Cheap Honda S2000 Build - epic transformation on a budget!

We bought the UK’s cheapest Honda S2000, and set out on a mission to transfrom this rough-and-ready roadster into a something capable of impressing on track and wowing crowds at shows. Here’s the story of our cheap Honda S2000 build…

Big Thanks to Our Sponsors

First up, a quick shout out to Machine Mart for supplying the tools and gear we needed to make this project happen. They offer all kinds of quailty tools at sensible prices; from low-profile jacks to welders and spanners. If you’re kitting out your home garage or project workshop, check them out!

Part 1 – The Revival Begins

When it comes to legends of the JDM world, the Honda S2000 stands tall. But if you’ve ever dreamt of owning one but thought it was out of reach, think again. We’ve embarked on an ambitious project to breathe new life into what has to be the UK’s cheapest Honda S2000. We paid just £3,500 for this iconic roadster, but it’s far from it’s best.

Why the Honda S2000?

Launched in 1999 to celebrate Honda’s 50th anniversary, the S2000 quickly became a legend among enthusiasts. Its high-revving 2.0-litre VTEC engine, producing 237bhp, and a 9,000rpm redline made it a driver’s dream. The balanced rear-wheel-drive chassis and precise six-speed manual transmission offered an exhilarating driving experience. Despite its discontinuation in 2009, the S2000 remains a sought-after modern classic

The £3,500 Bargain: A Diamond in the Rough?

Finding an S2000 at this price point is rare. Our S2000 buyer’s guide told us what to look out for. But according to recent listings on AutoTrader and PistonHeads, most well-maintained AP1s fetch between £8,000 and £12,000 . Our project car, however, cost less than half that!

Yep, we found it—a neglected Honda S2000 AP1 with more quirks than a ‘90s rom-com character. The VTEC heart is still ticking, but it’s crying out for love. Here’s what we discovered in the first walkaround:

Knackered wheels and shot brakes – Definitely not road-ready.
Musty interior – Likely due to a leaking soft top.
Rusty rear arches and sill rot – Bodywork nightmares.
DIY paint job – Half-decent front end, tragic rear.
One of the worst exhaust blows ever – Think tractor, not tuner.

And the price? Just £3,500. No crashes, clean history, taxed and MOT’d at purchase (althought that’d since expired). A diamond in the seriously rough and without doubt, the UK’s cheapest Honda S2000.

Fixing the Failures: What We’ve Tackled So Far

First mission: fix the horrific exhaust leak. Turns out, half the exhaust manifold nuts were missing. We tightened everything up and swapped out the old system for a slick Milltek cat-back, reducing weight and unlocking proper VTEC music.

Next step: a performance air filter kit from K&N for smoother breathing. It looks the part and gives the S2000 that crisp, aggressive intake growl.

Fluids? Check. Oil change with a Liqui Moly engine flush, plus a new filter. Coolant? Swapped out too—after the rad exploded during an MOT run. Not ideal.

MOT Madness

We tried to take the S2000 in for an MOT a few weeks back… and the radiator blew! Literally. And becuase our resident mechanic Midge seems to spend more time on a beach than he does his own workshop, he buggered off to Spain and didn’t return to the UK for a month! But that gave us time to think of a plan. Rather than just fit a direct replacement, we ordered a performance alloy upgrade from Tegiwa.

Of course, the new rad arrived well before Midge did. But that meant it was ready to fit upon his return. So the newly-tanned mini-mechanic got to work. The rad was installed, the entire system now fully bled and free from air locks, and it time to head teh MoT station… again. Only this time, it passed! Back on the road, we enjoyed our first drive in the cheapest Honda S2000 in the UK.

Part 2 – Chassis, Coilovers & Big Brake Upgrade

This stage of the build is all about the foundations – handling, stopping, and stiffening things up. The S2000 is a legendary chassis straight out of the box, but ours is 25 years old. Bushings are tired, shocks are soft, and the brakes are well past their best. So we raided the parts bin, dialled up some of the best in the game, and got stuck in.

Suspension Overhaul: Bilstein B14 Coilovers Fitted

Let’s face it, the stock suspension was toast. So we binned it off and replaced it with a set of Bilstein B14 coilovers. These beauties bring height adjustability, improved damping, and track-focused performance – all while keeping things road-friendly. They went on smoothly (well, kind of), and instantly transformed the car’s stance and response.

Midge may have joked about the origins of the company but the result is no joke. Dialled-in stance, sharper handling, and a car that actually feels alive again.

Serious Stopping Power: EBC Big Brake Kit:

Next up, brakes. No point going fast if you can’t stop. So we slotted in a monster EBC 330mm big brake kit up front, paired with yellow calipers that don’t just look mint – they bite hard too.

They’re built in Britain and engineered to take abuse, whether it’s a fast road blast or a full-on track day. With these fitted, we can brake later, drive harder, and keep things safer when the limit gets pushed.

Whiteline Sway Bars & Adjustable Drop Links

To tighten up the chassis even more, we bolted in a Whiteline uprated sway bar and a fresh set of adjustable drop links. Stiffer, sharper, and far more predictable through corners – exactly what the S2K needed.

Yes, the sharper turn-in might mean it may oversteer more now. And, we’re fine with that. Probably. The fat new tyres should help with that though!

Ultra Racing Chassis Bracing: Adding Much-Needed Stiffness

With the S2000’s soft-top structure, it’s no secret these cars can flex a bit when pushed hard. So we fitted Ultra Racing chassis bracing, including a six-point lower brace, to firm things up. The result? Better turn-in, more confidence under load, and a car that finally feels cohesive again.

As Midge said, “It’s like watching monkeys use tools for the first time”—but somehow, it all came together.

New Wheels to Clear the Brakes

Speaking of tools… Jules can’t use a tape measure (we’ll leave you to work out which one of those is the ‘tool’ we’re referring to!). So, when it came to putting the wheels back on, they didn’t fit over the new brakes. Oops. But don’t worry, it was soon rectified. Out went the old wheels, and on went a set of STROM DS-15s wrapped in Yokohama AD09s.

The look? Aggressive.
The fitment? Maybe a bit too aggressive. (That’s Jules and his tape measure again!)
The fix? Wider arches are on the way.

Part 3 – Rust Repair, Body Kit & Bold New Wrap

The UK’s cheapest Honda S2000 project in partnership with Machine Mart has officially levelled up. After fitting Bilstein suspension, EBC big brakes, and chassis bracing in Episode 2, we ran into a big snag – the factory AP1 wheels simply wouldn’t clear the massive new calipers. That meant the Strom DS-15s and Yokohama tyres went on earlier than planned, and while they looked great, they weren’t exactly the best choice to roll to the bodyshop.

So, armed with our Clarke low-profile jack and a cheap set of eBay wheels, the S2000 was loaded up and taken to Heart and Sol Paintworks. What followed was the most dramatic change in the project so far.

Rust Be Gone

Years of corrosion around the rear arches meant cutting, welding, and sealing were the only way forward. The Heart and Soul team didn’t just patch things up – they fabricated fresh steel, integrated the widebody arches, and smoothed everything ready for the next stage. For the first time in years, this S2000 was rust-free and rock solid.

Choosing a Wrap

With the metalwork sorted, it was time to head to Fleet Livery Solutions for the transformation we’ve all been waiting for: colour. Arlon’s new Gloss Stealth Green Metallic vinyl was chosen – a deep, dark shade that shifts from black in the shadows to rich emerald under the light. Think Nissan’s legendary Midnight Purple, but with a green twist.

Not only is this one of the first cars in the UK to wear the colour (Fleet had only wrapped a single RSQ8 before ours), but the gloss finish is new-school tech. Forget the old “orange peel” vinyls – this one lays as smooth as paint, complete with self-healing properties to keep it looking fresh.

The Fleet team worked around riveted arches and bolt-on panels with insane precision. The end result? A flawless finish that makes the S2000 look like a brand-new widebody creation.

Styling Touches

Back at the workshop, the final details came courtesy of a Maxton Design lip kit, rear diffuser, and front canards. These sharpened up the car’s stance, tying the wide arches and deep green wrap together. Combined with the yellow EBC brakes and bronze wheels, the whole package now looks aggressive, cohesive, and undeniably modern.

Part 4: Interior upgrades: track comfort done right

Inside, we went functional with flair. A pair of NRG Innovations suede reclining bucket seats now hug us tight through corners – wide enough for our dad-bods, snug enough for track driving. We paired them with a matching flat-bottom suede steering wheel, which looks mint and gives our legs some breathing room.

Fitting them was a mission — the S2000 cockpit is proper narrow — but thanks to the team at Tegiwa and SW Motorsports, we got our hands on the first UK subframes for reclining seats. They slotted in perfectly.

We also binned the ancient stereo (no code, obviously) and installed a modern Pioneer SPH-EVO950DAB head unit. It’s modular, slick, and finally gives us CarPlay and sat nav — no more getting lost on the way to Silverstone.

Engine bay clean-up

Under the bonnet, things got a tidy-up too. We painted the rocker cover in a fresh crackle red, bolted on an Ultra Racing strut brace, and fitted a Tegiwa alloy radiator to replace the tired stock one. It’s still not a show bay, but it’s clean, functional and a huge improvement over where we started.

Silverstone shake-down and budget breakdown

So, how does it drive? We took it to Silverstone and gave it a proper thrashing. Thanks to the new suspension, brakes and rubber, it’s now pin-sharp, responsive and confidence-inspiring. No more soggy 20-year-old shocks – just proper cornering feel and predictability.

And the best part? We built this whole thing on a sensible budget. We paid just £3,500 for the car back at the start of the year. Yes, we’ve spent more than the same again on performance upgrades, but even so that results in something of a bargain. We’ve built a fully customised, tuned, and unique Honda S2000 for the same price as most people are asking for tidy standard examples! For what we’ve achieved, it’s phenomenal value.

What’s next?

This build was all about proving you can create a track-worthy, stylish S2000 in the UK without remortgaging your nan’s house. We’ve shown what can be done with smart choices, great support from our partners, and a few late nights in the garage.

Now, it’s your turn. Got a cheap S2000 project on the go? Want to know which parts made the biggest difference? Drop us a email, share your build, or just hit us up with your dream spec.

What should we build next? You tell us.