S2000man01

iTrader: (1)

Tonight the inevitable happened.

While cruising around with friends and getting into a race here or there, my friend called me and said he had a guy who wanted to race me.

I was supposed to meet at a place we occasionally run a race or two near the strip. I asked who or what it was, and he just said he ran into the guy at the gas station and they got to talking about cars and that I should just friggin come race the guy.

Okay okay, so I go meet up with them, and as I pull up to the race spot (where they are already waiting) I see what looks to be the new beast in town. Sure enough, there sitting off to the side... a brand new silver touring edition 350Z.

I hop out of the car and the guy who owned it said he'd heard alot about me from my loud mouthed friend, and how I am waiting to whup up on a new Z. I tell him that yes, I want to whup up on a new Z and wondering if he was volunteering. (this is all in good fun, he knows) He agrees to race. He already has 2100 miles on the car (he's been driving it non stop since he got it) so he can redline as much as he'd like.

We line up. Me on the right. Him on the left. I have the top up, the A/C off (lol) and about half a tank of gas. I have raced on this street before, and 7000rpm launches give me almost a perfect launch every time. (contrary to popular belief, stock S2000's can take this kind of launch... i do it all the time)

The starter (some other kid who I didn't know) comes and lines us up. Points to me, and I nod... points to the other driver who also nods. I rev the car up. 6000, 6500, 7000rpm.... hold it..... he raises and spins his hands.... DROP.

I dump the clutch and get probably the most beautiful launch I've ever had. It's slightly chilly out (since a cold front moved in tonight) and that can only help. My tires spin, the back end kicks just a bit. Just as the tires bite, BAM 6000rpm. Sweet, sweet VTEC. I outlaunched him by a full carlength. Maybe even 1 1/2.

My car is totally in tune with what's going on, and seems to anticipate my move as I have probably the quickest 1-2 shift I've ever had. I shift right before hitting the rev limiter, and the tires bark in acknowledgement of a good 1-2 shift. I am still 1 carlength ahead. My shift puts me back up to 1 1/2 carlength as I get a quicker shift mixed in with his shift during his redlining moment.

2nd gear redlines, and he once again has narrowed the lead back down to 1 carlength.... Well maybe 1 1/4... he didn't gain much.

I snap the shifter into 3rd as the F20C screams to 9000rpm. Flooring 3rd gear he's right there 1 carlength behind, but I'm slightly pulling and gain my 1/2 car length back to make me up by 1 1/2 car lengths. As I redline 3rd, my car is loving every minute of this and seems just as excited to get up to high speeds where it is more than comfortable to drive. I snap into 4th gear and wait for him to start to pull......

It doesn't happen. He gains maybe 2 inches as I hit 105mph and hit the hazards, letting off the throttle. My heart is pounding and my head is racing. This is probably the most exhilerating and most anticipated race I've ever had. My car slows down reluctantly, almost disappointed that it didn't get to play into the triple digits.

I flip a U-turn and sit for a moment as I watch the 350Z's tail lights head back toward the start. I get back, and the guy walks out of his car, walks up to me, and just has the biggest smile on his face. He said that was fun as hell and he wants to run again. He is impressed with how well I did and said he's already raced one S2000 that did no where near as well as me. He thought S2000's were much slower and I even pop my hood to show him I'm stock from front to back.

We run again, and this time I do not get as good a launch. By 100mph I have maybe 2 feet on him and we go to about 110mph before letting off. He didn't gain much from 100-110... maybe an inch. As we are slowing down, we see cherries lit up on a side road. Thinking it's a cop he shouts out the window and says hopefully he'll catch me at the street races some time. I give a thumbs up and he takes off. I take off, and call my friends to let them know they should get outta there.

So... the new 350Z. Wow. What a car.

JoeB16

beating out a brand new engine. what a dumphawk.

S2000man01

iTrader: (1)

By the way Joe B16, I feel your pain about the new civic Si idiots you were arguing with. I'm not saying all new Si owners are idiots, but so far, even the ones I've met are dumb as rocks.

I actually had one guy who had a 50 shot of N20 who said he would "whomp" me.

He stared at the tailights of my car until they disappeared beyond his view.

fraga

iTrader: (3)

Good kill brotha (just say no to racing). I will admit, that is one of the best stories I've read. Congradulations again (keep racing off the streets).

civicdude

iTrader: (2)

Good Read.....Right after I read this I saw a black 350Z on my way to work. Very Hot.

APS

Dude...the way you wrote that story, it was like you were trying to write an exotic story to hustler....

n00dleboy

Good story, like the drama

RSXtypeIvtec

iTrader: (11)

definitly one of the better stories ive heard....great kill

1955

iTrader: (1)

S2000,,u should have just kept goin when u drove up to those guys who was waitin for u.go up againt a 350Z is way beyond anyone's thought but i guess ur definition of excitment is gettin beat or laughed at or both.

mattskav

Nevermind the fact that engines perform much worse before they are broken in....

orso

iTrader: (1)

great story man. that was awesome.

Snowman

Huh, use some good grammar and maybe somebody will understand.

SimplySLB

iTrader: (2)

Even though I don't think street racing is very safe...good job! Sounds like that was a nice, clean race and the way you told it...perfecto!

Haha, but yea. I was just on my way home from school driving next to a truck carrying 6 350z's (2 black, 2 silver, a red and a white) Damn, is all I can say...I want a white one!

ilv4nos

uh....yeah 1955 he beat the 350z

Barney

I was just curious to what a s2000 does stock in the 1/4 mile.
I was thinking about getting one not to long from now.
Wonder what it would do in the 1/4 supercharged?

ilv4nos

www.automotive.com says:"Honda's S2000 delivers exhilarating performance: 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds and the standing quarter-mile in just 14.4 seconds, according to Car and Driver magazine. That's quick. The S2000 is capable of 150 mph at the top end. Most important, it emits a delightful, high-tech tenor snarl while it's doing all this. "

Specifications As Tested

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Model tested (MSRP) S2000 ($32,400)
Standard equipment air conditioning, AM/FM/CD audio, power windows, power mirrors, power locks, keyless remote entry, cruise control, tilt steering, limited-slip differential, aluminum alloy wheels, micron air filtration system, high-intensity discharge headlamps, aero wind screen, soft power top
Options as tested none
Destination charge ($440)
Price as tested (MSRP) $32,840
Layout front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine 2.0-liter dohc 16v VTEC I-4
Horsepower 240 hp @ 8300 rpm
Torque 153 lb.-ft. @ 7500 rpm
EPA fuel economy 20/26 mpg city/hwy
Transmission 6-speed manual
Wheelbase 94.5 in.
Length/width/height 162.2/68.9/50.6 in.
Track, f/r 57.9/59.4 in.
Turning circle 35.4 ft.
Seating capacity 2
Head/hip/leg room, front 34.6/50.2/44.3 in.
Head/hip/leg room, rear NA
Trunk volume 5.0 cu. ft.
Towing capacity NA
Suspension, f/r independent /independent
Ground clearance 4.2 in.
Curb weight 2809 lbs.
Tires, f/r P205/55WR16 / P225/50WR16
Brakes, f/r vented disc/disc with ABS
Fuel capacity 13.2 gal.


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My civic

CapYoda

iTrader: (30)

well its always said that they can run high 13s (13.8, 13.9) even in stock forms... (hey motor trend did it in 13.9) with those crazy drivers anyway.

spiff56747

The s2000 can beat the 350Z if driven well, as we can see from the original post. However, I think if two amateur drivers lined up, one in an S2000 and one a 350Z, we all know who would win. The Z's 260 something ft-lbs of torque would take the honda off the line. Not trying to start flames here, but just pointing out the differences between the two engines.

CapYoda

iTrader: (30)

well if that amature driver doesn't just sit there spinning the wheels... thats usually the case when an amature sits behind the wheels of a torque machine.

oh btw, I think the new Z is spankly beautiful for the price... I went to school to take a test one day and parked next to one... I actually went wow. (I dont usually go wow) it looks way better in person than in pictures.

spiff56747

Yeah the new Z is sweet. I have a lot of respect for the S2000, I'm just saying the Z is probably easier to drive fast. If i'm wrong please tell me, cuz I've never driven either car.

S2000man01

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, the new 350Z is probably easier to drive fast. I have to agree with that.

As for the stock times of an S2000.... WELL, if you want to take the best drivers, you are looking at 13.66 (best posted on the net so far) or high 13's. But some crappy drivers run 15's.... it's pathetic.

The best SC'd S2000's are running high 12's with just the SC kit.

Voiceofid

iTrader: (3)

i can't wait till the lan evo come sout, you better give them a run, s2000man

god i want a 350z

sKwiD

iTrader: (11)

Good kill man!!! I LOVE THOSE CARS!!! laugh; Your story was so dramatic, I could feel it!!haha

LikeWEEEEEEEEEE

same drivers i believe a new Z would walk a stock s2k

dacivic

iTrader: (22)

Nice kill and I like the way you tell the story. Feel like I am there next to you.

01IncaPearl

iTrader: (2)

he said that the car had 2100 miles on it so it should be broken in.

S2000man01

iTrader: (1)

I think it's hard to say. He pulled on me slightly in 1st and 2nd, but then I pulled on him in 3rd. Didn't get too far into 4th to see where it went, so it could go either way. I do think the Z is probably easier to launch because of the torque, but I think you will see Z's beating S2k's and S2k's beating Z's. Bottom line.

SoNiCcIvIc

Your stories are worth putting in a book and selling. Very well detailed throughout each shift. Damn... launching the car at 7k... I wanna see that happen being in the passenger seat.

The more I read your stories, the more I want an s2000. [IMG]i/expressions/beer_yum.gif[/IMG]

RSXtypeIvtec

iTrader: (11)

i agree....
i also want an s2k now even more....thats my next car?

1955

iTrader: (1)

oh gee oh gee ''snowman''..i didnt mention i is a college student so how can i have bad grammar,dont be so judgmental,go find a 350z and see if they laugh at u and come back here to chill,