Build My new S2000

[XAlp]

2003, 95,000 miles. Got it for a total steal from my brother in law. It’s great! Needs some TLC (one rear arch in particular), but hopefully the kind of stuff I can about manage myself. And hopefully any rust investigations don’t prove too painful.

 

[XAlp]

Oh and if the weather is good and the warning light has disappeared may go to Cars & Coffee Cambridge tomorrow.

 

[boba fett]

Good fun they are, and its a great car to mod. Looks like its crying out for lowering springs to start with or do you have different plans?

Still up there as a top NA BHP per litre cars!

 

[Grunty-Motor]

Oh, i do love a wee roadster 'vert!

Dont know much about these cars and hope that digging doesnt reveal much tin worm

 

[XAlp]

Cheers.
Lowering springs maybe for the future - do you think the wheels are a bit “sedate” to combine with lowering?
Definitely on a tight budget though…
Anyone with experience of repairing a section of a soft-top? It’s an area within the size of a playing card I’d say…

 

[boba fett]

Cheers.
Lowering springs maybe for the future - do you think the wheels are a bit “sedate” to combine with lowering?
Definitely on a tight budget though…
Anyone with experience of repairing a section of a soft-top? It’s an area within the size of a playing card I’d say…

A new roof fitted won't be to much for that car mate, A patch will do the job, but it will always look cack!

You might be on a tight budget with it, and if you got a good deal, you might want to consider that these are getting quite sought after, so whatever you spend you will get your money back, do it right and you might get more.

You will get away with lowering springs and spacers with that, I did it with one with the same wheels some time ago, it looked much better.

Don't worry mate i'll spend your money!

 

[XAlp]

You will get away with lowering springs and spacers with that, I did it with one with the same wheels some time ago, it looked much better.

Don't worry mate i'll spend your money!

were they only a cosmetic improvement? Or any change to ride / handling?

Huge brake fluid leak needs fixing 🙁 - hope to crawl it round to the local garage on Tuesday…

 

[boba fett]

were they only a cosmetic improvement? Or any change to ride / handling?

Huge brake fluid leak needs fixing 🙁 - hope to crawl it round to the local garage on Tuesday…

Yes it improved the handling with less roll, it did make the ride slightly more firmer as well.

 

[XAlp]

Car is back with new brake lines. A previous owner I think had fitted some kind of phone holder maybe in the cup holder - thought I could return it to normal but it looked like this after removal today 😟

 

[XAlp]

It’s got an aftermarket exhaust - I can’t see a brand on it. The (massive) rear ends don’t sit in the middle of the “arches” in the diffuser - do you think it’s fixable?

 

[Grunty-Motor]

Hmmmm, that would upset even my mild OCD

 

[XAlp]

Same here! Maybe cut them and add a ring of metal somehow would push them outwards to centre them in the openings, and adjust the “holders” to drop them slightly…. I don’t suppose the usual suspects like Kwikfit would do this sort of work?

 

[Grunty-Motor]

I think you would need an outfit that is a bit more specialised in exhausts (tooling / welding wise).

 

[boba fett]

I would imagine its a system from DH Gate to fit like that, and Grunty is right that's not something that can probably be done by your local tyre fitter!

 

[XAlp]

Guess I’ll ask at my village garage if they know someone. Cheers

 

[XAlp]

Cup holder update…. £50 from Japan.
Made a video of it in action too, very satisfying, but failed to share it - sorry I know you’ll all be gutted….

 

[XAlp]

Exhaust update. Garage used some kind of hydraulic thingummy and managed to move the tips maybe 4mm so they’re no longer touching the bumper. Still look wrong though, will need cutting / inserting sections to properly correct. About £250. We’ll see.

 

[XAlp]

the aftermarket exhaust and catalytic converter seems to mismatch with the sensors causing a P0420 fault code and warning light . Had a £15 spacer fitted so the sensor isn’t fully in the gas flow so the warning light has gone. Not sure about MOT time though…

 

[moonstone]

Although you;re putting things right rather than making changes, I have to say, there's something deeply satisfying about fixing up some past-owner mistakes to get a car just right.

 

[XAlp]

Although you;re putting things right rather than making changes, I have to say, there's something deeply satisfying about fixing up some past-owner mistakes to get a car just right.

Thanks - yes!
A job I should do is the rear wheel arches which notoriously rust (and are doing!). Trouble is a “proper job” including new inner skins (if that’s the term) is £2-2.5k apparently.
But I’ve found a place in Swansea (excuse for a trip to my hometown!) who fit new hoods for £400 all in - a bit more affordable!