2003 Honda S2000 Power Pages

[JoeThaMan]

2003 Honda S2000 Power Pages
Engineered as one of Honda's most refined motors, the F20C is the weapon of choice for the 2000-2003 Honda S2000 (AP1). Known to spin the tachometer to the tune of 9000rpm, the high revving 2.0-liter engine is simply music to the ears. Shoehorned in a rigid X-frame body with 50/50 weight distribution, the S2K is a roadster that possesses exceptional handling, nimble power and exterior looks that even the most macho of men can drive in without looking like a complete candy ass.
An older S2K in decent condition is more affordable than ever before, and yet, can still cost a pretty penny. Dump the girlfriend and starve yourself if you plan on upgrading from a Hyundai to this drop top convertible.
With 33,000 miles on the odometer, this S2K went though a major tune-up prior to hitting the dyno. While horsepower numbers might seem a bit low, we thought we should inform our readers that the SuperFlow Dyno we performed our testing on was one of the stingier of the bunch. But don't let the numbers fool you. The power and torque gains found with every component installed are accurate to the numbers shown on each dyno graph.
Dyno 1: Baseline 2003 Honda S2000
PEAKHP 186.9 / PEAKTQ 117.8
Owner: Danny Kim
Dynamometer Model: Superflow Dynamometer
Testing and Photos: Scott tsuneishi
The Skunk2 Racing cat-back exhaust system is constructed with T-304 stainless steel mandrel bent tubing to ensure maximum flow over the factory unit. Designed as a true cat-back exhaust system for the Honda S2000. The Skunk2 Mega Power exhaust features dual 110mm diameter polished tips with an acid etched Mega Power badge and a serialized nameplate.
While the installation of the new exhaust was a simple procedure, the removal of the factory exhaust required us to spray the rubber exhaust bushings with plenty of grease. The S2000's one-piece exhaust design is a nightmare if attempting to remove the unit on your own. Receiving some assistance when removing the exhaust can help speed up the process.
Exhaust, exhaust flange gaskets, B-pipe, nuts and bolts, stickers and instructions.
12-, 14- and 17mm combination wrench, 12-, 14- and 17mm socket, ratchet and extension
60 minutes.
The Skunk2 Mega Power Exhaust quickly turned our frown upside down after pulling numerous dyno pulls to ensure our new found numbers were indeed not a fluke in power gains. Peak output over our baseline run netted an increase of 11.7 hp and 7.5 lb-ft of torque by simply bolting on the new exhaust system. Dyno graphs show a consistent five horsepower pickup from 4000 to 6400rpm. Torque numbers were also improved throughout the power band as a solid 7 lb-ft of torque was maintained until redline.
Dyno 2: Skunk2 mega power exhaust
PEAKHP 198.6 / PEAKTQ 125.3

HORSEPOWER GAIN
1500 to 3500 HP range: 3 to 4
3500 to 5500 HP range: 3 to 5
5500 to redline HP range: 5 to 12

TORQUE GAIN
1500 to 3500 TQ range: 3 to 5
3500 to 5500 TQ range: 2 to 4
5500 to redline TQ range: 4 to 10
The 4-2-1 constructed exhaust manifold was designed by 5Zigen engineers with equal length designed runners. Designed with smaller diameter piping, the header tapers out from 42.7mm and opens up to 50.8mm, finally terminating to a 60.5mm collector. This staggered header design enables the F20c engine to maximize its horsepower at high RPM while maintaining torque at low end
Removal of the factory S2K exhaust manifold isn't exactly an exhilarating trip to your local strip bar, but we found installation to be a bit easier when loosening the bolts to the front subframe. The subframe and engine will drop ever so slightly, creating an easier time at accessing the bolts to the header.
Exhaust Manifold
12-, 14mm combination wrench, 12 and 14mm socket, ratchet, extension, crescent wrench
60 minutes
With a quick spin on the dyno, we noticed a deeper growl emitting from the exhaust after installing the 5Zigen header. Along with a more muscular tone, the S2K responded well to the stainless header as the dyno graphs displayed a gain in both horsepower and torque from low rpm until redline. A gain of 3 to 4 hp and 3 to 4 lb ft of torque were found consistently throughout the charts as we compared the final header dyno numbers to our previous run.
Dyno 3: 5zigen 4-2-1 Stainless Exhaust Manifold
Peakhp 201.8 / Peaktq 129.2

HORSEPOWER GAIN
1500 to 3500 HP range: 2 to 3
3500 to 5500 HP range: 3 to 4
5500 to redline HP range: 4 to 3

TORQUE GAIN
1500 to 3500 TQ range: 2 to 3
3500 to 5500 TQ range: 3 to 4
5500 to redline TQ range: 3 to 5
How do you judge a company's reputation and the products they sell? The shady fly-by-night manufacturers will be there one day to sell you their electronics, and then quickly vanish into the night, often leaving you with a finger stuck up your ass. Firmware updates and tech support? You can forget about that. AEM is one of the few companies that stands by their product and continuously offers firmware updates, even offering a dedicated forum for the EMS engine management system. The newest EMS unit sold on the market today is equipped with a built in UEGO wideband controller for precision tuning. Pre-programmed with various base maps and onboard data logging, the EMS is a true plug and play unit that requires no additional wiring and can be installed within minutes.
Designed with user friendly instructions and an intuitive program sequence, even the most novice tuners can get their car up and running in no time. How easy you ask? We simply booted up the laptop, double checked for proper sensor compatibility using the auto detect program found within the EMS program and loaded up the 1052 basemap found in the EMS. Along with some basic A/F tuning and minor tweaking for adjustment purposes, we found the already pre- programmed map to be close to dead-on nuts in the realms of safe A/F tuning and maximum horsepower potential. For those who are electronically challenged, we recommend you take your vehicle to an authorized tuner or dyno facility with enough know-how to properly tune your vehicle.
EMS Unit, wideband O2 Sensor, wire leads, instructions, stickers
Laptop, knowledgeable tuning experience, screwdriver, pliers, crescent wrench, zip ties
120 minutes
A quick glance at the dyno sheets can be deceiving when you look at the final EMS dyno numbers vs. our previous run. What looks like minimal horsepower gains should be more carefully examined as you notice a smoother, more linear graph from start to finish. The first of many improvements in comparison to running a factory ECU was shown at 2750rpm. The S2K was quick to respond to the new EMS unit as an improvement of 8hp and 16 lb-ft of torque were recorded from our initial stab at the throttle. With the ability to alter the VTEC crossover point set at the factory issued 6500rpm, we managed to lower the low cam to high cam transition to 5500rpm,enabling us to eliminate the dip, often seen with VTEC controlled vehicles, and managed to pick up 8hp and 10 lb-ft at 6300 rpm. With the F20c engine known to rev to 9000rpm, maintaining a stable spark and proper ignition timing is all the more important. Dyno graphs show the EMS did help to clean up some of the stumbling and erratic behavior found when running on the factory ECU at higher rpm's. While most of us won't be winding our vehicles out till 9000rpm, we found it rather interesting that the S2K equipped with the EMS continued to pull on both horsepower and torque with no signs of slowing down while our previous run is shown to quickly taper off at 8500rpm.
Dyno 4: Aem (Ems) Engine Management System
Peakhp 207.9 / Peaktq 129.4

HORSEPOWER GAIN
1500 to 3500 HP range: 2 to 8
3500 to 5500 HP range: 1 to 2
5500 to redline HP range: 3 to 6

TORQUE GAIN
1500 to 3500 TQ range: 4 to 16
3500 to 5500 TQ range: 2 to 3
5500 to redline TQ range: 4 to 10

Selecting quality components along with proper tuning netted us a total gain of 21hp and 15.6 lb-ft. of torque over our baseline run. A quick spin around the block and it was evident that both bottom end and midrange were like day and night for the S2K. For those who bitch and moan about spending $4180.36, MSRP is simply stated as the price that is suggested by the manufacturer. That doesn't mean you'd be paying that specific amount. Street price on the EMS can range from $2100 and lower depending on how fast you're willing to get off your lazy ass and start pricing around.
BANKROLLSkunk2 S2000 Mega Power Exhaust$ 793.96 5Zigen 4-2-1 Exhaust Manifold$880.00AEM Engine Manage System w/ built in UEGO$ 2506.68MSRP Total$ 4180.36
CONCLUSION HP Level +HPTQ Level +TQBaseline186.9 117.8 Skunk2 Fit Mega Power Exhaust 198.611.7125.37.5 5Zigen 4-2-1 Stainless Header201.83.2129.23.9 AEM Engine Management System (30-1052U)207.96.1129.40.2 Final207.921.0129.415.6

Photo Gallery: 2003 Honda S2000 Power Pages - Import Tuner Magazine



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