Photo: dklein10/Bring a Trailer
We already saw a few engine conversions and swaps of all kinds, but this Japanese warrior grabbed our attention when we saw that it doubled its number of cylinders and tripled its displacement. It's not a common sight by any means.
When Honda launched the S2000 in 1999 in Japan, it wiped the floor with its specific output engine. Its power-dense inline-four offered 118.5 horsepower per liter from a naturally aspirated engine. Moreover, it could rev up to 9,000 rpm, but the constructor knew that it put the rev-limiter some 2,000 rpm lower than the engine's physical limit. It provided 241 PS (237 hp) from a two-liter displacement. While the power was high, its low-end torque was a mere 161 lb-ft (218 Nm).
But when's a problem, there's always a solution. Some adapted superchargers on the free-breathing F20C engine, while others dared more, such as this example offered for sale on the Bring-a-Trailer website. The seller, dklein10, is also the constructor of the vehicle. It claims that he invested more than $35,000 on the modifications, and there are many reasons to believe him.
First, he ditched the Japanese inline-four and replaced it with an all-American, LS2 6.0-liter V8 monster. At the first dyno-test, the car showed 400 hp and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) of torque. But he wasn't satisfied. Power went upwards after installing an AEM Infinity stand-alone engine-management unit, 1200cc fuel injectors, an LS7 camshaft, plus L92 cylinder heads. It's true; it can't make that 9,000 rpm as the original four-mill, but who cares? Power went to the rear wheels via a six-speed Tremec gearbox and a PuddyMod limited-slip differential.
The original S2000 was praised for its 50/50 weight distribution. Well, the LS2 weighs around 100 lbs (45 kg) more than the original powerplant. The manufacturer said that might lead to a 51/49 weight distribution, but he admitted that he didn't weigh or corner the roadster after the engine swap. But he didn't stop there. Other upgrades included a revised suspension with Buddy Club adjustable coil-overs, a Tweak'd Performance wiring harness, a custom stainless-steel exhaust system, an aluminum radiator with electric fans, and aftermarket lower aerodynamic bodywork.
With less than 20 hours at the time of writing, this auction attracted 22 bids, and the price was still under the build's price. There's no wonder that it will go higher than $22,500. Surprisingly though, the seller announced the roadster with a no-reserve badge. But just look at these lines and carefully crafted interior and engine bay. It looks like it was factory-made, not a custom-build.
But when's a problem, there's always a solution. Some adapted superchargers on the free-breathing F20C engine, while others dared more, such as this example offered for sale on the Bring-a-Trailer website. The seller, dklein10, is also the constructor of the vehicle. It claims that he invested more than $35,000 on the modifications, and there are many reasons to believe him.
First, he ditched the Japanese inline-four and replaced it with an all-American, LS2 6.0-liter V8 monster. At the first dyno-test, the car showed 400 hp and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) of torque. But he wasn't satisfied. Power went upwards after installing an AEM Infinity stand-alone engine-management unit, 1200cc fuel injectors, an LS7 camshaft, plus L92 cylinder heads. It's true; it can't make that 9,000 rpm as the original four-mill, but who cares? Power went to the rear wheels via a six-speed Tremec gearbox and a PuddyMod limited-slip differential.
The original S2000 was praised for its 50/50 weight distribution. Well, the LS2 weighs around 100 lbs (45 kg) more than the original powerplant. The manufacturer said that might lead to a 51/49 weight distribution, but he admitted that he didn't weigh or corner the roadster after the engine swap. But he didn't stop there. Other upgrades included a revised suspension with Buddy Club adjustable coil-overs, a Tweak'd Performance wiring harness, a custom stainless-steel exhaust system, an aluminum radiator with electric fans, and aftermarket lower aerodynamic bodywork.
With less than 20 hours at the time of writing, this auction attracted 22 bids, and the price was still under the build's price. There's no wonder that it will go higher than $22,500. Surprisingly though, the seller announced the roadster with a no-reserve badge. But just look at these lines and carefully crafted interior and engine bay. It looks like it was factory-made, not a custom-build.
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