Our staff has assembled the top five Honda S2000s to grace the pages of DSPORT Magazine. By the way of achievement, technology, innovation and build quality, these machines represent the epitome of import performance, horsepower output, comprehensive chassis development, track records, one-off fabrication and attention to detail were just a few of the criteria required to make the list. At their prime and even today, these machines command respect and honor. So here is our salute to the top five Honda S2000s to be featured by DSPORT.

Text & Photos by DSPORT Staff

1) Top Fuel/Voltex Racing Unlimited Time Attack S2000

Circuit
Peak Horsepower: 765 WHP @ 7,600 RPM
Issue: 142 / June 2014
Published Times: 1:40.195 at Fuji Speedway

Excerpt from the article….
With refined aerodynamics, more horsepower and seat time, the team returned to Australia to make another run at the Pro Class title. While Taniguchi was able to improve his lap time with a 1:28.8660, it would still land him in a frustrating fifth place for a second year in a row. It is said that after the race, he mentioned in his blog, “Please Japan, give me something to catch these monsters with.” In the months leading up to the 2014 HKS Premium Day, the team feverishly refined the S2000 to give Taniguchi the machine he’d been asking for, and they delivered. On January 26, he clocked a scorching lap time of 1:40.195, setting the new tuning car record at Fuji Speedway, surpassing the HKS CT230R (1:42.374 on 11/14/08) and the Cyber EVO (1:41.434 on 2/17/09).

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2) Evasive Motorsports S2000

Circuit
Peak Horsepower: 351 WHP @ 8,400 RPM
Issue: 164 / March 2016

Excerpt from the article….
This AP2 S2000 was delivered to Evasive Motorsports in April 2015 with a practically blank check and instructions to build it to be a track star. Drawing on its extensive experience tuning the S2000, the team at Evasive drew up a plan to reach this objective. The F22C engine was plucked from its home as work began on the chassis. Fabrication started with a V-mounted intercooler and radiator for optimum cooling. The radiator core support was modified to accommodate an HKS intercooler and Koyo radiator, while custom ducting directs airflow through the intercooler and out through ports cut out of the hood. A protective barrier in the form of a custom cage was then welded into the cockpit, shrouding the occupants within tubular steel. To further stiffen the chassis, the fabrication team stitch welded the shock towers. At the rear, the trunk floor was cut out before being fitted with custom chassis mounts for the Voltex Racing Type 7 carbon-fiber wing.

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3) J’s Racing S2000

Circuit
Peak Horsepower: 335 WHP
Issue: 154 / May 2015
Published Times: 2’19.257 at Suzuka Circuit

Excerpt from the article….
Retasked for time attack, the S2000 was ready to return to the track to turn laps. With J’s Racing’s founder Umemoto behind the wheel, the S2000 laid rubber down on Suzuka Circuit’s racing surface. After running the 3.6-mile, 17-turn Grand Prix course, the team recorded a best lap time of 2’19.257. But this S2000 should still be able to shave more time from the clock, according to Murakami, as it’s still carrying some unnecessary weight. The chassis reinforcement that was added for Option2 Taikyu competition added essential strength to the AP1. For time attack, however, much of this was overkill and not necessary. Future plans therefore include a weight reduction, which Murakami anticipates should be on the order of around 220 pounds. Once the weight has been lost, Umemoto and the S2000 will return to Suzuka to pursue the C3S (mid size, front engine, RWD, semi-slick tires) class record.

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4) 500 WHP Turbo S2000 CR

Street
Peak Horsepower: 503 WHP
Issue: 097 / December 2010

Excerpt from the article….
Content with the power but always seeking individuality, Amrit shifted his attention to the exterior of the AP2 chassis. He noticed that the factory seats featured fabric panels that resembled carbon-Kevlar. He began searching for manufacturers that use the exotic, strong and lightweight material for body and aero components. He found front fenders, side diffusers and a rear diffuser from Downforce USA that accent and complement the S2000’s aggressive lines. This established the exterior black and gold theme, which found its way onto a Cusco bolt-in cage that was painted gold to contrast from the black interior.

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5) 603 WHP Turbocharged S2000

Street
Peak Horsepower: 603 WHP
Issue: 158 / September 2015

Excerpt from the article….
On the top end, the focus was to improve the AP2’s volumetric efficiency. The cylinder head was entrusted to URGE Designs, a S2000 specialist. Placing emphasis on improving the head’s port shape and valve seats, the machinists at URGE applied their cylinder head skills. According to URGE, this approach yields a 12 to 18-percent improvement in intake flow and a 25 to 30-percent improvement in exhaust flow. Additionally, URGE’s inconel exhaust valves, dual valve springs and titanium retainers replaced the factory valvetrain.

Once Healy received the modified head, he utilized ARP head studs to provide the clamping force to mate the block and head together. Before installing the new powerplant, Healy upgraded to a Clutchmasters FX400 clutch system to transfer power from the engine to the drivetrain. With the car back up and running, the S2000 was strapped to the Dynojet at MAC Autosport. Through the KManager editing software, Nick of MAC Autosport tuned the boost pressure, air-fuel mixture and ignition maps. At 15 psi of boost pressure, the F22C pumped out over 600 horsepower at the wheels with over 430 ft/lbs of torque

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