I know. it was in my car.

 

There was an LSx swapped FD that last time I was at VIR. It looked like it was put together nicely, and he was hustling it around pretty quick. The owner said it had been reliable on track. Of course, FD owners tend to have a different definition of "reliable" than the rest of humanity.


The brakes issue on S2Ks can't be emphasized enough. The rotors are known to crack under track conditions. Look at pics on the S2K forums and you'll see anything ranging from "hairline" to "scary." A NASA TT'er died up at Summit Point about two years ago when his S2K broadsided the concrete wall outside of Turn 1. From what I read of the incident, the car suffered a brake failure and a disintegrated rotor was the likely culprit. Beef up the brakes, add ducting, and keep an eye on them.

 

A friend of mine after buttonwillow:


Fun stuff!

 

at this last S2K Challenge (last Saturday), a street class S2000 went 2:01.0 at BW13. SM record is ~2:05.

street class S2000 is basically a S2000 modded to CR spec. street tire only. you can do shocks, limited spring (no stiffer than a CR and n coilover), small wing, up to 235 tires front, 255 rear, no lightening, no engine mod (only allowed is cat back). so this is ~1:56 car at TWS.

as for brake rotors. front is the one that cracks. just change them every time you change out pads. rotor is ~$40 a piece.

 

Thats the second time I have heard you refer to a TWS time. Are you a transplant Texan?

 

no, but because you Texan don't know BW, I thought TWS time would translate better

 

this is the setup for the street class S2K that did a 2:01 flat at BW13.

0.75 - 255/40R17 x4 RS-3
0.50 - 17x8.5
1.50 - APR GTC-200 with 2.5" Riser
0.50 - J's Racing 70RR Titanium Headerback Exhaust
0.25 - Passenger Seat Removal

zero points for BSK, camber kit, sway bars and brake pads.

stock suspension.

 

Are there really issues with the 2000-2001 that should be avoided? I heard the engine oil squirters, trans synchros, and rear ends are weak and revised in 2002...

 

yes, but it is not a deal breaker. 2003 would be last year for AP1, that would be my 1st choice (02/03 is AP1.5). AP2 gearing is just not as good on track, mainly because of the 8k vs. 9k rpm. but again, in all, they are all pretty close. closer than different years of Miatas. only thing I really hate about AP1 is the need of oil catch can (and needs to empty it after every other session), w/o it, you smoke like crazy on hard right hander.

 

You'll hear a lot about rear ends but if you're not doing drag launches/burnouts it will be fine. One other thing to look for on the earlier AP1's is clutch buzz.

Tail shaft bearings are also prone to failure it seems like but they're not that major to change (it can be done with the transmission in the car). That is actually the only major failure I've had with my 00 AP1.

 

As I see alternatives would be:
Corvette
cheaper alternatives firebird, camaro
Pontiac GTO
Mustang GT
maybe even Focus svt

Yes they are heafty. But with serious track preparations, they might become nimble as well. handling can be improved relatively easy.

 

I had an 06 GTO brand new. It likes to break the suspension when autoxing. It also caught on fire at 10k and burnt to the ground. I talked to the bank today and other than them giving me crap for already having so many cars I think its a go for an S2K.

 

i'm such a sucker. after my e36 giving me trouble i still like this one. looks well done. should be as much fun as a m coupe.

1998 BMW M3 Compact - $9150 (san jose south)
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2025981718.html

 

You guys are replacing all rotors, or just s2k rotors with cracks like these?

 

the type of car doesn't matter. if you have those cracks, change them or die!

 

Meh. The cracks aren't bad. I'd do another session on them. It's the scoring that would make me replace them.

 

That little hairline stuff isn't too bad IMO, but these are from stock S2Ks that were tracked.

 

Oh that reminds me. I've seen wheel studs get sheared off on S2K's at track.

 

spider cracks don't bother me. I've seen it often. on S2000, just replaced rotors every time you do pads. you will be fine.

I used to track a GTO also !! problem is only 235 tires fits on a 3,700LB car. whereas you can fit 275 tires on a 2,800LB S2000

 

Ok, I'm picking up a white/black 2006 with 33k miles this week. He has a loan on the car so my bank and his are working out the details. I spent a little more than what I wanted but I think I grabbed this car for a song. I should be able to sell it in two years and break even.