How fast is a turbo S2000?

A turbocharged Honda S2000 can be very quick: well-executed street builds making roughly 350–450 wheel horsepower typically run 0–60 mph in about 3.5–4.5 seconds (with proper tires), quarter-mile in the low 11s to high 12s at 118–130 mph, and see real-world top speeds around 165–180+ mph depending on gearing, aero, and power. Faster, built-engine cars at 500–800+ whp can dip deep into the 10s or quicker and push well past 180 mph in roll-race events, but traction, tuning, and safety hardware become critical.

What “fast” means for a turbo S2000

Because the S2000 was never sold with a factory turbo, “how fast” depends on the specific turbo kit, fuel, tune, tires, and intended use (street, drag strip, road course, or roll racing). The F20C/F22C engines handle boost differently depending on condition and tuning, the car’s short wheelbase makes traction a real factor, and gearing/redline differ slightly between AP1 (2.0L, 9,000 rpm) and AP2 (2.2L, 8,000 rpm) models. The figures below summarize typical, well-documented outcomes from common setups.

Typical power levels and on-road/strip performance

The following tiers reflect common turbo S2000 configurations seen in the community, assuming a sound tune, good driveline health, and appropriate tires. Ranges account for traction, altitude, surface, and weather.

• Mild, stock-internals (≈280–350 whp, 6–9 psi on 91/93 or mild E blends): 0–60 mph ~4.0–4.8 s on performance tires; quarter-mile ~12.1–12.9 @ 112–120 mph; 60–130 mph ~10–14 s.
• Strong street, stock/borderline internals (≈350–450 whp, often on E85): 0–60 mph ~3.5–4.2 s with tire; quarter-mile ~11.4–12.2 @ 118–128 mph; 60–130 mph ~8–10 s.
• Serious street/strip, built or carefully tuned stock bottom end (≈450–550 whp): 0–60 mph ~3.2–3.9 s with drag radials; quarter-mile ~10.7–11.6 @ 126–135 mph; 60–130 mph ~6.5–8.5 s.
• High-output builds (≈600–800+ whp): traction-limited on street surfaces; 10.0s and quicker possible with prep; 60–130 mph ~4.5–6.5 s; traps ~140–160+ mph depending on setup.

These ranges are illustrative rather than guarantees; tire compound, prep, and launch technique swing results more than peak dyno numbers suggest, especially in a lightweight, rear-drive chassis.

Top speed and gearing realities

The S2000’s true top speed is drag- and power-limited, not just gearing-limited. In 6th gear (0.763) with a 4.10 final drive and ~25-inch tires, the car turns roughly 23.7 mph per 1,000 rpm—meaning redline theoretical speeds are very high (about 190 mph at 8,000 rpm for AP2 and 214 mph at 9,000 rpm for AP1). In practice, stock power can’t overcome aerodynamic drag to reach 6th-gear redline; turbo power is required to approach those numbers safely.

Approximate top-speed expectations by power

If your definition of “fast” is ultimate top speed in a standing-mile or roll-race setting, these ballpark figures align with typical S2000 aerodynamics and gearing, assuming sensible ride height and no extreme aero add-ons.

• ~300 whp: roughly 160–170 mph, given enough runway.
• ~400 whp: roughly 170–180 mph, often achievable in half-mile/mile events.
• ~500 whp: roughly 180–190 mph possible with room and stability.
• ~700+ whp: 200+ mph becomes feasible with correct gearing, aero stability, and robust safety equipment.

These are estimates; real results depend on altitude, air density, alignment, aero parts, and how early/cleanly the car reaches peak boost in the higher gears.

What determines how quick your turbo S2000 feels?

Beyond raw horsepower, several factors heavily influence acceleration, drivability, and repeatability. The elements below explain why two similar dyno charts can produce very different on-road outcomes.

• Tires and surface: 200–300 treadwear street tires can struggle below 60 mph; drag radials or R-compounds transform launches and 60–130 times.
• Gear ratios and redline: AP1’s 9,000 rpm offers longer pulls per gear; AP2’s extra displacement aids spool and midrange, even with an 8,000 rpm redline.
• Turbo sizing and boost control: Smaller turbos (e.g., G25/G30) spool sooner and feel punchy; larger units (e.g., G35/GTX35/EFR 8374) trade lag for stronger top-end and higher trap speeds.
• Fuel and tuning: E85/flex-fuel enables more timing and boost, cooler charge temps, and safer power on stock sleeves; poor tunes break parts.
• Weight and aero: Added cages, aero, or big wings change both acceleration and top speed; a clean, stable setup is crucial above ~170 mph.
• Driveline health: Clutch, differential, axles, and hubs must match the torque; wheel hop and shock loads are common failure points when traction improves.

Tuning the complete system—power delivery, traction, and durability—matters more than chasing a peak number.

Reliability notes for boosted F20C/F22C

Owners often ask how far they can push stock internals. While individual results vary, the guidelines below reflect common practice among experienced tuners.

• Stock bottom end: With a conservative tune and knock control, many run ~300–400 whp reliably (lower on poor fuel, higher on E85). Good plugs, injectors, and fuel pump are mandatory.
• Built bottom end: Forged rods/pistons and upgraded sleeves open the door to 500–800+ whp, limited by turbo choice, fuel system, and head flow.
• Supporting mods: Proper ECU (standalone or well-supported reflash), intercooler, oil cooling, clutch, and differential upgrades become essential as torque rises.

Pushing beyond safe limits without the right parts—or skimping on calibration—dramatically increases the risk of engine or driveline failure.

What a representative street build looks like

To ground the numbers, here’s a common, responsive street recipe and the performance owners often see when traction is addressed.

• Turbo: Modern ball-bearing unit in the G25–G30 size range, quality manifold, and a front-mount intercooler.
• Fuel: 1,000–1,300 cc injectors, upgraded pump(s), and flex-fuel for E85 capability.
• ECU and tune: Standalone or robust tuning platform with closed-loop boost, knock monitoring, and fail-safes.
• Driveline and tire: Performance clutch, healthy LSD, and 200TW street tires or drag radials for events.
• Outcome: ~380–450 whp with quick spool, 0–60 mph in ~3.6–4.2 s on tire, 11s–low 12s quarter-mile, and 60–130 mph in roughly 7.5–9.5 s.

This balance prioritizes response and reliability while delivering performance that outpaces many modern sports cars.

Summary

A turbo S2000’s speed depends on the build. Expect a well-tuned 350–450 whp street car to run 0–60 mph in roughly 3.5–4.5 seconds with grip, quarter-mile in the low 11s to high 12s at around 118–130 mph, and real-world top speeds in the mid-160s to high-170s. Step up to 500–800+ whp with the right tires, gearing, aero, and safety gear, and the platform can deliver 10-second quarter-miles and 180–200+ mph roll-race capabilities. Traction, tuning, and reliability upgrades are the keys to turning dyno numbers into repeatable, real-world speed.

Can you turbo a Honda S2000?

ScienceofSpeed’s renown engineering-based approach has resulted in a factory-quality, high performance, durable, and easy to install and maintain turbocharger system for the Honda S2000 capable of 150-300 horsepower gain over factory power.

How much HP can you get out of a S2000?

It features a front-mid engine rear-wheel-drive layout with power delivered by a 1,997 cc (122 cu in) inline four-cylinder DOHC VTEC engine. The engine (codenamed F20C) generates power outputs of 177–184 kW (241–250 PS; 237–247 hp), and 208–218 N⋅m (153–161 lbf⋅ft) of torque depending on the target market.

How fast will a Honda S2000 go?

The stock Honda S2000 has an electronically limited top speed of around 155 mph (249 km/h), though a specific model year or gearing can affect this slightly. However, modified or “///Mugen setup” versions of the S2000 can reach speeds of 170-171 mph (274-275 km/h) and beyond, depending on the extent of the modifications and engine tuning.
 
Stock S2000 Top Speed 

• Around 155 mph (249 km/h): This is the top speed for a stock S2000, limited by the gearing of the transmission.

Modified S2000 Top Speed 

• 170-171 mph (274-275 km/h) and above: With performance modifications such as intakes, exhausts, ECU tuning, and other components, the S2000 can achieve higher speeds.

Factors Affecting Top Speed

• Gearing: The final drive ratio in the S2000’s transmission limits its top speed in stock form. 
• Modifications: Engine and drivetrain modifications, such as a supercharger, turbocharger, or upgraded exhaust systems, can increase horsepower and allow the car to reach higher speeds by overcoming the gearing limitations. 
• Wheel size: Larger or smaller wheel sizes can also impact the car’s gearing and overall top speed, though they can also be an indicator of other performance upgrades. 

How much boost can a S2000 handle?

For supercharged s2000s we recommend keeping boost around the 12 psi range on 91 octane, and 14-15 psi on 93 octane on stock compression/stock engines. Anything higher and too much ignition timing is pulled in the tune to keep knock levels in check.