With changes made to the 2004 S2000 suspension to keep the rear wheels on the ground in turning situations and to reduce over steer, what spring/shock or coilover systems can actually be installed to further improve handling abilities?\

I do not know the spring rates for the 2004 model, so if anyone knows those, that'd be a good start.

I have noticed that while the 04 model doesn't oversteer wildy, the new bridgestone tires don't seem as up to par as the Potenza S03. After some lapping at the BeaveR, the car will start to understeer in a hairpin. I think that it was due to the tires, but, I haven't ruled all else out completely.

What I want to do is create a system that lowers the stance of the vehicle approx.. 1", and offers slightly increased springs rates mating with proper dampers.

With the larger rear wheels on the 04, I suspect oversteer will be more easily corrected and able to withstand that the previous years that would like to pull the inner rear wheel off the ground.

So, has anyone discovered or tested different setups on the 2004 S2000's?

 

Ask krazik and jzr on s2ki.com about what straight up works.

Even after you ask them they'll tell you it's black magic and it's going to cost you a pretty penny to improve over the stock setup.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

So my advice to you is relax them anus muscles and just drive.

 

Thanks WRS2K....that's pretty much the general assumption I was under.

 

they will tell you what works with the 00-03 models. the 04 model, while not too much different, will be very similar. geometry is the same, so setups are the same. but when it comes down to it, if you are *serious* without any doubt or question in your mind, then you ask jzr or krazik on their setups.

otherwise, looks like you are just wanting some adjustable spring perches or a light duty coilover setup that is tuned properly.

as for the understeer in the hairpin, are we talking about an autocross type of hair pin? or a second gear hairpin?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScreaminTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">With changes made to the 2004 S2000 suspension to keep the rear wheels on the ground in turning situations and to reduce over steer, what spring/shock or coilover systems can actually be installed to further improve handling abilities?\

I do not know the spring rates for the 2004 model, so if anyone knows those, that'd be a good start.

I have noticed that while the 04 model doesn't oversteer wildy, the new bridgestone tires don't seem as up to par as the Potenza S03. After some lapping at the BeaveR, the car will start to understeer in a hairpin. I think that it was due to the tires, but, I haven't ruled all else out completely.

What I want to do is create a system that lowers the stance of the vehicle approx.. 1", and offers slightly increased springs rates mating with proper dampers.

With the larger rear wheels on the 04, I suspect oversteer will be more easily corrected and able to withstand that the previous years that would like to pull the inner rear wheel off the ground.

So, has anyone discovered or tested different setups on the 2004 S2000's?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am not to sure on all the changes that where made, but I have to say that I am disapointed in the performance of my '04 this weekend at the track after owning an '01 for several years.

I though I was making the right choice in upgrading from my '01 to my current '04.. and durring regular street driving.. I have to say that the '04 is 110% better than my '01...

But at the track it was a total nightmare... I too encountered the absurd amount of understeer in hard conering.. (confusing for a RWD car)
I don't blame it on the tires.. the 140 treadwear vs the S02 same 140 is comperable in dry traction.. I belive it could be alignment changed form the OE.
Also I belive that sway bar girth changes where made.. but I have to research that.

I couldn't belive that it pulled out of the corner as hard as it did (esp compared to my '01) to then fail at coner entry with horrible understeer...

I belive that to balance the car back out.. a decent spring rate (ratio'd as the '00-'01) and a thicker rear sway bar will do the trick to bring some of the oversteer back into the setup, without making to uncontrolable...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Bagel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">they will tell you what works with the 00-03 models. the 04 model, while not too much different, will be very similar. geometry is the same, so setups are the same. but when it comes down to it, if you are *serious* without any doubt or question in your mind, then you ask jzr or krazik on their setups.

otherwise, looks like you are just wanting some adjustable spring perches or a light duty coilover setup that is tuned properly.

as for the understeer in the hairpin, are we talking about an autocross type of hair pin? or a second gear hairpin?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I will certainly have to get to the s2ki board and talk to those guys about their setups.

In regards to the understeer, I am referring to a 2nd gear hairpin.

jdm AP1....glad to see I'm not the only one who experienced the understeer!

I have just read that it is mostly due to the 0 degree camber setting up front. Everyone seems to recommend getting an alignement done...but, what confuses me, are people actually suggesting that if I get an alignment done, a shop is going to leave it with negative camber?

 

A good alignment shop should do what you tell them to do. If I remember correctly, Mine is as follows:

Front -1.2 camber
Castor Approx 6 deg. (as much as they could get)
Toe 0.0 deg.

Rear -2.2 deg. camber
Toe Approx 1/8 each side, total rear toe of approx 1/4

I have Konis with KG/MM Super sports. I am very pleased. You should not set yours where I have mine because of the suspension mods.

Search UK alignment settings on S2ki. This should help you.

 

thanks GC...

I'm going to have to come up with some numbers for a stock suspension also.

 

get the alignment done before anything esle. A coilover setup is a big investment, make sure you've reached the limits of the stock setup before upgrading to anything. If you're running out there on the "whatever came off the boat" alignment settings, you should notice a significant improvement with a more aggresive alignment setup.

 

stock setup can be adjusted and will work fine for what GC has suggested. some might prefer a little less camber and only going to -1 in the front and -2 in the rear. full race mode with a stock suspension might be -1.5 in the front, -2.5 in the rear and a hair toe out in the front with 1/4 toe in in the rear.

of course, there are guys running close to -4 in the front and it works absolutely well. but they are not typical setups, nor can you get it that negative with typical mods.