PilotChris

I remember seeing a post a while back about a bunch of guys who dyno'd their s2000's. The results showed that the 2002+ models were consistently putting around 10 more HP to the wheels than the 2000 models (stock vs stock). I'm wondering a few things about this.

1) Has anyone else observed this?

2) I thought I remember somone saying Honda changed the ECU in the 2002 models, is this true and if so would it be worth while to do an '02 ECU swap to add HP to a 2000 model?

3) Does anyone have the charts for both of these... what I'd also like to see is how much greater (if any) the '02 models are over the '00's through the whole power band, not just peak.

speed4tu

I have also seen this come up on posts in the past.

xviper

IF it's true, how much is 10 HP worth to you? I'm thinking a replacement ECU would be a couple grand. AND, would one "feel" an additional 10 HP? I know I'd "feel" the money out of my bank account.

ultimate lurker

The 2002 ECU is $555 wholesale. Peak gains for the 2002 ECU (on my dyno) averaged about 5 hp (not 10) and there were gains pretty much across the board. I still haven't had a chance to dyno a 2000-2001 model on the stock ECU and then a 2002 ECU to see if it makes a difference, so no guarantees that it is the ECU yet.

UL

Gernby

Seems to me that there are LOTS of people spending more money for smaller gains. If the '02 ECU is better for power, then it seems like just about the only mod with no tradeoffs.

tenblade2001

I can not produce dyno sheets, BUT I have driven both and the 02 does have more HP. I have a CAI (which improved my "butt dyno" results), but everytime I drive my friend's 02, I can feel the difference.
-UL have you changed you ECU?

PilotChris

I ran my friend with chipped 1.8T w/ my '00 from a roll and he pulled slightly on me. I know that another guy from the site w/ an '02 also ran him from the same speed and he was actually able to pull a bit on the 1.8T. This run is what prompted the search into this issue.

I'm thinking it's any or all of the following:
- ECU

- Transmission (possibly the transmission upgrade in the '02 models has better bearings or something causing less loss fom engine to wheels)

- Valve Adjustments( I remember someone postiong that they were a honda tech and said that the value jeights on the '02 models were coming in differently than the '00 - '01.)

From what I recall the valve adjustment.. the guy was saying the '02 models had the one of the intake valves on each cylinder close to the upper limit of the spec and the other intake valve close to the lower limit and both exhaust valves down near the lower limit. Someone followed up by saying this adjustment did increase the power slightly because it caused a "cyclone effect" which packed more air/fuel into the engine per cycle. Anyone else hear anything about that also?

What ever the reason for the '02+ models having more power, I want to know... Cause in my case it was the difference between pulling on and getting pulled on.

JamesB

I have a 00 with a star stage II clutch, and my friend has an 02 with an AEM cai. We raced from a stop light, I got a better take off then him but started to pull on me in mid range, At top end I was half a car length ahead of him but he was not pulling on me any more. But sence both cars were not stock that does not help out much. Just put stickers on your car everyone knows they add 10 hp each...lol. : )

ultimate lurker

No. I've been messing around with some other ECU stuff, but I'm still waiting for a 2002 car to come in so we can swap ECUs on the dyno and see what happens.

UL

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tenblade2001
[B]I can not produce dyno sheets, BUT I have driven both and the 02 does have more HP.

pcloadletter

I am guessing there is no way to flash the ecu with the updated maps. Am I wrong?