Questions for S2000 owners who had/has a 99-00 Civic Si
08-01-2003, 08:03 AM
#1
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Let me first say that this post is not about demeaning or denigrating the S2000 in any way because I still love it and own one too - just a little puzzled.
My Si is lightly modded (suspension-wise, I'm stock power-wise) but I don't know if these mods would make much of a difference in FEEL of the car, but rather the actual handling (but I still doubt it is close to the potential of the S2000 if driven to the fullest).
My Si suspension mods -
1. Bilstein Sport-valved shocks
2. Acura Integra Type R coil springs (250 lb/in/in front linear, 250 lb/in/in rear progressive)
3. Acura Integra Type R 22mm rear anti-roll bar
4. Beaks rear subframe reinforcement kit
5. Prothane polyurethane rear anti-roll bar bushings
6. Energy Suspension polyurethane front anti-roll bar bushings
7. Energy Suspension polyurethane rear trailing arm bushings
8. Bridgestone Potenza RE730 Gen 2 - 205/50/15 tires
Questions/Concerns -
1. I think the Si has slightly more road feel communicated through the steering wheel and although the steering effort on the S2000 is firmer, the road feel in the S2000 feels a bit numbed out. Example - if I were taking an aggressive turn, I think I would know if I'm approaching the Si's limit better than I would in the S2000. Maybe the EPS dumbs the feel down? I dunno. Even on the straights like on the highway, I feel the road more with the Civic - the bumps and textures of the road surface.
2. The Civic is a bit more "tossable" - like on the highway (within a lane), I would do a quick left-right or a right-left. The Civic feels a lot lighter on its feet and a bit more nimble than the S2000 albeit slightly less composed than the S2000. Granted the Civic is about 190 pounds lighter but even with someone else (a good-sized person) sitting in the pass. seat of the Civic, it still feels this way. In this respect, the Si feels more go-karty.
Some points for the S2000-
I'm sure without a doubt that handling-wise (with disregard to feel), the stock S2000 would easily outhandle my mildly modified Si when driving at maximum potential (I'm just scared to do it now since I haven't driven RWD extensively yet LOL). The body (not the suspension components) of the S2000 is definitely stiffer than the Si - the thing moves like it's one solid piece! The S2000 has less body roll than my mildly modded Civic. Although, I'd have to say the ride in my Civic is more harsh and stiff (not body stiff but spring/shock stiff) and the S2000 feels way more comfortable than my Civic does. I don't consider the S2000's ride rough, harsh, etc. at all like some magazines like to convey - I think it is just right. As a matter of fact, I wish the S2000 had stiffer spring rates and higher shock rebound/bump figures. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the Si, who knows?
Anyone who has/had the Si can relate to this? Thanks.
My Si is lightly modded (suspension-wise, I'm stock power-wise) but I don't know if these mods would make much of a difference in FEEL of the car, but rather the actual handling (but I still doubt it is close to the potential of the S2000 if driven to the fullest).
My Si suspension mods -
1. Bilstein Sport-valved shocks
2. Acura Integra Type R coil springs (250 lb/in/in front linear, 250 lb/in/in rear progressive)
3. Acura Integra Type R 22mm rear anti-roll bar
4. Beaks rear subframe reinforcement kit
5. Prothane polyurethane rear anti-roll bar bushings
6. Energy Suspension polyurethane front anti-roll bar bushings
7. Energy Suspension polyurethane rear trailing arm bushings
8. Bridgestone Potenza RE730 Gen 2 - 205/50/15 tires
Questions/Concerns -
1. I think the Si has slightly more road feel communicated through the steering wheel and although the steering effort on the S2000 is firmer, the road feel in the S2000 feels a bit numbed out. Example - if I were taking an aggressive turn, I think I would know if I'm approaching the Si's limit better than I would in the S2000. Maybe the EPS dumbs the feel down? I dunno. Even on the straights like on the highway, I feel the road more with the Civic - the bumps and textures of the road surface.
2. The Civic is a bit more "tossable" - like on the highway (within a lane), I would do a quick left-right or a right-left. The Civic feels a lot lighter on its feet and a bit more nimble than the S2000 albeit slightly less composed than the S2000. Granted the Civic is about 190 pounds lighter but even with someone else (a good-sized person) sitting in the pass. seat of the Civic, it still feels this way. In this respect, the Si feels more go-karty.
Some points for the S2000-
I'm sure without a doubt that handling-wise (with disregard to feel), the stock S2000 would easily outhandle my mildly modified Si when driving at maximum potential (I'm just scared to do it now since I haven't driven RWD extensively yet LOL). The body (not the suspension components) of the S2000 is definitely stiffer than the Si - the thing moves like it's one solid piece! The S2000 has less body roll than my mildly modded Civic. Although, I'd have to say the ride in my Civic is more harsh and stiff (not body stiff but spring/shock stiff) and the S2000 feels way more comfortable than my Civic does. I don't consider the S2000's ride rough, harsh, etc. at all like some magazines like to convey - I think it is just right. As a matter of fact, I wish the S2000 had stiffer spring rates and higher shock rebound/bump figures. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the Si, who knows?
Anyone who has/had the Si can relate to this? Thanks.
08-01-2003, 08:30 AM
#2
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I owned a 1999 Civic Si and loved that car. It was my daily driver (my other car at the time was a 1988 RX-7 convertible) so I did no modifications other than plus one rims and bigger tires. While the Si was "tossable", it certainly did not handle like a sports car; more like the "sports sedan" it was. Your suspension tweaks are spot on and I would bet your Si feels better than any other Si on the road, but it doesn't come close to the S2000 (sold the RX-7 and purchased a 2001 S2000). EPS doesn't feel much different than normal power steering, and the ride is nearly perfect for a true roadster. My daily driver now is a 2001 Prelude and I would compare that to the Si in handling and speed.
08-01-2003, 12:26 PM
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I have had both. My Si was lowered with Skunk2 Coilovers and Tokico Adjustables and on 17's. It handled sick. When I first got the S2000, i was trying to drive it like my civic. I suspect this is what you are doing. FWD vs. RWD handling characteristics are very different. Once you learn how to drive the RWD, you'll see.
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