering springs winner is the TEIN S.Tech Spring Kit.

Providing a sensible drop but prioritizing the ultimate handling capabilities, we feel that these lowering springs from TEIN are the perfect all-rounder.

Comfortable enough for daily driving, with enough clearance to get over speed bumps, yet up there with the best when it comes to throwing your S2K sideways or into the twisties on the canyons.

Thankfully, this excellent package has a reasonable price tag to match, which is why we feel it deserved the Drifted Choice award.

TEIN S.Tech Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

tein s tech honda

Our Premium S2000 Lowering Springs Choice

Our Premium Choice is the Swift Spec-R lowering springs.

Many believe these to be the best springs out there, and when matched with Koni Yellow Dampers, they’ll beat any of the rival lowering spring setups at the track.

While they’ll handle exceptionally well, they are more track-focused, which may not be ideal for those looking for the OEM feel that Honda intended.

Suppose you want something a little more sensible, the TEIN High.Tech lowering spring setup should definitely be considered.

Swift Spec-R Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

swift spec

Our Budget S2000 Lowering Springs Choice

Our Budget Choice is the Godspeed Traction-S lowering springs.

While this may come as a surprise, we’ve heard great feedback from many S2000 owners regarding this kit, and since it’s the cheapest on our guide, we feel it’s earned our budget award.

Godspeed is standing by their multi heat-treated wire technology with their limited lifetime warranty, which prevents sagging over time. Now that’s what we call good value for money!

Godspeed Traction-S Honda S2000 Lowering Springs

godspeed traction s ap1 ap2 honda

Thank you for reading our S2000 Lowering Springs guide.

We hope we’ve found the perfect choice for your lowering needs with this guide, whether you’re looking for a sensible OEM-style daily setup or going as low as possible on a budget.

If you’re looking to carry out more mods to your S2K, check out our Ultimate S2000 Mods Guide!

Photography credits

We would like to thank the following sources for the use of their images:

If you enjoyed this article, then please share it with the buttons at the side and bottom of your screen. Find this information useful? Please post a link to it on your S2000 owners’ clubs. We appreciate your support.

The post Ultimate S2000 Lowering Springs Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> Ultimate S2000 Seats Guide https://www.drifted.com/s2000-seats/ Mon, 18 Nov 2019 13:45:31 +0000 https://www.drifted.com/?p=46724 There's no doubt that the S2000 is an incredible car, but the stock seats certainly aren't up to the task when it comes to pushing your Honda to its full potential. In this guide, we'll show you the best alternatives on the market.

The post Ultimate S2000 Seats Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> There’s no doubt that the S2000 is an incredible car, but the stock seats certainly aren’t up to the task when it comes to pushing your Honda to its full potential. In this guide, we’ll show you the best alternatives on the market.

s2000 seats

In a hurry? Here is our best Honda S2000 seat summary

Budget Choice Drifted Choice Premium Choice
corbeau forza s2000 seat seibon type fc s2000 seat sparco spx s2000 seat
Corbeau Forza Seibon Carbon Kevlar Type-FC Sparco SPX
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now

honda s2000 battle tandem

We’re always keeping an eye out from feedback from our customers, and we’ve had a lot of positive feedback on our previous S2000 tuning guides, which will provide essential information to help you build the ultimate S2000.

It’s been mentioned by our fellow enthusiasts that the stock seats let the S2000 down, especially if you’re into pushing the limits of this awesome machine whether it’s at the track, or on the canyon run.

For that reason, we’ve dedicated this guide to help you find the perfect seats for your ride and provide you with the confidence to shred tires without sliding your way over to the passenger side of the car!

There are plenty of other reasons why a seat upgrade makes sense, perhaps you find yourself a bit tall for the S2000? Maybe you’re lacking in legroom? Or perhaps you just want to sit a little lower, whilst also being provided with far superior support in the twisties.

sparco pro 2000 interior

Whatever the reason, we’ve covered a huge amount of variety in this guide to ensure that we’ve covered your needs, whatever they may be. Whether you’re planning to do autocross, drifting, or simply freshen up your daily, we’ve got your back!

For those of you that are looking to achieve additional legroom, you’ll undoubtedly benefit from some of the slimmer frame seats in our selection to allow for maximum adjustment.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for extra headroom, there are seats which sit far lower, but you’ll also want to strongly consider your rail choices for this one. Cheap rails are often known for sitting much higher than some of the premium brands, so we highly recommend choosing carefully.

You’ll also want to think about whether you’re planning to wear a helmet now, or in the future, as this will mean you’re going to need additional headroom further down the line. We’ve also got you covered for this, as we recently covered the best choices on the market in our Ultimate Racing Helmet guide.

recaro armest closeup

If you’re planning to compete eventually, you’ll want to make sure that the seats meet the required levels of the competition. For example, if you intend to compete internationally further down the line, we’d highly recommend going for an FIA-spec choice.

Given that the S2000 is a lightweight car, you’ll want to choose wisely when it comes to considering the weight of your seats. Cheaper seats are often known for being heavier, but at the other end of the spectrum, the Carbon Fiber options will provide you with the greatest weight saving.

One of the final choices will be whether you’re looking for a fixed back bucket seat or a recliner. If you’re intending to hit the track, a fixed-back seat will always be our recommendation.

However, if you’re just intending to refine your daily driver, a reclining seat is likely to be far more comfortable on an everyday basis.

Finally, it goes without saying that seats are one of the most important factors when it comes to tuning.

Sure, you can buy some fake Bride seats and impress the guys at the local meet with your JDM points, but these fakes are not built to the same specifications, and we’ve seen some horrific outcomes from people rocking fake seats in the event of an accident.

bride seat peeping

If you’re looking to save a few bucks, that’s fine, we completely understand the appeal of budget builds, but we never recommend purchasing fake safety equipment.

We have some great options in our guide that will be even cheaper than the fakes.

If you’re looking to carry out more mods to your S2000, make sure you check out our Ultimate Honda S2000 Mods Guide!

S2000 Tuning guides

Don’t have an S2000? Then check out our universal best racing seats guide.

Let’s take a look at our aftermarket S2000 seat selection

To find out more about any of these products just click on the product name or photo.

Bride Gias II

bride gias ii s2000 seat

  • Manufacturer: Bride
  • Fitment: Honda S2000
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: Discontinued

Updated March 25th 2021: Discontinued. We recommend taking a look at the latest seats in the Bride range, the Bride Euroster.

Our comment: These are quite possibly the most stunning seats in the Bride range, and we absolutely love them so you might be wondering why they only achieved four flames for ‘Value for money’.

Although they’re quite possibly the best-looking seats in the Bride line-up, they’re also one of the most expensive. If you’re after value for money but still want Bride seats, their fixed-back Zeta range which we’ll be reviewing shortly is exceptional.

Don’t get us wrong though, the Gias are as comfy as they are pretty, and if you’re looking for reclining seats for daily comforts, these are up there with the very best. However, for competition use, we would always opt for fixed back seats.

These are more similar to a bucket seat in the thigh region than the Stadia seats as they offer increased support.

Manufacturer description: “By adopting a super monocoque shell structure and an all-aluminum frame, GIAS series is a sporty reclining sports seat which realizes both lightweight and rigidity. The design deeply envelops the driver and realizes high holdability.“

“For the GIAS backrest we utilize a monocoque structure shell for decreased weight and reinforced rigidity. The shell materials we provide are 3 types including the lightweight and strong carbon aramid, the super aramid black shells which have superior tensile strength the same as carbon aramid which is only used by BRIDE, and FRP.“

Sparco Pro 2000

sparco pro 2000 s2000 seat

Our comment: The Sparco Pro 2000 seat has certainly stood the test of time and is still one of the most popular seats on the market.

This great-looking racing seat is FIA homologated and is also suitable for use with a HANS device.

Weighing in at just 7.7kg, it should certainly be a consideration for those of you that are looking to go down the more serious motorsport route.

Manufacturer description: “The Sparco Pro 2000 is our most popular competition seat. It combines comfort and ergonomics with safety and performance. The non-slip fabric on the shoulder and cushion area and two lumbar support pads improve cockpit comfort.“

“Made from a light fiberglass composite shell and wrapped in a fire retardant fabric, the Sparco Pro 2000 features a seat design that cradles the body for greater performance. The Sparco Pro 2000 is FIA approved.“

Corbeau FX1

corbeau fx1 s2000 seat

Our comment: The Corbeau FX1 is a very similar design to the original Sparco Evo seat but at a fraction of the price. Don’t get us wrong though, the quality isn’t quite as good as the Sparco, nor are they FIA approved.

Corbeau has a good reputation within the budget scene, and if you’re looking to run bucket seats in your daily driver or for light track use, these will be ideal. For serious racing, we always recommend FIA-approved seats in case it becomes a requirement further down the line.

This ‘Pro’ range is the cheapest, which features narrower shoulders with racing in mind. There’s also the wider-shoulder FX1 and the large FX1 seats available.

Manufacturer description: “The FX1 Pro racing seat features composite fiberglass technology. The FX1 Pro combines comfort, performance, and safety at an absolutely unbeatable price. Designed with an emphasis on comfort, this seat is one of the most comfortable race seats you will ever sit in.“

“If you enjoy racing and want a practical and affordable shell seat, the FX1 Pro is a hard one to pass on. As a rule of thumb, the FX1 Pro racing seat will fit up to a 36 inch waist, the FX1 will fit up to a 38 inch waist and the FX1 Wide (black only) will fit up to a 42 inch waist.“

Bride Vios III

bride vios iii s2000 seat

  • Manufacturer: Bride
  • Fitment: Honda S2000
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: Discontinued

Updated 1st June 2021: Discontinued. We recommend taking a look at the latest seats in the Bride range, the Bride Euroster.

Our comment: If you’re looking for the ultimate low seat, Bride has once again come through with the goods on this awesome fixed-back seat.

This is almost identical to the Zeta, with the exception of the lower fitment, so it all depends on what you’re looking for.

The Zeta does have more variety when it comes to sizing, so if you’re looking for a larger seat, that may well be the better option.

Manufacturer description: “Our VIOS line-up includes a total of 5 seats: VIOS III standard model. the premium “Japan” model which uses high-class faux suede for its surface material. the basic SPORT-C model. the REIMS model featuring a full cover extending to the back surface and a one-point accent color. and TYPE-R with a high holdability in its thigh section. It is an active fixed bucket seat which can meet a variety of customers’ needs from sports-oriented to luxury-oriented and fashion-oriented.“

“Because VIOS utilizes BRIDE’s patented Lomax System technology, it enables a low position even in a tight seat space. Even if offsets between the steering and seat centers occur, with the Lomax System it is possible to set the offset to zero*. (In some cases certain models may not reach zero).“

Corbeau Forza

corbeau forza s2000 seat

Our comment: Branded as a ‘competition seat with a price tag for the weekend racer’, the Corbeau Forza is certainly excellent value.

The Forza features five harness slots for your race harness along with integrated shoulder support. Corbeau recommends this for those of you with a 36-38″ waist. They also have a wide alternative if you require a bigger size, which is for up to 44″.

These really are impressive value for money, and although they may not be the most exciting seat, they’re certainly worth considering for the price.

If black doesn’t tickle your fancy, you may want to consider the ‘Red’ variation.

Manufacturer description: “The Forza is the perfect entry level racing seat. The Forza racing seat combines comfort, performance, and safety at an absolutely unbeatable price.“

“If you enjoy racing and want a practical and affordable seat, the Forza is the seat for you.“

Sparco Sprint

sparco sprint s2000 seat

Our comment: Sparco’s Sprint seats are their entry-level competition seat, which comes in at a reasonable price for the quality. At just $400, these FIA Approved seats should definitely be a consideration for those of you on a budget.

With a steel tubular frame and 6-point harness slots, these are ideal for both competition and daily driving use. Weighing in at 8.74kg, they’re going to be far lighter than the stock seats.

Sparco says that these are the best-selling seats in Europe, and we can see why. Excellent seats at an even better price point.

They offer three color variations to choose from with these seats – Black, Red, and Blue.

Manufacturer description: “The Sprint is our entry level competition seat, perfect for weekend racers. It carefully balances safety, styling and value. The fastenings for side or bottom attachments on the tubular frame are better positioned on the shell while the holes for fifth and sixth seatbelt points provide improved safety. “

“This seat is made from fire retardant fabric and features contrasting quilting. Available in black, blue and red. FIA approved. “

NRG Fixed Bucket (FRP-300)

nerg large racing s2000 seat

Our comment: NRG is known for bringing some great-looking budget parts to the market, and these seats are no exception with the impressive $200 price tag.

These may be ideal for a budget track build, but with car parts, we know that you often get what you pay for, and it looks like it’s the case this time around too.

We’ve heard several reports of the quality being to a low standard with fiberglass and issues with the mounting holes.

These have been included in our list as they’re an exceptional price, but we’d personally look elsewhere for something higher quality.

If you are interested in purchasing these, then this is the large variation and you can find the medium one here.

Manufacturer description: “NRG Innovations racing seats are designed with the best of comfort and style to improve the look and performance in any vehicle. Great lumbar support and holding feel as opposed to the stock seats. NRG seats are designed differently to accommodate different harness styles.”

Bride Zeta III

bride zeta iii s2000 seat

  • Manufacturer: Bride
  • Fitment: Honda S2000
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: Discontinued

Updated June 1st 2021: Product discontinued. We recommend taking a look at the latest seats in the Bride range, the Bride Euroster.

Our comment: Bride certainly needs no introduction when it comes to aftermarket seats. These are undoubtedly the most popular seats in Japan and are the seat of choice for some of the best drivers such as Daigo Saito and Naoki Nakamura.

Bride’s Zeta III is quite possibly their most popular seat and there’s certainly no question that they’re one of the best looking!

The base of the seat features a two-piece polyurethane which distributes the body pressure for maximum pedal operability.

Bride seats are notoriously ‘Japan-sized’, which means that for those of you on the larger size of, well, stick-thin, you may want to consider the large or extra-large options. Alternatively, they also have a small, which we’d expect is insanely small!

You can always count on a great selection of variety with Bride seats, so we’d imagine they’ll have your needs covered. Whether you’re after a red carbon-fiber or the HANS device friendly FIA seat there’s something for everyone in their selection.

These will undoubtedly provide the typically incredible quality that we’ve come to expect from Bride, and although they’re not the cheapest, you’ll earn back the extra money in JDM scene points anyway!

Manufacturer description: “The ZETA Series comes in 4 types to fit various heights and body types. Its design characteristics are the narrowed-down waistline and small needlepoint design of the shoulder support part. We also offer models which support car models with tight interiors to meet the needs of a broad range of users.“

“BRIDE’s fixed bucket seat ZETA has won in countless races while always keeping drivers safe. The racing comfort model, which has been tuned with consideration for all Motorsports settings, ZETA series“

Buddy Club Racing

buddy club s2000 seat

Our comment: Buddy Club’s seats are another popular choice on the Japanese market and are well known for being extremely light (5kg) and well built, with a high-quality standard to match.

This is a performance seat for fast road use, ideal for use with a 4-point harness, however, they aren’t recommended for serious track use due to not having FIA approval.

There are Black and Red color options available and also a ‘Wide’ variation if required.

Manufacturer description: “Buddy club Racing Spec Seats have been tested and used in competition on various racing circuits around the world. This extensive “real world” testing was instrumental in the development of our one of a kind seat bolsters which offer the user support and grip while cornering and has proven extremely effective at even the most severe lateral g conditions.“

Sparco Evo II US

sparco evo II s2000 seat

  • Manufacturer: Sparco
  • Fitment: Honda S2000
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: Discontinued

Updated June 1st 2021: Product discontinued. We recommend taking a look at the latest seats in the Sparco range, such as the Sparco EVO L QRT.

Our comment: Given the number of orders for their larger seats from the US market for the original Evo, Sparco opted to make their Evo II in a larger size in this ‘US’ model.

Featuring an ultra-light fiberglass composite shell, this is an extremely popular seat priced at the higher end of the market.

This has been designed with extensive input from some of the finest racing drivers and is FIA approved and HANS device compatible. An excellent choice for those of you that are intending to race or drift at the track or competitively.

Manufacturer description: “Sparco’s EVO II US Racing Seat offer racing drivers both quality and value you can only expect from the Sparco Evo seat line. Features includes a unique shell shape and fiberglass construction that increases rigidity without adding excess weight. The EVO US II Racing Seat offers re-engineered seat proportions, which provide greater ergonomics.“

“This results in a seat that is both taller and slightly wider than the regular Evo and Evo II seat, making it perfect for taller/larger drivers. The seat belt slots featured on the EVO II US Racing Seat are also repositioned to sit more level with the driver’s shoulders. The Evo II US Racing seat can also accommodate a Hans device for even more added safety.“

Corbeau A4

corbeau a4 s2000 seat

Our comment: Corbeau enter the higher end of the market with their extremely popular A4 seat.

This is another reclining option but this time aimed at the more reasonable side of the market than the Bride variants.

These are a great all-rounder for daily and perhaps occasional basic light track use. If you are looking to get seriously involved with motorsports or drifting, we’d definitely recommend the fixed-back seats.

These come in a wide variety of colors, with Black, Blue, Red, Black Suede and Grey/Black Suede to choose from.

A reasonably priced all-rounder for those of you looking for a simple reclining seat for daily use.

Manufacturer description: “The Corbeau A4 seat is a snug fitting touring seat with a fully reclining back. This seat has excellent lateral support with low side bolsters and a low profile design.”

“As a rule of thumb, the A4 will fit up to a 34-36 inch waist while the A4 Wide will fit up to a 38-40 inch waist.“

Takata Race LE

takata race le s2000 seat

Our comment: Best known for their signature JDM-style green harnesses, Takata has also entered the seat market with this clean and simple alternative.

There’s no doubt that Takata knows a thing or two about safety, and these seats would look awesome alongside their harnesses.

These are FIA-homologated and are designed for use with 6-point harnesses and also HANS compatible, so they are an excellent all-rounder for those of you looking to get serious at the track.

Given that these are only a Limited Edition, we highly recommend that you grab yourself a set before they all sell out if they’re the choice for you.

Manufacturer description: “The limited edition TAKATA Race LE Competition Bucket Seat is an incredibly safe, deep sided and extremely rigid seat that still allows freedom of movement for all disciplines.”

“The black Spacer Fabric, stitched in subtle TAKATA Green, keeps you cool. High backed, fully HANS® compatible with increased kidney protection, but relieved below the shoulders for lateral arm movement, this seat allows you to really get over the wheel and take control without any compromise on what is known as one of the most comfortable seats in the industry.“

Bride Stradia II

bride stradia ii s2000 seat

  • Manufacturer: Bride
  • Fitment: Honda S2000
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: Discontinued

Updated March 25th 2021: Discontinued. We recommend taking a look at the latest seats in the Bride range, the Bride Euroster.

Our comment: The Bride Stradia features a near-identical design to the previously reviewed Gias, with the exception of a shallower thigh area. This makes it perfect for daily driving, but for us, it has priced itself out of the typical daily driver price-range.

Combined with the reclining function, which isn’t vital for S2K’s unless you’re using it as a daily, this only earns itself a four-? rating from us despite once again being a fantastic and incredible-looking seat.

Manufacturer description: “STRADIA series’s shape features a lower knee support section compared to GIAS to enable easier boarding and exiting. The backrest deeply envelops the driver the same as GIAS, maintaining the high holdability. Because it utilizes a super monocoque shell structure and an aluminum frame, it achieves both light weight and high rigidity. This model is perfect for those who do not want to sacrifice holdability but are also concerned about ease of boarding/exiting.”

“With the STRADIA, the backrest has an enveloping form that enables high holdability, but the height of the thigh part is just enough to prioritize ease of boarding/exiting while maintaining holdability. This makes for a reclining sports seat which achieves both a suitable holdability and ease of use. In addition, wide-size is available for part of STRADIA lineup.“

Mugen MS-Z

mugen ms-z s2000 seat

Our comment: We can almost hear the cheers from here! Yes, that’s right – Mugen. Honda fanboys, rejoice!

As you’ll most definitely already know, Mugen is one of the highest-regarded companies within the Honda tuning scene, and these seats certainly live up to the hype.

If you’re looking for a reclining seat, the much-loved MS-Z is undoubtedly one of the strongest competitors on our list. Sure, they’re not cheap, but they’re one of the best all-rounders out there, and since they’re made by RECARO on behalf of Mugen, you can guarantee that they’ll be exceptional.

This semi-bucket design provides almost the same amount of support as a bucket seat with additional comfort but also enables the convenience of the reclining features, which makes it a strong rival for the Gias II.

If you love this seat, but you were hoping for a fixed-back option, then make sure you check out the rest of our guide!

Manufacturer description: “Semi bucket seat featuring high driver-support performance, with fatigue reduction effect, and easy-access integrated in harmony within the design. When developing a semi bucket seat two contradictory requirements need to be addressed - that of ergonomic driver support while at the same time providing driver comfort, including easy-access.“

“By drawing on the experience and technologies acquired through many years of top level motorsports and parts sales activities MUGEN has designed MS-Z to satisfy both requirements. MS-Z will reduce driver fatigue and improve your driving.“

Seibon Carbon Kevlar Type-FC

seibon type fc s2000 seat

Our comment: Carbon fiber wizards, Seibon, have launched a stunning carbon kevlar seat to the market with their Type-FC, which could quite possibly be the most insane looking seat in our list!

These hand-crafted carbon seats will undoubtedly attract a fair amount of attention, and it’s easy to see why!

As you can imagine, being carbon fiber, it’s extremely strong and lightweight. Its design allows for the ultimate bolster support to prevent unnecessary body movement even when you’re pushing the car hard.

These seats were designed for racing use and allow for a multi-point harness to be fitted. An exceptional product which is undoubtedly a contender for our favorite seat on the market right now.

If the red color doesn’t suit your personal preference, then they are also available in black.

Manufacturer description: “Creating performance-oriented products that help shed unnecessary weight without sacrificing style is Seibon’s specialty. This Seibon Carbon Kevlar Bucket Racing Seat Type FC is the perfect answer to enhance and maintain that superior look of carbon fiber to your car. The supportive shape will keep you in an upright driving position so you can stay in control during high performance driving.“

Sparco Circuit

sparco circuit s2000 seat

Our comment: As the name suggests, the Sparco Circuit seat is made for those of you that are spending quite a lot of time at the track.

Although these are hugely popular seats, they’re not recommended for those of you that are a larger build, but for small or medium builds, it’s a fantastic choice.

Bucket seats aren’t the most convenient things to use on a daily basis, and those with head restraints become even more challenging. On the other hand, it provides great support at the track and also comes with FIA-approval and HANS device compatibility.

An excellent, ultra-light seat for the track at a very reasonable price, but not something that we’d be opting for if we drive the car on a daily basis.

Manufacturer description: “The Circuit is an ultra-light competition seat specifically designed for circuit use. Made from aramadic fibers-reinforced fiberglass, the Circuit has an ultra-light shell.“

“The Circuit includes integrated bolsters to protect the head and a unique seat design that helps separate the driver’s leg. This seat can be used with a Hans device for even greater protection.“

BridgeMoto Tsukuba

bridgemoto tsukuba s2000 seat

Our comment: BridgeMoto has been increasing in popularity in recent times, and it’s easy to see why with this insanely-priced carbon fiber option which they say “weighs less than your flywheel”!

Not only is this an impressive price, it weighs in at just 9lbs, has HANS compatibility AND FIA homologation!

With flame-retardant materials that also provides a breathable mesh design for those ‘warmer’ days at the track, this provides the coolest temperatures possible.

They’ve also opted for a memory foam padding for superior comfort, and although the sides would certainly hold you in place, they don’t look like as much of a struggle as some of the other options to get in and out of.

With all things considered, these seats have blown us away, and that’s before you even begin to look at their color and material selection. They may not be too comfy for long journeys, but we’d certainly consider them for both daily and track use.

Now, if only they could get working on improving their product photos!

Manufacturer description: “Record Shattering 9lb. Driver Seat. Cut weight to the max and in style with these revolutionary buckets! Flame retardant, Breathable, antiperspirant Mesh Design for keeping drivers at optimal low temperatures.“

“One piece Monolithic Carbon Fiber shell construction for superior protection, weight reduction, and durability. Impact absorbing material on head and side rests for collision protection.“

Tillett B6 Screamer

tillett b6 s2000 seat

Our comment: You know when we said we had something for everyone in our guide? Well, we weren’t lying! The B6 Screamer certainly isn’t for everyone, but if you’re building a lightweight track car and just want the basic essentials, this is a great choice.

It probably won’t come as a huge surprise, but we don’t recommend this one for daily use!

If you’re struggling for space in your car due to being tall, or needing to sit lower, there are very few better choices out there to maximize the space inside the S2K. These seats are FIA approved, capable of running 6-point harnesses and weigh in at just 6kg.

For those of you that like them, but the thought of sitting in them for a long track session is making your eyes water, they’ve also got optional padding to make the day more tolerable.

Like the idea of the B6 Screamer but have a little more money to spare to achieve the ultimate weight-saving? You’ll definitely want to check out the Tillett B7!

Manufacturer description: “The new B6 Screamer is FIA approved to the 8855-1999 standard and replaces the popular B6F. Importantly, the weight is now 20% lighter than the B6F as this seat uses a new moulding system which creates lighter seats with superior strength.“

“These fit the seats rigidly down to a flat floor giving the lowest possible driving position. The Lotus Elise/Exige specific EBF1 brackets are also usable on a dropped floor or when sited on top of runners.“

Sparco SPX

sparco spx s2000 seat

Our comment: We absolutely love the look of these Sparco SPX seats, but quality comes at a price and these are no exception! However, if you’re looking for what Sparco states to be the lightest carbon fiber (mixed with advanced composites) reclining seat on the market, look no further!

Sparco created the first-ever adjustable carbon fiber seat for the Lamborghini Diablo back in 1998, and they’ve continued to make some of the finest seats in the world ever since.

This work of art mixes Alcantara suede with perforated Italian leather for the ultimate touch. It’s certainly not a seat we’d be heading to the track in, but if it’s a stylish modern look that you’re after for your daily driver, then these seats are hard to beat!

Weighing in at 28lbs, these are an exceptionally comfortable seat which also provides for maximum height and legroom clearance. They’re also an ideal fit for up to 42″ waists, so they’ll be the ideal choice even for our huggable fans!

Manufacturer description: “The SPX is handcrafted in Italy using the same technology and materials used for OEM super cars. In fact the SPX is the first Carbon Fiber reclining seat available to the public that meets the same specifications required by the OEM manufacturers. What this means is that the attention to detail and quality cannot be matched by any other seat manufacturer on the market today.“

“The Sparco SPX seat represents the ultimate evolution of the sport seat. The SPX uses a combination of carbon fiber and advanced composites that give the driver both comfort and performance in a lightweight package. With the ergonomic shape of the carbon fiber backrest and the seating position of the RTM composite lower, the SPX holds the driver during extreme lateral forces and is comfortable for long road trips.“

BridgeMoto Takachi

bridgemoto takachi s2000 seat

Our comment: We already unleashed the exceptional ‘Tsukuba’ seat further up in our guide, and BridgeMoto has provided an alternative for those of you that aren’t after a thin, lightweight seat and would rather save some bucks in the process.

This Takachi seat once again comes with FIA homologation and HANS compatibility at an incredible price, and this time also features head support and additional padding.

This once again uses memory foam for padding, which makes it extremely comfortable, it’s also easily capable of fitting those of you with larger builds, but will most likely be a bit on the big side for smaller or thinner drivers.

Another fantastic option from BridgeMoto, with their usual wide range of materials and colors to choose from to create the perfect seat for your needs.

Manufacturer description: “Low seating position with high rib and hip sides. Wide-designed tube frame seat for mid to larger size drivers. Wide shoulder area engineered for greater freedom of movement. Adjustable and removable 2-split thigh support. 5 harness slots for use on all point harnesses.“

Mugen MS-R

mugen ms-r s2000 seat

Our comment: The final seat in our selection is the second option from the collaboration between legendary seat manufacturer Recaro, and JDM legends Mugen!

We reviewed the MS-Z earlier in our guide, which is the ultimate reclining seat for daily use, but they’ve also created another stunning carbon fiber option, this time with a fixed back, for those of you that want to head to the track in style.

Weighing in at just 6.5kg, it’s certainly one of the lightest seats out there, and with FIA homologation, it could well be the perfect option for those of you that intend to compete internationally.

If you have the cash to splash, you really can’t go wrong with this collaboration seat from two of the highest-regarded companies in the aftermarket world!

Manufacturer description: “Carbon fiber shell Belt holes for 3 inches full harness. Lumbar support pad insertion type Deep side support. Divided seat cushion Non-slip seat cushion Alcantara®. Shoulder grip MUGEN Logo (embroidered). Lumbar support pad insertion type Belt holes for safety harness.“

Our winner

Our winner for this guide is the Seibon Carbon Kevlar Type-FC seat.

To pick our winner from this choice of S2000 seats, we looked at a number of criteria; performance, quality, popularity, and design.

Based on these criteria we have chosen the Seibon Carbon Kevlar Type-FC’s to be our winner.

Seibon Carbon Kevlar Type-FC

seibon type fc-2 s2000 seat

There’s certainly no shortage of ridiculously good seats in this guide, and it definitely wasn’t one of the easiest decisions we’ve had to make! Bride’s seats are always incredible, and BridgeMoto’s Tsukuba seats provide incredible value for money. However, the winning all-rounder for us this time around goes to Seibon.

Bringing a unique style with impeccable quality and an insanely good price point and the stunning carbon kevlar, the Type-FC is impossible to ignore!

For those of you that are looking for a budget seat, the Corbeau Forza provides excellent value for money, and if you’re after a reasonable reclining seat, the Corbeau A4 is also a bargain!

Thank you for reading our Honda S2000 seat guide

We hope that you’re now confident in choosing the right product for your needs, whether it’s cruising on the street or tearing it up at the track!

Enjoyed this article? Make sure you check out more of our S2000 tuning guides!

Photography credits

We would like to thank the following sources for the use of their images:

If you enjoyed this article then please share it with the buttons at the side and bottom of your screen. Find this information useful? Please post a link to it on your cars owners club. We really appreciate your support.

The post Ultimate S2000 Seats Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> Ultimate S2000 Intake Guide https://www.drifted.com/s2000-intake/ Fri, 14 Dec 2018 08:00:03 +0000 https://www.drifted.com/?p=43221 We list and review the most popular Honda S2000 intakes on the market to help you choose which one is best for your needs. This is the ultimate S2000 intake guide.

The post Ultimate S2000 Intake Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> We list and review the most popular Honda S2000 intakes on the market to help you choose which one is best for your needs. This is the ultimate S2000 intake guide.

honda s2000 intake

In a hurry? Here is our S2000 intake summary

Budget Choice Drifted Choice Premium Choice
injen s2000 intake gruppe m s2000 intake
Injen Honda S2000 Intake K&N FIPK Honda S2000 Intake GruppeM Carbon Fiber Honda S2000 Intake
🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now

It’s not hard to see why the Honda S2000 has stolen the hearts of so many, combining stunning looks with a raw two-seater driving feel and a 9,000rpm redline. The Mazda MX5 was popular, and when Honda released their 50th Anniversary gift, it unleashed a similar car with an added dose of steroids.

There’s no doubt that the S2K has a decent amount of power considering its weight and high-revving engine, but what if we told you that it has more to offer in terms of power, throttle response, and sound?

Since we’ve already covered coilovers, exhausts, turbochargers, and superchargers in our previous guides, we’d hope you’ve got a little more of an idea of what route you’d like to go down with unleashing what this legendary roadster has to offer.

If you’ve already fitted a turbocharger or a supercharger, or plan to go down that route eventually, it’s worth considering that these kits are no longer going to be suitable, so don’t go forking out for an intake just to sell it in a few months.

For those of you that are happy with your naturally-aspirated VTEC power, we’ve gone through the most popular options on the market to find the perfect choice to suit your needs, whatever they may be.

We’ve also given each intake a Drifted score from one to five, five stars being the best.

Honda S2000 intake selection

Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s take a look at our Honda S2000 intake selection!

Injen Honda S2000 Intake

injen s2000 intake

Our comment: Injen use a common design for the air intake, which routes itself in the lower part of the bumper to get the fresh, cold air as far away from the engine as possible.

Not the prettiest, but offers an identical experience to some of the more expensive alternatives. Owners have reported small gains throughout the entire rev range and improved throttle response. Offers a deep growl with the foot planted and can also be heard slightly during traditional driving.

This does come with two small negatives. Firstly, you’ll need to do some small cutting to the lower plastics for it to fit, and secondly, due to its location, there have been some reports of it sucking up water and causing hydrolocking. Many owners will argue that they drove their car through a deep puddle rather than a typical scenario to cause this.

We wouldn’t be worried about the hydrolocking rumors, if you are, you can search for preventive measures, there’s plenty online. This is certainly a great setup for the money which gets the freshest air possible into your engine. A fantastic choice at a great price.

Manufacturer description: “This Cold Air Intake is a high-tech, fine-tuned oxygen delivery system. The aerospace-grade T-6061 aluminum tubing is CNC mandrel bent and the TIG welded brackets are perfectly positioned for a balanced fit inside your exact year, make and model. In addition, everything from the composite flanges to the urethane air filter is meticulously tested and tuned on Injen’s in-house Dynojet.“

“Its unique rubber vibra-mounts, stainless steel clamps, and silicone hoses ensure a secure, shift-free installation. Best of all, this intake is backed by Injen Technology’s limited lifetime warranty.“

K&N FIPK Honda S2000 Intake

Our comment: K&N’s FIPK kit takes a different approach, which has earned them the popular vote in the S2K community. Instead of going down and potentially having hydrolock issues, K&N have kept things simple by keeping their kit within the bay.

Sheltered off away from the hot air under the hood with a special heat shield and protective coating, this is extremely effective in blocking out the unwanted heat whilst sucking in the much-needed cold air that enters.

This is one of the highest regarded kits, especially for the price, among owners. As well as being a bargain, it also has the highest power claims and provides an awesome sound.

Manufacturer description: “The K&N FIPK air intake system replaces the restrictive factory air filter and air intake housing in some Honda S2000 models. K&N air intakes are designed to dramatically reduce intake restriction as they smooth and straighten air flow. This allows your S2000’s engine to inhale a larger amount of air than the factory air filter assembly.“

“More air means more usable power and acceleration throughout the engine’s RPM range. The FIPK comes with a K&N high-flow air filter and a heat shield that installs into the previous air box space. Air is directed through an aerodynamically engineered intake tube into the engine’s throttle body for a guaranteed power gain.“

AEM V2 Honda S2000 Intake

aem s2000 intake

Our comment: AEM’s V2 dual chamber system is the second most popular offering on the market behind the K&N. With a similar design to the Injen, this again travels downwards behind the front bumper to make the most of the cold air flow. This, again, ignites the hydrolocking rumors.

If you live in a particularly wet region, perhaps the K&N will be a safer bet to be sure, but many owners have run these for thousands of miles in any weather with no issues at all. Again, if it is a concern, you can make some small modifications to restrict the potential problems. Like the Injen, this also requires some cutting to the lower plastics.

Some owners have reported impressive power gains and a unique deep growl which some owners think is the best sound out there. This is a well-made kit at a reasonable price which ticks all the right boxes for us, we wouldn’t hesitate to run it.

Manufacturer description: “The AEM Dual Chamber Air Intake System is engineered to maximize horsepower and torque gains for specific Honda S2000 models by utilizing a patented dual chamber design. The restrictive factory air filter and air intake housing are replaced with this AEM dual chamber air intake system.“

“Air enters the system through an oversized AEM Dryflow synthetic washable air filter for outstanding air flow, filtration and performance. The sound your engine makes when accelerating is also modified to a fuller, more aggressive resonance allowing you to hear and feel the horsepower upgrade.“

aFe Power Takeda Honda S2000 Intake

Our comment: aFe Power are the most recent entrants to the S2000 intake market and they bring a simple yet effectively designed kit which is most similar to K&N’s FIPK. We personally think that this could arguably be better looking than the K&N, but it comes at a higher price, too.

We’ve only heard good things about this system and aFe claim some impressive gains. With a similar sound to OEM when cruising, there’s then a deep growl which kicks in around 4K RPM which then roars its way to the redline.

This should undoubtedly be a consideration for those of you that are looking for a clean and tidy intake and don’t mind spending a little extra money.

Manufacturer description: “This system uses a large 360 degree high flow Pro DRY S air filter for maximum flow, filtration and convenience.“

“The Pro DRY S air filter requires no oils and cleans with simple soap and water. Also included is a wrinkle black rotomolded intake tube designed to increase airflow for maximum torque.“

DC Sports Honda S2000 Intake

dc sports s2000 intake

Our comment: DC Sports are most commonly known for their exhaust components, but they’ve also entered the intake game with the best budget choice on our list.

It may well be a great price, but it’s not one of the most common choices out there. It’s a similar design to the Injen and AEM kits, but for the little extra money, we would personally choose to go with those.

Expect this to require the same cutting and have the same hydrolocking fears as the Injen/AEM kits. For those of you looking for a budget kit, this could well tick the right boxes for you.

Manufacturer description: “DC Sports Air Intake Systems provides improved breathability for your engines needs. Each kit comes with an air filter that requires no oil, therefore no chance in contaminating the mass air flow sensor which can result in power loss and higher fuel consumption.“

Weapon-R Honda S2000 Intake

weaponr s2000 intake

Our comment: There’s no doubt that the Weapon-R intake is the cheapest on our list, but it, unfortunately, hasn’t earned itself the best reputation, with owners reporting that’s made of cheap materials with a questionable filter.

Expect a slight improvement to throttle response and an improved noise, but we would personally be opting for the DC Sports or saving a little more cash. It most often is a case of you really do get what you pay for, even with the simpler products.

Manufacturer description: “Weapon-R Dragon Intake Systems are one of the mostly highly rated intake systems in the world. Used in many countries in many different forms of racing. Also recently rated “Best Overall Performer”, outperforming Cold Air & Short Ram Intake systems, in the 2003 Tuner Performance Reports, Intake system Battle.“

“Dragon Intake Systems are matched with the World Famous Dragon Filter, which provides maximum airflow with the protection of high quality dense Poly Urethane Foam. Many studies have shown Flow rates of up to 80% more Air and Better Dirt Filtration with Foam Filter than the conventional cotton filter.“

J’s Racing Tsuchinoko Carbon Fiber Honda S2000 Intake

js racing s2000 intake

Our comment: We go from the cheapest to the most expensive so far, with our mention of ‘you get what you pay for’, J’s Racing brings an impressive premium setup to the market.

There’s no question that this looks stunning under the hood, and the lightweight carbon construction weighs far less than some of the other options. The cleverly designed stomach of the system provides improved response and we love the tactic they’ve used to get the cold air.

As with any enclosed system, you’re not going to hear much improvement when it comes to sound, so if it’s noises you’re looking for then you may want to look elsewhere. As far as quality, design, and looks go, this is a perfect choice.

Manufacturer description: “Js Racing Tsuchinoko Intake System is the ultimate air intake system for the S2000. It aids in the flow of cooler fresh air from the front bumper area and increases the throttle response by making full use of the air reservoir structure. The intake duct is installed at the lower part of the front bumper which allows fresh air to go through the high-efficient air filter & box. The system can provide much colder and dense air to the engine than a stock intake system.“

GruppeM Carbon Fiber Honda S2000 Intake

gruppe m s2000 intake

Our comment: If you thought the J’s racing kit was expensive, think again! GruppeM bring their hand with another stunning carbon fiber design. For those of you where money is no issue, it may well be a tempting alternative for the ultimate engine bay bling.

As this is again an enclosed filter system, it sounds pretty much the same as OEM and will provide you with some small power gains and improved throttle response. It’ll undoubtedly look great when you pop the hood though.

It’s a great kit, and the typical awesome quality that we’ve come to expect fom GruppeM. With that being said, unless you’ve got too much money to know what to do with, we’d prefer to opt for one of the cheaper kits which offer improved sound, and put the additional money towards another upgrade.

Manufacturer description: “The GruppeM RAM Cold Air Intake (CAI) is GruppeM’s top-of-the-line high-performance intake system. The intake features a racing K&N cone filter, which permits maximum air flow while retaining proper filtering capabilities. The filter housing is designed to provide optimal channeling of fresh cold air into the extremely efficient modified K&N racing cone filter.“

Password:JDM Carbon Kevlar Honda S2000 Intake

password jdm s2000 intake

Our comment: It almost seems cheap in comparison to the GruppeM above, but this stunning kevlar system, which we think is the best looking one in our guide, certainly still comes at a price.

There’s no doubt that there’s a lot of happy owners with this kit, however it has had more fitment issues than any others in our guide. Some people have managed to spend some time adjusting it and eventually managed to make it just fit, but they’ve then reported someone else slamming their hood to be left with destroyed kevlar. FAR from ideal!

Fitment issues aside, it’s fantastic quality and certainly looks the part under the hood. If you’re looking for something a little different, the kevlar certainly stands out.

Manufacturer description: “Introducing the PWJDM S2K Dry Carbon/Kevlar PowerChamber/ColdAirChamber/RamAir Intake system. Us fellas here at PasswordJDM rolled up our sleeves and went to work for days and months designing this thing, and now, its just about perfect.“

“The entire system only weighs 1.8kgs/3.9lbs(stock air box weighs 4.4kg/9.7lbs) making this the lightest and strongest carbon / kevlar intake system on the market. Designed to ram/force feed colder atmospheric air into your engine at all speeds, the PWJDM S2K Dry Carbon/Kevlar PowerChamber/ColdAirChamber/RamAir Intake system has it all when it comes to what he/she wants from an intake system.“

Our winner

There are some great choices out there, but we’re siding with the masses this time and opting for the K&N FIPK kit.

It’s discreet, simple, fantastic value for money, produces an epic sound and also adds a little bit of power and throttle response. What more could we ask for?!

K&N FIPK Honda S2000 Cold Air Intake System

K&N are one of the legends of the intake game, and they’ve ticked all the right boxes yet again with this simple, yet effective kit.

Runner-up

AEM V2 Honda S2000 Intake

aem s2000 intake

Despite the hydrolocking concerns, which is always a common topic in the S2K community, the AEM V2 is a great choice for those of you that don’t mind doing a small amount of cutting to make it fit. Alternatively, if you’re looking to spend a little less money, the Injen alternative is impressive value for money.

On the other hand, if money is no object, there are some awesome opportunities up for grabs at the end of our list, these will undoubtedly become a talking point when you pop the hood just about anywhere!

Thank you for reading our Honda S2000 Intake guide

Want to upgrade your seats? Try our S2000 seat guide. You can also check out our comprehensive S2000 mods guide if you want to carry out additional upgrades to your S2K. If you enjoyed this article then please share it with the sharing buttons at the side and the bottom of your screen.

Photography credits

We would like to thank the following sources for use of their photography:

The post Ultimate S2000 Intake Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> Honda S2000 Coilover Guide https://www.drifted.com/s2000-coilovers/ Mon, 05 Nov 2018 14:32:24 +0000 https://www.drifted.com/?p=42281 We review the most popular Honda S2000 coilovers available on the market today, from budget to pro. This is the ultimate S2K coilover guide.

The post Honda S2000 Coilover Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> We review the most popular Honda S2000 coilovers available on the market today, from budget to pro. This is the ultimate S2K coilover guide.

honda s2000 coilovers

In a hurry? Here is our S2000 Coilover summary

Budget Choice Drifted Choice Premium Choice
bc racing s2000 coilovers kw s2000 coilovers moton s2000 coilovers
BC Racing BR Series S2000 Coilovers KW Variant 3 (V3) S2000 Coilovers Moton 3-Way S2000 Coilovers
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now

When Honda released their two-seater roadster to the market to celebrate their 50th Anniversary, it certainly got people thinking about the potential possibilities that the unique S2000 had to offer.

Sure, it has a decent amount of power under the hood, and you can get even more out of it with an air intake or aftermarket exhaust upgrade. If you want to go full r*tard, you’ll definitely want to consider turbocharging or supercharging to turn it into a whole different weapon.

Once you’ve done those, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the most out of the drivability of the car. Suspension is the decisive part of handling and Honda did a great job with this from the factory. Can it be improved? You bet!

Coilovers give you the ability to not only help your S2K cling to the road but also enable you to adjust the ride height, stiffness and a huge array of other options. For those of you that are tuning your S2K, coilovers are an absolute must-have.

Every single movement that your car makes is controlled by the suspension and everything that it does relates to how the suspension performs. For most people, that’s extremely important and whether you’re desperate to shave valuable seconds from your lap times at the track, or want to achieve a precise drift setup, you’ll want some of our higher-end options.

However, if you’re purely looking to slam the car or have adjustable stiffness, some of the cheaper options may well suit your needs.

Not all of these kits fit both the AP1 and AP2, so we highly recommend ensuring you have the right kit before purchasing.

Let’s take a look at our Honda S2000 coilover selection

To read more about any of these products simply click on the coilover name or photo.

Tein Flex Z S2000 Coilovers

tein s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: Tein
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 16
  • Construction type: Twin-tube
  • Spring rate front: 10kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 10kg/mm
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & (AP2)
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: Tein Flex Z Coilover Kit

Our comment: Tein bring their latest kit which is insanely good value for money to the market. At this price point, you may assume that they’re cheaply made. However, Tein managed to reduce their costs by making these a sealed structure, meaning they are not rebuildable. Don’t let this put you off as rebuilds often cost as much as replacing! These are fantastic quality and made in Yokohama, Japan, with a typical JDM eye for quality.

Despite being more road orientated, this is also a capable track coilover featuring an impressive amount of adjustment. For the money, you’re going to struggle to get a better all-rounder than this.

These are also compatible with Tein’s awesome EDFC system which allows you to adjust the damping electronically inside the car.

If you’re looking for a more track-orientated setup from Tein, they also have mid-range and upper-range offerings.

Manufacturer description: “FLEX Z inherits all the features and quality of STREET FLEX but the adoption of new platform allows its price to be set at amazingly low range ($800 to $1,050). FLEX Z, of course, maintains the long-favored “Made in Yokohama” quality. Ride height adjustable shock absorber, fully loaded with TEIN’s comprehensive technology, is now more affordable prices than ever.“

“Its smooth stroke movement makes it possible to follow rough and bumpy road surfaces quite well, offering supple ride at low speed and stable ride at high speed. Full-length ride height adjustment system, used for FLEX Z, enables adjustment of ride height by adjusting the case length, without changing the damper stroke length and/or spring pre-load. This has the advantage that the change in ride quality is kept minimal when the height is adjusted. This system not only makes it possible to maintain good balance between the low-down appearance and ride comfor, but also provides more setting choices for sport driving as well.“

KW Variant 3 (V3) S2000 Coilovers

kw s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: KW
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 14
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: Progressive spring (listed as 515lbs/in)
  • Spring rate rear: Progressive spring (listed as 515lbs/in)
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: KW V3 coilover kit

Our comment: Despite being one of the more expensive options on our list, they say that quality comes at a price and the KW coilover kit certainly lives up to that.

S2000 owners have been stunned by this offering from KW for some time and the ability to provide great road comfort whilst also setting impressive lap times on the track leaves no questions on why owners are so impressed.

Since these are a stainless steel construction, you won’t have to worry about corrosion. Should you have any issues, KW also offers one of the best warranties out there.

If you can’t afford the price tag of the premium offering, both the V2 and V1 are extremely highly regarded for the price.

Manufacturer description: “Ready for a driving experience as unique as your car? A KW Suspensions Variant 3 coilover set offer you the independent compression and rebound damping setup you need.“

“The new Variant 3 is state-of-the-art technology for the skilled and experienced driver. The separate and independent compression and rebound Dampening options allow a truly individual driving set-up. These unique systems with the 3 individually adjustable components, allows for adjustment of the compression of the damper in the low-speed range, while the highspeed set-up, so decisive for driving comfort has been preset by our engineers.“

ARK DT-P S2000 Coilovers

ark s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: ARK
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 16
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: 9kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 9kg/mm
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: ARK DT-P coilovers

Our comment: ARK have entered the market with two coilover variants, the DT-P, which are mostly track-focused alongside the ST-P series which is street-orientated.

Created from the Team ARK motorsports division alongside Formula Drift experience, the DT-P system is a great option if you intend to hit the track. We’ve heard great things about these coilovers and ARK’s customer service which makes these an even more appealing offering.

Manufacturer description: “ARK Performance DT-P monotube coilover systems are fully adjustable with 16 levels of dampening to fit your street or track needs. Our suspension systems are engineered and designed based on knowledge from our Team ARK Racing motorsports division and Formula Drift experience. The DT-P system offers pillow ball top mounts which are more performance oriented and allow for better adjustment of camber. “

RS-R Sports*i S2000 Coilovers

rsr s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: RS-R
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 36
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: 10kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 9kg/mm
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: RS-R Sports*i coilovers

Our comment: RS*R have brought a fantastic offering to the market with a unique approach. Quality and comfort have been their main goal and they’ve undoubtedly achieved that. If you’re after the handling advantages of a coilover but want to maintain a comfortable ride for the street and occasional track use, these are an excellent high-quality choice.

Manufacturer description: “Spirited weekend track drives do not have to sacrifice daily driving comfort or performance. Designed for the performance enthusiast in mind, the RS-R Sports-I coilover system provides a comfortable ride for everyday use, yet is sufficient enough for those effervescent track days.“

“Why spend all day at the track dialing in your suspension when you should be on the track enjoying the experience. Damper and camber adjustments should not be a definitive factor, nor should you spend all day adjusting your suspension settings at the track. Drive to the track, on the track and drive home in comfort. Enjoy driving again with the RS-R Sports-I coilovers.“

BC Racing BR Series S2000 Coilovers

bc racing s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: BC Racing
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 30
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: 10kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 10kg/mm
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: BC Racing BR S2000 coilovers

Our comment: BC Racing offer one of the best budget coilover kit available on the market. If you’re planning to spend less than $1k, this all-round kit or the Tein Flex Z could well be the perfect choice for you.

BC offers various springs with this setup, including Swift Springs which will make these feel even more impressive. If you’re looking for lows, they also offer an ‘extreme low’ option. Speak with Enjuku about your needs and we have no doubt they’ll be happy to help you out.

These offer a firm, but not crashy ride which is still ideal for street use and are still capable when you head to the track. BC also offer their higher-end ER Series coilovers which are a competitor for the KW V3’s if you’re intending to do mostly track use, however, we would personally always steer towards the KW in this case.

Manufacturer description: “The BR model is perfect for street driving and occasional road course duty. With easily accessible adjustment knobs for fine-tuning your compression/rebound and separately adjustable ride height, having a performance coilover system couldn’t be any easier. You choose how low or high you want your vehicle, no preset ride height here, and our patented concave lower locking ring keeps it locked in.“

“All of our systems come with pillowball mounts to provide the most feedback possible from your suspension and to sharpen your steering response. BC’s available front and rear camber plates also allow you to get the perfect alignment setup without compromise. All this while providing a strong, attractive looking coilover system.“

Megan Racing Track Series S2000 Coilovers

megan racing s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: Megan Racing
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 32
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: 12kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 12kg/mm
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: Megan Racing Track Series S2000 Coilovers

Our comment: This entry-level option may suit those on a budget that are making frequent trips to the track or carving up the canyons. Despite Megan being known for their low-budget options, many owners have frequently been impressed with this track-orientated offering for the money.

If you intend to use it as a daily driver, expect a rough ride, however, these feel well-planted to the road or track and will offer great performance for the cost. These could make an ideal low-budget track or drift car option, or purely a beginner setup.

Manufacturer description: “For those who demand the absolute most in handling and performance from their vehicle, Megan Racing has developed a new series of fully adjustable Coil-Over Damper kits for limited applications. The new Track-Series Coil-over Damper Kit surely stands out above the rest with the dependability and performance that Megan Racing suspension products are known for.“

“With a gunmetal finish for the brackets and coated springs for durability, it is apparent that the Megan Racing Track-Series dampers mean business. However, beyond their aggressive appearance stands the true essence of these Dampers. The increased spring rates, mated with more aggressively valved dampers, stiffer shock setting, and heavy-duty piston construction add up to a suspension system that out-performs most competing suspensions that retail for almost twice the price.“

HKS Hipermax IV GT S2000 Coilovers

hks s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: HKS
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 30
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: 16kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 16kg/mm
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: HKS Hipermax 4 GT S2000 Coilovers

Our comment: Legendary Japanese tuning company HKS bring their hand with a justified-price mid-range offering. This option combines fantastic ride comfort which is close to stock (even when slammed) with the addition of impeccable handling alongside the typical quality you would expect from HKS. These are definitely more track than street orientated due to the spring stiffness, but they also make for a great fast road setup.

These are an extremely popular choice among S2000 owners and a serious competitor for the KW V3’s. It may just boil down to personal preference as to which suits you best, especially if you’re keen to maintain the JDM aspect on your car.

Manufacturer description: “The new Max IV is a sporty suspension. Gives you an awesome sporty drive with great control and a comfortable ride on the street.“

“It’s perfect for daily street driving that gives you style and performance. You and your passenger can have a comfortable ride even with a low-down. Mono tube dampers allow for more accurate and stable control and adjustment of dampening. Lower ride height and centre of gravity gives a more stable ride.“

Fortune Auto 500 S2000 Coilovers

fortune auto s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: Fortune Auto 500
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 24
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: 9kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 9kg/mm
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: Fortune Auto 500 Coilovers

Our comment: Fortune Auto have these attention-grabbing coilovers on offer, with fantastic quality and a lower-end price to match. These are soft and smooth for daily driving and also a capable coilover for occasional track use.

With the ability to upgrade to 2-way remote canisters or swift springs, this could be a great option if you want a daily driving coilover now with something more track-orientated later on without having to purchase brand new.

If you’re after their premium range offering, make sure you check out the Fortune Auto 510 series too.

Manufacturer description: “Research on the racetrack has helped us develop the Fortune Auto 500 Series into a great all-around shock absorber. Using high-quality components that meet our strict standards allows us to optimize comfort, reliability, and longevity.“

“At Fortune Auto, we approach the science of suspension with a mentality of customization that has raised the industry’s standards of performance.“

Buddy Club Racing Spec S2000 Coilovers

buddy club s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: Buddy Club
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 15
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: 10kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 10kg/mm
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: Buddy Club Racing Spec Coilovers

Our comment: Another popular offering is from Buddy Club with their track-orientated S2000 setup, but be prepared for these to be on the harsh side for a daily driver. Pillowball mounts are highly recommended with this setup.

These are a great budget track option, but for the money, we think that the KW V3 is superior whilst being more refined for both the street and track for just a little extra money.

Manufacturer description: “Racing Spec Damper Kit is a high performance sports suspension kit designed by engineers using a vast quantity of data that Buddy Club has accumulated in the past 15 years using its high performance aluminum damper (ie. spec 30.1 Racing Damper) on various racing cars and tuned cars, focused more on the proper damper size, spring rate, dampening, stroke length for customer’s use in winding roads and race tracks.“

Stance XR1 S2000 Coilovers

stance s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: Stance
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 15
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: 11kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 9kg/mm
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: Stance XR1 Coilovers

Our comment: Stance brings you their mid-range coilover offering, which is great for owners who are looking for low ride height with good adjustability while still maintaining great handling.

Despite being slightly firmer than stock, it’s not a crashy ride and if frame-laying is your thing, comfort probably isn’t at the top of your list! With the option of swift springs available, we’d highly recommend opting for these. If you’re intending to track the car there are better options out there, but for daily driving, this is a great, affordable option.

Manufacturer description: “Stance XR1 Coilovers are our standard single way adjustable coilover. The XR1 is very similar to our Super Sport line, but due to the constant development of our products, has been improved in many ways. The build and material quality has never been higher.“

“Newly designed pillowball and bushing materials increase longevity and performance. The range and consistency of the XR1 damping forces is also greater than previous Super Sports.“

SPOON Sports Full Spec S2000 Coilovers

spoon s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: SPOON Sports
  • Levels of damping adjustment: Unknown
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: 14kg/mm
  • Spring rate rear: 12kg/mm
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: SPOON Sports Full Spec S2000 Coilovers

Our comment: If you’re on a low budget, you may want to look away now as this is where the real coilover porn begins as we begin to list some of the more expensive options on the market.

These rare coilovers are certainly not the most popular option out there, but they also don’t fit everyone’s price range. For those with big pockets, these are a fantastic track option but most drivers will find them too stiff for daily use. These have been tested in various lap-time competitions in Japan and blown away all of the others. If you’re serious about lap times and want a great quality coilover set, these are undoubtedly worth considering.

Manufacturer description: “The new Spoon adjustable damper kit features adjustable ride height stiffness and stroke. Constructed from chromoly steel with aluminium components. A 45mm piston is used for excellent capacity for damper tune ability range. Highly recommended for high end users and circuit racing. All kits come with springs and upper mounts. Spoon coilovers are thoroughly designed and tested for their application, unlike most aftermarket suspension systems. The ride height, damper settings and range have been determined from extensive track testing and experience.“

“These dampers provide incredible performance on track while maintaining the smooth feel and comfort of the stock suspension. Manufactured by Showa, the OE supplier of Honda suspension parts, users can expect OE quality, durability, and longevity. Four-position dampening adjustment, separate height and pre-load adjustment, stock upper mounts.“

J’s Racing Crux S2000 Coilovers

js racing s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: J’s Racing
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 30
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: 10kg/mm (Progressive)
  • Spring rate rear: 10g/mm (Progressive)
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: J’s Racing Crux Coilovers

Our comment: Another offering which certainly doesn’t come cheap is the J’s Racing Crux kit. It may seem expensive, but those who have forked out the cash claim that it’s worth every penny.

These are a track or touge-orientated setup for getting the very best out of your S2000, not that we’d recommend using a setup this expensive for your everyday driver!

Manufacturer description: “Js racing jointly developed with CRUX Engineering, a premier performance / racing suspension manufacturer. The products are designed from enormous data collected from countless field tests on the race track. First, the stroke, damping force, gas pressure are all optimized to achieve the best lap times. Then, feedback information are used to manufacture the best street / performance suspension kits for our customers.“

“Newly designed pillowball and bushing materials increase longevity and performance. The range and consistency of the XR1 damping forces is also greater than previous Super Sports.“

Amuse Hi-Tech Damper Kit (Titanium Springs)

amuse s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: Power House Amuse
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 15
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: Various
  • Spring rate rear: Various
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: Amuse Hi-Tech Damper Kit

Our comment: When two tuning legends, suspension specialist Bilstein and Power House Amuse collaborate, you know that something special is going to happen and they certainly don’t disappoint here. Owners have classed this kit as ‘phenomenal’, but this titanium spring offering certainly comes at a price!

These won the Best Motoring face-off, and they are certainly a fantastic option for the track, but some very brave owners have also recommended them for road or daily use. We can believe this, given that they were designed for the touge.

Manufacturer description: “Amuse Hi-Tech Dampers are manufactured by Bilstein to Amuse specifications. These are far from off-the-shelf shocks. They have Amuse-spec piston diameters, valving, spring heights and spring rates.“

Moton 3-Way S2000 Coilovers

moton s2000 coilovers

  • Manufacturer: Moton
  • Levels of damping adjustment: 15
  • Construction type: Monotube
  • Spring rate front: Springs not included
  • Spring rate rear: Springs not included
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: Moton 3-way S2000 Coilovers

Our comment: This setup is as serious as the picture and price point will make you believe! Moton are one of the biggest names in the suspension industry and they’ve released this product for those who are serious about the track and getting the absolute best out of their S2K.

These are an incredible option for those of you where money is no option. This kit doesn’t include springs, if it is of interest to you then we highly recommend reaching out to Vivid Racing.

Manufacturer description: “The 3-Way adjustable Moton damper features 15 positions of high speed bump, 6 positions low speed bump and 15 positions of rebound adjustment. The low speed bump adjuster is located on top of the high speed bump adjuster and can be adjusted in dependably.“

“The low speed bump adjuster is very effective in helping to control body roll while adding to turn in and is effective in controlling pitch and squat. The 3-Way adjustable Moton damper is using, like the double adjustable damper, a unique blow off valve system in the canister to totally control curb stones and bumpy track conditions.“

Our winner

Our winner is the highly acclaimed KW Variation 3 coilovers.

It was a close call between the superb KW V3’s and the HKS Hipermax for those of you that are looking for an every-day setup and frequently head to the track. With KW’s great track record combined with their stainless steel construction preventing rust and incredible versatility, they tick all the boxes for our guide.

KW V3 S2000 Coilovers

kw s2000 coilovers

For those with a slightly lower budget that are looking to get the best lap times available, we have no doubt that the HKS Hipermax IV’s will be perfect for your needs.

Runner-up

We just couldn’t bring ourselves to let these be the winners due to the crazy price which will put it completely out of the average buyer’s range. That being said, if you have the cash to splash and often head to the track, the Moton 3-way setup really is the best choice out there for you.

Moton 3-Way

moton s2000 coilovers

Thank you for reading our Honda S2000 coilover guide.

Looking for more power for your S2000? Try our turbo or supercharger kit guides! Want to upgrade your seats? Try our S2000 seat guide.

If you enjoyed this article then please share it with the sharing buttons at the side and the bottom of your screen.

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for use of their photography in this article:

The post Honda S2000 Coilover Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> Honda S2000 Exhaust Guide https://www.drifted.com/s2000-exhaust/ Thu, 01 Nov 2018 10:35:47 +0000 https://www.drifted.com/?p=42233 We list and review the most popular Honda S2000 exhaust systems available on the market today. This is the ultimate guide to selecting your new S2K exhaust.

The post Honda S2000 Exhaust Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> We list and review the most popular Honda S2000 exhaust systems available on the market today. This is the ultimate guide to selecting your new S2K exhaust.

honda s2000 exhaust

In a hurry? Here is our S2000 exhaust summary

Budget Choice Drifted Choice Premium Choice
invidia s2000 exhaust hks s2000 exhaust jsracing s2000 exhaust
Invidia N1 Titanium Tip S2000 exhaust HKS Hi-Power S2000 exhaust J's Racing Titanium FX-PRO 70RS S2000 exhaust
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Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now

If you’re lucky enough to own Honda’s legendary two-seater roadster, or even considering it, an aftermarket exhaust is undoubtedly something that should be on the ‘to-do’ list.

When Honda released their sleek design of the S2000 at the 1995 Tokyo motor show to mark their 50th Anniversary, it immediately took the motoring world by storm. Honda made their mark on the roadster scene, and with 9,000rpm and 240hp being pushed out of their lightweight chassis, it’s easy to see why it instantly became such a popular choice.

Looking for bolt on power? Our S2000 Intake guide was written jsut for you.

Since production has now ceased, and with prices more reasonable than ever, we think the S2K has the potential to become a future classic.

One of the best things about bolt-on modifications, such as exhausts, is that should you want to retain the value of the car, you simply remove the part and revert the car back to stock. In the meantime, you can enjoy looks, performance and sound gains with this no-brainer upgrade.

However, if you’re considering going full-retard on your S2000 build, with the potential to unleash up to 700hp, you’ll definitely want to check out our S2000 turbo and supercharger guides.

Since some exhausts do not fit both the AP1 and AP2, we highly recommend ensuring that you have the correct version before purchasing.

Who is this exhaust guide for?

We have written this exhaust guide to help you decide on your S2000’s new exhaust system by giving product information, pricing, photos and video clips for thirteen of the most popular S2K exhaust systems currently available. We have also included links for where you can purchase each system.

S2000 best exhaust selection

The following exhaust systems are the best systems we found on the market. Read on for full details.

SPOON Sports N1 S2000 exhaust

spoon s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 60.5 mm (2.4″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: Single 65mm (2.5″) tip
  • Primary exhaust system material: Stainless steel
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Manufacturer: SPOON Sports
  • Value for money: ????
  • Our comment: It’s not often we have the opportunity to see the Honda tuning legend here on Drifted, however, they’ve brought a great product to the market which has gone down extremely well within the S2K community. This probably isn’t the best choice for a daily driver, despite being lightweight. It’s extremely loud with a deep tone but provides great gains at a reasonable price point. This is a promising option if you’re looking for a reasonably priced exhaust, you’re not too bothered about noise levels and frequently find yourself heading to the track.
  • Manufacturer description: “Digital measurement of exhaust gas pressure and flow volume, engine dyno testing and circuit testing were used extensively. Testing showed that placing the resonator close to the engine provided the best sound reduction and weight balance. Consequently, the exhaust not only provides power but also reduces exhaust weight and shifts the exhaust weight balance towards the centre of the car to help improve the cars handling.”
  • Purchase link: Discontinued

SPOON Sports N1 S2000 exhaust video

Berk Technology 3″ S2000 exhaust

berk s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 76.2mm (3″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: Single 100mm (4″) tip
  • Primary exhaust system material: Stainless steel
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Manufacturer: Berk
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Our comment: Berk bring separate offerings to the market for AP1 and AP2 owners of their extremely popular 50-state smog legal exhaust. This great value lightweight option weighs in at just 26lbs. It provides a higher flow rate but still manages to be quieter than most, sounding more like a 70mm system. With a healthy power increase throughout the entire rev range, this is a great choice for those who are looking for a cheap, good looking exhaust with power gains that won’t wake up the entire neighborhood.
  • Manufacturer description: “THE INTRO We’ve been developing this exhaust for some time now and I think it’s about time to spill the beans. There are a TON of exhausts on the market today but this one has many design features that has not been seen in one complete package. We’re proud to introduce the Berk Technology 3″ Single exit exhaust for the performance minded enthusiast.”
  • Purchase link: Buy your AP1 or AP2 Berk Technology exhaust here.

Berk Technology S2000 exhaust video

GReddy Revolution RS S2000 exhaust

greddy s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 76.2mm (3″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: Single 115mm (4.5″) tip
  • Primary exhaust system material: Stainless steel
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Manufacturer: GReddy
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Our comment: We were pleasantly surprised at the price of the Japanese tuning legends offering. Featuring a 3″ diameter, this is a great flowing exhaust for those who are looking for power gains. GReddy claims it can free up 6hp and 5ft/lbs of torque. This is a louder exhaust than some of our offerings which may not suit you for daily driving, however, they have specifically tried to reduce the common ‘drone’ sound that S2000 exhausts are known for producing which could make it more ideal for the highway.
  • Manufacturer description: “The Revolution RS for the Honda S2000 features full 3″ diameter piping for superior performance. The purposeful single-sided Catback layout with minimal bends produces an effective but light-weight system. Careful attention to hanger locations makes it compatible with both AP1 and AP2 chassis. The extra large GReddy resonator controls unwanted drone, that is typically associated with larger diameter S2000 systems.”
  • Purchase link: Buy the GReddy Revolution RS S2000 Exhaust here

GReddy Revolution RS S2000 exhaust video

Invidia N1 Titanium Tip S2000 exhaust

invidia s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 70mm (2.75″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: Twin (or single) 102mm (4″) exhaust tips
  • Primary exhaust system material: Stainless steel with titanium tips
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Manufacturer: Invidia
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Our comment: Another strong contender is Invidia with their single or dual offerings. This exhaust isn’t for the faint hearted, or for those with sensitive neighbors! If you’re after a great looking option with impressive power gains and can deal with loud noise and drone, then the Invidia N1 should definitely be taken into consideration.
  • Manufacturer description: “Invidia catback exhaust systems are designed specifically to improve performance, they achieve this by reducing bends in the exhaust system, using larger diameter piping. The reduced restriction also gives your vehicle a more aggressive tone for the sport enthusiast to enjoy. This improves throttle response, torque, horsepower and the overall driving experience.”
  • Purchase link: Buy your dual exit here or single exit here

Invidia N1 S2000 exhaust video

J’s Racing Titanium FX-PRO 70RS S2000 exhaust

jsracing s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 70mm (2.75″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: Twin 76.2mm (3″) ‘dolphin’ tips
  • Primary exhaust system material: Titanium
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 (AP2 with slight modifications)
  • Manufacturer: J’s Racing
  • Value for money: ????
  • Our comment: If you’ve got the cash to splash and you’re after a titanium system, J’s Racing brings several unique high-end products to the market. Weighing in at an insane 6.3kg over the stock 23.4kg, this is a huge weight saving. The 70mm internal diameter becomes 60mm after the split on the dual exhaust, with ‘dolphin’ style tips on the end. This setup sounds fantastic and offers power increases throughout the entire rev range, but certainly comes at a price! J’s Racing have a wide variety of S2000 exhausts which you can find here.
  • Manufacturer description: “The FX-Pro line of full titanium exhaust systems is replacement to the FX series of J’s Racing exhausts. The exhausts feature a revised design for increased durability and strength. The Dual 70RS is a full titanium dual exhaust system which replaces the stock system after the catalytic converter. By utilizing a 70ø diameter titanium main pipe, it is designed for the AP2 with a 2.2 liter engine and an AP1 with a modified engine. It weighs only 6.3 kg compared with the stock part which weighs 23.4kg, achieving a dramatic weight reduction.”
  • Purchase link: Buy your J’s Racing 70RS Titanium exhaust here

J’s Racing Titanium FX-PRO 70RS exhaust video

Fujitsubo Legalis R S2000 exhaust

fujitsubo s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 60.5-50.8mm (2.4-2″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: 94mm (3.7″) dual tips
  • Primary exhaust system material: Stainless steel
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Manufacturer: Fujitsubo
  • Value for money: ????
  • Our comment: Fujitsubo’s offering has the smallest diameter in our guide, but that doesn’t stop it offering a great sound combined with respectable power gains. This is a great option for those who are looking for a quieter aftermarket system with a deep yet minimal tone for daily use.
  • Manufacturer description: “Designed for street use, it improves both low-end and mid-range power. All LegalisR systems are constructed of Stainless Steel, and feature mandrel bent piping. Each application is tested to provide optimal power output for street use, while maintaining a deep and quiet tone, which is great for everyday use. Drivers of all ages and skill levels can appreciate the increased power output, and exceptional quality.”
  • Purchase link: Buy your Fujitsubo Legalis R exhaust here

Fujitsubo Legalis R S2000 exhaust video

HKS Hi-Power S2000 exhaust

hks s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 60mm (2.4″) (75mm on single exit)
  • Tailpipe configuration: 96mm (3.7″) dual tips
  • Primary exhaust system material: Stainless steel
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Manufacturer: HKS
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Our comment: The HKS system is undoubtedly one of the most popular all-round options on the market. This exhaust doesn’t have the biggest power gains, however, if you already know the Japanese tuning legends then you’ll know that they consistently provide incredibly high quality parts and this offering has an epic, deep sound. If you’re after a louder option with larger gains then make sure you check out their single-exit ‘Racing’ version below.
  • Manufacturer description: “Inspired and designed from endurance and GT racing in Japan, HKS developed its Hi-Power Exhaust system for both turbocharged and naturally aspirated applications. HKS has incorporated this new race inspired offset muffler and piping design into many street applications, which offers a greater flow and higher-PRM power gains due to the less restrictive design. This is achieved by eliminating unnecessary bends for the straightest exhaust path.”
  • Purchase link: Buy your dual or single exit here

HKS Hi-Power S2000 exhaust video

Tanabe Medalion Touring S2000 exhaust

tanabe s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 60mm-50mm (2.3″-2″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: 100mm dual tips (4″)
  • Primary exhaust system material: Stainless steel
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1
  • Manufacturer: Tanabe
  • Value for money: ????
  • Our comment: Known as the ‘gentleman’s choice’, this is the perfect option for those of you that are after a quieter system for daily driving. Featuring a deep, clean and tasteful exhaust note, it will offer great looks and performance gains but with a maximum volume of just 93db.
  • Manufacturer description: “This Tanabe exhaust features a special Advantex muffler material that allows for the exhaust muffler to quiet the exhaust note while still allowing for high flow. Great for daily driven cars and enthusiasts who want to be able to hear each other in the car over the exhaust. Lightweight is an important aspect of this exhaust, and Tanabe uses special 1.2mm exhaust piping, hollow exhaust hangers, and lightweight pressed flanges to reduce weight as much as possible.”
  • Purchase link: Buy your Tanabe Medalion Touring S2000 exhaust here

Tanabe Medalion Touring S2000 exhaust video

Buddy Club Pro Spec S2000 exhaust

buddy club s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: Unknown
  • Tailpipe configuration: Unknown size single exit
  • Primary exhaust system material: Stainless Steel
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1
  • Manufacturer: Buddy Club
  • Value for money: ????
  • Our comment: The Buddy Club system is a mid-level priced single-exit exhaust that offers great looks with a deep tone. The Pro Spec exhaust is designed with high performance in mind. If you’re after a cheaper alternative from Buddy Club, make sure you check out their Spec II offering at just $570.
  • Manufacturer description: “Buddy Club Pro Spec is a super light weight and highly efficient muffler that is made to perform for circuit runs. In its street version, to optimize torque in the low to mid speed range, it is equipped with an efficient middle silencer (resonator). Pro Spec Mufflers were designed for high performance as well as meeting sound level standards. With its deep throaty tone, it echoes its racing lineage.”
  • Purchase link: Buy your Buddy Club Pro Spec S2000 exhaust here

Buddy Club Pro Spec S2000 exhaust video

Powerhouse Amuse R1000 S2000 exhaust

amuse s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 70mm (2.75″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: 115mm (4.5″) single exit
  • Primary exhaust system material: Titanium
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Manufacturer: Powerhouse Amuse
  • Value for money: ????
  • Our comment: It’s the most expensive item on our list, but damn this thing is pretty! Japanese tuning legends Powerhouse Amuse bring their R1000 titanium exhaust system into the mix. Those who have splashed out on the exhaust have noted that it’s truly a work of art, however, many of the products have come with a huge flaw. After a while, cracks have begun forming and titanium is notoriously difficult to weld. This has also caused internal rattling problems. If you can deal with these potential issues it’s undoubtedly an incredible piece, weighing in at just 9lbs. This is the best choice out there for gains, but it’s extremely loud and not advised for a daily driven S2K.
  • Manufacturer description: “The Amuse R1000 exhaust systems provide a large diameter for increased exhaust flow for high performance vehicles. The ultimate available exhaust for performance whilst dramatically reducing the weight of your exhaust system.”
  • Purchase link: Powerhouse Amuse R1000 S2000 exhaust here

A’PEXi N1 Evolution-R S2000 exhaust

apexi s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 65mm (2.5″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: 115mm (4.5″) single exit
  • Primary exhaust system material: Stainless Steel
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Manufacturer: A’PEXi
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Our comment: The Evolution-R is A’PEXi’s latest design for those who are looking for a free-flowing straight-through performance exhaust. This is the typically great quality we’ve come to expect from A’PEXi, but expect it to be quite a bit louder than their typical N1 offerings.
  • Manufacturer description: “The N1 Evolution-R combines all the racing heritage and proven performance of the original N1 muffler but raises the ante by adding light weight, fully polished stainless steel piping. This is the ultimate N1 exhaust system.”
  • Purchase link: Buy your A’PEXi N1 Evolution-R exhaust here

A’PEXi N1 S2000 exhaust video

Tomei Expreme S2000 exhaust

tomei s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 70mm (2.7″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: 115mm (4.5″) single exit
  • Primary exhaust system material: Titanium
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Manufacturer: Tomei
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Our comment: Tomei is a huge name in the exhaust world, and with their incredible price point and traditional Japanese quality, it’s easy to see why. Shedding an insane 42.65lb from the stock exhaust weight, this high-flowing exhaust is perfect for those of you that aren’t too worried about a louder exhaust and want the performance gains for frequent track use.
  • Manufacturer description: “In the pursuit of greater performance, weight is one of your biggest enemies. Combating this by adding power and reducing vehicle weight can help significantly, regardless of your performance goals. Tomei is proud to release their Expreme Ti exhaust system to offer highly reduced weight and greater power gains for your AP1 and AP2 S2000. In order to achieve the best performance possible from this Expreme Ti Titanium exhaust, Tomei designed the layout of the exhaust system to be as straight as possible.”
  • Purchase link: Buy your Tomei Expreme Titanium S2000 exhaust here

Tomei Expreme Titanium S2000 exhaust video

Skunk2 Mega Power S2000 exhaust

skunk2 s2000 exhaust

  • Internal pipe diameter: 60mm (3″)
  • Tailpipe configuration: 110mm (4.3″) dual tips
  • Primary exhaust system material: Stainless Steel
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 AP1 & AP2
  • Manufacturer: Skunk2
  • Value for money: ????
  • Our comment: Our final product offering is from the well-known Skunk2 brand. This exhaust comes with silencers and surprisingly provides the same power with, or without them during dyno testing. This popular system combines impressive gains which can be seen throughout the entire powerband with a fantastic sound.
  • Manufacturer description: “Dyno-proven for maximum horsepower, Skunk2 Racing Mega Power Catback systems are constructed from T-304 stainless steel and feature Japanese Super N1 styling. Skunk2 Catback exhaust systems unleash power by optimizing the velocity and flow from your engine. Each Mega Power exhaust is precision CNC mandrel bent using application specific tubing sized for maximum performance and is finished off with a straight through low-restriction racing muffler for uninterrupted flow.”
  • Purchase link: Buy your Skunk2 Mega Power S2000 exhaust here

Skunk2 Mega Power S2000 exhaust video

Which S2000 exhaust is our winner?

Japanese tuning house HKS has stood the test of time and continuously delivered an impeccable standard to the market. The quality, sound, and popularity of this exhaust speaks for itself, and combined with its mid-range price point we, therefore, find it our worthy winner.

There is a huge variety of exhausts to suit any needs you may have and we highly recommend ignoring the small horsepower gains between options and going with the exhaust which you like the look and sound of the most.

However, if you think you may go for forced induction further down the line then consider one of the larger diameter, high-flow options.

hks s2000 exhaust

The HKS Hi-Power exhaust has ticked the most boxes for us this time around. Offering an affordable price point combined with a great looking product from an extremely reputable manufacturer.

If money is not an issue, we’d be opting for the J’s Racing exhaust. Absolutely incredible workmanship combined with a high-flowing, unique look will undoubtedly make your S2K stand out both on the streets and the track.

Thank you for reading our S2000 exhaust guide

Make sure you don’t forget to check out the ideal S2000 turbocharger and supercharger offerings if you’re planning to consider the forced induction route in the near future. Want to upgrade your seats? Try our S2000 seat guide.

If you enjoyed this article then please share it with the sharing buttons at the side and the bottom of your screen.

Photography credits

We would like to thank the following sources for use of their photography:

The post Honda S2000 Exhaust Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> Honda S2000 Turbo Kit Guide https://www.drifted.com/s2000-turbo-kit/ Wed, 24 Oct 2018 13:37:13 +0000 https://www.drifted.com/?p=42084 We review the most popular Honda S2000 turbo kits available on the market today. This is the ultimate S2000 turbo kit guide.

The post Honda S2000 Turbo Kit Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> We review the most popular Honda S2000 turbo kits available on the market today. This is the ultimate S2000 turbo kit guide.

s2000 turbo kit

In a hurry? Here is our S2000 Turbo Kit summary

Budget Choice Drifted Choice Premium Choice
cxracing s2000 turbo kit fullblown s2000 turbo kit science of speed s2000 turbo kit
CXRacing S2000 Turbo kit Full Blown Stage 2 S2000 Turbo kit ScienceofSpeed (SOS) TS-MAX S2000 Turbo kit
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At the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda showed off their modern concept of what could be their next legendary roadster to the masses.

Just 4 years later, to celebrate their 50th anniversary, they would then turn dreams into a reality as the stunning S2000 was launched onto the market.

Following on from the tradition of Honda’s earlier roadsters, the S500, S600 and S800, the S2000 was also named after its (now hugely increased) engine capacity.

Whilst 2L might not sound overly impressive compared to some of the modern-day heavyweights out there, the F Series engine is regarded still one of the most incredible engines to this day.

Turbo too extreme? Looking for some easy bolt on power? Our S2000 Intake guide was written just for you.

With 240hp and 9,000rpm being squeezed out of this lightweight roadster, the 120 horses that it pushed out per liter was declared as the highest specific output of any naturally aspirated production engine in the world.

Not only was it ridiculously powerful for its size, it also features a bulletproof bottom end which is more than capable of handling Forced Induction.

Prices are cheaper than ever for S2K’s in the current market, despite them maintaining their value well. This has led to more people than ever opting for turbocharging their F20 and F22’s to take them from a sensible, refined daily to a beast on the streets.

Weighing in at just 1,250kg, owners have achieved over 700hp from the kits we’re showcasing below. Having all of the power in the world on tap is undoubtedly going to put a huge grin on your face, but be prepared to spin your way through the gears!

Forced induction

There’s no doubt that turbocharging is the best way to squeeze out huge power figures to throw down impressive times on the strip.

It’s worth considering that there are sometimes issues which come with turbocharging these cars. Heat is one of the main issues on daily drivers or intense track action, which can often be resolved with getting a lower mounted kit or additional cooling.

If you live in a hot state, we’d recommend doing specific research on which kit is best for your needs.

If you would prefer a more linear power curve whilst still delivering impressive figures which are perfect in the twisties or daily driving, make sure you also check out our S2000 supercharger options.

Check out our comprehensive turbocharger vs supercharger guide to see what is the right solution for your project.

Enjoy these hilarious reactions as Cole Rogers takes his unsuspecting buddies out for a spin in his 600hp S2000 Turbo!

Now, let’s take a look at our S2000 turbo kits

To read more about any of these products just click on the turbo kit name or photo. To make this guide as fair as possible, we have chosen the cheapest kit from each supplier.

Please note that these are likely to require additional engine management, fuel systems and tuning but we have no doubt it’ll be worth the effort once you’re lighting up the rear tyres!

Full Blown Stage 2 S2000 Turbo kit

fullblown s2000 turbo kit

Our comment: Based on the opinion of many owners out there, Full Blown is often regarded as the most refined turbo kit on the market. This setup is extremely high quality and certainly finishes off the S2000 bay nicely. Several people are running around 420-440whp safely with the turbo being fully spooled by 4,700rpm.

When compared to the likes of the GReddy kit, this spools a little slower, but once it kicks in it’s a whole different animal.

This is a straightforward bolt-on kit and Full Blown offer a convenient upgrade packages should you want even more power to begin with, or later on. Full Blown are known for their fantastic customer service so we highly recommend contacting them if you have any questions or queries.

Manufacturer description: “There are many turbo options for S2k’s out there but we knew that having to relocate everything becomes costly and time consuming. This is the reason we designed our Stage 2 Direct bolt in turbo kit.”

“Our kit does not require you to relocate your fues box, battery, or oil filter.”

“The Kit comes standard with your choice of precision turbo 5858, 6266, (other options available for additional cost), ball bearing option is also available.”

ScienceofSpeed (SOS) TS-MAX Twin Scroll S2000 Turbo kit

science of speed s2000 turbo kit

Our comment: Another perfect-fitting bolt-on kit is available from ScienceofSpeed with no relocation needed. This comes with the typical quality and craftmanship that we’ve come to expect from SOS. This is a great choice for those of you who are daily driving your S2K or looking for high reliability.

That being said, this isn’t the best kit out there if you’re looking to impress with horsepower figures, with most people achieving an upper bracket of around 400hp. However, it spools quickly and has a convenient low-down turbo location so this could well be a great all-rounder for the street or trying to keep temperatures down at the track.

Manufacturer description: “ScienceofSpeed introduces the TS-MAX Twin Scroll Turbocharger System – unequivocally, the most thoroughly developed highest quality turbocharger system available for the Honda S2000. Developed, tested, and proven on the race track the TS-MAX turbocharger system combines high performance and durability in one package.”

“It is important to realize that the TS-MAX Twin Scroll Turbocharger system is unlike anything else on the market. This is the only system that combines a twin scroll turbocharger with out the need for oil scavenge pumps, with out the need to remote-mount the oil filter, relocate or replace the factory battery, relocate or modify air conditioning hard lines, the factory fuse box, or cut or modify any factory metal body or frame work. High performance is important, but so is ease of installation, maintenance, and durability!”

PTUNING S2000 Turbo kit

ptuning s2000 turbo kit

Our comment: Here we have the most expensive offering so far, but PTUNING have a huge fan base that’ll happily argue that this kit is worth every penny. This newly-released kit is a great fit with some very minor modifications required which will happily see you lay down figures of over 420hp with almost no lag.

Featuring a low-mounted turbo setup, this is a great option for keeping temperatures down for those who intend on pushing their car.

Some owners reported finding the custom mount for the kit provided far too much noise and vibration throughout the car for daily driving. We’ve heard that they’ve now released a softer mount, but some owners have taken to modifying polybushes themselves to improve it. We certainly don’t think this should put you off considering an otherwise great kit, though. Should you have any issues, PTUNING offer fantastic customer service.

Manufacturer description: “The PTUNING Turbo System for the Honda S2000 was designed to be the most efficient, reliable and track-proven bolt-on turbo kit on the market.“

CXRacing S2000 Turbo kit

cxracing s2000 turbo kit

Our comment: CXRacing seems to have been met with a mixed reaction from the S2000 tuning scene, immediately being branded as ‘Chinese’ quality without much real research to back it up. This tuning company has an extremely good reputation throughout the turbocharging industry for creating fantastic options at incredible prices. We’ve seen many owners run huge mileage with absolutely no reliability issues.

We feel that this kit is insanely good value for money and definitely worth doing more research on. You can also consider going for the no turbo or wastegate option on their site to gain a spare $245 and instead source your own parts to fit to the kit. We definitely do not recommend ruling this kit out as a low budget option which is capable of 400-450hp!

Manufacturer description: “All Parts Are Developed from Ground Up in Our R&D Center in USA, Designed and Built for Improved Performance Gains, with Excellent Fitment and Easy Installation.”

Full Race Twin Scroll Honda S2000 Turbo kit

fullrace s2000 turbo kit

Our comment: Full Race entered the market as one of the earliest kits available for the S2K. Whilst there’s no doubt that the kit is good quality, a lot of owners have reported having fitment issues with quite a lot of work and potentially additional basic parts involved to get it perfect. There are certainly more convenient kits on the market if you are looking for a simple bolt-on fitment.

Full Race are known for their great customer service, so if you are considering this option then we have no doubt that they’ll be happy to help you out.

Manufacturer description: “Full-Race’s legendary Twinscroll External-WG turbo kit is now available for the F20C and F22C Honda S2000 VTEC engines. Designed to deliver maximum efficiency for the earliest spool possible and quick throttle/boost response, this twin scroll turbo kit works equally well for a road race/time attack build as it does on the street and drag strip.”

GReddy S2000 Turbo kit

greddy s2000 turbo kit

  • Manufacturer: GReddy
  • Fitment: Honda S2000
  • Value for money: ?????
  • Purchase link: Discontinued

Our comment: GReddy are the only JDM tuner to have produced a kit for the S2000, which at the current time is Unavailable. However, the good news is that it’s because they’re launching a brand-new promising S2000 kit to the market soon!

We don’t have any facts about the new setup, but their old kit was of the quality and fitment you would expect from the Japanese tuning legends. With owners making up to 330hp, it certainly wasn’t the most powerful option. However, it was the only kit to this day that is CARB legal in US states.

The disadvantage with the CARB restrictions means that it lacked power up top and that the turbo and downpipe were too small, potentially creating back-pressure issues. Despite this, it’s one of the best and most reliable kits out there for daily driving. With a new kit in progress, this older option could start surfacing for bargain prices soon!

Manufacturer description: “GReddy Turbo Kits for naturally aspired motors provides instant horsepower gains with less time and money while still providing room for upgrading for even more power!”

“GReddy turbo kits are specifically designed for optimal response and performance while maintaining daily drivability, comfort, and reliability.”

PFAB S2000 Turbo kit

pfab s2000 turbo kit

  • Manufacturer: PFAB
  • Fitment: Honda S2000
  • Value for money: ????
  • Purchase link: Discontinued

Our comment: PFAB bring another highly-respected kit to the market with impressive power figures, with over 475hp being capable depending on which one of their several turbo’s you decide to go with.

Once you’ve decided which option suits your needs best, you may have to relocate your fuse box and some further modifications within the bay. We recommend speaking to PFAB’s great support team if you are considering this option.

Manufacturer description: “Supportable of 475+whp (will vary based on turbo selection).”

InlinePro S2000 Turbo kit

inline pro s2000 turbo kit

Our comment: InlinePro came into the market as one of the first turbocharger offerings and have a great reputation. Some owners have achieved up to 700whp using their Stage 2 kit, but expect the upper bracket to be around 400hp with this Stage 1 setup. This may need some additional modifications such as oil filter relocation.

If this is of interest to you, we highly recommend speaking to Vivid Racing who will no doubt be happy to assist!

Manufacturer description: “Inline Performance Products or InlinePRO, has been in the import performance industry for over 10 years. Through the years, we have manufactured some of the most high quality parts, from turbo kits to accessories.”

Our winner

Our winner is the Full Blown Turbo kit.

To pick our winner from this choice of S2000 turbo kits we looked at a number of criteria; ease of installation, quality, popularity, upgrade potential and price point.

Based on these criteria we have chosen the Full Blown Turbo kit to be our winner.

Full Blown S2000 Turbo kit

full blown s2000 turbo kit

Full Blown have brought the perfect product to the market this time around. With a reasonable price point combined with fantastic quality and great loooks, it’s easy to see why so many delighted owners have opted for this kit and gone on to have long-term success with it.

With the convenience of being a straightforward bolt-on fitment from the beginning alongside the potential to upgrade to some of Full Blown’s more advanced offerings further down the line, it keeps your future classic with the times.

In the unlikely scenario that the Full Blown kit doesn’t suit your preference, we’d definitely recommend considering the PTUNING option.

Thank you for reading our S2000 turbo kit guide

We hope that you’re now confident in choosing the right product for your needs to give your S2K the much-needed power upgrade it should’ve left the factory with! Want to upgrade your seats? Try our S2000 seat guide.

Photography credits

We would like to thank the following sources for use of their images:
– S2KI Forums

If you enjoyed this article then please share it with the buttons at the side and bottom of your screen. Find this information useful? Please post a link to it on your cars owners club. We really appreciate your support.

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]]> Honda S2000 Supercharger Guide https://www.drifted.com/s2000-supercharger/ Wed, 17 Oct 2018 09:28:34 +0000 https://www.drifted.com/?p=41876 We review the most popular Honda S2000 supercharger kits available on the market today. This is the ultimate S2K supercharger guide.

The post Honda S2000 Supercharger Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

]]> We review the most popular Honda S2000 supercharger kits available on the market today. This is the ultimate S2K supercharger guide.

s2000 supercharger

In a hurry? Here is our S2000 Supercharger summary

Budget Choice Drifted Choice Premium Choice
hks s2000 supercharger science of speed s2000 supercharger tts s2000 supercharger
HKS GT Pro Kit S2000 Supercharger Science of Speed S2000 Supercharger TTS S2000 Supercharger
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Honda’s legendary two-seater roadster, which was released to mark their 50th anniversary, has certainly stood the test of time. It’s sleek, unique styling still looks incredible today and it’s an impressive all-around package straight out of the factory.

There’s no question that the car was built with performance in mind. With an engine capable of revving to 9,000rpm in the earlier models and hitting 237hp in the older models, Honda did a great job with providing a sufficient amount of power for the road.

Looking an air intake to compliment your supercharger? Our S2000 Intake guide was written just for you.

However, we don’t really do ‘sufficient’ here at Drifted, and we’re guessing that you found us because you probably don’t either. If you’ve decided it’s time to release the full potential of what your S2000 has to offer, then you’ve come to the right place!

Forced induction

There’s always going to be ‘that’ debate amongst owners as to which FI option is the better choice.

Whether you’re searching for huge power figures or intending to do straight line racing, a turbocharger may well be the better option for your needs.

However, if you’re intending to have a usable power-band where you can plant your foot in the twisties without the fear of doing an unexpected 180, then a supercharger is most likely the choice for you.

Superchargers provide a far more consistent power delivery with zero lag, providing a satisfyingly broad and predictable torque curve. If you’re looking to stick with the power curve that Honda intended, but with a much-needed kick up the butt, the supercharger is the choice for you.

Please note that we highly recommend further research for any various additional modifications which are required to run these supercharger kits.

Not convinced by a supercharger but still want serious power? Try our S2000 turbo kit guide. Still not sure on the differences between turbochargers and superchargers? Our turbocharger vs supercharger guide was written just for you.

Let’s take a look at our S2000 supercharger kits

To read more about any of these products simply click on the supercharger name or photo.

TTS S2000 Supercharger

tts s2000 supercharger

Our comment: UK-based TTS might not seem like the obvious choice for the international market, however, this fantastic kit offers exceptional quality and a fantastic driving experience. This has made it extremely popular even in the US and further afield.

Opting for a Rotrex C38 supercharger in their kit, this is undoubtedly one of the best offerings out there. TTS offers fantastic customer service and have rectified any issues that owners have had over the years.

With several offerings such as a sensible daily kit, all the way up to 500bhp and 300ft/lb torque monster offering throughout a variety of selections, TTS certainly has something for everyone!

Manufacturer description: “TTS PERFORMANCE have developed this superb supercharger conversion to give awesome power gains yet better drivability than the standard car. This conversion enables the car to pull hard through its entire power band with no glitches, no fuss, no throttle lag, just seamless power.“

“This conversion requires very little maintenance. The front-mounted intercooler optimizes the performance by keeping the intake charge temperature down. This conversion out-performs all other commercially available supercharger conversions on the market*.“

“The conversion is available for air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned cars. Left or right-hand drive. Although the F20/22 engine and transmission are extremely durable, it may be necessary to replace the clutch.“

Features (SUPERSPORT model):

  • Rotrex C38-81 Supercharger
  • Supercharger pulley
  • Alloy main support bracket
  • Mounting brackets and bolts
  • 4x idler pulleys with mounts
  • 1560mm DPK 7 rib belt
  • Lightweight alloy crank 125mm 7PK pulley
  • TTS auto belt tensioner
  • TTS custom front mounted intercooler
  • TTS air filter induction kit
  • All alloy connecting pipes
  • All silicon hoses and clamps
  • Deatsch werks injectors and adapter plugs
  • Walbro 255 fuel pump
  • Fitting instructions

HKS GT Pro Kit S2000 Supercharger

hks s2000 supercharger

Our comment: Japanese tuning legends HKS step into the game with their highly reputable supercharger. This certainly isn’t the craziest kit out there. Hoever, if you’re looking for a good-looking, reliable SC that maintains the JDM feel then this is always a great alternative.

With over 300hp being achieved from this kit out of the box, other owners have reliably managed over 400hp with daily driving. Our main issue with this kit is the potential difficulty of sourcing spares from HKS if the issue ever arose.

Manufacturer description: “The HKS Supercharger Pro Kit has been designed to maximize the performance of naturally aspirated engines by adding a HKS supercharger.“

“Smooth torque delivery leads to ease of use which makes the HKS GT Supercharger a great match for the engine.“

“We would like those who want more power but feel resistance to forced induction to experience this setup which has acceleration feel reminiscent of a tuned NA engine.“

Features:

  • GTS7040 Supercharger Unit capable of 300hp
  • Traction Fluid Filter, Tank & Cooler
  • Idler Pulley (x2), Crank Pulley
  • Supercharger Crank Pulley
  • Supercharger Unit 120mm Pulley & Belt
  • Relieve Valve Assembly
  • Air Filter with Suction Pipe
  • Intercooler with Piping
  • All hardware and hosing required for installation

Science of Speed S2000 Supercharger

science of speed s2000 supercharger

Our comment: If you look online, it doesn’t take long to see that the SOS kit undoubtedly has the biggest following on our list. Known as ‘The King’ of S2000 superchargers, this most frequently gets the vote as the best all-round S2000 offering on the market.

With SOS receiving huge praise for both their customer service and quality, their kits which are capable of providing over 500whp tick every box on our list with impressive power figures, reliability and customer service.

SOS opt for the highly-recommended Novi 1200 or 1220 supercharger depending on your power preference. Although the most expensive version of the hugely-popular Stage 2 kit can potentially cost up to $6,400, there’s no doubt that it’s worth the money.

Manufacturer description: “This system uses a higher boost pulley for a wheel horsepower gain of 140-150 horsepower with 91/93 octane, and over 200+ wheel horsepower gain with race gas or E85.“

“The ScienceofSpeed Stage 2 system includes upgraded engine management and fuel system. For the 2000-05 applications, we include the AEM EMS Series 2. For the 2006-2009 applications, we include the K-Tuner Flash (can be upgraded to the K-Tuner Touch for an additional $200.00,“

“The system includes the reliable Novi 1220 supercharger which produces a 140-150 wheel horsepower gain at 9 PSI (a higher capacity supercharger, the Novi 1200 is available as an upgrade, suited for applications over 9 PSI), a complete machined billet aluminum bracket & belt tension system that is mounted with aerospace vibration isolation mounts, a liquid charge intercooler system, and intake system.“

Features:

S2000, 2000-05

  • ScienceofSpeed Supercharger System
  • AEM Series 2 Engine Management System
  • ID 1050cc Injectors
  • Injector Plug and Play Adapters
  • ScienceofSpeed Injector Fitting Kit
  • Walbro 255 LPH HP Fuel Pump

S2000, 2006-09

  • ScienceofSpeed Supercharger System
  • K-Tuner Flash (can be upgraded to a K-Tuner Touch)
  • ID 1050cc Injectors
  • Injector Plug and Play Adapters
  • ScienceofSpeed Injector Fitting Kit
  • ScienceofSpeed High Fuel Pressure Regulator

Comptech/CT Engineering S2000 Supercharger Kit

comptech s2000 supercharger

  • Manufacturer: Comptech/CT Engineering
  • Fitment: Honda S2000
  • Value for money: ???
  • Purchase link: No longer available due to CT Engineering having ceased trading.

Our comment: This once-popular option is often spoken about in the S2000 supercharging world and was initially designed by Comptech. After business issues, Comptech later split and CT Engineering began selling these highly sought after SC kits.

However, recently, CT Engineering has also ceased trading and we therefore can’t give the product a higher than a 3* rating due to potential lack of support should you have any issues or need spares. If this kit pops up cheap used, it may well be a bargain choice as it once had a great reputation.

Manufacturer description: “This CT Engineering (formerly Comptech USA) Supercharger Kit is one of the best power modifications you can make to your performance Honda S2000. This product was designed from the ground up with quality, reliability, and durability in mind, and the installation is simple and completely bolt-on (no extra modifications or engine upgrades are required). “

“Not only that, but CT Engineering Supercharger Kits come complete with a tuning solution, which will ensure that your ECU is tuned perfectly for your new supercharger right out of the box.“

Kraftwerks S2000 Supercharger System

kraftwerks s2000 supercharger

Our comment: When Kraftwerks initially launched their S2000 supercharger kit, it was a popular offering but issues soon started arriving, therefore we recommend steering clear of the older Rotrex C30 kit. Thankfully, Kraftwerks listened to the people and released a brand-new updated package which features the same Rotrex C38 supercharger that’s also found in the TTS setup.

Kraftwerks not only improved the supercharger during the update, but also the intercooler, providing more power with an improved design. We feel that the TTS kit still has the edge in their design, alongside numerous people mentioning that they have had missing or wrong parts in their Kraftwerks package. That being said, this is still a fantastic kit which comes highly recommended.

Manufacturer description: “Kraftwerks is pleased to introduce the newly redesigned supercharger system for the 2006-2009 Honda S2000. Centered around the highly efficient Rotrex C38-81 supercharger, the Kraftwerks 2006-2009 Honda S2000 kit produces impressive results throughout the entire power band. And, unlike any other forced induction system, the Kraftwerks supercharger system provides a linear power curve, torque on demand, cooler operating temperatures, and total driveability.”

“The 2006-2009 S2000 supercharger system provides instant throttle response and a progressive power curve that increases all the way to redline without the typical ‘spiking’ or ‘surging’ associated with turbochargers. This unique, more useable power curve results in reduced cylinder pressures, less strain on engine components, and increased reliability. Rotrex superchargers also operate much cooler when compared to turbochargers and other supercharger systems, which reduces the engine’s intake air temperature as well as its risk of detonation.”

“Rotrex superchargers are renowned for their compact size, high adiabatic efficiency, low vibration, and quiet operation. Their unique traction drive technology is what makes all of this possible, which, unlike other superchargers, transmits power through frictional forces between its rolling elements. Each Rotrex unit features its own self-contained oiling system that remains independent of the engine. Its dual-action oil pump supplies traction fluid to the supercharger while the supplied cooler ensures proper fluid temperatures at all times.”

Features:

  • Rotrex C38-81 Supercharger w/ 70mm Pulley (11.2 psi)
  • Grams Performance 1,000cc/min. High Impedance Fuel Injectors w/ Plug-and-Play Connectors
  • Grams Performance 320lph High Flow Fuel Pump
  • Front Mount Intercooler (27 x 12 x 3 Inch)
  • Aluminum Intercooler Piping
  • Oil Cooler - for supercharger
  • High-Quality CNC-machined Brackets, Idler Pulley, and Tensioner
  • High-Quality Fasteners and Hardware
  • Recirculating Bypass Valve

Vortech S2000 Supercharger Kit

vortech s2000 supercharger

Our comment: We were surprised to see that yet another popular offering appears to have been discontinued, this time the well-known Vortech setup.

Although Vortech typically has a hugely popular reputation in the supercharging scene, it seems as though they may have given up on supercharging the S2000. Given the fact that they no longer support the S2K and combined with mixed reports from various owners, we wouldn’t recommend going with the Vortech on this occasion.

Manufacturer description: “This system bolts on 49% horsepower to give your S2000 358 tire shreddin’ horsepower. Torque improves from 153 lb./ft. to 214 lb./ft. on the 2.0L and from 162 lb./ft. to 219 lb./ft. on the 2.2L.“

“Vortech’s gear driven supercharger with SQ technology provides quiet operation and unmatched reliability.“

Our winner

Our winner is the SpeedofScience (S0S) Stage 2 S2000 Supercharger kit

To pick our winner from this choice of S2000 supercharger kits we looked at a number of criteria; popularity, power levels, upgrade potential and also long-term reliability.

Based on these criteria we have chosen the SpeedofScience (S0S) Stage 2 S2000 Supercharger kit to be our winner.

SpeedofScience (S0S) Stage 2 S2000 Supercharger kit

sos1 s2000 supercharger

As an all-rounder, we undoubtedly feel that the SpeedofScience setup was the best option available for your S2K. Despite already being a great kit, the sheer amount of people that have reliably stacked up the miles on their setups over the years, whilst receiving fantastic support from SOS goes a long way.

With lots of upgrade potential, SOS will safely see you achieve over 500whp if your pockets are deep enough!

Our runner-up is undoubtedly the TTS kit. However, we can understand that some people may be put off by the fact that sourcing from the UK may be more challenging than sticking with US-based SOS.

Thank you for reading our S2000 supercharger guide

Forced induction all sorted? Great. Do you need a performance exhaust system? Our S2000 exhaust guide is written just for you. Want to upgrade your seats? Try our S2000 seat guide.

If you enjoyed this article then please share it with the sharing buttons at the side and the bottom of your screen.

Photography credits

The post Honda S2000 Supercharger Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

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