Hi guys I am currently on my way out of Iraq and have my heart set on an S2K. I also know that I will be turboing it, most likely with Cody's kit from LOVEFAB (GT2 system). I am wanting to hit as close to 400whp as possible while keeping the enginge in stock trim (no headgasket garbage to mess with compression) and the car will be a daily driver.

Now here comes the dilemma (DISCLAIMER: This is not intended to become an AP1 vs AP2 flame thread. I have read many threads that turned into a pissing contest and know the AP1/AP2 basic differences, this thread is to be read with the strict guidelines of knowing the car will be turbo'd). Thanks.


Things I like about the AP1-

-9k Rev Limit
-Longer Gears (yes I know this doesn't mean quicker, but it does equate to higher top speed, which I like).
-Has run faster track times than AP2

Things I like about the AP2-

-2.2L displacement = spool turbo faster than F20C1
-A wee-bit more torque than F20C1
-Body designs/changes are a +
-Better suspension setup

So here's whats up. I am leaning towards the AP2 b/c its newer, has more displacement, etc. HOWEVER, what I am wanting is the longer gears that the AP1 has so I won't be shifting like crazy. I want a 400whp S2K not only for quickness, but for some more umph up top. I hit the highways a lot and hit 140-150 every so often, and the AP1 gearing is more along my taste. On the other side of that, I owned a DSM for a few years and know what the lag of a 50 trim turbo on a stock 2.0L engine feels like, and it was pretty significant, I just wonder if that 9k rpm band makes up for the lag of missing out on those extra .2 L the AP2 would have?

If I went with the AP1, I would have to get all the body pieces to make it look like an AP2, and I have a feeling that will cost me a good bit, maybe more than the difference in price between an MY02-03 AP1 and an MY04-05 AP2 (what do you think?) and I would want to know what kind of lag I'd be dealing with for LOVEFAB's GT2 turbo kit with the size turbo needed to push close to 400whp on 93 Oct. with stock engine form.

If I went with the AP2, I would eventually want to try to do the engine work necessary to hit 9k rpms, but another question arises, is that even possible to do with a daily driver and have it be reliable even after doing the necessary engine work? And what about gearing? I see you guys getting the 4.56 and 4.77 gears all the time, but wow, what limitations if you have FI going on under the hood. I would want to get some more mph out of my gears, so how would I go about that since all of your mods are for shorter gears and not longer ones?


Thanks for the help.

 

Since you are F/I the car, get the AP2. You can use the money you planned on spending doing an AP1 -> AP2 conversion on building a stronger transmission. And while you are at it, ask them to change the gear ratios to those you'd like.

Just my 0.02

 

know any S2K transmisison specialists in the SE area of the country that can strengthen the tranny and change the gears?

 

I know there's one in MD. They are transmission specialists with focus on Subbies. I've seen them work on a few S2K's trannies, most of them with broken teeth due to high power from F/I engines.

 

random question but doesn't your drive-by wire stuff on your 06 mess up your modding ability?