2000 Honda S2000 - 3rd Strike

To those that have never seen Chang's car before, the audio/visual upgrades are perhaps the most impressive. A Pioneer Premiere headunit bumps out tunes to Ample Audio component speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers, with a Pioneer AVIC-N2 on hand for navigation duties. This is all well and good, but Autosound Specialists went ahead and took it to the next level with a custom Playstation 2 mount, custom LCD dash monitor and a Compaq laptop computer that is motorized to rise out of the passenger air-bag compartment. Having a computer lift out of a dashboard always wows the kids, trust us.

In order to move this much stereo and exterior work, Chang knew a major power boost was in order. After having great success with his off-the-shelf Vortech supercharger kit, Chang decided to take it to the next level. A stock 2.0L F20C S2000 engine was torn down and machined to accept a set of Darton sleeves in anticipation of big boost. CP Pistons slugs and Cunningham connecting rods were hung on a stock crankshaft before the cylinder head was cinched down over a thicker InlinePRO 3mm head gasket.

The custom 304SS turbo exhaust manifold holds a Garrett GT30R turbocharger in place, which uses a GReddy Profec electronic boost controller and 38mm TiAL wastegate to regulate boost. Exhaust gases are routed into a custom downpipe and A'PEXi N1 exhaust, that is, unless they're shot out of the wastegate dump tube instead. A Walbro 255lph fuel pump and RC Engineering 770cc/min fuel injectors provide the necessary go-juice, with a custom AEM air intake providing the suction. And, if the propulsion of a GT30R isn't enough for Chang, a ZEX 55-shot nitrous oxide kit is on tap.

Sun Automobile Hyper Ground and Hyper Voltage systems help stabilize the current through the car, but the ignition system remains untouched. The cooling system is also kept near stock, with the stock radiator operating in conjunction with a Spoon Sports thermostat, Spoon Sports radiator cap, ARC titanium cooling panel and Samco Sport silicone hoses. Samco's stronger silicone offerings also represent on miscellaneous vacuum lines throughout the engine bay.

Tuning this nitrous-fed, turbo beast is AEM's EMS standalone ECU and UEGO O2 wideband, tuned by Shawn Church of Church Automotive. Run on California's finest 91-octane swill, this S2000 puts down 490 wheel hp in completely streetable trim. Of course the Exedy carbon clutch is stiffer than stock and the J's Racing 4.44:1 final drive gear means higher-RPM freeway cruising, but this really is a car you can enjoy every day.

A factory Honda S2000 is a potent machine, packing in a 120hp/liter engine, six-speed transmission and true sports car handling. But, as good as Honda originally made it, Chang had to improve upon his. Through his years of building, and the multiple incarnations of his S2000, Chang has amassed a custom turbocharger setup, two-tone widebody, show stopping entertainment system and retained all of his drivability. We asked Chang if the third version of his car would be the final closing chapter to his project, but we got the feeling that this is one of those never ending projects that he'll always have ideas for. Come on, you know you're exactly the same way.

By Joey Leh

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