Honda S2000 'R': AP2 Build With FK8 K20C1 Type R Power | American Tuned ft. Rob Dahm

Honda never gave enthusiasts the 'R' version of the S2000 roadster they'd always wanted, so Evasive Motorsports imagined and built an S2000 R of their own. It’s a little bit more than just a fettled S2000 too, because under the bonnet is a 302bhp version of the FK8 Civic Type R’s 2.0-litre turbo four-pot. Considering the original S2000 made do with 237bhp, that’s quite the increase.
There’s also a carbon fibre Mugen air intake, Evasive’s own intake manifold and a titanium exhaust system from Origin Fab. A MoTeC ECU brings everything together and you get a limited slip diff and Koyo Racing radiator.
Is this the car Honda should have built?
Subscribe to Top Gear for more videos: bit.ly/SubscribeToTopGear
WATCH MORE TOP GEAR:
First Looks: bit.ly/TGFirstLooks
First Drives: bit.ly/TGFirstDrives
American Tuned ft. Rob Dahm: bit.ly/TGAmericanTuned
LISTEN to the Top Gear Magazine Podcast: topgear.podlink.to/Podcast
Sign up for our newsletter: www.topgear.com/newsletter-si...
#TopGear #AmericanTuned
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:41 Evasive Motorsports
01:44 S2000 R
03:05 Drive
04:14 Why make the S2000 R?
05:03 Chat with Kelvin Yong
07:06 Rob's Drive
07:44 Pikes Peak
10:06 Conclusion
MORE ABOUT TOP GEAR:
Welcome to the official home of Top Gear on KZbin. Here you'll find all the best clips from your favourite episodes, whether that’s Ken Block drifting London in the Hoonicorn, Chris Harris in the latest Porsche 911 GT3 or classic Top Gear clips from Clarkson, Hammond and May. You'll also find the latest performance car reviews from the TopGear.com crew, our brand new series American Tuned with Rob Dahm and the fastest power laps from our in house performance benchmark: The Stig.
This is a commercial channel from BBC Studios.
Service & Feedback www.bbcstudios.com/contact/co...

[@TopGear]

So, turbo power? Or should it have stayed naturally-aspirated?

[@dadacosmo29]

stay NA

[@evileye17]

It should be turbo powered

[@toastrytoaster]

Turbo. The F20C is a racing engine for race cars on a racetrack. You have to rev the bloody thing sky high to get peak power.

[@ericthestone]

Stay N/A

[@CrappyCar]

Make it your own, that's why we modify cars.

[@janck1000]

I love the fact that the S2000 still looks so good and modern today.

[@pudermcgavin4462]

Like the fd rx7 and the supra they still hold to be modern! Japan and Germans do this so well! American cars can't even be relavent the year they are released

[@wanyekest6969]

@@pudermcgavin4462the charm about those old american muscle cars are the antiquities

[@TheBb6prelude]

Those two cars are dated ​@@pudermcgavin4462

[@mclarenf1lm374]

Nah, the original one looks good but not modern. This one looks beautiful and modern.

[@Gkkiux]

They shouldn't have done the catfish mouth though

[@tommynobaka]

So timeless, it doesn't feel out of place now

[@mclarenf1lm374]

They did amazing work with the bodywork, this could EASILY be sold today.

[@RobDahm]

This car makes me want to make a Honda Insight R haha

[@slavche]

This was so cool, I love cars like this, kind of cheap now-adays but can be monstrous sound revving high, and great performance because of how light it is. Great video Rob love these

[@addeats]

Yessss!!! Please Rob DO make it!!! Then we all gonna have epic build series for sure....😁

[@gregmaslyn]

One of my buddies showed me his co-worker's K-swapped 1st gen insight that was getting somewhere around 75mpg if I'm not mistaken??

[@isendpie]

Nah Dahm you have to make a Honda Type-Rotary

[@andio310]

Odyssey Type R

[@truthseeker764]

My beloved 06 S2000 just passed 203k miles. I think its time I get her transformed. I absolutely love this! I had Evasive corner balance my S2 at 100k miles with new suspension. I think this time I talk to them about making this a reality for me.

[@hakujyan]

🔥🔥🔥

[@alexelrod242]

Refresh your f series, and put a rotrex supercharger on it, its so much better of a combo than the turbo k series

[@Underpantsniper]

​@@alexelrod242agreed, it would be a lot easier and cheaper and produce similar results.

[@truthseeker764]

@@alexelrod242 thanks for the suggestion, when the Kraftwerks kit was first released I was seriously considering it.

[@zambiagrowl3632]

@@alexelrod242id rather have a brand new motor engineered for turbo than slapping a kit on an NA and going through all the necessary custom work. Custom mounting/bracing + k20c1 will be much more reliable than the turbo kit route.

[@88Frank]

100% Rob's having a 30 min conversation about pikes peak off camera

[@claudedottin1312]

Lol his newest video literally is talking bout it too😂

[@G_Ozare]

30 minutes? More like an hour 😂

[@thefastlane1]

as a former s2000 owner, i love that this car lives on this way, even if the cost puts it out of reach for most former owners

[@64Spokes]

Don’t get me wrong the new turbo k20’s are fine but the original F series with proper twin cam VTEC has so much more character which is the whole point of an S2000. Anyone who disagrees has simply never owned one. Least it isn’t EV swapped tho 👍

[@N3rdburgring]

Guys who actually drive tend to care about things like torque curve and power band too you know. I’m a B series Honda guy but there are a lottttt of advantages to that engine choice over the F for a car that’s just meant to be a street cruising fun car. Anyone I know who’s owned one complained it was boring unless you were winding it out constantly, which just isn’t the reality of driving on public roads these days.

[@64Spokes]

@@N3rdburgring with only 200whp you can wind it out all the time on public roads, within reason obviously. As a b series guy you should know as well as anyone that old Hondas are the most fun “slow” cars to drive fast. Even regular cruising I still prefer my stock ap2 all day over my much faster modified fk8 daily driver

[@povilaslondon]

@@64Spokes cough mr2 cough

[@AudiRSAvant]

This is a modern iteration of an S2000, as if it came out today. I think the K20C1 fits this perfectly.

[@Nic01101011]

I owned an S2000 for several years as well as numerous sport bikes that rev way higher. Unlike a sport bike the high RPMs in an S2000 don't equate to much speed. Revving to 9k and not being able to out accelerate a modern SUV is lame. I'd very gladly take the extra 80 HP and double the torque.

[@zeus.edwards2662]

never thought i see Rob explaining honda... Interesting, i like his vibes in this

[@vincediesil]

You forget one of Rob's other cars is the ZE1 Insight, it was built in the same plant as the S2000 and NSX. It's all aluminum and uses the S2000 style valve train.

[@Bones12x2]

The intro statement is 100% truth. Took me 20 years and several projects to figure that out but my buddy and I talk all the time now about how less is more in many cases with modded street cars. I think a lot of that stems from not having the money as a youngster to buy the car we really want and trying really hard to make what we can afford into something it was never meant to be.

[@malcolmar]

I appreciate what they did with this car. That S2000 R is stunning!

[@riazbacchus3962]

S2 WHO?

[@sudovv]

what a sick car, those Recaros are such a nice visual highlight

[@alopey_]

That's a clean car, nothing exaggerated imo. Also, those red accents really blends to the Championship White motif. 👍

[@bboylorettoEight08]

After seeing the original fast and furious I fell in love with the S-2000 and the way it looks and can be modified

[@reefturkey]

I bought one right when the 1st movie came out and still have it to this day.

[@paulwade5853]

That movie did the S2K no favours, every one assumed (and most still do) it'd be a great drag car, and it very much isn't

[@tetrakoop]

oh shit it's rob!

[@G_Ozare]

Yeah Hes done a few of these episodes check them out

[@Mattiamusicofficial]

This is one of the cleanest Honda Builds I've seen

[@jaygiatien]

Nothing bad ever comes out of Evasive Motorsports 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@smohan123]

S2000! YES! I made embarrassing sounds when I saw this tile come up in my KZbin recommendations. This is perfection on four wheels.

[@scottpolston6137]

Agreed it certainly is

[@TopGear]

We probably made the same noise whilst filming....

[@saroeunphok988]

I saw s2000 clicked on it right away!!! I had one myself and still wish I have it now. I’m not going to hate, TRULY AMAZING!! Much better than the clapped out ones I see for sale

[@al3nmicl]

One time I saw a stock S2000 for sale in my neighborhood back in 2021. The guy wanted $30k for it!? Over 80,000 miles too... I said, no thanks. Lol

[@saroeunphok988]

@@al3nmicl I bought my s2k for $13k 10yrs ago, I ended crashing it and made money from that car, $22k from insurance and $2500 for selling the car. That was my baby!! I do miss her!!

[@sixstrz8310]

Bought an 05 s2000 about a month ago been wanting one since I was a kid and all I gotta say about the s2k community is that it is the best community I’ve been a part off everyone is so knowledgeable about this car I love driving it everyday!

[@crxvtec0069]

The thing you tried to create Honda already did with the s2000 in its stock form. Power everything, air conditioning, abs, etc, it has all the creature comforts but also doubles as a race car with the way it came from the factory. It’s a race car with windshield wipers. Modernizing it to make it like every other newer car now takes away from what makes the s2000 so special, a true JDM legend. I can appreciate someone wanting to improve on it or make it better, but you simply can’t beat multi million dollar back Honda Research, designers, developers. The hand crafted hand built f series engine is perfectly balanced, and is the true spirit of the car and what makes it so special. I would never go to this extreme with my s2000, I’m all for modifications but not so much so to the point you lose the true essence of the car and what makes it truly unique.

[@B-Diddy-6]

Rob and Honda? LETS GOOOOOO!

[@92gears]

My favorite memory of the S2K was playibg Gran Turismo 2 and using it to beat everyrhing that was more powerful in the corners I grew up with muscle cars but if there's a JDM car for me its this one, what an unreal build ! Thank you for highlighting this work 👏

[@sinfulhappiness]

Hell yeah. Love the established local tuner shops and what kind of projects that specialize in. S2000 in any form is chef's kiss in my opinion. lol

[@JacobMueller]

Just starting to look at getting an S2K as they are still affordable and this is an inspirational video while searching. It looks OEM+ which is such a great place to settle with this car and vision.

[@hippievogelei]

I doubt calling it affordable new was 50k euros(100k+ guilders) in 1999. A avg car would be around 2.5 to 5k euros now in 2024. Since its 25 years old. Lets say a bmw 320. nope still 40% of new sell value from dealer.

[@MikeRegan-er9fi]

Mike at Evasive is a legend

[@grant6173]

Absolutely. Absolutely. Not dissing the 2000. It's my favorite. But i'm old enough to know that there's a team at Honda that's about to blow your mind.

[@larrykay6606]

Rob: “I definitely want one. Will a rotary fit?” 😂

[@paulwade5853]

I mean is there anything that a rotary WONT fit in?????

[@JasonMcMullen]

Love the car but it would have been nice to actually hear the car drive and see it do a pull, or just driven fast in some fashion

[@ryanhuisman5550]

I was thinking the exact same thing

[@matmul4850]

Yea this video is so well done, as you would expect from top gear but it's completely missing the driving experience part with engine/exhaust sound. Shame.

[@Giuliana-w1f]

No engine sound, and no performance numbers. For a swap that could be argued that ruins the amazing sound of the S2000 for straight line speed, i'd expect both

[@tamto6328]

Seems to be a sad trend now where somehow in the editing room, they decide to overproduce everything. They couldn't add 10 seconds of pov driving? You're already in the mountains for chrissakes.

[@dominicjeanb2063]

Agreed I was waiting for that

[@Zaudunyani]

This is an example of a perfect mod/homage. Everything is stated perfectly, it is completely streetable, it's gorgeous, fitment is spot-on, etc. What a phenomenal effort.

[@wmatte91]

Simply beautiful. The kind of car that seems to have no time, just improved in the perfect way. Astonishing!

[@jeantrg.9503]

Hey guys. AP1 owner here. No worries on putting in a different engine in it but clearly its so good you never showed to being revved out. K24 would have been a better option. Love everything else about the car.

[@_que]

Feel the same K24 NA on this chassis would be my preference as well

[@DuBstep115]

@@_que The perfect engine for this car would be the JNC1 3.5L V6 from the new NSX but without the turbos. So it would make around 350-380hp. Thats the true flagship engine, would remain NA and have torque.

[@user-hk7iy2vt5y]

Saw a video about this specific S2k when they had recently built it. Glad we get to see it in action!

[@Wallstreetavarice]

I simply DO NOT understand people engine swapping s2000's. It came with a unique, reliable, high output, easily modifiable engine from the factory. Yes, I understand the k-series can make more power now, but it's not that much more. Engine swaps make sense when the motor you're pulling wasn't that great in the first place, or had a major design flaw. The f20c and f22c1 are fantastic motors that are the heart and soul of an s2000.

[@ALE5six1]

Agreed!! People swap out 90hp single cams, no a 120hp per liter engineering marvels

[@johndean3475]

I have a Skunk2 racing S2000 ! Max vTec power but still naturally aspirated. The 6-9000 rpm power-band is truly insane !! No turbo, no rear wing. Most amazing driver's car.

[@Tclans]

Gorgeous. Very tastefully done.

[@TheJMedia]

If there was a way to have a high revving turbo engine in the s2000 that would be amazing!

[@MilesNJRacing]

Just turbo the original f series, would be way faster than this lol

[@JTeam45]

This has become my favorite S2000 in the world, it looks lovely and classy. If I had one I'd just throw on some New Imola Orange and change nothing else about it.

[@uGotGot1618]

They absolutely nailed it

[@PhyFK8]

evasive is the king of modern day tuning in the west. Fantastic attention to detail and always nothing but the best.

[@snbala]

As an owner of an S2000, taking that legendary F20C out which defines the car and going to a CTR Turbo engine has taken away its character. Another one is removing that iconic digital rev counter. It may be faster but I rather have that 9K red line and the engine that was made for this car that goes hand in hand. On another note, anyone who hasn’t driven an S2000 are seriously missing out. What a car!

[@Kiloechonovember1]

Agreed. I supercharged mine, put on a Robbins soft top and installed adjustable shocks. That's all it needed.

[@BRAINFxck10]

Amen, I don’t even like K swaps cuz the F Series sounds better and it’s exclusive to this car which makes it special

[@DuBstep115]

@@BRAINFxck10 Perfect way to add torque and hp is electric motor between the transmission. You drive basically a stock F20C but just 100hp and 100Nm more

[@michaelclarke5860]

The AP2 cut the S2000’s high redline in half. Adding the 2.0T from the type R gets rid of that high-revving capability that the S2000 was known for. Sure it gives the car that low-end torque that we Americans criticized it for, and yes the car gets more power, but the car has the heart of a 10th-generation civic now. Regardless, it IS an impressive build.

[@iknowgood2403]

You forget something special. It's in a mid mounted engine stance now with rwd!

[@afonsopereira1990]

S2000, timeless machine

[@alanarzate93]

Honda really hit their mark with thw s2k and the nsx

[@howarddavies136]

Honda couldn't have done it better. It isn't too extreme, they haven't gone too far. It's exactly what an S2000R should have been. Excellent job! If I was to nitpick, I'd prefer round dials and the exhaust tips to sit just a little lower.

[@R19Robbin]

Those bucket seats are sick 🔥🔥

[@brianlewis250]

I respect this build and also you guys at TG for featuring it . I drive an audi but I want one of these

[@diymike]

Very nicely done, very professional and shot extremely well.

[@dennisc9717]

Jason the tech is my guy when it comes to fixing up my nsx!

[@pudermcgavin4462]

I love the look of this s2k it flows so well!

[@G_Ozare]

Stunning build. This is extremely tastefully done. Honda should be taking notes.

[@arabbrian]

Damn thats a good looking S2000

[@technologic21]

It looks and remains faithful to the original idea Looks great with those New Formula Red bits and NH0 Championship White. I really dig it!

[@ssab9063]

The S2000 is one of my favorite cars and my attainable dream car. I love what they're doing with them!

[@bremms1]

I had an AP1 S2000 for about a year. I modify everything, but not the AP1. I was planning on doing the rear suspension mod to correct the snap oversteer, but sold it and bought a Sportbike. I think the Civic Type R engine is a great mod.

[@kalmtraveler]

As a longtime AP1 owner, I don't hate this build but I agree that going with the FK8's non-VTEC turbo motor doesn't fit the spirit of what all the S convertibles are. I would probably have opted to do a top to bottom build of the K20/K24 variants that have DOHC VTEC along with iVTEC and rev it to the moon. Yes, the S2000 was lacking on low/mid torque, but all the S convertibles were meant to be driven at high RPM, you had to work for power.

[@bige7186]

100% agree with u 💯

[@HONDAMeskin123]

One of the nicest touches is the cluster set up. The graphics are just like the civic oem cluster

[@GTR24]

the power windows switch location gave me mental carpal tunnel

[@masqueman01]

As a s2k owner, I approve. This is 2000 looks better than many of the weird futuristic concept renders that have come out in the past 15 years that missed the styling marks. I’d be very curious to drive this with that new engine in it because the 9K motor can be fast but you have to ring the loving crap out of it. That’s not safe to do on regular streets so more torque would be greatly appreciated and probably safer to drive. Kudos!❤🎉

[@leonardojimenez2415]

he’s use the Soichiro Honda mindset. Love it. Always wanting more! Power of dreams

[@boots_n_coots]

A superb build, very tasteful and lots of power to go. Well done!

[@WaterfallJoe]

I hope Evasive makes this an available package for sale!

[@TBPony]

Kinda amazing to see Rob being a top gear host, its very fitting.

[@waltersmith3165]

Evasive featured on TG with a s2...what a time to be alive!🔥🔥🔥

[@tommy.ayefam]

First time I drove the AP1 I fell in love with the S2K. I would love to experience driving this car someday 🙏

[@danielmaia3559]

I like the wing mirrors

[@roflcoppter117]

This is an absolutely beautiful car well crafted for its purpose of being a road car but still focused performance capability

[@danmar007]

My favourite Honda. This one is awesome.

[@TheBucketOfTruth]

Such a tasteful build from these guys. I remember seeing it on Larry Chen's channel. Sounds like they'll have to come up with a place to make them these bumpers though right? Since they aren't available new from the factory? Super cool.

[@barrymuller6220]

Well done,this is car is done to perfection and not overdone Wow,I want one

[@TheMadTitanM5]

Beautiful build.

[@brokentradgedy]

It’s so perfect it really looks like a real type r that Honda would’ve made

[@nukexD]

Bought my Work Meisters S1 3p from Evasive back in the day. Love those guys 💪

[@stephen_brooks_photo]

Such a cool car! Happy to see Evasive on here.

[@A-DUBCLUB]

only saw the thumbnail and yeh thats noiiiice right there! I dont care abt the video.. just had to comment on this lovely piece of history. I still remember wen the s2k first came out, it wasnt a car that everyone cud afford. It was sorta like a high end honda if u will and cost a premium. Its not a civic u wud see everywhere.. so its almost nostalgic to see a one well equipped in 2024

[@MrBillsfishin]

That looks amazing. Great modern refresh of a terrific car.

[@chasing-you-chasing-me]

Absolutely gorgeous guys👌 good job!

[@jonlee580]

I think the fact they put a type r engine in it makes it that much of a pure performance machine

[@jasonn2284]

The AP2 2004+ still looks timeless

[@justinh7099]

Damn I love that canyon. Seen some gnarly accidents/deaths too, unfortunately. This S2K is a dream car for early 2000 tuner boiz out here.

[@rhysmainwaring396]

Lovely looking S2000! Great modification

[@gsxtrex]

It's not lost on me how amazing Rob Damm is a host for this show

[@jpagdilao]

That Honda S2000R is PERFECT ❤

[@ytsux9259]

As a former S2000 owner, I'd prefer the F22 over the K20.

[@LozanoMotoRacing]

Have you driven a s2k20? It’s really something else. I was the same till I did the change after blowing the motor.

[@Geerod]

It's a pretty cool ride. I wish they did make a type r for s2000 and also the prelude.

[@dnice362]

Love these episodes

[@Dan-dx9qu]

Awesome work 👌🏽

[@xXgaucho]

Never thought I would see Rob driving an s2k

[@DELICIOUSORANGECHICKEN]

I think they did an awesome job building it. super clean

[@loganh7787]

Rob Dam is great as a host. Nice work!

[@lastboyscoutNZ]

Robs is nailing these!

[@feedbacker9385]

God damn. I completely forgot about this car, and seeing it here was really something else. It's perfect. I'd love to see one with a Spoon hardtop.

[@jredf1]

Gotta love honda and their almost vertical bonnet/hood lift angle 💯💯

[@luisdavinci1023]

Such a timeless car

[@user-xo4qu6wd9g]

Nicely done mate

[@Haltzo]

It's a nice build, and amazing work has been put into this. But i just can't steer away from the fact that i love the original engine and the high rpm naturally aspirated screaming VTEC that was originally put into this car.

[@musiczkl98]

love the build

[@Autopilot_Austin]

Absolutely awesome

[@adambritain5774]

I used to really enjoy my online subscription to an American magazine called Import Tuner. I can’t find it online now so i assume it’s gone bust but there were some fascinating motors in that magazine. It’s easy for Brits to take the piss out of Yanks (for literally anything) but when you see work like this coming out of these workshops you can’t fail to be impressed.

[@SilverScarletSpider]

the turbo fk8 drivetrain is great. change the front bumper from the oem frown to a smile like the nd mazda miata. make the mirrors less sleek, just keep the og wing mirrors. give the s2000 more comfortable oem like seats, maybe Acura Integra/TLX Type S Leather seats or the Honda FK8/FL5/FK2 Type R cloth seats