Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
Honda-Tech Member
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From: South Bay, CA
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
*Pats dagle on the head* That's nice
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Richland, WA
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
I'll take the pepsi challenge with any S2K owner on trunk space and hauling bags for two adults (including a 20 something female with 200+pairs of hi-heels)
Trust me...the 350z hatch area can haul more cargo than the S2K trunk...dont look at stats...park them side by side and load them...youll see
Plus there is a hump in the passenger side trans tunnel that impedes comfort on the S2K.
The 350z is a sports GT....the S2K is more of a pure sports car. Ive owned 9 Hondas and will own plenty more and had I not needed the cruise comfort/cargo room I would have much prefered the S2K.
The F20c compared to the VQ is a masterpiece. The VQ came when Nissan was hurting and the build shows ALOT of cost cutting measures that really hamper power production in stock form. While the F20c is somewhat 'max'ed out in NA form adding a little boost really amplifies the character of the S2K....a small GT30 turbo setup wouldnt be overkill and add an easy 150whp that would make the S2K magical...throw in some weight reduction and thats a 2200lb dream of a 400+whp S2K with quick spool.
I wish the VQ was a little different but it is what it is. It gets the job done but at 33-3400lbs the not so smart head holds back power production and the weak rods/rod bolts limit revs. Since there are fewer Z tuners/builders the prices for work is $$$$. You need work to really move the car...plus the ECU is finicky and until a short time ago you had to have a $$$ V-Pro to really get a good tune....talking 3K just to get a tune that would hold...for a simple NA bolt-on car looking to maxmize gains...3K on top is just crazy. But really had no choice until UpREV came in with a $600 flash soloution.
While not as cheap to mod as Civics the S2Ks premium wasnt as high as the Z guys looking for 500+whp....S2K guys can do that on stock block...most Zs will need to build for that.
The newer HR motors are great and the all new 3.7L motors with the new head are cool ( a little heat sensitive) but at least they are belting out 330hp which makes the Z where it should have been in 03.
Sorry for the rant..
Trust me...the 350z hatch area can haul more cargo than the S2K trunk...dont look at stats...park them side by side and load them...youll see
Plus there is a hump in the passenger side trans tunnel that impedes comfort on the S2K.
The 350z is a sports GT....the S2K is more of a pure sports car. Ive owned 9 Hondas and will own plenty more and had I not needed the cruise comfort/cargo room I would have much prefered the S2K.
The F20c compared to the VQ is a masterpiece. The VQ came when Nissan was hurting and the build shows ALOT of cost cutting measures that really hamper power production in stock form. While the F20c is somewhat 'max'ed out in NA form adding a little boost really amplifies the character of the S2K....a small GT30 turbo setup wouldnt be overkill and add an easy 150whp that would make the S2K magical...throw in some weight reduction and thats a 2200lb dream of a 400+whp S2K with quick spool.
I wish the VQ was a little different but it is what it is. It gets the job done but at 33-3400lbs the not so smart head holds back power production and the weak rods/rod bolts limit revs. Since there are fewer Z tuners/builders the prices for work is $$$$. You need work to really move the car...plus the ECU is finicky and until a short time ago you had to have a $$$ V-Pro to really get a good tune....talking 3K just to get a tune that would hold...for a simple NA bolt-on car looking to maxmize gains...3K on top is just crazy. But really had no choice until UpREV came in with a $600 flash soloution.
While not as cheap to mod as Civics the S2Ks premium wasnt as high as the Z guys looking for 500+whp....S2K guys can do that on stock block...most Zs will need to build for that.
The newer HR motors are great and the all new 3.7L motors with the new head are cool ( a little heat sensitive) but at least they are belting out 330hp which makes the Z where it should have been in 03.
Sorry for the rant..
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Auckland, drunk, NZ
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
2. The S2K has 246hp as standard
3. The US market is slightly different to most other countries
4. "This is America" - what is? the internet??
5. actually i give up - you will never understand.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,808
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From: Auckland, drunk, NZ
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,808
Likes: 0
From: Auckland, drunk, NZ
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
at the wheel will vary from car to car depending on drivetrain, age etc. etc.
i don't read magazines
so impart all of your wisdom on us - how much power should Honda have given this car to appease you?
i don't read magazines
so impart all of your wisdom on us - how much power should Honda have given this car to appease you?
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 27
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From: Richland, WA
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
The problem isn't the car.. it's Honda. I've never enjoyed the lack or torque. I've had many sports cars over the years.. while the s2k is a neat fun car.. it's probably the one I've enjoyed the least. If you enjoy it, great! I'm sure cars are a bit different in our parts of the world.
Here.. I'm not all that impressed.
Here.. I'm not all that impressed.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: South Bay, CA
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
Although I must say...the Z is a frick'en battle ship at high speeds...maybe its the weight/wheelbase but compared to all the other cars Ive owned it inspires alot of confidence.
Turn in with the S2Ks I have driven is awesome and the shifter is a dream come true...snickety snick short throw...my Z is rubbery and has a longer throw...and for some reason hates redline 1-2 shifts...guide it in or miss it...which is probably why so many Z guys suck at the drag strip lol...among other things like the tiny 245s that come on most models. I have 285's on mine and as sideways as its gets I cant imagine the car on tiny 245s...I would probably be a statistic with those all season 245s lol. Easy to catch though...very forgiving chassis
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,700
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From: South Bay, CA
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
The problem isn't the car.. it's Honda. I've never enjoyed the lack or torque. I've had many sports cars over the years.. while the s2k is a neat fun car.. it's probably the one I've enjoyed the least. If you enjoy it, great! I'm sure cars are a bit different in our parts of the world.
Here.. I'm not all that impressed.
Here.. I'm not all that impressed.
This should be good - Im guessing you found something similar that DOES impress you? Let us in on the secret.
The fact remains the S2K is a drivers car -- most americans are simply auto-pilots. So, most americans will probably complain...they never really DROVE the car...Im not talking going to work or the grocery store either....Im talking downhill 30-50mph sweepers, hairpins and switchbacks...places few americans actually visit for fun.
No other NA 4cyl sports car on earth could hope to come close in stock form except for perhaps something in Hondas arsenal...but Im open to the idea of something out there that I might have overlooked when I went car shopping.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 27
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From: Richland, WA
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
It's great and all that Honda has produced a 4 cylinder performance car.. and I can't name one because no one else uses a 4cyl power plant to do a man's job..
How about the Toyota 2ZZ-GE in the Elise.. ? 1.8 making 190.. I think the Elise is quicker than an s2k.. no?
Maybe you've never heard of the Toyota Beams 3SGE?
How about the Toyota 2ZZ-GE in the Elise.. ? 1.8 making 190.. I think the Elise is quicker than an s2k.. no?
Maybe you've never heard of the Toyota Beams 3SGE?
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Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
wow holy heated thread. Didn't see this happening when I put the first reply on here.
The only thing that I wish the S has is a little more in the mid range. Very interested in the i-vtec that I have heard about recently. Something about gaining only 10 or 20 top end but tons mid range. I feel that Honda was going for some crazy record with horsepower per liter rather than driveability, hence the ap2. Tight corner drifting would be a lot easier with a better torque curve.
At the track when you are in the vtec range at all times, I think the car performs god like. I don't understand this "unstable" above 75 nonsense. Hitting 115 seems fine to me. Tail end is happy but that's my own driving failing me there.
Trunk space, the Z definitely has more room when you put it side by side.
The only thing that I wish the S has is a little more in the mid range. Very interested in the i-vtec that I have heard about recently. Something about gaining only 10 or 20 top end but tons mid range. I feel that Honda was going for some crazy record with horsepower per liter rather than driveability, hence the ap2. Tight corner drifting would be a lot easier with a better torque curve.
At the track when you are in the vtec range at all times, I think the car performs god like. I don't understand this "unstable" above 75 nonsense. Hitting 115 seems fine to me. Tail end is happy but that's my own driving failing me there.
Trunk space, the Z definitely has more room when you put it side by side.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 27
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From: Richland, WA
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
I don't see what point I'm missing.. the 4cyl high compression engine isn't something Honda owns..
Sure the s2k is an amazingly unique car... but you apparently are writing the book of s2k religion over there..
Sure the s2k is an amazingly unique car... but you apparently are writing the book of s2k religion over there..
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Richland, WA
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
You seem to think the s2k is the ultimate car.. every car I've had I've been able to see flaws in it.. whether is be cosmetic or mechanical..
Why can't you admit that the hp/tq number's aren't proportional.. and that's why a lot of people think the cars are underpowered??
Why can't you admit that the hp/tq number's aren't proportional.. and that's why a lot of people think the cars are underpowered??
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Auckland, drunk, NZ
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
it's not the ultimate car - i have owned probably around 25-30 different cars from exotics to ********. jags to corvettes to minis, alfas, all sorts (inc 4pots, V6, V8 and V12's)..
i admit that the hp/tq are not proportional, but i still don't understand your logic. underpowered compared to what? This car is a complete design. i.e. no basic model, no supercharged version, no different engine models.
That's because the configuration as it left the factory was perfect for what the car was designed to do. Any car could do with more power, but this thing smokes a lot of cars with it's little underpowered 2.0 - your logic is terrible.
last post from me on the topic, otherwise you will bring me down to your level and beat me as you have more experience at that low level.
i admit that the hp/tq are not proportional, but i still don't understand your logic. underpowered compared to what? This car is a complete design. i.e. no basic model, no supercharged version, no different engine models.
That's because the configuration as it left the factory was perfect for what the car was designed to do. Any car could do with more power, but this thing smokes a lot of cars with it's little underpowered 2.0 - your logic is terrible.
last post from me on the topic, otherwise you will bring me down to your level and beat me as you have more experience at that low level.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 27
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From: Richland, WA
Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
Ok.. maybe we can come to an agreement and say.. the engine design of the s2k fits the car well.. and I'm just not a fan of the pure track style it offers..
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Re: Do you feel that the stock S2k is underpowered?
Not an owner of one, looking to pick up an AP1 next spring if the price is right still. Id have to say there a little light in power for low speed accel but its ment to be an all around car not a 1320 monster. But thats what boost is for 
I will be boosting for sure as great things are being done with these cars on stock motors.
I will be boosting for sure as great things are being done with these cars on stock motors.
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From: Auckland, drunk, NZ
