Mild S2000 Build Proves That Less Can Be More
S2KI member proves that you don't have to spend mega bucks or buy a bunch of mods to make your car capable and cool.
Exercise in Subtlety
Sure, we love our highly modified S2000s like anybody else. But we also appreciate the ones that practice a little more, shall we say, subtlety. These are builds that work hard to improve the looks and functionality of a car, yet retain a mostly original appearance. And when it comes to those goals, you won't find too many executed more flawlessly than S2KI member aeonracer's '04 S2000.
Slight Supplementation
It all started a few years back when the OP picked up his then 100% stock ride. And the goal, right off the bat, was for things to stay that way. Well, mostly. "The focus of my build was to stay as OEM as possible," the OP said back then. "And keep the car in an off-the-showroom-floor type spec. The stock S2000 is already such a great car. My goal was to only slightly supplement the foundation that the engineers and designers laid out for the car."
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Mild Changes
When the OP first purchased his new ride, it was stock save for Comptech adjustable springs. He kept it that way for about a year, adding only some aftermarket stereo components to upgrade the sound. And after relocating to the east coast, he swapped out his tires for some more winter weather-friendly rubber.
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Floodgates Open
A couple of years later, and the OP was married and settled down. This also meant that he was feeling the insatiable itch of modification. It all started with a swap to a factory red/black interior thanks to a guy who was converting his car for track use. After that, he grew tired of the factory lip and replaced it with an AP piece.
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Early Retirement
Proving that he made the right choice when he married his wife, the OP received one heck of an anniversary gift from her - a Forbidden OEM replica hard top. He followed that up by adding an OEM AP1 trunk spoiler. And finally, a couple of years later, he was able to finally retire his S2000 from daily driving duty.
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Clean Refresh
That meant, of course, that he could get serious in terms of modifications. He started by ditching the old rolling stock and replacing it with OEM AP2 V2 wheels. He then rewrapped the worn steering wheel and restitched it, along with the shift boot and seats with red thread for some nice contrast. A new navigation system followed, giving the insides a nice refresh.
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Wife of the Year
Next up? Performance. The OP sourced a fuel-injection performance kit, then a Q300 exhaust. But by now, the navigation system wasn't cutting it. So he performed a little DIY surgery and adapted an old Nexus 7 into the factory dash. Soon thereafter, the OP's significant other scored wife of the year status once again by surprising him with a new KW V3 suspension.
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Finished?
Soon thereafter, the OP went ahead and painted his wheels gunmetal on the inside and light silver flake on the outside, at which time, he declared this little project "finished," but of course we all know better. He then proceeded to do some autocrossing in the car, which he did with a set of bronze TR C3 wheels and a new front sway bar.
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Opportunity Knocks
The OP celebrated finishing his project by just autocrossing the heck out of it. And of course, enjoying Virginia's finer driving roads. But before long, life changes were afoot once again. The OP moved to Los Angeles, which gave him a gearhead opportunity he couldn't pass up - making an appearance on The Smoking Tire!
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Less is More
Sadly, the OP was hit by another driver while out and about on his motorcycle. Which put him out of commission for a while. But once he healed up, it was back to enjoying his simple but sweet build. And continuing to prove that sometimes, less really can be more!