Yikes! I got a look at an '04 S2000 today at the local AutoX, and I have to say that to my untrained eye it looked to handle much better than the '02 S2000 that the guys used to run. The back end looked much more stable and planted than the prevous models. It's kind of discouraging to be 6 seconds behind that car, but I guess being a novice doesn't help! That car is also modded for BS class racing with sway bar, shocks, exhaust, and Victoracers and my car is bone stock in Kumho MX street tires.

Anyone else go up against an 'improved' S2000?

 

I thought the 04 S2000 was in AS.

 

It is. However, for all practical purposes AS and BS are the same for PAX (.828 vs. .825(.826 in '04). That's 0.12 seconds for a 60 second run.

My point was supposed to be if anyone had seen an '04 run yet and if they had noticed any difference.

 

I raced BS as a novice( no changes to the car) this year and at the beginning I was 8 seconds behind the winners. At the end of the 16 events plus the 6 event slush cup I am now only 3 seconds behind and all those other cars ran DOT race tires. So what I am saying is that you will make a tremendious improvement. Take the schools that are offered and push the limit. Progress will come the more you run the events. Looking forward to next year. DOT 's on order and allowed upgrades installed. Only thing left is Koni's.

 

Thanks for the CONSTRUCTIVE input. The only thing I have done to my car is put on some new tires(Kumho Ecsta MX) because I couldn't stand the old Stones. I felt like they handled better, but i since it was so cold outside I don't think they ever got warmed up. When I left the house at 6:30AM the temperature outside was 26 degrees and by the time I drove south and away from the city(Tucson) it was below 20 degrees at the track. I didn't think that was correct but several other people were getting the same number from their cars. Anywho, when I did my first run at 9AM I'm sure the outside temp was around 25 degrees. Coldest weather of the year so far!

 

I plan to run 265X35X18 Khumo's Etasca 700 as Autocross tires on my 18X8 wheels. This is oversized but works well. I also suggest the EVO adjustable front sway bar. It eliminated half of the push on the old tires just with this change. Almost one second faster relative to the faster drivers for me. Other suggestions was to have toe out .168 in the front and toe in .168 in the back. I have not done this but am aiming in this direction. I plan to use a race group near me to aid in suspension setup.

 

I have been thinking about that sway bar, but I have a bad back and a bad knee so I really can't get under the car and install it. I wonder if I could find someone around here to install it.

 

I'm telling all of ya, S2K are awesome track cars. Its handling is razor-sharp and incredibly balanced, and its gear box is to-die-for. Also, I do autox quite often, but in the summer.

 

I think the 2004 S2K will be a very fast AutoX car. The 2003 I've driven was better balanced than my Z, but was lacking in torque coming out of low speed corners.

The 2004 is geared a bit shorter (similar to the Z) and will therefore be better coming out of corners than the 2003. Also, it has wider wheels which should allow fatter tires. As long as the balance is maintained, the car should really haul a**.

Maybe someday they'll make a coupe version...

-D'oh!

 

It was also moved up in class for 2004 models.

 

Yes I know this. However as I explained before they isn't really a big difference between the two classes for PAX number. From what I saw the new car was much more under control, especially the @$$ end.

 

Oh, I forgot to mention that the '04 S2K is quite a bit faster than the previous years, so even in straight-line speed, it should have no problem with a 350Z. Why? Let me tell ya.

First, it's got more hp and torque than previous years. Most dyno about 20hp more to the ground; that's a HUGE difference. Even though Honda still rates it at 240hp, the actual crank hp should be at around 270. That's only a little behind a Z, but it's much lighter.

Second, its gear ratios are also improved, so they even help make it faster than the previous years.

Third, its suspension is also improved. This is excellent for track because now, the S2K is even more balanced and stable in corners.

Overall, the improvements are pretty effective enough to make the new S2K considerably faster than the older ones.

So if you think a race between an older S2K and Z is a driver's race, then the new S2K should beat a Z handily, because it should be able to beat an older S2K handily as well. And we're just talking about straight-line speeds. At the track, the new S should also be faster than even a Track-model Z.

 

This is my only point of reference. Raceboy on this form has raced numerous times with Speedventures and reports the added torque of the 350z really is an advantage over 2000's on the track.

Autocross is another story. We are not inhearintly have good turn in and s2000 is very suited for this type of racing.

 

I agree with Ray. However it's just a matter of time before the Z becomes a good AutoX car. Most of the S2000 guys have 3 solid years of testing and perfecting there cars. Just give it time!

 

The 350Z has already done better at the SCCA Runoffs than the S2000 in T2. I believe the S2000 is a better AutoX car but the 350Z is only going into its second season. Give people like Carter Thompson time. The 350Z is doing very well in GA Cup against the likes of the 911, Firebird, & Cobra. Hopefully an overall win will come this year.