Choosing and Setting up an S2000 Cusco Roll Bar
If you're looking to restrict up your chassis, the particular s2000 cusco roll bar is definitely usually the first name that appears within forum threads plus track day pits. It's one of those well-known modifications that shifts the whole feel of the vehicle, shifting it through a fun weekend cruiser to some thing that looks such as it actually belongs on the circuit. But before you decide to go away and drop the few hundred bucks on a big blue hunk associated with metal, there's a lot to consider concerning which version a person need and exactly what it's actually heading to do with regard to your AP1 or AP2.
Precisely why Cusco Is the particular Go-To Choice
Honestly, the S2000 community has the bit of a romance with Cusco. Part of it is the heritage—Cusco is JDM royalty. Possibly that specific shade associated with "Cusco Blue" peeking through a back window, you understand the master cares about the details. Yet beyond the aesthetics, these bars are usually popular because they actually fit. Presently there are a lot of "universal" or even knock-off bars out there that need you to definitely hammer your own floorboards into distribution, however the Cusco units are designed specifically for the S2000's restricted cabin constraints.
Cusco offers 2 main lines: the standard Cusco Glowing blue (usually made associated with Chromoly) and the Safety 21 range (usually black steel). If you're searching to save fat, the Chromoly edition is the method to go. It's lighter than the particular steel version yet offers plenty associated with rigidity. On the flip side, the particular Safety 21 metal bars are usually the bit cheaper and therefore are favored by individuals who aren't because obsessed with each and every ounce of fat savings.
Understanding the Different "Points"
When you begin shopping for an s2000 cusco roll bar , you'll notice options for 4-point, 5-point, and 6-point configurations. If you're a new comer to this, it can feel a bit overwhelming, but it's actually fairly straightforward.
The 4-Point Setup
This is the particular most common selection for street-driven S2000s. It mounts at the rear of the seats and attaches to the main floor and the rear wheel arches. It offers you a nice bump in chassis stiffness without making the car impossible to live with. You still have access to the majority of your interior, and it doesn't get in the way with your legs when you're obtaining in and out there.
The 5-Point and 6-Point Options
These add more bars that will run forward into the footwells. While these offer even more protection and rigidity, they're a significantly bigger commitment. The 6-point bar is usually going to create getting into a good S2000—a car that's already hard to exit gracefully—feel like a gymnastics schedule. Plus, creating a metal bar running right next to your knee on the particular street could be a bit sketchy in case you aren't wearing a head protection.
The Chassis Stiffness Factor
We all love the S2000 for its high-revving engine and sharp steerage, but let's end up being real: it's the convertible from the particular late 90s/early 2000s. It has some flex. If you've ever driven over the set of train tracks and sensed the rearview mirror vibrate, that's include shake.
Installing an s2000 cusco roll bar ties the center of the car to the rear suspension pick-up points. The particular result? The vehicle feels much more "one-piece. " Whenever you turn in to a corner, the back end follows the front finish more predictably. It's not just about security; it's about making the suspension perform its job instead of letting the particular frame from the vehicle twist.
The particular "Street Safety" Argument
I must mention this because it's the biggest stage of contention in the neighborhood. There's a long-standing debate about placing a roll bar in a road car. The reasoning is the fact that in the street accident (where you aren't putting on a helmet), your head could hit the particular metal bar.
If you're going this path, bar padding is non-negotiable . Cusco sells specific foam cushioning that matches the bar, and you should definitely make use of it. Also, consider your height. When you're 6'3" as well as your head is already poking above the particular roll hoops, a roll bar might be uncomfortably near to your head. For average-height drivers, there's usually lots of clearance, but it's something you've got to check for your self.
Installation: Anticipate Some Surgery
Installing an s2000 cusco roll bar isn't specifically a "bolt-in and go" project that will you can finish in twenty a few minutes. It's a weekend break job, and you're going to need a second group of hands.
The hardest component isn't the bolting; it's the inside. The S2000 offers a large amount of plastic metal cladding behind the seats and around the fuel container area. To get the bar to sit flush against the metal of the particular car, you're heading to have to trim these plastics. If you're a perfectionist, this can end up being nerve-wracking. You'll be using a Dremel or a saw to cut steps into your interior panels.
The good news is that should you take your time, it can look totally manufacturing plant. But if you rush it, you'll finish up with jagged edges and gaps that'll annoy a person every time a person look in the backview mirror. Also, maintain in mind that you'll likely lose the usage of the secret compartment (the small glove box in between the seats) or at least find it much harder to open depending on which usually bar you select.
Does the particular Soft Top Nevertheless Work?
This is the primary question people request. Yes, the s2000 cusco roll bar is developed to clear the particular factory soft best. It's a good match, though. When you're raising or reducing the top, you might notice it brushes against the bar slightly.
When you have an aftermarket replacement glass window on an early AP1, you'll want to double-check the clearances. The glass windows are a bit bigger than the original plastic material ones, and sometimes they could get caught around the diagonal support from the roll bar. Most people don't have got issues, but it's among those "measure twice, buy once" circumstances.
Hardtop Suitability
If you're running an OE or Mugen-style hard top, the Cusco bar usually fits such as a glove. In fact, many individuals think the car looks its greatest with a roll bar sitting just below the glass of a hardtop. It fills out the empty space in the cottage and provides the vehicle a very intense, purposeful stance.
Weight Trade-offs
Let's talk about weight for a second. The S2000 is a fairly light car, and adding 30 to 50 pounds of steel or crmo might seem counterintuitive. However, the trade-off in chassis solidity usually outweighs the particular penalty of the extra pounds. Except if you're competing inside a class where every single millisecond counts, you most likely won't notice the particular weight, but a person can see how much even more planted the car feels in high-speed sweepers.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worthy of It?
At the end of the day, an s2000 cusco roll bar is one associated with those mods that you do regarding two reasons: a person want to end up being safer on the track, or you need that aggressive JDM look. Most S2000 owners fall someplace in the middle.
It's a significant task that requires a few permanent "massaging" of your interior materials, but the payoff is a car that feels firmer, looks better, and offers a little more tranquility of mind when you're pushing this towards the limit. Just make sure you get the padding, spend some time with the install, and maybe warn your passenger that obtaining into the car simply got a bit more "athletic. "
If you're exhausted of the framework flex and would like to give your S2K a little extra central source, you really can't go wrong along with Cusco. It's a classic choice intended for a reason. Don't forget to verify your local track's regulations, though—some companies have very particular rules about which usually bars they permit, so always confirm before you purchase. Happy driving!