Back to all years
2001
AP1
8800
RPM redline
Horsepower
240
Torque lb-ft
153
Fuel cutoff RPM
9000
Chassis code
AP1
Market
North America
Engine
F20C

US market car shown. Europe, the UK and Australia kept the 2.0 liter AP1 through 2009 and never received the 2.2; see variants.

What changed this year

Honda added a removable hardtop as a dealer accessory in September 2001: aluminium, 44 lb, with a heated glass rear window, listed to fit 2000 through 2002 cars. Otherwise a carryover year.

Dimensions and specs for this year
Full dimensions and specs

Figures from Honda's US press specification sheets for this model year. The full page adds metric conversions, interior dimensions and every year side by side.

Parts for this car

The maintenance items every S2000 owner ends up buying. Fitment is a starting point, so verify against your own car before ordering.

10W-30 Engine Oil
Mobil 1, Castrol or equivalent
Part / spec
API premium grade 10W-30
The F20C uses oil at sustained high rpm. Buy an extra quart and keep it in the trunk.
Oil Filter
Honda Genuine
Part / spec
15400-PCX-306
The S2000 takes its own filter, 15400-PCX-004, now supplied as 15400-PCX-306. The common Honda filter 15400-PLM-A02 that many listings show for this car is not it: Honda's own catalogue fitment list excludes the S2000.
Genuine Honda MTF
Honda Genuine
Part / spec
08798-9031
The one fluid on this car worth being fussy about. Standard GL-5 gear oil attacks the synchros.
Differential Gear Oil
Honda Genuine or GL-5 rated
Part / spec
API GL5 or GL6, SAE 90
Honda calls for SAE 90 hypoid gear oil, API GL5 or GL6, and does not require a Honda branded oil here. Check it is rated for limited slip use: the S2000 runs a torque sensing LSD.
Honda Type 2 Coolant
Honda Genuine
Part / spec
Honda Type 2, premixed
Comes premixed. Do not dilute it, and do not mix coolant types.
Brake and Clutch Fluid, DOT 3
Honda Genuine or equivalent DOT 3
Part / spec
Honda Heavy Duty DOT 3
Honda specifies DOT 3 and permits DOT 4 only as a temporary substitute. The clutch uses the same fluid but has its own separate reservoir. Replace on time rather than mileage, because it absorbs moisture either way.
Vinyl Soft Top Cleaner and Protectant
303, Raggtopp or equivalent, vinyl formula
Part / spec
Vinyl soft top
Top manufacturers list the factory material as twill grain vinyl, and Honda's parts catalogue states no material at all. Vinyl and canvas need different products, so a fabric protectant is the wrong choice. Check yours if the car has been re-topped.

These are affiliate links. If you buy through one, this site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Parts are listed because they fit, not because of what they pay.

Wheels and tires
All fitments

Factory sizes for this year. The rear is wider than the front, so tires cannot be rotated front to back and the rears wear first.

AP1
Front
16x6.5
Offset
+55
Tire
205/55R16
AP1
Rear
16x7.5
Offset
+65
Tire
225/50R16
Club Racer only
AP1
Front
16x6.5
Offset
+55
Tire
205/55R16
AP1
Rear
16x7.5
Offset
+65
Tire
225/50R16
Bulbs for this year
All bulb sizes

Every lamp position on this car, with the size it takes from the factory. The low beam is a xenon HID, so if one is out the ballast and igniter are as likely to be at fault as the bulb.

Maintenance
Full schedule

The rest of the reference applies to every year: intervals and part numbers, fastener torque, what goes wrong with age, and how this car compares to the other variants.

Sources

Where the figures on this page come from. Each subject's full document trail lives on its dedicated page.

  • Honda US newsroom, 2004 S2000 powertrain press releaseThe redline and fuel cutoff figures for both engines. Honda's table lists rev limit and fuel cutoff of 8800 and 9000 rpm for the 2.0 litre and 8000 and 8200 rpm for the 2.2 litre, and notes the higher piston speed of the longer stroke is what lowered the 2.2 limit.
  • Honda US newsroom, model year specification pages, 2001 through 2009The dimensions and specs block and the engine output figures for each year. Honda published no page for the 2000 model year, so the 2000 figures follow the 2001 page.
  • Honda US newsroom, 2008 and 2009 S2000 specifications and featuresClub Racer figures shown on those model years, and independent confirmation of the 8000 rpm redline on the 2.2 litre engine.
Honda US newsroom, 2004 S2000 introductionyearsThe 2004 facelift items outside the chassis and powertrain kits: new bumpers, headlights and the LED tail lamps.10
Honda US newsroom, 2002 model year releaseyearsThe 2002 changes: the glass rear window with defroster and the interior and trim revisions.9
UK market vehicle data, 2004 S2000variantsUK listings for the 2004 model year show 1,977 cc with peak power at 8,300 rpm, the F20C figures, confirming the 2.2 liter never reached the UK. The facelift AP1 naming is the UK community's own convention rather than Honda's.8
Honda US newsroom, 2008 and 2009 S2000 specifications and featuresmodel-years-templateClub Racer figures shown on those model years, and independent confirmation of the 8000 rpm redline on the 2.2 liter engine.3
Honda US newsroom, model year specification pages, 2001 through 2009model-years-templateThe dimensions and specs block and the engine output figures for each year. Honda published no page for the 2000 model year, so the 2000 figures follow the 2001 page.2
Honda US newsroom, 2004 S2000 powertrain press releasemodel-years-templateThe redline and fuel cutoff figures for both engines. Honda's table lists rev limit and fuel cutoff of 8800 and 9000 rpm for the 2.0 liter and 8000 and 8200 rpm for the 2.2 liter, and notes the higher piston speed of the longer stroke is what lowered the 2.2 limit.1
Honda US newsroom, 2004 S2000 powertrain press kitvariantsThe rev limit and fuel cutoff figures for both engines, and Honda's explanation that the longer stroke forced a 9 percent reduction on piston speed grounds.7
Honda US newsroom, 2008 S2000 and S2000 CR introductionvariantsThe Club Racer package, Honda's cumulative weight saving figures, and the statement that air conditioning and audio were factory options rather than standard equipment buyers deleted.6
Honda Europe, S2000 launch release, 1999variantsHonda's own specific output claim, scoped to mass produced naturally aspirated engines, at 120 PS per liter for the 240 PS European tune.5
Honda Japan, S2000 web catalogue, 2009variantsThe JDM F22C rating of 242 PS, against the JDM F20C's 250 PS, which is how we know Japan lost peak power in the engine swap.4
Honda Japan, Type S introduction, 22 October 2007variantsThe Type S specification, and the point at which the Type V leaves the lineup.3
Honda Japan, minor model change release, 24 November 2005variantsTwo things at once. It confirms Japan did adopt the 2.2 liter engine, two model years after the US, and it lists the Type V still on sale at that point, which is why the Type V ran to 2007 rather than 2005. English Wikipedia states Japan kept the 2.0 liter; this release shows otherwise.2
Honda global newsroom, S2000 type V announcement, July 2000variantsThe Type V launch, and Honda's description of VGS as the first variable gear ratio steering system in a production car.1
Community count of US market cars, not Honda datapaint-codesThe production figures quoted on the color pages. This is a community compiled tally of all 66,860 US market S2000s, not a registry of surviving cars, so the rarity figures are US market statements rather than worldwide ones.7
Honda Japan model archivepaint-codesThe JDM only colors, including Midnight Pearl, which Honda lists as added in July 2000 and which shares its PB-73P code with a mid 1990s NSX purple.6
Honda brochure scans and dealer paint cataloguespaint-codesPaint codes and year ranges, cross checked against the press releases above. The US list of eleven colors is complete.5
Honda US newsroom, 2009 model year releasepaint-codesThe four Club Racer colors: Rio Yellow Pearl, Grand Prix White, Berlina Black and the CR exclusive Apex Blue Pearl.4
Honda US newsroom, 2006 model year releasepaint-codesLaguna Blue Pearl introduced as a new color for 2006.3
Honda US newsroom, 2003 model year releasepaint-codesSilverstone and Sebring Silver coexisting from 2003 onward.2
Honda US newsroom, 2002 model year releasepaint-codesThe single most doubted claim on any S2000 color chart, settled by Honda directly: Sebring Silver joins the palette, replacing Silverstone Metallic. Silverstone returns for 2003.1
Honda parts catalogue, S2000 interior light diagrambulbsThe interior and trunk lamp bulbs and their required quantities. Honda specifies 12V 5W and gives no trade number, so DE3022 is an enthusiast interchange rather than a Honda figure.7
Honda parts catalogue, HID D2S bulb listingbulbsCatalogued for every model year from 2000 to 2009, with the HID control unit and igniter listed as standard fitment. There was never a halogen low beam S2000.6
Honda US newsroom, 2004 S2000 introductionbulbsHonda announcing the triple beam LED taillights that arrived with the facelift.5
Honda parts catalogue, 2007 S2000 taillight and license light diagrambulbsThe AP2 tail lamp, which contains no dual filament bulb of any kind. This is the evidence that the AP2 tail and brake function is LED and not a serviceable bulb.4
Honda parts catalogue, 2001 S2000 taillight and license light diagrambulbsThe AP1 tail lamp, including the 7443 dual filament bulb and the amber S25 rear turn bulb with its PY21W socket, which is why the correct interchange is a 7507 rather than a 1156A.3
Honda parts catalogue, 2004 S2000 headlight diagrambulbsThe changeover year. It carries both the old and the new socket part numbers, which is the signature of a running change inside model year 2004, so early and late 2004 cars can differ.2
Honda parts catalogue, 2001 S2000 headlight diagrambulbsThe AP1 front lamp contents. Note there is no dual filament bulb anywhere in it, which is why the AP1 parking light is a 5W wedge rather than the 7443 usually listed.1
Community registry data, not HondayearsThe 699 Club Racer total and its 668 plus 31 split by model year. Honda never published a CR production figure.8
Honda global newsroom, end of production announcement, January 2009yearsHonda's announcement that production would conclude by the end of June 2009. Build actually ran into August; Japanese sources give 4 August and English language sources 19 August, and the exact date is not settled.7
Honda US newsroom, accessory hardtop release, September 2001yearsConfirms the hardtop was a dealer accessory rather than a factory option, weighs 44 lb, and fits 2000, 2001 and 2002 cars.6
Honda US newsroom, 2008 S2000 and S2000 CR introductionyearsThe Club Racer specification and Honda's own weight saving figures of 51 lb with the hardtop installed and 99 lb with it removed.5
Honda US newsroom, 2006 model year releaseyearsDrive by wire and VSA, and Honda's statement that the 2006 output figures were restated under the revised SAE J1349 net standard rather than detuned.4
Honda US newsroom, 2004 S2000 chassis press kityearsThe 2004 suspension changes, including the rear toe and roll center revisions, spring rate changes and the steering ratio going from 13.8:1 to 14.9:1.3
Honda US newsroom, 2004 S2000 powertrain press kityearsThe document that settles redline against fuel cutoff. Its 2003 versus 2004 comparison table carries a row labeled "Rev Limit / Fuel Cutoff" reading 8800/9000 for the F20C and 8000/8200 for the F22C1, so the 9,000 and 8,200 figures quoted almost everywhere are the fuel cutoffs, not the redlines.2
Honda US newsroom, model year specification sheets, 2001 through 2009yearsHorsepower and torque figures and their peak rpm for every year: 240 hp at 8,300 rpm and 153 lb ft at 7,500 for the F20C, 240 hp at 7,800 and 162 lb ft at 6,500 for the early F22C1, and 237 hp at 7,800 and 162 lb ft at 6,800 from 2006.1
Worth cross checkingvin-decoderNHTSA's free vPIC decoder will validate any VIN independently, though be aware it is often thin on Honda series and trim fields for this era, so it may not distinguish a Club Racer.5
Not confirmed against a Honda sourcevin-decoderPosition 7. Always 1 on US cars, but the reading given for it comes from enthusiast documentation rather than a published Honda source. Since it never varies on this model it carries no information either way.4
Real VINs from auction and valuation recordsvin-decoderThe grade digit at position 8, confirmed as 4 for the standard car in every year from 2000 to 2009 and 2 for the 2008 and 2009 Club Racer. It does not change at the AP1 to AP2 transition, so it cannot be used to tell the generations apart.3
Honda global newsroom, Suzuka integrated production announcement, February 2004vin-decoderHonda announcing that S2000, NSX and Insight production would transfer from the Takanezawa plant at the Tochigi factory to Suzuka in May 2004. This is what dates the T to S plant letter change, and real 2004 VINs exist with both letters.2
US federal VIN standard, 49 CFR 565.15vin-decoderThe check digit algorithm. Verified by computing the check digit for 24 real S2000 VINs; 23 of 24 validated, the exception being a listing whose serial range and grade digit both fall outside the US pattern.1
Honda US newsroom specification sheets, 2001 through 2009fluids-and-capacitiesEvery year's sheet, including 2004, lists transmission capacity as 1.56 US qt (1.48 L), which rounds to the 1.6 qt change figure here. The 1.7 US qt sometimes attributed to the 2004 manual is the total capacity from its service summary, not a different change quantity.8
Honda S2000 owner's manuals, transmission capacity by yearfluids-and-capacitiesEvery owner's manual specification chart from 2000 to 2009 prints the transmission at 1.6 US qt (1.5 L) for a change and 1.7 US qt (1.6 L) total. The one line service summary at the back of each manual is where the confusion starts: the 2000 to 2003 manuals quote the 1.6 qt change figure there, and the 2004 to 2009 manuals quote the 1.7 qt total. Fill to the bottom edge of the filler hole rather than trusting a number.7
Honda US newsroom, S2000 chassis press releasefluids-and-capacitiesConfirms the electrically assisted steering, which is why there is no power steering fluid, pump or reservoir on this car.6
Honda US newsroom, 2001 S2000 specification sheetfluids-and-capacitiesHonda's underlying transmission figure of 1.56 US qt, which the owner's manuals round to 1.6, and the 7.6 liter total cooling system capacity.5
Honda Owners Site maintenance schedules, 2001 and 2002 S2000fluids-and-capacitiesThe reason the coolant and transmission intervals on this page are split by year. The 2000 and 2001 schedule is substantially shorter than every later year.4
Honda parts catalogue, clutch master cylinder diagramfluids-and-capacitiesThe evidence that the clutch has its own reservoir rather than sharing the brake one. Honda lists a dedicated clutch fluid tank, 46972-SF1-003, with its own cap and mounting band. Only the fluid specification is shared.3
Honda S2000 owner's manual, brake fluid sectionfluids-and-capacitiesHonda's full wording: always use Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3, with DOT 3 or DOT 4 from a sealed container as a temporary replacement only, and an explicit warning that DOT 5 is not compatible and can cause extensive damage.2
Honda S2000 owner's manuals, 2000 to 2009fluids-and-capacitiesEvery capacity on this page. Engine oil at 5.1 US qt with filter, 4.8 without and 5.9 total; Honda's own term for that last figure is "Total" rather than dry. The differential figures use Honda's term "at overhaul" for the larger number.1
Honda S2000 owner's manuals, 2000 to 2009, specifications pageswheels-and-tiresRear toe-in by year, 0.24 in (6.0 mm) for 2000 to 2003, 0.15 in (3.7 mm) for 2004 to 2009 and 0.22 in (5.6 mm) for the Club Racer, plus the camber and caster figures, the 32 psi tire pressures and the 60 psi compact spare pressure. Earlier versions of this page marked the AP1 and CR rear toe figures as unconfirmed; the manuals settle them.6
Wheel fitment references, cross checked across two independent sourceswheels-and-tiresOffsets and the front and rear hub bore difference. Honda does not publish offsets on its specification sheets, so these do not come from a factory document. The front hub register being larger than the rear is confirmed independently, which is why one set of hubcentric rings will not suit all four corners.5
Honda workshop manual, 2004, wheel alignment sectionwheels-and-tiresCamber, caster and toe with Honda's inspection and adjustment tolerances. This is the source for the tolerance figures quoted above. It states the AP2 rear total toe as 0 deg 24 min, printed as 3 mm (0.12 in) with a 2 mm tolerance, so the owner's manual figure of 3.7 mm (0.15 in) shown above sits inside Honda's own band.4
Honda US newsroom, 2009 S2000 specifications and featureswheels-and-tiresClub Racer tires, 215/45R17 front and 255/40R17 rear on Bridgestone RE070, on the same wheel sizes as the standard AP2.3
Honda US newsroom, 2004 S2000 specification sheetwheels-and-tiresAP2 wheel sizes 17x7 and 17x8.5, tires 215/45R17 and 245/40R17 on Bridgestone RE050.2
Honda US newsroom, 2001 S2000 specification sheetwheels-and-tiresAP1 wheel sizes 16x6.5 and 16x7.5, tires 205/55R16 and 225/50R16.1
Honda service bulletin, 2002, spark plug torquetorque-specsThe document behind the 18 lb ft (25 Nm) spark plug figure shown above. Honda revised it upward from the service manual's original 13 lb ft, so older torque lists still carry the lower number.7
Honda Service News article, 2001, rear axle spindle nuttorque-specsThe document behind the 220 lb ft (298 Nm) figure shown above. Honda revised the rear spindle nut torque upward from the service manual's original 181 lb ft after reports of a pop or creak from the rear of the car when changing direction, so older torque lists still carry 181. The article is documented in the S2KI community retorque writeup, which also recommends going a further 60 degrees past the original torque; that extra turn is community practice, not Honda's instruction.6
Honda S2000 factory service manualtorque-specsThe reference for fastener values where the owner's manual does not cover them.5
Honda S2000 owner's manual, differential fluid sectiontorque-specsThe source of the 33 lb ft (45 Nm) differential plug figure, printed by Honda as Nm, kgf m and lbf ft together.4
Not confirmed against a primary sourcetorque-specsValve cover, oil filter, rear caliper bracket bolts, brake hose banjo bolts and bleeder screws. These come from widely used shop manual transcriptions rather than a Honda page verified here, and circulated community lists disagree with several of them. Treat them as a starting point and check the manual for your year.3
Honda contradicts itself: engine oil drain plugtorque-specsThe factory service manual gives 29 lb ft (39 Nm) with a warning not to over tighten. The owner's manual gives 33 lb ft (45 Nm), which is the figure shown above. Both are Honda's. Use the lower figure if you are working into a tired aluminum pan.2
Confirmed against Honda documentstorque-specsDifferential drain and filler plugs at 33 lb ft (45 Nm), which the owner's manual prints as an explicit pair. Wheel nuts at 80 lb ft (108 Nm). Crankshaft pulley bolt at 181 lb ft (245 Nm).1
Honda US newsroom, model year specification pages, 2001 through 2009dimensionsEvery interior dimension and capacity figure above. Honda's own pages record the 2004 change in shoulder room (49.8 to 50.7 in) and hip room (50.2 to 49.8 in), and a passenger volume restated from 45.1 to 44.8 cu ft on the 2008 and 2009 sheets with no interior change behind it, so both volumes are shown. Honda published no specification page for the 2000 model year; the 2000 figures match the 2001 page and secondary listings, and are presented on that basis. The oil and coolant figures on those pages are total system capacities, which is why they differ from the change quantities on the fluids page.7
Honda US newsroom, S2000 body press releasedimensionsHonda's own metric figures, including 4,120 mm overall length, and the 50:50 weight distribution claim that conflicts with the specification sheets.6
Honda US newsroom, 2009 S2000 specifications and featuresdimensionsThe 2,864 lb standard weight and the Club Racer at 2,813 lb, 2,765 lb without the hardtop. Also confirms the CR shares the standard car's exterior dimensions.5
Honda US newsroom, 2006 S2000 specification sheetdimensionsThe 2,855 lb curb weight, and the point where Honda's published weight distribution changes from 49:51 to 50:50.4
Honda US newsroom, 2004 S2000 specification sheetdimensionsThe height change to 50.0 in and the 2,835 lb AP2 curb weight.3
Honda US newsroom, 2003 S2000 specification sheetdimensionsConfirms the AP1 figures are unchanged across 2001 to 2003.2
Honda US newsroom, 2001 S2000 specification sheetdimensionsWheelbase, length, width, track, AP1 curb weight, fuel and cargo capacity.1
Honda S2000 owner's manual, 2009maintenanceThe dust and pollen filter and its 15,000 mile urban interval.5
Honda parts cataloguemaintenanceAll part numbers on this page. The correct oil filter is 15400-PCX-004, now supplied as 15400-PCX-306; the common 15400-PLM-A02 is not catalogued for the S2000.4
Honda Owners Site maintenance schedules, 2007 to 2009 S2000maintenanceThe Maintenance Minder codes and the items that sit outside it, including the 160,000 mile idle speed inspection.3
Honda Owners Site maintenance schedule, 2002 S2000maintenanceThe long fixed schedule for 2002 to 2005: coolant at 120,000 then every 60,000, plugs and valve inspection at 105,000 miles or 7 years, brake fluid every 3 years.2
Honda Owners Site maintenance schedule, 2001 S2000maintenanceThe early schedule, 2000 and 2001 only: coolant at 45,000 miles then every 30,000, transmission fluid at 90,000, idle speed check at 105,000.1
Want to see a feature on this site or see information that isn't correct?
Tell me what's missing and I’ll do my best to get it added.
Contact us
AP1/AP2

An independent reference for Honda S2000 owners and fans. Built because your answers should only take seconds to find.

Honda S2000 front end line drawing