From Godzilla to S2000-t

[Xiaorpowr]

Hey guys,

First post here for me. I just went from a 300kw R32 GTR to a nice little S2000 Turbo making about 190rwkw two months ago.

Its been an interesting change, going from a flat six 4wd torque monster to this almost go kart like car! Loving the turn in, steering response and lightness of the car. The car is a lot more challenging and scary to drive than the GTR tho. Just made me realise that the ATESSA 4wd system in the GTR made me look like a better driver than I am haha.

Unfortunately car is off the road getting a turbo and gearbox rebuild. Should get it back this week with carbon 1st to 4th gears ;)

Anyways, happy to be joining the new family!

Top always down and much love,
X

[black8thgen]

welcome! did you pick up the SSM with a greddy kit on it? with few carbon bits n pieces?

any regrets?

[Xiaorpowr]

I did get that one! The one with the OEM hardtop. You know the car?

I knew the gearbox and turbo were both fkd when I bought the car, so no surprises there. Got it for a price I was happy with. Hopefully no other issues now that both are rebuilt!

The only regret is I miss my GTR :( I sometimes think this car sound like a mosquito... haha prob only because I'm comparing it to that flat 6 roar!

[black8thgen]

hahaah yeah compared to a GTR in all honesty any honda is gonna sound like a pussy.... until vtec hits ;).

Nah but I just remember seeing the car up for sale and was wondering why the price was at what it is. But fkd turbo and gearbox makes sense haha. Where are you getting it rebuilt at if I may ask?

In terms of maintenance cost though (from what you can tell so far) - how does the S compare to the gtr?

[connorling]

keep an eye on the oil level, some S2000 have oil burn problem. the rear diff is the weakest link, so diff fluid change is a must.

basically i change engine oil, oil filter, diff oil, gearbox oil every 5000 to 6000km.

while you getting the gearbox rebuild, look into the diff as well, Js racing S2000 uses R32 rear diff, i was told RX7 diff fit in nicely with some mod.
definately look into it hey especially u r running turbo.

[Xiaorpowr]

@black8thgen the main thing I've noticed so far is fuel consumption, the S uses about 40% less than the GTR. I usually drove the GTR on low boost which made only around 220rwkw (so not much more than the S - yet fuel consump is heaps worse).
Other than that because the my GTR was immaculate and well looked after, I didn't have any major expenses in the 3 years I owned it.
Service schedules are similar for the two cars, but the S takes a lot less volume for everything. Eg. the GTR took double gearbox oil each change.

Turbo rebuild @ Precision Turbos
GB Rebuild - dont have the name of the place atm cos my mechanic sent it off. But the gearsets are genuine Honda AP2 Carbon sets.

@connorling thanks for the heads up! wow you do the GB and diff so often as well?? I think the GTR I did every 10,000km at most for those.
Previous owner said he had already done reinforced diff gears... but had no receipts, so who knows (fingers crossed as I get the car back tomorrow).

Question for you both, how do you find the S2's ride? what suspesion you run? I have Tein MonoFlex with EDFC, on the softest its still almost unbearable in sydney and just plain scary if you hit a bit bump / dip in the rd. I get thrown out of my seat... (this might be due to the short wheel base and the extreme chasis stiffness).

[connorling]

what are spring rates ?i remember Tein has stiff spring.

i use AST coils, they are very good indeed.
highly recommand

[QUOTE=Xiaorpowr;3637386Question for you both, how do you find the S2's ride? what suspesion you run? I have Tein MonoFlex with EDFC, on the softest its still almost unbearable in sydney and just plain scary if you hit a bit bump / dip in the rd. I get thrown out of my seat... (this might be due to the short wheel base and the extreme chasis stiffness).[/QUOTE]

[stndrd]

What spring rates do the monoflex have? If you are not happy I would look at a set of KW V3 with progressive spring rates and separate bump & rebound adjustment

[black8thgen]

Yeah i thought as much in regard to the maintenance - it's the main reason i stuck with a honda rather than going for an evo or gtr as being a full time student I just can't afford to drive those vehicles yet lol.

Yeah my mate has owned his S for a while and he does the same as connorling - diff and gearbox as well as oil changed at every service (unless it's topped up enough that there is literally no need).

In regard to the ride..... I'm running on HSD coils (pretty shit) think they're 10k front and 8k rear spring rates. Previous owner got them done and I'm too poor at the moment to upgrade (i'm thinking of going to KW V3s, Ohlins DFV or AST in the future). I'm currently on softest setting and yeah man it hurts like hell driving on Sydney roads. Every bump i get the same as you - lots of movement in the rear, but this is one thing every S owner will say about driving the car lol. I hear getting anti bump-steer kits for both front and rear can help reduce this but obviously not eliminate it. Also, maybe consider getting reinforced diff mounts (exedium, etc)? I'm looking into it and all the stuff I've read so far has been positive.

EDIT: @ connorling: which AST setup have you got? 5100? 5200?

[Xiaorpowr]

Not sure if you guys have read this?? Reviews all the top brands, KWs included. Food for thought...

http://blog.kw-suspension.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/scc-s2k-shootout.pdf

I have pretty much identical setup as the Tein car in this test
F:12kg R:10kg
The yanks seem to think it rides better than stock... I've never driven a stock AP1. But god help S owners if its worse than what I experience right now haha.

Maybe I should just man the fk up... I whinged about my GTR when it had F:14kg R:12kg and changed it to F:6kg and R:4kg. I am ineed soft... haha

@black8thgen - you go to trackdays and cruises in Syd?

[curtis265]

also don't forget - a certain spring rate will feel very differently on a gtr and a s2k given their weight differences

black8th - HSD's do suck lol, their damping doesn't go down very much, i had a broken spine after riding in a mate's car.. but i am also indeed soft.

[connorling]

12 and 10 spring rate seem high for sydney road.


Not sure if you guys have read this?? Reviews all the top brands, KWs included. Food for thought...

http://blog.kw-suspension.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/scc-s2k-shootout.pdf

I have pretty much identical setup as the Tein car in this test
F:12kg R:10kg
The yanks seem to think it rides better than stock... I've never driven a stock AP1. But god help S owners if its worse than what I experience right now haha.

Maybe I should just man the fk up... I whinged about my GTR when it had F:14kg R:12kg and changed it to F:6kg and R:4kg. I am ineed soft... haha

@black8thgen - you go to trackdays and cruises in Syd?

[Xiaorpowr]

What rates do you run on yours connorling?

[DakDak]

Welcome.

Your skyline had a RB26 right?

[black8thgen]

@ xiao: no trackdays yet - mainly due to lack of time really. Haven't been on a s2k cruise yet just been too busy since i got the car :(.

and yeah i had read that shootout article before was definitely a good read. It is what got me thinking about the KW V3's. However I have heard extremely good things about Ohlins DFV... but they are of course at a premium price.

@ curtis: yeah HSDs are so damn stiff i feel like shits gonna break in my car everytime theres a dodgy road. I don't mind a stiff ride, in fact i'd much rather it than soft but these HSDs are taking stiff to a whole new level lol

[ALPS]

i love stiff

[ALPS]

LOL! i just had to.. i had BC BRs. don't know what the standard spring rates for them were, but i had em on full stiff and still loved the ride.. went around mountain runs and handled beautiful. never put it on track, so don't know about track performance, but the new owner has tracked it and gotten very good times.. i think they were good bang for buck really, where the car is street-ed and tracked only on rare occasions..

[connorling]

i use AST Sportline 1 with Hyperco 9kg and 8kg springs.

damper not too soft and can be hard as

[black8thgen]

how much did that entire setup cost? i havent heard too much about hyperco springs, most people talk about swift springs. I'm thinking AST would be a great setup to use for the price and of course have the ability for local (within aus) rebuild.

[connorling]

bought the car with that set up. not a bad set up mate.

not sure how it goes with the sydney road tho.


how much did that entire setup cost? i havent heard too much about hyperco springs, most people talk about swift springs. I'm thinking AST would be a great setup to use for the price and of course have the ability for local (within aus) rebuild.

[Xiaorpowr]

Thanks mate :)
Yes, RB26 - was still running the twin turbo setup, but with N1 turbos off a R34.

[connorling]

any oil pump issue??


i am actually thinking of the other way around, wanting to trade my S2000 for GTR 32. haha

so hard to find one not modified or in good nick.



Thanks mate :)
Yes, RB26 - was still running the twin turbo setup, but with N1 turbos off a R34.

[Xiaorpowr]

Haha if only I knew you earlier, we could have swapped.

Get one that is 93 or newer. The latter models had larger pump collar which vastly improved the oil supply. Also if you read SAU forums there are tricks to help with starvation such as slight overfill of engine oil.

I did about 5 or 6 track days and always drove it hard, didn't have any issues

I think dead stock one will be near impossible to find, better off finding a lightly modified one owned by an enthusiast. The main basic mods to look for (which are expensive to do your self) is turbos upgraded ballbearing ones. Then aftermaket ECU and exhaust.

I reckon if those basic mods the GTR will be running 280+ kw easily.

Mine had cams n shit and on a mild 17psi tune made 300+ kw

[Xiaorpowr]

Here is a vid of it :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yiBtothN-U&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[connorling]

u wouldnt wanna swap with mine, mine is slow and no turbo!

thanks for the heads up. always like R32 GTR.



Haha if only I knew you earlier, we could have swapped.

Get one that is 93 or newer. The latter models had larger pump collar which vastly improved the oil supply. Also if you read SAU forums there are tricks to help with starvation such as slight overfill of engine oil.

I did about 5 or 6 track days and always drove it hard, didn't have any issues

I think dead stock one will be near impossible to find, better off finding a lightly modified one owned by an enthusiast. The main basic mods to look for (which are expensive to do your self) is turbos upgraded ballbearing ones. Then aftermaket ECU and exhaust.

I reckon if those basic mods the GTR will be running 280+ kw easily.

Mine had cams n shit and on a mild 17psi tune made 300+ kw

[Ten Four]

RB26 is straight six, not flat...

Have had 3, miss them lots... S2K is worlds apart..

[EKVTIR-T]

inline 6

[PHO]

RB26 is straight six, not flat...

Have had 3, miss them lots... S2K is worlds apart..

black 32 with green wheels?

[PHO]

black 32 with green wheels?

oh dw, that was someone else.

[Ten Four]

^More taste than that..

[PHO]

^More taste than that..

Yeah googled your plates. I remember you car now (Y)

Thought it was this one for some reason. Lol

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/14229_558966794130429_479564430_n.jpg

[EKVTIR-T]

Yeah googled your plates. I remember you car now (Y)

http://old.rapidimg.org/images/MHWva.jpg

[Ten Four]

lol well its like first result if you search ten four r32 gtr... FWIW carbon spoiler came off asap in favour of stock replacement

Pic before bonnet was repainted (had bonnet pins, prev owner)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w78/R34maniac2/20110521-DSC_4608.jpg

Gahhh i miss it lol. Everyone needs to own a GTR at some point..

[PHO]

What front bar is that?

[Ten Four]

Tommy Kaira.

[curtis265]

for some reason i think i have seen that car

[ludecrs]

A boosted S2k is quite an enjoyable (although costly) experience.

Watch your driveline and your clutch (though I never had any issues with my OEM after 120,000KM, and 300wkw+).

PS: Thread needs more pics. GTR or otherwise!

[Xiaorpowr]

Have had 3, miss them lots... S2K is worlds apart..

Miss mine lots too... What made you change to a S??? Just interested


A boosted S2k is quite an enjoyable (although costly) experience.

not wrong about that man, I've had the car for 2 months and its already cost me 6k... Hopefully this will be the end of the spending spree tho haha

[ALPS]

not wrong about that man, I've had the car for 2 months and its already cost me 6k... Hopefully this will be the end of the spending spree tho haha

LOL! just the beginning..

[connorling]

huh, so u r from WA?

which S2000 do you drive?

lol well its like first result if you search ten four r32 gtr... FWIW carbon spoiler came off asap in favour of stock replacement

Pic before bonnet was repainted (had bonnet pins, prev owner)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w78/R34maniac2/20110521-DSC_4608.jpg

Gahhh i miss it lol. Everyone needs to own a GTR at some point..

[ludecrs]

not wrong about that man, I've had the car for 2 months and its already cost me 6k... Hopefully this will be the end of the spending spree tho haha

Good luck with that. LOL.
The problem with FI is, you always want more. At first when you're pushed back into your seat, your kinda just like, holy shit, this is awesomeeeeee totally worth the expenditure, but after a while it just becomes "the norm" and you get used to it, and are left constantly searching for the initial omg boost feel and want it more. More power, more speed, but with each comes the need for more money, more parts to be replaced etc. Coming from a 300kw GTR though, I'm sure you know all about that!

Just watch your driveline / clutch / gearbox. Once you start pushing 500hp shit starts breaking.

[Xiaorpowr]

haha yes... went i bought it 3 years ago, drove it on 10psi @ 220kw - scared the shit out of me
that quickly faded so I bumped it up to 15psi @ 280kw - scared me for a bit...
then went up again and ended up driving on high boost 18psi @ 300kw all day quite amusing :)

the s2k is a completely different scary tho, might not be fearsom in a straight line but its much more twitchy and challenging to drive... Should keep me busy for a while!

[connorling]

S2000 dont have the 4wd system to keep you in check.
should keep you busy finding its limit :)



haha yes... went i bought it 3 years ago, drove it on 10psi @ 220kw - scared the shit out of me
that quickly faded so I bumped it up to 15psi @ 280kw - scared me for a bit...
then went up again and ended up driving on high boost 18psi @ 300kw all day quite amusing :)

the s2k is a completely different scary tho, might not be fearsom in a straight line but its much more twitchy and challenging to drive... Should keep me busy for a while!

[slackzy]

huh, so u r from WA?

which S2000 do you drive?

connor, he's got the NFR, he's also in our FB group.

[VeYzZii]

haha yes... went i bought it 3 years ago, drove it on 10psi @ 220kw - scared the shit out of me
that quickly faded so I bumped it up to 15psi @ 280kw - scared me for a bit...
then went up again and ended up driving on high boost 18psi @ 300kw all day quite amusing :)

the s2k is a completely different scary tho, might not be fearsom in a straight line but its much more twitchy and challenging to drive... Should keep me busy for a while!

That sounds hella fun. You can make the GTR as challenging to drive.. Cant you switch it to a RWD?
And why the change? Ive beent thinking of selling the S for a 32 GTR.. Do you miss the GTR?

[Ten Four]

connor, he's got the NFR, he's also in our FB group.

Half NFR if you know what I mean :\

Went to S2K from GTR for a change / different challenge.

[Xiaorpowr]

You can make the GTR as challenging to drive.. Cant you switch it to a RWD?
And why the change? Ive beent thinking of selling the S for a 32 GTR..

Yes I had a torque splitter and a 2wd switch... The GTR just feels a lot more stable, even on rwd, prob due to the long wheel base, if it stepped out, it did it in a gradual manner. If in 4wd, you can get some massive angles in 4wd power drift :D

S has a lot more aggressive handling characteristics, can't wait to get it on a track.

I changed to the S for a more luxury sports combo, love the S interior, GTR interior is a bit 90's drab. Also never owned a convertible, that was a big draw card (although I dont have a soft top installed on the car atm) haha...

Also I thought S would be a better daily... in some ways yes (mainly fuel consump), but its so fkn stiff and everything rattles. Haha... been so unlucky with the car, got it back from mechanics after 6 weeks, and I get a puncture on the same day... Shoot me!!!! Also didnt have a spare due to my hardcore weight reduction :p

[Hasbeen]

Good luck with that. LOL.
The problem with FI is, you always want more. At first when you're pushed back into your seat, your kinda just like, holy shit, this is awesomeeeeee totally worth the expenditure, but after a while it just becomes "the norm" and you get used to it, and are left constantly searching for the initial omg boost feel and want it more. More power, more speed, but with each comes the need for more money, more parts to be replaced etc. Coming from a 300kw GTR though, I'm sure you know all about that!

Just watch your driveline / clutch / gearbox. Once you start pushing 500hp shit starts breaking.

I know what you're talking about with the power becoming the norm.

I was lucky enough to have a season driving an F1 Brabham Repco. It was the 2.5L Oz version, with something just over 300BHP, but weighing only 1075 pounds, [under 500Kg] it sure had that kick in the butt when you hit the throttle.

In my first test drive at the old Warwick Farm short track I was getting it pointed all straight down the road, before I hit it. The surge of acceleration was breath taking.

The next time back at the Farm was a tuning session, after 150 miles around Bathurst at the Easter meeting. After a few laps I came in complaining the damn thing had no power. The mechanic pointed out it couldn't be all that bad, I was only half a second slower that the previous time, when I couldn't believe how much power it had. Amazing how quickly you can get used to it.

[Godzilla]

Sold your GTR to buy a S2K?

I couldnt do it, so i have both, 2 of the best performance cars ever made IMHO.

[Xiaorpowr]

Sold your GTR to buy a S2K?

Not everyones made of money bro :P but i suspect the R34 GTR will be my next car!

[Xiaorpowr]

Watch your driveline and your clutch (though I never had any issues with my OEM after 120,000KM, and 300wkw+).


Hey mate, so I just had my box rebuilt. What fluids were u running when u had ur car boosted to 300kws? I've read lots on S2ki and am currently running Honda MTF. Just wanted to hear experience of someone who actually ran a high powered turbo s2k...

Cheers