S2000 Modified, Very Modified – by Stuart Chambers
I bought my S2000 in December 2008 after selling my modified Volkswagen MK4 Golf TDi and I absolutely love it! Here is my story of how my car got to where she is today.
I bought the car at the end of 2008 I told myself that I would not modify the car as I felt it was great as it was, but as usual the modifying bug caught hold of me again and since then she’s come along way.
In Mid 2009 I first Started by looking at different screen types to replace my current headunit I wanted something that when fitted would not look a single bit out of place and looked factory fitted.
I then knew this was going to be a little harder than first thought, it became clear that due to the layout of the dash and heater vents etc could not go for a standard unit with either a flip out or double din unit as they just would not fit I looked at every flip out screens to double dins out there but nothing was going to fit.
I then found a system that would work in two parts first part is a simple double DIN touch screen unit and the second is a separate box that contains all the electronic gubbins. I could then place the box in the rear of my car and still control everything from the touch screen in the front Perfect!
Was then time to fabricate screen in place!
After the headunit was fitted I then wanted to add some bass and better components due to the lack of space in the boot I had the problem of finding amps small enough to fit but powerful enough for my needs I decided to go all out on JL Audio Subs, HD Amps and Components the components were a straight replacement then did a full audio build on the boot.
Once this was done I did a few little bits like painting the callipers red, changing lights to LEDs, adding silicone hoses, colour coding the Rocker box to the same colour as the car and a GReddy Twin exit Exhaust etc but nothing serious
In February 2010 I had done all I wanted, I loved everything about the car the way it handled and sounded but there was just something…… missing and everything seemed now boring.
In Mid February 2010 I thought about selling her and starting looking at different cars for a month or so but nothing tickled my fancy.
Just after I was giving up hope I was just browsing through YouTube as you do and come across a Title that caught my attention “Honda S2000 Supercharged” decided to take a look and the video got hold of me and then I decided that’s what I wanted to do
I looked at different manufactures of bolt on superchargers and then had the chance of being a passenger in one it was fantastic!! it had the Handling that I loved and the sound was unbelievable! it was time to do some more research on forums etc, I was then in the mind what I wanted until I saw a post from a member saying ” have you looked into turboing it ?” No never really crossed my mind so I went back to do some more research mainly through Forums and YouTube I must add!.
I then decided to bite the bullet and Turbocharge her!
I decided to go for a GReddy Turbo kit, It could have been a simple bolt on kit but I decided to go all out and get things done properly first time! AEM standalone ECU, More GReddy parts such as Oil cooler, Catch can, Single Exit Exhaust, Spoon Engine Parts, Skunk2 Parts, BC Coilovers and much more went into the build
Turbo Throttle Body + Polished Intake Slowly Coming Together
Torque Damper and other bits
fitted Injectors, AEM Regulator and AEM Fuel Rail fitted UKs First S2000 with it GReddy Single Exhaust and Rear Strut Brace
Coilovers Fitted Greddy Oil Cooler Complete
After the conversion there wasn’t much more I wanted to do so I decided I would treat myself to some new alloy wheels to break the look up after searching high and low I decided on some Prodrive GC07’s these really did set the car off!
Prodrive GC07 Wheels
After a year of the Turbo conversion and still running as a high compression engine I started noticing strange things happen , the oil dipstick started popping out the top of the engine which was not a good sign.
I took her to JPS Motorsport in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire who put my fears into reality, the piston rings were warn and on their last legs but also along with this the standard clutch was also slipping so I thought it was about time to get her in and sorted.
Both Leon from JPS Motorsport and myself went into a lot of research and looking at suitable products for the job, I could have either gone for the standard Honda pistons and waited for the same thing to happen in a year or so again or go for aftermarket low compression pistons.
Even though the aftermarket route was considerably more expensive I once again bit the bullet and got the bits ordered and the new engine build was set in the near future!
In May 2011 the clutch had completely gone and in mid-May the car was booked into JPS as I was away on holiday for 2 weeks thought it was a perfect time for the work to begin, I got my brother in-law to take her down by trailer which came in very handy! and prior to this I removed the front bumper as some work was to begin on this during my weeks away!
During this time the front bumper went to have some custom one-off carbon fibre parts for better cooling and also a new carbon fibre panel is being made to replace the metal heat shield all made by Carbon Addicts.
While I was away JPS they took no time stripping her down and getting the engine out, knowing my car was in good hands I tried to enjoy my holiday but as any car enthusiast will say you constantly want updates and every other day or so Emailing Leon to see how things were going!
During my time away I relaxed and searched on the internet as you do but in the process buying more bits for the car and the list was ever growing, buying an aftermarket Radiator, Thermostat, Radiator Fans, AEM Methanol injection and few other bits I knew Leon would be a little bit surprised with all the boxes when I get home!
During the holiday some more fears came apparent during the stripping down of the engine the liners inside the engine were damaged and needed replacing so the whole block went to be Rebored and relined, during the nightmare of the engine more bad news came through the internals on the turbo had got so hot the bearings were almost seized and needed replacing as the project was half way through this had to get done and was taken to Turbo Technics to be sorted and while it was away converted into a hybrid.
By the time I got home from holiday and many Emails later the build was well on the way, the engine was all stripped down and was being built back up and looking good, while the engine was out I also got the block sprayed black to keep it looking clean.
Before the whole project was complete I decided to get all the boost pipes, Manifold and other bits professionally polished this made a massive difference and looked the part!
Once all the parts were back from being machined polished it was finally time to fit the engine back to where it belongs.
The new clutch was then fitted, on the final stages of the build Leon asked if I wanted traction control fitted and at first I declined the offer but after some sensible thinking I decided to get Race Logic Traction Control fitted, after the engine was complete the final touches were done with mapping etc...
Meanwhile while the final preps are being done on the car I had a call from Carbon addicts to say the parts are finished and the parts looked great, once the engine was in the front bumper and carbon parts were fitted it was now just a task of running her in and the project was complete!
Since this project began with the turbo conversion I have had a lot of interest from several magazine for features and also been shown on TV! I have done all I can to her now and unfortunately after all the hard work that has gone into her it is now time for a new project to begin, not exactly sure what car it will be yet as I have a few in mind but all I can say is won’t be disappointed!
I would like To Thank: Leon , Jay & Danny @ JPS Motorsport – For all help getting where she is today. Kate & Mickey @ UKSTREET CARS – For including me in their events and the opportunities. Mum & Dad – Putting Up With Me. Guys @ SafelyInsured Car Insurance For Actually Insuring me J
Thanks For Reading Stuart
The End…..