Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

The sun is out

Steve777

iTrader: (8)

It surely is

JTaylor

Took an MY99 out for a test drive yesterday.

Import, verified 20k miles, near mint condition, nearly new Bridgestone RE01s, dark silver with dark red leather for £12995.

I thought the driving position was good although I'd like to be able to adjust the steering wheel. I'd imagine that if serious lock needed to be applied quickly then my knuckles might catch on my thighs. The pedals are nicely spaced and the wheel itself has a pleasant feel to it.

The clutch had a reasonable action and the gearbox is perfectly precise, although the ratios seemed overly tall (but then I am coming from an RA).

The primary ride was firm but fair and the S didn't suffer any noticeable roll at fast road speeds. The steering is very direct, without being edgy, and turn-in is sharp and communicative. In purist's terms, I'd probably want more feedback, but would equally appreciate the slightly damped steering during normal day to day driving. The tail was easily provoked and although a fraction snappy, slow speed power over-steer was quite controllable.

My only disappointment was how noticeable the lack of torque became after just a few minutes driving. Additionally, it seemed to take a fair while for VTEC to engage and when it did it wasn't nearly as pronounced as it is in say, an H22A. Having said that, the engine note is a joy and I could honestly see me leaving the car standard (mostly). Once on the move, the drive is fluid and rewarding and I'd imagine that when used to the power delivery (and as the 300lbft of the RA becomes a distant memory) I'd be quite satisfied with the 240bhp and mpg in excess of 20.

The fantastic electric roof, push button start and sat nav also appeal and it looked bloomin' lovely. I went up to see a couple of mates afterwards who immediately recommeded that I start a salon. Oh well, I'm sure I'll get used to that.

Dark Blue Mark

Good post, glad you enjoyed it!

Re the torque, I think of it as a normal 2L injected car, and if I want to move, just VTEC it. The torque curve is flat though. You can improve it though, ive got an extra 10 lbs / ft or so from my mods.

Right on the ratios too. Many change the final drive to a more sprint natured car. Look at the difference here! :
http://www.craigarmstrong.ndo.co.uk/...2k457gears.wmv

Did you try the lid off the airbox??

MB

Dark Blue Mark

PS - VTEC engages at 6k and it takes a LOT of getting used to revving it up there coming from a scoob. There's no point changing down to 5k rpm and trying to drive into VTEC, you need to land in it!

It can be adjusted down, and if done properly it can be effective regardless of what some say.

MB

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

The engine take lots of getting used to. I remember the first time someone took me out in one......I was like...' change gear ffs!......and this was at about 5-6k.

The engine loves to be revved

JTaylor

That's more like it!

As I walked (ran) away from the enthusiastic salesmen, I thought about your airbox suggestion. Perhaps I'll unclip it on the next S I 'test' . I really think it's time for you to get something else Mark .

Dark Blue Mark

Nah im hanging on to it for now Just had new brakes all round and some other bits on the way!

Another plus point is they are quite easy to sell this time of year. I dont ever want to have to sell another scoob Painful and very slooooow market.

You need to do the airbox. That diff change clip above can be done for not too big money also. More effecitve than most power type mods.

MB

JTaylor

Any good links re the above Mark? What brakes have you gone for? I thought the standards were very good; not too grabby, but also not under servo'd like I find the Impreza. What's fade like on a proper run? (Sorry for the qs).

Dark Blue Mark

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=300120

Brakes are spot on, mine were just worn out! Went for EBC Redstuff all round.

MB

JTaylor

Brilliant link Mark, thanks. I've got the same issue with mild whine on my RA - and the synchros were replaced 4k ago. Definately something to think about though (he says having sworn never to mod a car again). I've got EBC redstuffs (not the shocking old ones with the dodgy compund) on the RA; very strong and fade free at Coombe but the wear rate is high.

Have you tracked yours yet Mark?

Adam M

the sun is also out for my TT, still think it is the better solution as an everyday car if you are leaving imprezadom for an open car.

Bigger boot too.

This taking the lid off the airbox thing, would you do it on your own cars? If not, how else do you suggest driving it?

SiDHEaD

Airbox lid is off on mine, and lots of others on S2KI. What needs explaining is there is a big induction cone in the box, which is usually resonated with the lid on. Take it off and ROAR.

TT is very "quirky" in it's looks, which may put people off (certainly would me, i hate the look of it). Also it's 4WD isnt it

JTaylor

It's recognised amongst the S2k crowd that it's detrimental to performance but doesn't harm the car. What it does do is allow the engine to sing, which is what I think Mark's alluding too. Don't fancy the TT, Nicky Clarke gags are one thing but to be viewed by the world as a raving homo would be too much too take (as you say).

Dark Blue Mark

As said Adam, its not a problem and you may lose 2bhp / lbs ft. The lid is on 5clips.

TT? Get out of here! S2000 is a mans plaything

MB

LG John

I notice the power loss the instant I take the lid off the airbox so mines stays on I'm really sensitive to slight losses or gains in power. I honestly believe my butt dyno is 1-3bhp accurate

I quite fancy gears - I believe 1-5 are two long and 6th gear too short. A final drive doesn't address that problem but 5 out of 6 ain't bad IMHO the s2000 should have had sprint ratio's for its first 5 gears with 6th gear being an overdrive/econonmy/crusing gear.

LG John

Oh and another thing about the S2000 is that 6000rpm isn't some magical figure. If I'm rolling and want to play with something I'd drop sufficient gears to bring me in at 7500rpm as this is where the car starts to motor. Vtec may engage at 6000rpm but the power just gets greater the higher you go so always look to be at the top end of that scale.

Dark Blue Mark

Get one of these Kenny

Re the VTEC point, just lower the bugger! Been chatting the chap that lowered his to 4500 and got a 30bhp contant hike, mapped by Richard Bulmer.

MB

LG John

I don't see how lowering it can benefit anyone other than the lazy or those that can't shift correctly? Surely once you are at 7500rpm on the high lift lobes it doesn't matter if you've been on that lobe for the last 1500rpm or 3000rpm!! Power will be a function of the air/fuel going through the engine and vtec having engaged earlier won't mean sh*t once you get to the point that it would have come in anyway. What I'm saying is 7000rpm is 7000rpm is 7000rpm or 8000 is 8000 is.... Or do I have a fundimental flaw in my understanding? If you friend got gains I'd suggest it came entirely from the remap and in which case I'd suggest he didn't get 30bhp from remapping an n/a engine with 120bhp per litre standard

Those CAI are serious money! I've got a spoon snorkel - it's ok

Dark Blue Mark

Er... We have a power band of 6-9k, he has one from 4.5-9k. He has a much wider range of power.

rpm..........SM bhp.......My bhp
3000...........70..............74
4000...........95.............108
5000..........119............149..............30bh p up
6000..........149............182..............33bh p up
7000..........195............204
8000..........219............222
8500..........228............223

It will simply be a lot quicker! If you look at the power band he will be gear changing into - plus it will be a LOT more driveable. The examples above are his against Steven M's Mugen ECU'd car.

Peak figures aren't worth much, but if he gets results like I did (added 18bhp peak), and he thinks can, then it will be very rapid.

Plus - power being a function of air / fuel, if it VTEC's that low down, the air demand will be much higher, thus fuel etc...

MB

LG John

Yes fine but as I said when I'm making progress I'm always 6000rpm+ with ease and never below Assuming a stock car rolled in 2nd gear with a car running a vtec point of 5000rpm also in 2nd gear alongside. Both cars are at 5000rpm and gun it. Yes, the modified car wins. My point however is that if both cars are at 6500rpm and both gun it then they will be side by side through all the gears assuming both change on the 2nd flash (my favourite point )

This is because if you pause time and examine each car as it passes, say, 6943rpm then the following is true: At that point each car is running on the high lift lobe. The profile of that lobe in each car is identical. Assuming no remap was done then the fueling and ignition is identical and as the engine speeds is the same the volume of air/fuel, etc entering the engine is identical. In such circumstance the performance is identical

LG John

Again I suggest that any relative gains from 6000rpm up can be attributed solely to the remap that is most likely an associated requirement of the modification to lower vtec and could have been equally achieved by running the same map over the range of 6000-9000rpm on the stock car

mega_stream

My Honda S is easily the best car I have ever owned, (last 2 cars cars being an STi RA V Limited and an 04 CTR)

I've had mine since Nov 05 so this is last few weeks is the 1st time out in hot weather.

Only thing I've noticed, as previously mentioned, is the back does get lively even in a straight line if accelerating hard in the wet, but if driven with the care any rear wheel roadster needs it's fine.

Its also the only car I've driven non-stop for a 200 mile trip and got out feeling fine, I find it a very comfortable driving position. (6ft)

You get some looks in it aswell , and not just from the under 10 year olds and chavmungo's that tend to admire Scoobs

Dark Blue Mark

My head hurts, Stella, but I know which one I would rather have!

RE the mapping, he had the whole car mapped. At the upper end its quite hard to extract any further gains compared to lower down. The intent of his remap was to get the most out of the engine all the way through the rev range, and the results were the best that could be done at the time. He does think he can extract more from the 6-9k zone which should be possible given what ive got on mine.

Are you then saying that its only worth improving the VTEC (6-9k) part of the car?? Its like on an Impreza, getting full boost at 3k is possible now. Does than mean its a quicker and more driveable car?

I see where you're coming from though

MB

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Wider the power range the better IMO

Dark Blue Mark

Aiiiii! You still got yours Bob?

MB

MartinM

UK MY00 -> P1 -> Clio 172 Sport Cup (oops!) -> S2000

I'm afraid I don't miss the Scoobs at all...

SiDHEaD

ahhh ladyboy blue!! I had an MY03 that colour! Looks ace in the sunlight against a nice sea backdrop!

LG John

A wider power range is better for a number of reasons. It obviously allows you to get away with shifting earlier or using higher gears but my point is, and always has been, that the s2000 doesn't actually need it. Unlike the CTR you don't have to get within 2rpm of the limiter to ensure that you drop nicely back into vtec. On the S2000 the range is large enough that you can even short-shift up at just over 8k and drop nicely back in the zone.

If I ever find myself exiting a corner at 5500 rpm and waiting a moment for vtec I never blame the car. It's incorrect driving on my part that would cause such a thing. Of course making such a mistake in a car with a wider range wouldn't be such an issue as it would haul ***.

To answer your question mark its only worth improving what you as a driver want to improve. I wouldn't say no to some low end power but everything and anything I do to the S2000 would be to try and gain every little advantage between 7000rpm and the limiter as this is the 'zone'. Typically, this is the hardest area to improve............unless.........you have a supercharger! Sound familiar

Dark Blue Mark

Top end power is harder to gain from what Ive found. Have you considdered the Unichip or are you looking at gears? Agree that top end gains are worth a bit though, just expensive! The 18bhp peak that I got is proving fun though. Would also bear in mind that the power as stock, and mine even when modded, drops off a lot a few hundred rpm before the redline. Ive seen a few people remedy this with a VAFC and keep it linear all the way.

Re the S/C - thats not totally dead and burried yet

MB