Project AP1 S2000: Installing Forbidden Side Diffusers

by Karla Pestotnik

Project AP1 S2000 has specific plans to be the ultimate, fun street car that can hold its own performance-wise, without losing its street-ability factor by turning into a full-blown racecar or track dedicated car. However, what is a good handling street car without its good looks?

To be fair, you have to try hard to make a Honda S2000 look poorly if it's in good condition. Few things are more appeasing to see other than a well taken care of and clean, stock body S2000, especially when you are the owner of MotoIQ’s new upcoming project, Project AP1.5 S2000 that is no longer a street-friendly car. Subtle changes here and there can really make it visually pleasing and stand out from the mundane crowd of regular street cars, confusing the average bystander into thinking that it is an expensive car. Just ask any S2000 owner, and it can be guaranteed that a random person has mistaken their car for either something really expensive or… a Miata… Ouch. Well, back to the idea of making subtle changes to the S2000 to accentuate its naturally charming looks and to further differentiate from the Mazda Miata because well, no one truly wants their car to look like a Miata.

We decided to address the rocker panel area with some carbon fiber side diffusers from Forbidden USA. This area tends to look a little “naked” or unfinished when left alone, due to the pinch welds underneath that are relatively visible from a lower side view when the car is not lowered significantly. This becomes especially apparent when a front diffuser and/or rear diffuser is added before side diffusers.

We chose these Downforce style, Forbidden side diffusers due to their subtle look. They aren’t excessively large and don’t stick out far enough to where it becomes an issue every time you and your passenger get in and out of a car that already isn’t the easiest to do so with grace.