the first change on the S2000

[rrounds]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
The OE sizes are 215/45-17 Front and 245/40-17 Rear, if you like increase the side wall then you should have 215/50-17 Front instead of 235/45-17, to go with 245/45-17 Rear, so the original front-rear stagger will be the same.

If you like to have fun like I do then the 215 front tire will limit your fun. I can make my car push in a turn even with a 235 front tire but its a lot better than the push I got from a 225 or the very fun limiting 215 front tire. I'm much safer on the 235 than a 215, its not fun having your car push to the outside of a turn not knowing if your going to make it or run off the road. That is why a lot who track there car run a square setup(same size tires on the rear and front).

ROD

 

[Vitt]

Since this is an S2000 oil thread and relatively new, I'd like to jump in here and ask about oil for my S2000. It's a 2006 with 57K miles. It is street driven but I also plan to do some open track days in the near future. That means possible 110 ambient degrees F. in summer/desert heat. I am thinking of using redline, either 10w30 or 0w40. Any thoughts or recommendations?

I also emailed RL for a recommendation today, awaiting the answer.

 

[donnyj08]

Originally Posted By: Vitt
Since this is an S2000 oil thread and relatively new, I'd like to jump in here and ask about oil for my S2000. It's a 2006 with 57K miles. It is street driven but I also plan to do some open track days in the near future. That means possible 110 ambient degrees F. in summer/desert heat. I am thinking of using redline, either 10w30 or 0w40. Any thoughts or recommendations?

I also emailed RL for a recommendation today, awaiting the answer.



Vitt, i have since traded the S2000 i was talking about in this thread. I settled on Castrol Edge FST (gold bottle) 10w30 in that car. The car is happy with a 30Wt. there is no need to use a 40wt or 40wt equivalent like redline. just use a good synthetic OTC 30wt. It's a honda and will run on any 30wt oil conventional or syn for a very very long time. my advice is to use 10w30 as honda recommends. any 10w30 API certified modern syn of your choice is more than adequate. Good luck.

 

[dparm]

Any mid-30 synthetic is fine for that car. They're not picky. I wouldn't bother for the heavy-30s or light-40s unless that thing is getting a ton of track time (and even then, I'd just leave a mid-30 and drain the oil more frequently).

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08

my advice is to use 10w30 as honda recommends. any 10w30 API certified modern syn of your choice is more than adequate. Good luck.

Except that Honda never recommended a synthetic 10w30, just a conventional 10w30.
So if you're going to use a dino then sure go with a 10w30 (although premium 5w30 conventionals are more shear stable than those of 10 years ago).
If you're going to up-grade to a synthetic oil then forget the obsolete 10w30 grade and use a 5w30.

 

[HTSS_TR]

What unusual about S2000 oil recommendation by Honda is conventional 10w30 in warmer climate and 5W40(synthetic) in colder climate.

If you track your S2000 you can use 60% Mobil 1 0W40 and 40% Mobil 1 0W20.

 

[rrounds]

I run this mix, 50/50 Mobil 1 0w50 race oil and Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0/20. I also run a much larger oil filter(oil and filter change is 6 qts. now) I run this oil filter for two oil changes(15k miles)
Here are some pics of the oil filters(Honda S2000, Wix and Baldwin)
http://s949.photobucket.com/user/rrounds/library/Oil Filters?sort=2&page=1

I have put 70k miles on my S in two and a half years with this setup.

ROD

 

[chicagophil]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
If you track your S2000 you can use 60% Mobil 1 0W40 and 40% Mobil 1 0W20.


What do you suggest for this car if, instead of tracking, the "severe" condition is an extremely short (~2 miles each way) daily commute? If the oil isn't even reaching operating temp most of the time, could I run straight Mobil 1 0W20 to maximize oil flow? Or still safer to stick with an 0W30?

I used to autox regularly, and did a few track days in the car, but just haven't had the time the past couple of years...

 

[HTSS_TR]

If most of your trips between oil changes are less than 8-10 miles, and you don't track your S2000 or regularly rev to 7-8k RPM then 0W20 will match your driving conditions.

 

[donnyj08]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: donnyj08

my advice is to use 10w30 as honda recommends. any 10w30 API certified modern syn of your choice is more than adequate. Good luck.

Except that Honda never recommended a synthetic 10w30, just a conventional 10w30.
So if you're going to use a dino then sure go with a 10w30 (although premium 5w30 conventionals are more shear stable than those of 10 years ago).
If you're going to up-grade to a synthetic oil then forget the obsolete 10w30 grade and use a 5w30.


my point was honda recommended 10w30. most S owners will use synthetic, thus my recommendation for him to choose the synthetic he likes, in the recommended grade.

I agree 5w30 syn is a better choice, but most will not drive the roadster in the winter much, which to me does not justify straying from honda's recommendation. the engine will outlast the car on 10w30, so there are little worries. plus synthetic 10w30 is almost always on sale

 

[HTSS_TR]

Honda recommends conventional 10w30 for S2000 since 1999. Oil quality as of late is much better than 14 years ago, 5w30 conventional SN isn't shear as much as SH of 1999.

The last 10W30 I bought was more than 5-6 years ago, the reason was for unusually cheap at less than 50 cents a quart after rebate.

 

[INDYMAC]

Originally Posted By: Vitt
Since this is an S2000 oil thread and relatively new, I'd like to jump in here and ask about oil for my S2000. It's a 2006 with 57K miles. It is street driven but I also plan to do some open track days in the near future. That means possible 110 ambient degrees F. in summer/desert heat. I am thinking of using redline, either 10w30 or 0w40. Any thoughts or recommendations?

I also emailed RL for a recommendation today, awaiting the answer.


Start with a 10w30 synthetic (my owner's manual says it's ok to use synthetic). The F22C1 shears engine oil, and the 10w30 has a better chance of staying in 30 grade after studying used oil analysis on this car for almost 10 years.

I don't have any experience using RL products. But most of what I've seen and read makes me consider MTL transmission fluid a viable alternative to Honda MTF use. Their engine oil and gear oils offer no advantage in a S2000 from what I've seen. In fact, I consider their 75w-90 inadequate for the Torsen LSD based on UOA.

As mentioned earlier, Castrol Edge FST with Ti 10w30 will be all you need for your new play toy. I think Amsoil ATM 10w30 is another excellent choice. Take your front license plate off while at the track.

Their are two common scenarios that can hurt your engine. Oil starvation resulting in bearing failure. Check your oil level often, both sides of the dipstick and use the lowest reading you see. Never over fill! Use the Honda 15400-pcx004 oil filter. Be careful shifting until you get used to the short shift gates on the transmission. A money shift (mechanical over-rev) can cause some serious engine damage. It can cause valve retainers to crack and valves to drop...not good! Fortunately, your engine has stronger valve retainers than the earlier F20C1 does. Most F20 owners upgrade.

The engines are pretty bulletproof though overall. Your lubricant focus should be on choosing an outstanding GL5 SAE 90 or 110 for the differential (weak link in drive train). You don't need LS additive. Stay away from the 75w-90's unless it's a short term fix until you can aquire the proper fluid. LE 1605 SAE 110 is a proven winner in the diff if you are looking for suggestions.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Zako2]

S2000 is a very unique car and a future classic. I'd use a nicer oil. Perhaps Amsoil signature series 0W30 or 5W30, German Castrol (Castrol's European 0W30), or at least a major brand off-the shelf synthetic 0W30 or 5W30.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: chicagophil
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
If you track your S2000 you can use 60% Mobil 1 0W40 and 40% Mobil 1 0W20.


What do you suggest for this car if, instead of tracking, the "severe" condition is an extremely short (~2 miles each way) daily commute? If the oil isn't even reaching operating temp most of the time, could I run straight Mobil 1 0W20 to maximize oil flow? Or still safer to stick with an 0W30?

I used to autox regularly, and did a few track days in the car, but just haven't had the time the past couple of years...

As HTSS_TR answered yes you could benefit from using Mobil 1 0W-20 under such conditions. It's too bad the S2000 never came with a oil pressure or oil temp' gauge which makes such oil choice decisions so easy. If you literally never drive more than 2 miles one way with no other trips for fun or running errands then the answer would be that even Mobil 1 0W-20 would be too heavy and I'd suggest the lighter TGMO or Mazda moly 0W-20. But if you do occasionally take the car for more of a run I'd suggest adding a quart of Mobil 1 0W-40 which will give you a very light high VI 0w30 instead even mixed with Mobil 1 0W-20.
That might be the more conservative compromise to take.

 

[jrustles]

Come on guys F20/F22C engines are NOT the right candidates to go VI-crazy with. Save yourselves the 0w, honestly. I personally wouldn't even consider a 5w, unless it was winter. With 12.5mm+ of valve lift at 9K rpm, what could you possibly think you're gaining with that risk?

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: jrustles
Come on guys F20/F22C engines are NOT the right candidates to go VI-crazy with. Save yourselves the 0w, honestly. I personally wouldn't even consider a 5w, unless it was winter. With 12.5mm+ of valve lift at 9K rpm, what could you possibly think you're gaining with that risk?

And what is the increased "risk" in choosing to have a KV40 45cSt oil vs a 65cSt oil?

 

[donnyj08]

Originally Posted By: jrustles
Come on guys F20/F22C engines are NOT the right candidates to go VI-crazy with. Save yourselves the 0w, honestly. I personally wouldn't even consider a 5w, unless it was winter. With 12.5mm+ of valve lift at 9K rpm, what could you possibly think you're gaining with that risk?




agree, Honda spec'd 10w30 for a reason, even though they back spec'd most other engines, the didnt for the S. The engineers at Honda know what they are doing.


INDYMAC, i no longer have my S. Another S owner has tagged onto this post to receive some tips, and wisdom which you kindly shared

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Originally Posted By: jrustles


agree, Honda spec'd 10w30 for a reason, even though they back spec'd most other engines, the didnt for the S. The engineers at Honda know what they are doing.

The reason is simply less oil shear with a conventional 10w30 vs a 5w30 conventional, therefore a higher resultant operational viscosity.
It's not rocket science.

 

[donnyj08]

you are right, and I agree. looking at used oil analysis on s2k forums show that the f20/f22 shear down a synthetic 5w30 fairly decent as well. that's is why personally i would prefer a 10w30 syn in the sump.

 

[CATERHAM]

No one ever said a typical 5w30 syn' didn't shear, it just doesn't shear as much as a 5w30 conventional or even a conventional 10w30 for that matter. Again the only way to know how much shear is acceptable is with an OP gauge.
The truth of the matter is, a manufacturer factors in a huge viscosity reserve to deal with oil shear, fuel dilution and higher than normal oil temp's. In an application where only a light 30wt oil is specified you can often run a grade lighter oil such as a 0W-20 without testing the minimum viscosity requirements of the engine.