Honda S2000 Performance Parts & Tuning Mods

Top Brands For Honda S2000 Upgrades

The Honda S2000 is very well supported by the aftermarket, with a wide range of trusted tuning brands available. From track focused hardware to subtle street upgrades, we stock leading manufacturers to suit almost any style of S2000 build.

Honda S2000 Exterior Styling Mods

From subtle tweaks to full-on track-inspired looks, you can sharpen your Honda S2000’s styling with body kits, lips, spoilers, splitters, diffusers, custom grilles and other exterior upgrades. Mix and match these visual mods to give your S2000 a more aggressive stance and a genuinely unique road or track presence.

Handling & Suspension Upgrades

The Honda S2000 is already a sharp driver’s car, but it can be a bit lively on the limit, especially in the wet, and early cars are known for snappy oversteer. Start with quality performance tyres for better grip and feedback, then add uprated brake pads and braided lines for more consistent stopping power on road and track. A mild big brake kit is a great step if you are doing regular track days and want better heat management without ruining pedal feel. Suspension tuning is where the S2000 really wakes up. Good coilovers or matched lowering springs and dampers can reduce body roll and improve agility, without killing ride comfort if set up sensibly. Pair them with uprated anti roll bars, fresh polyurethane bushes and a front strut brace to tighten up the chassis and calm that nervous rear end. Done in stages, these mods make the S2000 feel more stable, precise and playful through every corner.

Honda S2000 FAQ

What are the best first performance mods for a Honda S2000?

On the S2000 a good starting point is breathing and handling. A quality cat back exhaust, performance panel filter or intake kit, and a fresh set of spark plugs help the F20C or F22C rev happily and make the most of the stock ECU mapping. You will not see huge horsepower gains from bolt ons alone, but throttle response and noise are noticeably improved.

Suspension upgrades are just as important. A decent set of coilovers or uprated dampers and springs, plus new top mounts and alignment bolts, will transform how the S2000 turns in. Combine that with performance brake pads, fluid and braided lines and you have a solid base for future tuning.

Can you remap or tune the stock Honda S2000 ECU?

The factory S2000 ECU is not as simple to remap as some turbo Honda units, but it can still be tuned with the right hardware. Many owners use an aftermarket ECU or a programmable solution that replaces or piggybacks the original unit, which then allows proper mapping for mods like intakes, manifolds, exhausts and cams.

If you are only running mild bolt ons, the car will run safely on the stock map, although not fully optimised. For more serious upgrades or forced induction, a custom ECU tune is strongly recommended so fuelling, ignition and VTEC engagement are set up correctly for reliability and consistent power.

Is it better to keep the S2000 naturally aspirated or go turbo/supercharged?

The S2000 is a fantastic naturally aspirated package out of the box. NA tuning with an exhaust manifold, high flow cat, cat back system, intake and possibly cams can free up some extra power and make the car sharper without changing its character too much. This route suits drivers who love the high revving VTEC feel and want to keep things relatively simple.

Turbo and supercharger kits are popular for owners chasing much bigger horsepower and torque figures. Forced induction needs proper supporting mods, such as upgraded clutch, fuelling, intercooler, oil cooling and, crucially, a quality ECU remap. It costs more than NA tuning, but done properly it can deliver strong, usable performance while staying reliable.

How do performance mods affect reliability on a Honda S2000?

The F20C and F22C engines are strong if they are looked after and tuned sensibly. Mild upgrades like intake, exhaust, coilovers and wheels will not harm reliability as long as servicing is kept up to date and quality parts are used. Regular oil changes with good quality oil, fresh coolant and genuine or high grade filters are essential on any modified S2000.

When you start chasing big power, for example with turbo or high boost supercharger setups, reliability depends on the quality of the build and mapping. Uprated cooling, proper fuelling, conservative ignition timing and realistic boost levels go a long way to keeping the engine happy. Think of reliability as a package, engine, drivetrain, suspension and brakes all need attention.

What wheel and tyre sizes work best on a tuned S2000?

The S2000 responds well to a sensible wheel and tyre setup. Many owners move from the factory wheels to 17 inch alloys with a slightly wider rim and modern performance tyres. This keeps the car sharp without ruining the steering feel. Common choices are 17x8 or similar, with quality tyres in a fast road compound.

Be careful with offsets and tyre widths so you avoid rubbing on arches or upsetting the suspension geometry. Very aggressive fitments might look good on social media, but for track days and spirited road driving, a balanced wheel and tyre package with proper alignment will deliver more grip and confidence.

What suspension upgrades are recommended for fast road or track S2000s?

A good set of coilovers is usually the best suspension upgrade for a Honda S2000 that sees fast road or track use. Look for kits with adjustable damping and sensible spring rates so the car stays compliant on UK roads but has enough control on circuit. Uprated anti roll bars and fresh bushes also help reduce body roll and tighten up the chassis.

After fitting suspension mods, a proper four wheel alignment with some extra negative camber and slight toe tweaks makes a big difference. The S2000 is sensitive to alignment, so it is worth getting it set up by someone who understands performance and motorsport geometry, rather than just using factory road settings.

How much does it typically cost to tune a Honda S2000?

Costs vary a lot depending on how far you want to go. A basic stage of mods, intake, exhaust, pads, fluid and alignment, can usually be done for a relatively modest budget and will give you a livelier, sharper car without opening the engine. Add decent coilovers and lightweight alloys and you are into a more serious but still manageable spend.

Going to forced induction with turbo or supercharger kits, plus clutch, fuelling, cooling and ECU tuning, is a bigger investment. It is important not to cut corners, a well thought out package of quality performance parts will always be better value in the long run than a cheaper setup that needs constant fixing.

Honda S2000 Final Thoughts

The Honda S2000 is already a special bit of kit straight out of the box, with that high revving VTEC engine, tight gearbox and a chassis that loves being driven properly. Its character is all about precision, balance and driver involvement, which is why it has such a strong following in the tuning scene. The flip side is that age, mileage and stock compromises start to show, so it really responds well to a bit of thoughtful upgrading. With the right performance parts, you can sharpen what Honda gave you without ruining the car’s original spirit. On the power side, sensible breathing mods like a quality intake, manifold and exhaust can bring out more response and sound without going overboard. Cooling and heat management are well worth addressing, especially on track, with uprated radiators, oil coolers and better ducting helping the F20C cope with hard use. Clutches and driveline components can also be a weak point once you add power or start launching the car more aggressively, so uprated clutches, flywheels and diff mounts are common reliability-minded upgrades. Put together properly, these changes make the S2000 feel stronger and more consistent, not fragile. Chassis wise, the stock suspension can feel a little soft and nervous on the limit, especially on older, tired dampers. Quality coilovers, alignment components and bush kits really wake the handling up, letting you dial in a setup that suits fast road, track days or a daily driven build. Brakes also benefit from uprated pads, discs and lines, giving you more confidence and repeatability when you are pushing on. Add some subtle styling, a nice set of wheels or lightweight rims and maybe a few aero tweaks, and you end up with an S2000 that looks as focused as it drives. Put all of this together and the Honda S2000 becomes even more rewarding, without sacrificing reliability or day to day usability. The key is choosing upgrades that work together, not just bolting on random tuning parts for the sake of it. Done right, you keep the raw, mechanical feel that makes the S2000 so addictive, while ironing out its known weak spots. It is a brilliant platform for a personal build, so use the right combination of mods to create your own take on one of Honda’s finest drivers’ cars.