Due to a recent flux of people asking redundant (IMO) questions, I hope this hits a few birds with one stone... I will continue to add to this as time goes on with things I think a new owner should hear (and things I wish someone would have told me...)
Ok, you just bought your car. Congratulations. Here are some things to think about...
BOOSTING.
Should I boost my car? I really want to...
-No, you shouldn't look at superchargers or turbo chargers yet. A few reasons:
--You just bought the car. Unless you are a mechanic by trade, you now officially don't know shit. This is not a K series. This is not a B series. Give yourself some time to get accustomed to the new motor and it's ins and outs. The factory warranty is short anyways. Believe me, you should milk it for all it's worth.
--Chances are, you can't afford to do it right. This isn't for everyone, but I've heard the "I want to turbo my car for cheap" line too many times. To do a proper turbo setup, you are looking at a MINIMUM of about 9000 USD. I don't care if your boy knows how to weld and he's going to make you some uber cool ultra fast manifold, etc. He probably doesn't know what he's doing either.
--You haven't even grown out of the old power band yet. Unless you are coming from a 911TT or Viper, you aren't used to massive amounts of on demand torque in a RWD car with no TCS (If you bought an 06+, you do have optional TCS, but you should have known that before reading this..). This is a drivers car for a reason. It's limits stock are fairly high. Learn how to push those before you start thinking you need NAWZZZZZZ.... (which you should never buy for this car)
--This car is not the best boost platform. You went and bought an open deck, aluminum, composite sleeved, 11:1 CRed, weak rear ended, under clutched NA car. There is a lot to be taken into consideration, and a lot to keep up with maintenance wise. You can make some sick HP, but realize that there are MANY failures. The road that is paved before you was wrought with catastrophic failures and hundreds of thousands of hard earned dollars. Don't go in half assed. The motor will give, and you will be sorry.
--You can't use ECU modulation software, an SAFC or VAFC to tune your car. You will need a stand alone computer. That will cost about 1100 USD. There is no way around it. I've seen many try to circumvent this and it never ends well. Unfortunately, this is the first thing I see get written off the list mentally when tabulating the cost of going boost, and it should be the last.
--Not just anyone can tune these cars with a turbo. There are maybe 10 people I know of in the US I would let touch my car. The rest, while very established and intelligent tuners, do not know the ins and outs of the s2000. Unfortunately it usually takes one or two KaBooms before that limit is known.
--You are probably just doing it because you think it's cool, or you want the BOV noise like in the movies. Believe me, if this is you, it's most definitely NOT worth it.
If you've had your car for a while, by all means, fall in love with it again. If you have previous experience with real FI setups, then by all means, just be sure you do the required homework and know the ins and outs. Otherwise, keep it NA...
MODS.
What kind/brand/model intake/exhaust/coilover/etc. should I buy?
-There isn't an answer for this, so why waste your time?
--There is no magic mod. There is nothing that will make your s2000 sound like a Ferrari, drive like a McLaren, and break the land speed record. It takes time, dedication, and a competent build to accomplish much, if any gain over factory. This car was engineered and tuned fairly aggressively from factory. Adding an intake isn't going to yield massive results. Adding an exhaust will do even less. Do some research. Don't buy eBay garbage. Don't put cheap items on your car unless you:
a) Really are cheap, in which case, you should sell the car.
b) Want your car to drive like shit
c) Are legally mentally retarded and can't be taught any better.
If you think there isn't anything that would make a 600 USD intake better than a 25 USD one, you need to sell the car now, and save us all the torment of seeing it and yourself the embarrassment of owning it.
-But my [insert knock off brand name here] part looks just like your [insert original manufacturer here] part. There isn't any difference. You are just mad you payed more money...
--No, we are just amazed you are that stupid... Knock off parts are NEVER as nice as genuine parts. There are product differences ranging from construction materials, quality control, fitment, structural integrity, and cosmetic appearance. Not that it's any different in any other kind of community, but typically, s2000 owners who are truly passionate about building their cars will not take to knock off parts, or your owning said parts, very well. Get used to it. It isn't going to change. The best thing you can do, is don't do the following:
a) Tell people it's the authentic part. We know better. It makes you look like a lying ass broke bitch. You don't want that, do you?
b) Run around posting 1,000 pictures of it from different angles saying how cool it is. It isn't. If you like it, fine, but we don't have to, probably won't, and don't want to be subjected to it.
c) Try and debate how the parts are the same (knock off and authentic manufacture). They aren't. They won't ever be. Someone who has the authentic part still has a one up on you. That isn't going to change while you still have the cheap part on the car.
So what should I do? Homework. Study the parts available, the builds done before yours, the problems people had, and what the solution was. In a word, you have to READ. Asking a question won't yield the result you should want. An answer, yes, but the reasoning for that answer is also important. Why? Well, how do you know the answer applies to you? Or if it's even true? There is a lot of bullshit on the interweb, use common sense and discretion.
Old School 4 Life 
