Honda S2000 Becomes 1,100-HP Scorching Track Slayer
Race fans got to see the S2K take a quarter-mile pass in about a jaw-dropping 8-seconds at more than 170 MPH.
This past weekend, racers and speed fans flocked to Maryland for the Haltech World Cup Finals Import vs. Domestic. Now in its 25th year, the World Cup brought out the best on the track–not to mention a killer lineup of S2Ks. Competing among the Street Class was one 2007 Honda S2000 that left many thunderstruck.
The high-octane marvel is owned and driven by Stuart Leiby. That Racing Channel was behind the scenes at Import vs. Domestic, and talked to Leiby, got a look under the hood, and caught all the racing action.
Surprisingly, this was Leiby’s first year competing at the Import vs. Domestic World Cup. He’s been competing in the roll racing circuit, and been quite a hit. But Import vs. Domestic was a a challenge Leiby was thrilled to take on.
“I’ve literally dreamed…about being able to race here,” he says. “I tried my hardest to get the car ready. I managed to get in the True Street class, hoping to qualify somewhere in the top half of the field.”
He has had his ride for a little over 5 years. And during that time it has been through a few changes and iterations. Currently, it makes between 1,000 and 1,100 horsepower.
Overall, the day was both bitter and sweet. He nailed a qualifying session. Then the S2000 ran into a some static with the starter. His crew got to work, and it finally started on the fourth try. Unfortunately, Leiby stalled at the start line.
But not before he made took a quarter-mile in about 8 seconds at 172 mph.
So, what exactly is under that hood?
Leiby has a T3 frame with 68mm Xona Rotor XR9569S turbocharger. It is an inline pro sleeve stock stock F22 block with Diamond Rebel pistons–their first for a S2000, and has a stock crankshaft.
It runs a powder XTreme steel rod. Leiby adds the the main and rod bearings are stock, just from the Honda factory.
The cylinder head was prepared by Texas-based Watt’s Shop. They added copper valve seats, and it has BC2 cams.
“There’s nothing too crazy,” Leiby says. “Except that we’ve got a pretty unique and secretive head gasket design that we’re hoping works out really well.” Hm. Interesting.
Making an average of 1,033 hp on 42 psi of boost, this is definitely a brutal and beautiful Honda S2000. Check out the video for more racing footage, and great in-cabin shots. You can hear that glorious exhaust note, and it rages.
We’ll keep an eye out for this S2K. It is built and driven to become asphalt-charring champion.
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