Honda S2000 Nabs Spot on Super Street's Top 20 Features List

More than Worthy

With the new year (finally) upon us, Super Street recently took the time to take a look back at 2020 and pick out its favorite 20 features of the year. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised, but one of those honorees was indeed an S2000 - David Tran's 2005 model - which we also featured earlier last year. Needless to say, this gorgeous machine is more than worthy of the prestigious honor.

Photos: Super Street

Right at Home

Tran's S2000 is heavy on Mugen parts and is quite literally his dream ride - something that we all aspire to own one day. But perhaps its most instantly recognizable feature is that Laguna Seca Blue paint - obviously not an original S2000 hue, but rather one made famous by its use on BMW's E46 M3. Regardless, it looks right at home adorning the Honda's flanks.

Photos: Super Street

>>Join the conversation about David Tran's AP2 right here in S2Ki.com. 

JDM Obsessed

Tran found himself enamored with JDM culture at an early age, and spend years dreaming up exactly what he wanted. "Whenever I had access to a computer, I'd be looking at Erebuni and Wings West for ideas on what body kit I wanted for my future project car," Tran said. But he first dipped his toe into the proverbial waters with an EM1 Civic coupe and then a G35 Infiniti.

Photos: Super Street

>>Join the conversation about David Tran's AP2 right here in S2Ki.com. 

Pure Experience

After borrowing his friend's S2000, however, Tran realized that this was the platform he was destined to own and modify. "Sure, it didn't have a ton of power, but it's a car that has just the essentials, and the feedback between you and the road is something hard to explain unless you've driven one. It's one of Honda's last 'pure' cars in my opinion before technology took over," Tran said.

Photos: Super Street

>>Join the conversation about David Tran's AP2 right here in S2Ki.com. 

No Shortcuts

It wasn't long before Tran had secured the base for his build - this 2005 Honda S2000. From there, he attacked the exterior with 100% authentic parts including a Mugen SS front bumper, MF10 wheels, a Mugen rear wing and side mirrors, and a Shift Sports hood that took six months to acquire. There were no shortcuts taken here, and Tran says that when it comes to buying parts, "If I can't afford to do it, I'll wait until I can."

Photos: Super Street

>>Join the conversation about David Tran's AP2 right here in S2Ki.com. 

Full Boost

Underneath, this S2000 rides on HKS coilovers and stops in a hurry thanks to Spoon Sports front calipers and EBC rotors and pads. That's important because the car is running a Garrett GTX3076R turbo that helped it produce an impressive 436 horsepower and 316 pound-feet of torque on the dyno. "The power delivery, potential, and sounds associated with a great turbo setup are why I wanted to go this way," Tran said. "The car drives exactly like stock until boost comes on, then it's an animal. I love it! The AEM ECU sees 1 psi by 2,300 RPM, then full boost by 4,500 RPM."

Photos: Super Street

>>Join the conversation about David Tran's AP2 right here in S2Ki.com. 

Enjoy the Process

In the end, Tran's amazing S2000 deserves the attention it has received, and much of that can be attributed to its owner's restraint. "Sometimes too much of something in excess is a bad thing," he said. "Less can be more if executed well. A wire tuck and deleting parts in the bay would be cool, but in the end, I don't want to go overboard. I feel like I've done everything I've ever dreamed about the day I purchased my S2000 which will be going on six years this May! I do have a few more things on the way to install on this car to cross off my bucket list, but it's been a blast piecing everything together and scouring the Internet for some of the harder to get parts."

Photos: Super Street

>>Join the conversation about David Tran's AP2 right here in S2Ki.com.