In this section of the datalog, the IC_Outlet thermocouple came loose from the aluminum pipe resulting in it measuring the air temperature in that area. This part of the datalog was surface street driving with a lot of hitting red lights; typical stop and go traffic on city streets. As soon as we started moving, you can see how the air bumper duct routed cool air to the filter and dropped the temperature in that location immediately. It took a bit longer for the air over by the IC pipe to cool down. I think it was getting a little bit of cooling air coming through the opening in the cooling air plate. I was hoping the air filter would suck in air closer to ambient, but the bumper duct still provided a sizeable decrease in air temperature of about 20degF. At 8000rpm, going from 80degF to 100degF air intake temperature at the filter increases the compressor power requirement from ~45.4hp to ~47.0hp. Assuming I didn’t goof on my calculations, the turbine pressure ratio increases from 2.76 to 2.88. Yes, getting cold air to the compressor inlet matters in both turbo response and engine power.
From earlier testing back in the day (Part 23!), the air temperature coming off the radiator was about 45-50degF above ambient. So, the air deflector plate is potentially reducing the hot air temperature around the air filter by about 10degF.
Changing the oil filter is super easy now. I didn’t even really need the towel there as no oil dripped off to the sides. Too bad this is the last oil change I’ll ever do on the car. A person contacted me about buying my spare turbo manifold and I ended up selling them the whole car. The new owner is no stranger to highly modified S2000s and was looking to do an ‘OEM+’ build; more grip, turn faster, transition faster, brake harder, accelerate faster, better shifter feel, faster response in everything, but still be easy to drive and take a beating. My car was basically the end-state they were going to do themselves, so I sold them the whole thing.
Here’s a recap of some of my favorite Project S2000 things from the last thirteen years.
It all started with the Volk wheels and Bridgestone tires. The wheels and tires were selected to fit under the fenders with minimal fender rolling and also fit over the StopTech brakes. I had my DIY vented track hood with ram air NACA duct for track days.
KW Clubsports with stiffer Swift springs on the front to go with the non-staggered wheel setup got the handling dialed in. The SPL adjustable upper ball joint let me dial in -3.0 degrees of camber and also tuck in the top of the tire inwards to help avoid rolling the fender. The Blacktrax Kingpin spherical bearing suspension was one of my favorite mods. It took all the slop out of the suspension, making the car react immediately to inputs giving a feel more similar to a kart.
12 comments
Must not of liked it much if you sold it right away after over a decade of building. Simple, fast builds with lots of time to play and selling it completely wore out is the goal isn’t it?
I loved it. I was driving it a couple times a week to work. I let about a dozen guys drive it, a few with racing licenses, and they all loved it. I gave a ride to a couple co-workers who are ex-McLaren engineers and they loved it. So when I told everyone I was selling it, they were shocked. Until I told them what was coming next, then they all said, “okay, that makes sense.” I didn’t plan to sell it so soon at all; I had five oil filters and two oil changes worth of Motul 300V in my garage. But the perfect buyer came along. It’s just how the timing worked out. It’ll probably be about a year before everyone finds out what’s next.
Congrats on the sale!! Thanks for the years of thoughtful, no compromise modification. We’ve all learned a lot from it.
I’m going to guess Boxster Spyder.
Way back, I was at Autoclub track testing the ram air NACA duct and vented hood. I was doing somewhere around 130-135mph on the main straight and Kojima was behind me in one of his Dog Car race cars. At that point, I was like…. I really wish I had a solid roof.
Khiem my friend, congrats on finishing it!!! Seems like a raving success and looking forward to the next project!
Wow, bittersweet day to read this project has wrapped and moved to its next owner. I bought my 05 AP2 13 years ago and always aspired for the science and need based approach you took at addressing various aspects (or some may say weaknesses) of the platform. Congrats to the new owner, I’m entirely jealous not knowing the car would have been offered for sale!
Excited to see what you take on next, based on your hardtop comment I would posit a cayman gt4 with gt3rs capabilities and stock road manners. Can’t wait to see what you pursue next.
I’ve always said, the only way to do better than the S2000 is to go mid-engine with the engine behind the driver. There’s no getting around the physics of placing the engine as close to the center of the car as possible to reduce the rotational inertia if one wants to make a car that rotates quickly. That’s all I’ll say with regards to the next car.
Can’t wait for the next project car!
I wonder it’s the Boxster for OEM+ or a capable Exige but with OEM+ characteristics 😀
Many thanks for all the detailed sharing
I’m speechless. Simply didn’t see this coming.
Looking forward to what is next!
No combination of words can adequately capture the sensation of driving this S2000. It’s exceptional balance, remarkable maneuverability and ever present torque imbue an indescribable sense of fun and thrill. This car is even more fun than my heavily modified 992 Turbo S, as it’s way more approachable to tear up the canyons or B roads. Because the gears are so short, you FEEL like you are going so fast, and then you look down and realize you’re only going 90, but you did indeed get there quick.
I face a truly daunting task in attempting to augment the perfection of what Khiem did with this car, because I can’t leave anything alone ever. Modifying the fuel tables for the new exhaust and perhaps water/meth seem to be the only viable improvements that I can think to make. I am very apprehensive about doing anything to this car, as I don’t want to disrupt it’s OEM like equilibrium and balance. Any change I make may actually make the car feel worse, and that’s a very real concern, because it’s just THAT good.
I want to thank you for taking the time to document everything that you did with this vehicle as a teaching tool for those who would seek to build the prefect s2000.
Thank you again Khiem
— Steve
Hello, Khiem Dinh. I have an offer for you, can I contact you by email?