One S2000 To Do It All

It's been almost 6 weeks since I announced the retirement of Bumblestook from nationally competitive autocross but I was pretty vague with the details on what she'd end up being other than making it clear she wasn't going to go back to stock or be sold. Now that I've finished the build sheet and the parts have mostly all arrived, I can share a bit more about what our plans are.

Final showing in BSP trim - SJF Performance - 1/13/2018

Going back to almost 8 years of ownership I tried to recall all the things we've done together that truly brought a smile to my face. Things that I've enjoyed besides improving as a driver include doing fun builds, going on S2000 cruises, driving through twisty mountain roads, track days and autocross. In her various incarnations over the past years she's been excellent at each and every one of these things but not all at the same time. This new build will try to capture all that, in part inspired by Jack Olsen's "One Car To Do It All", as one S2000 to do it all. Sure there might be some "bling" parts but everything will be done for a specific purpose even though I may opt for something that isn't the most cost effective route.

Bumblestook's retaining her full drive train but will have to lose her ITBs in order to meet NYS emissions inspections; going back to a stock intake manifold, stock injectors and throttle body. She'll be taking on the 67mm Berk high flow cat and Mugen Titanium sports exhaust from Lupa and mated with the Toda header that's already on. Air conditioning is getting reinstalled for comfort. To help with her own cooling during track days, a 19-row Setrab oil cooler with Mocal sandwhich plate with 200F thermostat and Nylon braided lines is getting added.

Her AP2 front and CR lip are staying but instead of the makeshift wide front fenders, she's getting Downforce DF-R 30mm FRP wider fenders to give her a wide stance without spoiling the beautiful OEM lines and new ASM rear overfenders are going on that won't be chopped up. The rear spoiler is coming off in favor of a Mugen SS rear wing. A stock AP2 rear bumper is replacing the single sided AP1 rear bumper. A Harddog double diagonal rollbar with replacement bulkhead is getting re-installed along with 6-point harnesses so she can be safely taken to the track and the CR tonneau cover is getting trimmed to fit and she's getting fully resprayed Rio Yellow Pearl (AP2 Yellow) with a few black pieces here and there to retain her black and yellow theme.

For suspension, the Moton triples are coming off not because I don't like them but because they belong in a car that's actively competing not really in a multi-purpose vehicle. Instead, she's getting a nice set of FPSport Package Ohlins DFVs from Sakebomb Garage with 13kg front and 11kg rear Swift springs as well as billet aluminum lower mounting forks and remote adjusters. The Karcepts sway bars are staying on and she's getting her original 30k miles controls arms re-installed but all with a fresh set of Ballade Sports spherical bushings. Spoon Sports rigid collars are being added to all the subframe bolts to eliminate shifting.

Steve pressing in new bushings - 1/12/2018

Bumblestook's original control arms with spherical bushings
SJF Performance - 1/13/2018

For brakes we're going back to OEM sized rotors and pads because in my experience they've always been more than sufficient but with a slight twist in that I'll be using Spoon Sports Monoblock 4-pot calipers up front which are made by OEM manufacturer Nisin. I'll admit this isn't purely a performance upgrade but for OEM quality calipers that also offer a nice visual enhancement, why not? My previously installed brake ducts are also being reinstalled. Wheels will be Pressed Graphite Volk CE28SL 17x9.5 +46 wrapped in 255/40/17 Bridgestone RE-71Rs (for now).

That's the general direction we're heading. There's a lot of little things here and there that I've left off but I'm really looking forward to this build and be able to enjoy her more on the street, on twisty mountain roads, at the track and maybe even a showing at your local autocross every now and then.