Okay here's the deal: I have a little under a grand to spend on my baby, but I'm not sure how to spend it.

option 1: ACT Street Clutch($490) or Spoon Clutch($550)/Toda flywheel($475) install. Should run me a grand when all is said and done. I like this option because my '02 clutch slips like a bitch.

option 2: Spoon Springs($350) and an OEM lip($350)...I like this option because the car will look and handle better

option 3: Save up for the ATS Final Drive($1,600)...I will have no mods for a while except for this. From what I understand this mod REALLY makes the S accelerate much quicker, but it will be the only mod I have. It changes the final drive to: 1.292 ratio

option 4: Save up for Mugen Header($1,300)...Same as above, I will have no other mods except for this.

option 5: J's Racing Final Gear Set($910) Change the final gear ratio on the S2000 to increase acceleration. The gear sets come in ratios of 4.3, 4.44, and 4.77 to 1. I would probably go with 4.44

option 6: Spoon N1 Exhaust($850)

i'm not sure exactly what the difference is in terms of acceleration between a Final Gear set and a Final drive, hopefully you guys will be able to help me out. I drive the car hard when I get a clear opening, and I auto-x about once a month. I will certainly take it to track events when I get chance. What is the best way for me to go? I have no experience with any of these mods on the S2000, but i'm sure alot of you have been down this road already....guide me! I'm too damn indecisive



[Modified by gastonS2k, 11:53 AM 10/25/2002]

 

ask this question on S2ki.com or S2ksocal.com...you will get more replies..i have no money so i can't upgrade my S yet...

 

4.77 gears

i personally think the S handels great from the factory. Just needs a little more pep down low. The gears will give you that. The header may not give you as much gain or bang for buck as people like to say.

I personally will be going with the J's 4.77 gear set in a few months

 

What does the S top out at with 4.77s?

 

I'd drop consideration for every one of these modifications with the exception of the J's final gear swap. (4.44 not the 4.77 if you are planning any other mods). Seriously.

The final gear set is worth up to .5 seconds in the quarter mile if you care about quarter mile numbers.

The springs won't make you handle better, the clutch is useless and potentially hazardous to your driveline, the header is WAYYY over priced for the miniscule gains (if any), the Spoon exhaust is massively overpriced, and will provide zero gains.

Have a muffler shop manufacture an exhaust for around $400 bucks.
Buy a supercharger with all the money you are planning to spend on pretty useless mods.





[Modified by jerrypeterson, 10:41 PM 10/25/2002]

 

Spoon Clutch

 

Jerry, you're saying go with the 4.44s? Most people are tellin me the 4.77s are gonna make me run faster either way, mods or no mods. If I spend all this money on the FD i'm not gonna be putting in any more mods. Are you saying that if the FD is my only mod than go with the 4.77s but if I plan to bolt-on in the future, go with the 4.44s?


[Modified by gastonS2k, 12:04 PM 10/26/2002]

 

You underestood my recommendation correctly. The 4.77 paired with a supercharger makes 1st and 2nd pretty much useless because you will spend more time shifting than you will in gear. 1st and 2nd will blip by too fast to be useful and it will likely net you slower times. With just the supercharger/stock FD 1st gear is pretty much useless unless you are showing off.

In addition, at many tracks you will require more than 145mph top speed. At both Spokane Raceway and Portland International with stock gears I can very easily hit 145mph+ on the front straights.

And I am running the stock clutch. Nay sayers should note the stock clutch is good for 450hp at the flywheel if you are shifting properly. Assuming 20% drivetrain losses and the fact I am putting more than 300hp to the wheels for the last 8 months on the stock clutch, I consider this a supported arguement.

 

I don't think my RWHP will ever be above 215 or so....if that. So I guess i'm goin with the 4.77s! Thanks for the advice. One more question, if I go with the 4.77s and get a toda flywheel, will that have the same negative affect on making 1st useless. Would it be better to combine the 4.44s with a lightweight flywheel?

 

most of the aftermarket flywheels tip the scales between 8-9lbs a savings of 3-4lbs. The difference in acceleration is negligable, but the change in feel is drastic. I wouldn't worry too much about losing viable use first with basic NA mods.

2nd is the gear to be concerned about, many tracks may be on the cusp of what you need for 2nd gear.

An option you might not have explored is this: different sized tires. Going from a 50 series to a 45 series on the rear tires(with the same section width) would basically be the same as switching from 4.10 to 4.3 gears. By running 4.44 gears and keeping a set of lower profile tires handy you could manipulate your final drive further on a "as needed" basis. In other words you could switch tires and run close to a 4.77 ratio just by changing tires.

Another tip: perform a search on s2ki.com for the "black box". This device will correct your speedometer readings and its adjustable if you choose to run two different tire sizes.

 

Thanks again jerry! I've never tracked my car on a road course, but I do auto-x about once a month so the 4.77s are probably optimal for that and tooling around the streets

 

I would agree with the FD setup. Incidentally, where do you autocross- in the miami area?

 

with equipe rapide, usually at metro zoo.

http://autox.carlc.com

 

Spoon N1 Exhaust, Buddy Club coil-over suspension

 

Coil overs are too expensivev