How's This 01 AP1 As a Birthday Present?
How Would You Build Your Perfect B-Day Present? This ain't a midnight birthday shot of booze.
1. Best Birthday Ever
Edgar Mendoza's father was a Honda man. Edgar is a Honda man too. Driving around in his modified Integra GS-R, with his 21st birthday approaching he dreamed of the perfect way to usher in a new phase of adulthood. Was it tying one on with his buddies at local Nipomo, CA watering hole? Nope. Was it more mods for his Integra? Wrong again. It was the car he had been dreaming about since it came out ten years earlier— the Honda S2000.
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2. Mission AP1
It wasn't just any S2000 Edgar wanted. Dreams don't work like that. He had a vision of the perfect S2000. He wanted an AP1—he preferred the simpler, purer original version of Honda's sports car, one that he felt carried on the tradition of the company's earlier machines. He insisted that it be a one-owner, unmodified example. He knew the easiest way to avoid the failed experiments of other modders, and avoid nasty surprises, was to get his S2000 the way the factory made it. Oh, and he wanted a red one too. He had to journey 3.5 hours from home to find just such a car, but find it he did, and on his first try! He wasn't about to take Captain & Tennille's advice.
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3. Under The Hood
It's been six years since that day and Edgar has been busy making this 2001 S2000 his own. He started with the heart of the Honda and added a Science of Speed 300 horsepower bolt-on supercharger kit. The blower fits neatly under the hood without any cutting or other modification to the S2000's metalwork. Working with the forced induction unit is a TiaL blow-off valve and a Spoon Sports air filter and on the other side an Invidia Q300 exhaust system.
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4. Digging Deeper
Edgar didn't stop there, he added an AEM V2 engine management system and Okada Projects ignition coils to his AP1's F20. If you take a closer look you'll see more Spoon Sports goodies, including the valve cover, oil & radiator caps, magnetic drain plug, radiator supports & hoses. He supplemented those with an ARC cooling plate and heat shield—to preserve his birthday present for many birthdays to come.
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5. A New Red Coat
Edgar wanted to add lightness and that performance look at the same time so he went to Voltex for their carbon fiber goodness—his roadster wears their front bumper, carbon-fiber canards, and side skirts. Other personalizing touches include a spoiler from Tamon Design, side mirrors from Craftsquare and wipers from Spoon Sports. He went with Honda S2000 CR side marker lights and LED lighting for the license, trunk and reverse lights. Getting the paint just the way he wanted it was trickier than the mechanical mods, as is often the case, and Edgar reports going to three different painters to get the results you see here.
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6. Keeping it Planted
More carbon fiber goodies from Voltex can be found helping keep the rear end of the AP1 planted, including their rear diffuser and Type III 3D GT wing. Keeping the elements out is an OEM S2000 hard top.
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7. Keeping it Connected
Every good enthusiast knows tires are the only thing contacting the road and this Honda wears Bridgestone Potenza RE970as tires on special +45 offset 17" Advan Racing RS wheels,—8" in front, 9" in the rear. Keeping them in contact with the pavement is the job of the S2000 CR shocks with Swift Sport Spec-R springs Edgar chose. Hauling the Honda down from speed are Project Mu four piston calipers over StopTech slotted rotors. An LHT Performance brake booster pushes fluid through braided steel lines.
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8. Weekend Reward
The cockpit of this roadster is definitely a nice place to be. As you slide into the Recaro Pole Position seats partnered with Buddy Club seat rails and ASM side bolster protectors you're greeted with a Spoon Sports wheel with ASM hub, a Spoon Sports rear view mirror, and a titanium shift knob. A custom gauge pod is filled with AEM oil pressure, boost, and mixture instruments. Edgar says car thieves are a concern for him so he keeps most of his motoring in the Birthday Special limited to weekends and situations where he can keep his eyes peeled for potential trouble. We hope trouble doesn't find Edgar and if it does his Birthday Special is fast enough to outrun it.
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