Bottom of the market S2000 for sprinting/hillclimbing?
Discussion
I currently run a 1996 Civic VTi which has been modified to EK9 spec and compete in the local autosolo championship as well as doing a few hillclimb and sprint events where I can. I've owned the car for four years and have generally upgraded and replaced all the wear and tear items in that time (bearings, ball joints, calipers, bushes, dampers etc etc) so while it is a bit tatty aesthetically, it's pretty good mechanically.
I'm now seeing S2000s dropping below £3k, which is incredibly tempting as an upgrade. I'm not that bothered about exterior condition, it could be kept in the garage and I would be doing full bush replacements and suspension upgrades pretty soon after buying one. So the typical problems of tattyness, leaking roofs and seized suspension are not massive issues.
For my intended use, would a £3k S2000 cause me more trouble than it's worth? I don't need to upgrade from the Civic, it's just mighty tempting at that price, not to mention that for the hillclimbs and sprints, it would be one of the front runners in the sub 2000cc class...
Someone tell me this is a bad idea...
I'm now seeing S2000s dropping below £3k, which is incredibly tempting as an upgrade. I'm not that bothered about exterior condition, it could be kept in the garage and I would be doing full bush replacements and suspension upgrades pretty soon after buying one. So the typical problems of tattyness, leaking roofs and seized suspension are not massive issues.
For my intended use, would a £3k S2000 cause me more trouble than it's worth? I don't need to upgrade from the Civic, it's just mighty tempting at that price, not to mention that for the hillclimbs and sprints, it would be one of the front runners in the sub 2000cc class...
Someone tell me this is a bad idea...
Hard to say whether it would give you a more competitve edge over your current car (it sounds like you have done a lot of work to it) but it would certainly give a fresh challenge.
The S2000 is generally a reliable beast as long as it has been maintained, but, at that price, I would definitely be checking to see if its suspension is seized, as, if you are doing sprinting / hillclimbing, I imagine that getting the geo setup just-so is of paramount importance to you.
Go for it - they are great cars.
The S2000 is generally a reliable beast as long as it has been maintained, but, at that price, I would definitely be checking to see if its suspension is seized, as, if you are doing sprinting / hillclimbing, I imagine that getting the geo setup just-so is of paramount importance to you.
Go for it - they are great cars.
snorkel sucker said:
Hard to say whether it would give you a more competitve edge over your current car (it sounds like you have done a lot of work to it) but it would certainly give a fresh challenge.
The S2000 is generally a reliable beast as long as it has been maintained, but, at that price, I would definitely be checking to see if its suspension is seized, as, if you are doing sprinting / hillclimbing, I imagine that getting the geo setup just-so is of paramount importance to you.
Go for it - they are great cars.
Seized bushes aren't too much of a problem if the car drives nice and straight.The S2000 is generally a reliable beast as long as it has been maintained, but, at that price, I would definitely be checking to see if its suspension is seized, as, if you are doing sprinting / hillclimbing, I imagine that getting the geo setup just-so is of paramount importance to you.
Go for it - they are great cars.
TaylotS2K said:
snorkel sucker said:
Hard to say whether it would give you a more competitve edge over your current car (it sounds like you have done a lot of work to it) but it would certainly give a fresh challenge.
The S2000 is generally a reliable beast as long as it has been maintained, but, at that price, I would definitely be checking to see if its suspension is seized, as, if you are doing sprinting / hillclimbing, I imagine that getting the geo setup just-so is of paramount importance to you.
Go for it - they are great cars.
Seized bushes aren't too much of a problem if the car drives nice and straight.The S2000 is generally a reliable beast as long as it has been maintained, but, at that price, I would definitely be checking to see if its suspension is seized, as, if you are doing sprinting / hillclimbing, I imagine that getting the geo setup just-so is of paramount importance to you.
Go for it - they are great cars.
Head over to s2ki, load of info. Chap up the road from me has an s2000 which he hillclimbs. (forum name cornpot on s2ki) Hes chucked some coil overs at it, buddyclub exhaust, buckets, new ecu and some sticky tyres. By the sounds of it he has an absolute ball, although the car isn't a comfy daily anymore.
The s2k is a strong car but as you know it's all about the engine, it needs maintaining properly, but if looked after properly it will feel as new even over 100k miles. It sounds like you will be changing most other problematic parts so providing the engine is running smooth you shouldn't have too much trouble. The diff isn't the best so after a lot of hard starts (sticky tyres aren't going to help this) you could be swapping this out.
Brake wise you should be ok standard on hill climbs, the calipers arent amazing nor the discs huge but as the car is fairly light they perform nicely. If you want to upgrade braking you need to look at dixcel rotors.
Can't think of much else.
I guess a question I should really ask is, how much does a replacement F20C cost, in fairly good nick? I've had to replace two engines in my Civic, so not adverse to the work, but I was able to get a replacement B16B (the rare one) for £550. If replacement engines are a few K then that could be a little off putting...
russy01 said:
Op has already said he will change full suspension set up, so seized bushes etc won't be a problem.
Head over to s2ki, load of info. Chap up the road from me has an s2000 which he hillclimbs. (forum name cornpot on s2ki) Hes chucked some coil overs at it, buddyclub exhaust, buckets, new ecu and some sticky tyres. By the sounds of it he has an absolute ball, although the car isn't a comfy daily anymore.
The s2k is a strong car but as you know it's all about the engine, it needs maintaining properly, but if looked after properly it will feel as new even over 100k miles. It sounds like you will be changing most other problematic parts so providing the engine is running smooth you shouldn't have too much trouble. The diff isn't the best so after a lot of hard starts (sticky tyres aren't going to help this) you could be swapping this out.
Brake wise you should be ok standard on hill climbs, the calipers arent amazing nor the discs huge but as the car is fairly light they perform nicely. If you want to upgrade braking you need to look at dixcel rotors.
Can't think of much else.
Adrian by any chance?Head over to s2ki, load of info. Chap up the road from me has an s2000 which he hillclimbs. (forum name cornpot on s2ki) Hes chucked some coil overs at it, buddyclub exhaust, buckets, new ecu and some sticky tyres. By the sounds of it he has an absolute ball, although the car isn't a comfy daily anymore.
The s2k is a strong car but as you know it's all about the engine, it needs maintaining properly, but if looked after properly it will feel as new even over 100k miles. It sounds like you will be changing most other problematic parts so providing the engine is running smooth you shouldn't have too much trouble. The diff isn't the best so after a lot of hard starts (sticky tyres aren't going to help this) you could be swapping this out.
Brake wise you should be ok standard on hill climbs, the calipers arent amazing nor the discs huge but as the car is fairly light they perform nicely. If you want to upgrade braking you need to look at dixcel rotors.
Can't think of much else.
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