ITR S2000. Bad idea at 3005lbs?

[77ITA]

I guess it's a bit late to be asking (I've already bought the donor car), but what does everyone think of the S2000 for ITR? I think it's a bit heavy when you consider that there's not going to be much left in the terms of making more power in IT trim. 3,005lbs just sounds crazy to me.

Anyone racing one? Anything I should know or consider? Trigger's already been pulled, so I hope it works out well.

I also hope that the class continues to grow so I have plenty of people to race with!

[lateapex911]

There ARE guys racing them. i think Josh races against one or two at laguna Seca and Sears Point (sorry, Inferion...) in NorCal.

I would love to go that route, but i'm skeptical it can make the needed power. Stock, I think it makes a specific output of 120hp/ltr, which is one of the top three naturally aspirated motors in existance. Ferrari's V8 out powers it, but with trick valve timing, and exhaust and intake magic as well.

I'm waiting and seeing.

[JoshS]

Send a note to Crash, aka James, who has one that I race against. We're pretty closely matched, although so far I've been faster. I'm a more experienced driver though.

The S2000 does get some hp gains from exhaust stuff and the new ECU rule gets it a bit more (easy) horsepower. He keeps up pretty well against me. Biggest issue with the weight is that if you do the "normal" weight removal for IT, you'll be WAY underweight. My suggestion with your donor -- weigh it before you remove anything. James races with 300 lbs of ballast because he removed most everything before he decided to build it for ITR.

He also hangs out in the track forum on s2ki.com.

[Z3_GoCar]

Look at it this way:

S2000: 240hp x 1.15 = 276hp => 3005lbs/276hp = 10.88 lbs/hp

Z3 2.8l 190hp x 1.25 = 237.5hp => 2750lbs/237.5hp = 11.58lbs/hp

Plus you get a much beter rear suspension too. You gotta look on the bright side

James

[jlucas]

What if you use torque instead of HP in that comparison?

[seckerich]

What if you use torque instead of HP in that comparison?
[/b]

Not allowed to discuss torque when discussing car weights.

[JeffYoung]

Damn right! Torque is irrevelant!

[Zneed4speed]

The S2000! Only 3005! Probably revs to 10 grand or something!
I need to rethink my ITR plan.

[gran racing]

Can the modified ECU have the VTEC on all the time?

[Jeremy Billiel]

Can the modified ECU have the VTEC on all the time?
[/b]

Yes, you simply lower the VTEC engagement point to very low in the RPM's. You can do this, but you sacrifice what little torque there is.

[jlucas]

At the dyno, lower the vtec point until it starts to cut into output. IIRC it's about 600rpm before it starts to before your start loosing power.
For example, before and after on a 2006 S2000:
http://hondata.com/images/s2k_06_stock-vs-reflash.gif

[Popeye]

I'm still kicking the idea of running an S2000 around too

[77ITA]

The S2000! Only 3005! Probably revs to 10 grand or something!
I need to rethink my ITR plan.
[/b]

More revs = more trophies?

I'm still very excited about the build and going ahead as planned, but the more time I spend around the car... the more concerned I become about the weight. I knew going in that it may not be very competitive @ 3,005lbs, but I'm just not sure the suspension is up to hard / consistent track use on R-compound tires at above the street car curb weight of 2850 lb (I'm a pretty small guy.. 135lbs). Only one way to find out though

[lateapex911]

It's a Honda! More than most companies, honda has their i's dotted and their t's crossed. I'm not saying that every Honda is a racing reliabilty demonstration, but....
And the average driver weighs about 180 or 200, so that race weight is essentially the curb weight. I think you'll be fine....at least faliure-wise.

[tnord]

you're very brave jeff.

i don't know if there's a car i want to race any more than the S2000.......if it weren't for that weight. the things i'd be concerned about on that car would be the front hubs and brakes. i'd want to do some research on diffs as well. i know what they cost to replace on the miata, i can only imagine it's more on the S2k.