What Makes A Great Engine? The Honda S2000 & Its Legendary F20C

This week I'm looking at three cars known for their engines. We start with the smallest and least powerful - but in many ways the most impressive. Honda's S2000 launched in 1999 and 20 years later the bonkers F20C at the heart of the car still sets car guys imaginations on fire. I ponder why that might be.
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[@S2000Y]

I would have had my S2000 20 years this September. I don't think I will ever sell it. 147k miles and still as strong as ever.

[@Elias_g1]

Have you done anything to it ?

[@nonamemike7149]

your rear struts are ok?

[@S2000Y]

@@Elias_g1 All stock

[@S2000Y]

@@nonamemike7149 All good so far as I know. Got some rust creeping through on the rear arches ( a known issue) but not structural. Car has lived outside for 20 years

[@taylorc2542]

Do you feel bad beating on it at that mileage? Mine has half that and God I love it. Love.

[@davidstorm4015]

I'm having to sell my S2000 very reluctantly to fund a property purchase. Boy will I miss it. Not only a superb engine, but everything about this car excels; the handling, the looks, the seats, the roof mechanism, it all comes together in a truly special machine. Not surprised these cars are going up in value, they are true classics. The person who buys mine is truly blessed. Long live the remaining S2000's.

[@JasonMilner]

Loved my old S2K. To this day it's the only car I've ever owned that I really regret selling - that 9K redline was so addictive. Have had turbo cars ever since, & they're just not the same.

[@rogerio1234rogerio]

Welcome to the S2000 world. I have a 2004 with only 30.000km. All I can say is that this car is truly special. Will never ever sell mine!

[@Pow3rus]

but please drive it more

[@HazewinDog]

@@Pow3rus he might not have owned it long though (no idea)

[@ledzarulje]

I have a 2008 s2000 with 130.000km

[@taylorc2542]

Have a 2007 90K. So fucking good.

[@anarchie771]

E vendê-lo?

[@giovannigallo8429]

Timing on this is perfect! My son and I just purchased one last weekend and loving it!! 👍🏻 Engine is a masterpiece!

[@nishhnishh1088]

Does it fit in my Civicc

[@chrishaycock3014]

great video, I love my S2000, she's called Helga, I've just returned from Norway in her, 3000 miles round an exquisite country!

[@mickeyhartsell6096]

Long live the legendary Honda S2000 ! The poor man's Ferrari roadster ! I break my neck every time I see one going down the road. Simply gorgeous looks.

[@Johnmcs1]

I always thought whatever about the engine, the S2000 gearbox is incredible, so smooth and so precise it's just perfect. I had my S2000 over 4 years, the longest I owned a car. Had it modded nicely with J's Racing bonnet, Volks Racing CE28N wheels, Mugen hardtop and loads more. The sound of the Powerhouse Amuse exhaust when going through a tunnel was superb. I'd love another. Maybe some day!

[@julianevans9548]

Does anyone else miss the old music? I'd love one of these. Top video. Great purchase. 9000rpm and affordable. That's what makes it a great engine.

[@RandomThingydiv6]

agree with this guy, bring back the old outro please

[@805NAVE]

Julian Evans yeah I really liked his old outro. Bring it back Jay!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I'll think about it

[@IOWPCV]

The old outro was cheese

[@julianevans9548]

@@IOWPCV A fabulous reblochon.

[@1970boggy]

One of the best reviews on a car I’ve seen buddy. Information, enthusiastic, great car, great noise. Wonderful.

[@foxhounduk2k8]

I had an S2000 about 5 years ago. By far the best car i've ever owned. the only reason i sold it was it was old and rattly,suspension was on its way out, but then i did pay a bargain bin price for it BUT the way you sit in the car, low, with bolt-action gear shifts,my my my...WHAT a car. they don't make them like this anymore i can tell you now

[@zacharyparis]

I have literally driven hundreds of cars and nothing compares to the experience of my AP1!

[@zfloz9895]

The best chassis on the market. The engine is not up to the suspension performance.

[@zacharyparis]

The thing about the engine is that you can smash on it all day and have loads of fun. But, no, it’s not a “fast” car. When you are driving a 500+ hp Porsche turbo you can only use half the car’s capabilities in most situations. Even on a track most people can’t handle a car like that.

[@SQUIZZLER24]

Honda really made some incredible engines in the mid-90s to the early-2000s. The B16B, B18C, K20A, F20C... All legendary engines, built completely bulletproof and incredibly fun.

[@maciekthepole]

Nice! One of my closest friends has had a S2000 now for 8 years, bought it on 55 thousand miles, and it now has 187 thousand on it. Serviced very regularly, retyred a lot, and loved and cherished. Still love my Mx5 though!

[@brettwilliams4044]

This is my favorite video of yours; we can feel the passion. I had an 04 for a long time and only should because it appreciated so much.

[@HazewinDog]

There's no stopping me from buying one. Every time I read, see, or ESPECIALLY hear the S2000 (0:09 to 0:18 gave me a major eargasm.. I can't even) I just want it MORE AND MORE AND MORE. And I'll never ever get rid of it. Unless for some reason I need another.

[@jamesro68]

I have had one of these for a few years and I love it....great sound, great gear box and engaging drive as you have to work the engine and keep it over 6k if you want decent power. I also the expression of passengers as they sit there feeling uncomfortable because you're not changing gear and the engine is screaming while you continue to accelerate to 9k, Brilliant fun!

[@ruinunes8251]

Robert James I really know what you mean by “The expression of passengers” but in a different car. I owned a 1989 CRX many years ago and I had a few friends/passengers holding themselves on the door handle while I was driving 😃😃Priceless

[@SilverScarletSpider]

If this beautiful Honda S2000 is week 1, I can’t wait to see the other the ones.

[@RatherBeTraveling]

I have had a 2001, 2004 and currently have the 2007, S2000. The one thing I miss most is the extra 800 rpm from the 2001 and 2004 for the 2007. IMHO the best S2000 for the USA is the 2003 and wish I would have got one and kept it, or the club racer (CR).

[@lorddragoono]

I have a 2003 in red

[@gregs570]

Always loved these vehicles. Aged particularly well.

[@harald.370]

🤘😎🤘 congrats James! Good to see you back in #teamyellow

[@timorgano]

You lucky git. The S2k is an amazing car and I loved mine to pieces. I was gutted when I got hit and she was written off. My current TTS cabrio doesn't even come close to the fun levels I had in that Honda.

[@nitrowizzard]

Know that feeling, same happened to me 3 months ago. Ended up buying a 370z nismo, but still missing that car and that engine. Best car I’ve ever owned, and after 6 years of owning it, the other party’s insurance paid out £1500 more than I paid for it.

[@timorgano]

@@nitrowizzard 6 years? I got 7 months. Picked it up 17th August 2018. Hit 20th March 2019

[@nitrowizzard]

Get another one at some point. 6 years wasn’t long enough, still wasn’t bored of it. Hopefully I’ll take my own advice.

[@timorgano]

@@nitrowizzard Believe me I want to. I live on autotrader and pistonheads

[@crazysstudios]

Currently watching this video while staring at my 05 rio yellow s2000 and I love every time I get to drive it. It is really as great as u say it is

[@jo05dk]

Congratulations! Such a cool car. I would love to own a S2000.

[@massimilianozeni1848]

Happy birthday:) I have a 2007 and I love it.

[@jamescarson6681]

Nice car. Same colour as Savagegeese's S2000. I remember he did a very detailed owners guide video to the S2000.

[@zacharyparis]

Joji Jim Engineering Explained also had a yellow S2000.

[@jamescarson6681]

@@zacharyparis Correct.

[@spencersgarage]

Actually AP1’s yellow is Spa yellow, AP2 is Rio Yellow pearl. RYP has a beautiful metallic in it and can change shades much more than Spa yellow. Spa yellow is so much brighter than Rio yellow.

[@VoloKinProject]

Congrats man, another tick on the dream car checklist.

[@joetaka7620]

Great choice of car James. One of my favourite videos of an AP1 S2000 is called 'Tuned AP1 Honda S2000 Road Impression' uploaded by 'The Slip Angle' youtube channel. Its a 29 minute video of Quinn hooning his tastefully modified AP1 through tight-and-twisty roads whilst he tells his ownership story of the car with extensive knowledge about the engine, drivetrain, chassis and brakes. At the 19:43 mark, he talks about how the F20c is more superior than the newer K20a engines regarding its cam gears, internals and low friction roller rocker design.

[@joshuabrien8325]

i love quinns videos of taking out his cars!

[@joetaka7620]

@@joshuabrien8325 He is one of the best car youtubers out there. Very descriptive with how a car feels and is very technical. And he sure knows how to drive and has great taste in cars (RWD, high revving naturally aspirated, double wishbone suspension fan)

[@CIRCUITDRIVERCARS]

Brilliant vid. Just watched it off your recommendation! Thanks!

[@joetaka7620]

@@CIRCUITDRIVERCARS My pleasure! He did similar style videos to all his other cars including his turbo MK1 NA gen MX-5, his 8000rpm MK2 NB MX-5 and his BMW Z4M coupe. I think he has similar taste of cars to you. By the way, I am a long follower of your channel and love watching the trackday videos and modification videos you've uploaded. Great production quality too. Keep up the awesome work!

[@CIRCUITDRIVERCARS]

Ahh amazing, thanks dude, means loads that! Gotta try! Yesss, I ended up spending the afternoon watching his vids yesterday haha! A great one on his all motor nb mx5 he recently was bloody brilliant too.

[@1970boggy]

Great 👍 video James The engine the Lotus Elise should have had fitted from standard. The S should have been SC & CC !

[@zfloz9895]

The lotus else, dose not have even 50% chassis stability as this Honda have. This is the best chassis out there, it just needs a BMW i6 engine inside. I drove both of them and I know what I'm saying.

[@peterthompson9854]

@@zfloz9895 I agree, S2000 is an awesome car and a much engaging drive after the upgraded anti roll bar in 2008. I owned them for 10 years, it has an infinity better chassis than the Elise, because the lotus doesn’t have a chassis. I’ve owned an Elise for 7 years and I do not think the Honda can hold a candle to its performance and handling. There is plenty I miss about the Honda though, plenty.

[@trentweston8306]

Lotus owners in Japan started a small trend of swapping K series engines into Lotus Exiges and also Toyota MRS

[@stuartchristie654]

I sat watching this thinking, “will he close the video with me revving it out down the straight.......” wasn’t disappointed! Top video as usual mate and I have proper car envy now

[@elanjacobs1]

The S2k was my dream car since it came out, finally bought one (in yellow, as it should be) 2.5 years ago and love it, so I'm now the proud owner of cars with both the original (CRX SiR) and the best VTEC engines. I highly recommend swapping the wheels for the AP2s as you'll get a much better tire selection on 17" (I'm running Michelin PS4)

[@jonesangus2263]

I've had 13-14 cars in my life so far, since I was 16 (now 45) so I change cars every 2-3 years approx. I've owned a '95 Integra for 7 years, a 2003 AP1 for 3 years and I've had this 2006 AP2 for 11 years now :)

[@pixelmixture3067]

Just bought one with 80000km but with a brand new F20c ... I’m the happiest living man

[@itsjoel]

Fantastic video. I’m really keen to have a go in an S2000!

[@pj9375]

Fantastic. Yellow suits that to a T. Well done. What a screamer. I do like an s2k.

[@nicocuratolo1560]

Excellent choice JayEmm !!! Have also a yellow one ! Wonderful !

[@805NAVE]

Jay you have to come to car week next year in Monterey! I went every other day and it was absolutely insane!! I went to the quail and some guy from Lotus let me sit in the Lotus Evija concept! I saw the Bentley self driving concept rolling by itself!! Also I pushed a 1960s Ford Mark IV Le Mans race car up the street to its transport truck ! Best week of my life

[@rickc2102]

You have such an awesome car, Jay! Thanks for sharing! My vote for best engine? Jaguar XJR-15, hands down.

[@williambellisIII]

Congrats on the purchase. Never selling mine. Best sports car for the money, period.

[@TechTuners]

Love this, look forward to seeing more videos! What mount do you use for your camera? It's great! No wobbles at all!

[@natesquiggles6666]

Love it, nice purchase. Enjoy mate

[@petersimpson8386]

Had one of these around 10years ago, so wish I could have kept it without it being a large chunk of wallet for my next purchase. loved every DRY minute. Nice one J.

[@nashrace]

I run a supercharged F20c in my MK Indy (Lotus 7 replica) and I've just bought a civic EP3 to turn into a race car and it runs the NA K20 A2. So I obviously agree the engine is an absolute gem!

[@fa-ajn9881]

Once you drive that car it changes your whole outlook on the car world

[@davidaspinall5544]

Same colour as mine. Beautiful, addictive machines!

[@josephcassiba8328]

Love the S2000. Such an engaging and special car. Only car I regret selling snd thinking of buying another one.

[@mrlong6267]

I agree. I’ve owned one for over 11 years now and it has never failed. Get plenty of compliments all the time and with how simple and fun to drive the car is...I will never sell mines. Buy one today and you won’t be disappointed 😄

[@sleepybuilds4368]

Got bored of my S2K then threw on supercharger fell right back in love

[@jerlas9349]

I have the s2000 2006 with only 85000km a blast to drive ! I kept it totally stock. It’s not that fast but so much fun to drive. If you guys have the occasion to buy it .... ;)

[@dainehaney91]

Miss my s2000 dearly. Wish my fk2 sounded and handled as good. I will get another :)

[@jackthehat8593]

Looks nice Jay, never been in one of these, would be interesting to compare at high revs and handling.

[@ffgiza]

Beautiful color!

[@derp6632]

@JayEmm on Cars: The Honda S line is definitely not a copy of the Lotus Elan; the S360 and The Elan both came out in 62. The Honda S vehicles are one of their own! Great review though!! I just picked up a Rio Yellow AP1 and I couldn't be happier!

[@BronchoGillespie]

I’ve had 2 and would have a 3rd in a heartbeat, the most fun I’ve ever had in a car and that includes Elises and M cars!

[@Little6]

What a wonderful new ride.

[@NitroNitrous]

You sir are following my steps, I too have a ST205 as a hobby car and a S2000 as a daily :P

[@umamidaddy7243]

Currently have an ap1 for the summer and am lust after an st185 for the winter. Dont worry no salt in my region.

[@lorddragoono]

You daily your s2k? I could never.

[@joellopez1637]

Love from California! Nice video work, even nicer car!

[@hondafanaticonly]

Just picked up my dream car since i first laid eyes on the s2k i was in love... im 35 now and it took me this long to save up for one a 2008 laguna blue with 61000km on her all stock not even an intake its parked next to my other dream car 1999 civic SIR electron blue (1 of 200) ive owned now for 10 years over 30 k put in to it no rust never seen rain or snow and honestly could not be happier i dont want any other car the laat 2 greatest hondas

[@Eksistenssi]

"it's mine". *stops the video and smashes that like button*

[@oldmercedesdiesel]

I’ve had an old supercharged 88 MKI MR2 for a long time as my fun to drive weekend cruiser. No matter what I drove I didn’t have more fun than my MR2, until I drove an excellent S2000 last month. Now it’s in my garage. Every time I drive it I feel like I’m in one of the best built cars of all time. If you get a chance to get a clean mostly stock one, do it.

[@analogrich]

Sweet ride, top of my list for cars to get in the near future. In regards to top engine I’d say the Ferrari 458

[@Ianatmightysound]

Great Car James! You drove my 4th. When they get in your blood they tend to stay there. Enjoy!

[@ZxRx7]

Like the content and the S2000 is indeed one of the best cars out there (I tried desperately to buy one, but the prices exploded in just 1 year to more than twice the previous year). Another car whose engine has character is your arch enemy, the S54 in the e46 M3 or Z4M imho. Another is the 2JZ on the MK4 supra.

[@Tribulation88]

Such a great car, agree with everything you said! I gotta get me one for a weekend toy one day. I'd have to say the greatest engine is the Lexus LFA 1LR-GUE V10, it has the response of a humming bird, a sound to die for & it's such a cool design!

[@rosstee]

Oh yeah now you mention it, the engine in the LFA would be in the top 3 ever for me (road cars), it’s absolute perfection in sound, character and performance.

[@Easytiger007]

Agree on V10 but for us mortals Lexus UZ V8’s🤣👍

[@e36328isport]

These S2000’s sound ace. I reckon you’ll pick a few speeding tickets up in this 😳

[@koolkat969]

Great choice! Prefer these early ones to the facelift.

[@Frenchyk]

This is such a legendary car.

[@ayowser01]

Glad to see you in an s2k. I didn't think you'd be interested in a car with such low power figures.

[@scanspeak00]

Yes! Huge power is not required for a great car and driving experience.

[@AugmentedGravity]

The engine in these things is so sick

[@robertl2856]

Chosen a classic happy driving

[@felipethenerd8710]

I definitely get the appeal, drove an AP1 on an weekend road trip and that 9000 RPM redline is glorious. Made me start shopping used S2000s. However I must say that I feel like the SC Toyota engine in the Elise is almost as special (8000 RPM with the supercharger whine is still ballistic and sounds fantastic) and frankly I felt like the S2000 was just a tad too slow for my tastes and the overall appeal of mid-engine configuration and rarity of the Elise won me over so I decided Elise.

[@kevinmcauley7527]

Excellent choice! I hope that the 2jzgte will also feature over the next couple of weeks in some fashion.

[@buggs9950]

I've always liked these. I'd love to stick an engine and box from one in my Viva HC, yes really.

[@CosmicSeeker69]

Beeeeeehave will ya'?

[@mikealbrailsford5438]

The 4g63t. Definitely a classic and held the factory turbocharged hp/displacement record for a long time.

[@massimilianozeni1848]

It might not make big numbers but this car still kick a lot of asses at the race track stock. Expensive asses:)

[@s2kuk]

GREAT VIDEO JAY!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks!!

[@daveanderson5680]

....my favorite.....rev limit is impressive but Torque is more useable in road going cars if engine is making peak torque figures at lower RPMs....so the 2.2L maybe a better choice even if slightly lower rated in peak Torque

[@tomdocherty3755]

Beautiful James

[@LukeEvans55]

great choice to buy jay, much cooler than the old beemer!

[@Jessicorn81]

Nice what a car hay 🥃🥃🥃

[@1rgmonster1]

Well done James...vtec-yo!

[@carstech2685]

I love my s2k and not looking to give it up anytime soon

[@SecretBrotherhood1]

You should also mention that this engine came from the factory with forged pistons as well

[@Stretch1386]

I’d take the standard exhaust off it altogether - I had an S2000 and ran it with a K&N typhoon kit with a full exhaust including de-cat. It made 259 bhp running on Vpower with those mods, but it just felt so much more responsive and free. The stock intake and exhaust are both so restrictive.

[@mikuelable]

can you review a 2014-2018 volvo polestar s60 or v60 ....please if you get your hands on one

[@chriskelsey2628]

I agree but then I’ve owned one for 5 years so biased, it’s the drama of 9300 revs, you’re still not going very fast but there’s a big smile on your face 😁

[@JayEmmOnCars]

That's exactly it, I had a Z4M before and could have bought another, but I prefer the experience of the Honda

[@Sierra747]

Nice looking car and a lovely colour. I’d want it turbocharged for me to buy one though I don’t fancy wanting for 6000rpm to get any power although it sounds nice.

[@jonathanmoga5188]

Amazing car

[@xXYannuschXx]

One of my dream cars. During my apprenticeship I dreamed about buying one, but sadly the prices have sky-rocketed in Germany. In 2015-2016 you could get a good used one for about 12k, now they usually sit at 20-30k; simply too much for me to spend on such an old car with rare parts.

[@8Ilikeicecream8]

Now there's a happy chappy.

[@mickeyhartsell6096]

The Honda S2000 ROCK'S

[@benjaminreed6652]

I have a 2002 with 213500 miles on it and it runs like a champ. I did a cat delete, air pump delete, cat back exhaust, and wheels and tires. It really feels like the car is on rails especially with Nitto NT05s all around. Ive driven quite a few nice cars in my life and nothing compares to the experience of the s2000. My brother has a 350z and he’s jealous of my car. My friends have a genesis coupe 3.8, g37, and a 2018 370z, and they are all jealous of my car. Once you drive an S, nothing else can give you the same feeling.

[@chrisball1992]

Awesome video

[@MUV4TRUK4]

very nice purchase

[@lewisdawson8607]

I've owned an MX-5 for 2 years now. It wasn't the car I originally wanted - It was this. But it's something I will regret getting rid of and will probably return to. Caught out by good old rust :/. Now I hope to buy an S2K by mid-next year. The AP2 update seems like the better choice. I can't wait!

[@ProfNutButters]

Along with my love of the s2000 and F20c which I one day want to own ill put my fave engines bit of an obvious one but I think the bmw m70 v12 from the McLaren F1 is one of the greatest engines. On the other side of the spectrum I love the 4AGE engine of the AE86.

[@BenzinioB]

The only think I don't really like is the long gears... on a twisty road you literally use only 1st and 2nd, but there is still not enough power on 2nd for a nice drift. And I would add a compressor and short-shifter as well as much louder exhaust.

[@christonacrumpet3922]

Vr6 and the Barra turbo👌🏻

[@vkoptchev]

Haven't missed a lot in my life, but not having an S2K, has been a void I've gotten a accustomed to living with for 20 years now, and it's still painful.