Daily Slideshow: What Mods Do You Regret on Your S2000?
Learn from those who figured it out the hard way when modding their S2K.
Modder's Remorse
Nothing is worse than spending your hard earned money on a seemingly great modification only to be let down and have regrets for installing such an abomination. The Honda S2000 platform is approaching the 20-year old mark, and with such a vast aftermarket parts network, you can bet there are definitely some must-do mods as well as those you may want to reconsider. In this feature, we have a look at some of the regrettable modifications that forum members mention having done to their cars.
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Bodywork Bummers
Subpar body modifications have been at the top of S2000 owner's 'regret list' for quite some time. Part of the issue stems from individuals using cut-rate body enhancements, such as bumpers, splitters, wings, etc., that are made from lesser quality materials that tend to deteriorate (crack, split, or spiderweb) rather quickly from normal use. Additionally, owners have expressed that the market for a car with excessive body modifications tends to push many prospective buyers away compared to an original vehicle. In short, use quality bodywork even if it costs a bit more and keep your original pieces to return it to stock one day if necessary.
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Strictly Suspension
If the reports are to be believed, suspension modifications have left a number of owners wishing that they had never messed with the stock components. The biggest issue that often occurs when choosing new suspension bits is that individuals do not consider their desired ride quality nor the type of driving they will be doing in their car and subsequently end up with a setup that does not mesh with their needs. For example, a set of hardcore track dampers and springs may be trick components that look the business, but will offer a jarring ride that is way too stiff for the street. Being honest with yourself and your driving needs will go a long way in choosing a suspension setup that you will have no regrets installing.
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Careful Clutch Selection
Choosing the right clutch for your S2000 build can be a difficult task, and much like suspension mods, regularly ends up with owners regretting going for a race clutch setup instead of something more street friendly. Puck style clutches are relatively cheap and have great holding power for their price, but tend to be quite grabby and are poorly suited for street driving. The occasional car that bucks, shudders, and has a hard time trying to take off from a stoplight likely has some sort of race clutch in it. The stock clutch is quite good, requires minimal pedal effort, and will hold up to most moderate builds, thus making for the most comfortable drive.
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Bolt-On Blues
The Honda F20C/F22C engine is highly tuned from the factory, but owners are always looking to extract additional horsepower out of the feisty 4-cylinder. Surprisingly, a number of owners regret doing bolt-on engine mods because they do not make any significant increases in power for the time, money, and effort invested. Bolt-ons such as exhausts and air-intake kits may improve engine sounds, but if you really want to make big power, forced-induction and stroker kits are the best way to get there and will be cheaper in the long run.
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Stuck In The Chair
Sport bucket seats fit your body like a glove and look awesome inside the car, but many owners have questioned their decision on installing what are essentially race seats into their daily driver. Bucket seats aren't typically a problem when fitted to track toys or weekend drivers, but those who regularly drive their S2K will find the ingress and egress to be severely impacted with such seats. 4/5 point harnesses can also be a bit tricky when needing to quickly hop in your car and go. As mentioned, consider how your car will be used before dropping some of your hard earned coin on a set of racing seats because the OEM chairs may be better suited to your needs.
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Wheels of Fortune
Stuffing some large diameter wheels with aggressive offsets under your S2000 may look sweet, but many have found that bigger is not always better. It is prudent to do a bit of research when shopping for S2000 wheels as numerous owners have found out about fender and suspension rubbing issues the hard way. S2Ki forum threads such a Wheel Fitment Guide will go a long way in helping to determine the wheel and tire specs that are best suited for your ride. In general, 16" and 17" wheels are preferred for ride quality and performance while 18" wheels tend to be more aesthetically pleasing.
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