Earlier this year I posted my 2020 recap…. Now during the last month of 2023….. I am doing my 2021 recap. Hell yeah, 2 year recaps in 1 year! Things seem to be going by faster and faster as you get older. I’ve been doing this blog for over a decade now, can you believe… Continue reading 2021 Recap Part 1
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Update: What happened in 2020….
Hey guys long time no post. With today’s Instagram world it’s so hard to sit down and write a complete thought out post. My last post was in June of 2020 and man have things changed in 3 years. in the past 3 years my s2k went from empty shell, to running car, to apart again for revisions, things happen really fast now. I’ve really gone down the car rabbit hole, since we’re getting to a point were the heavy hitter 90s jdm cars are popping off, I had to pick up a few of course. My current stable involves a 90s WRX, E30 M3, of course the shitty eggshell like civic that has parts too nice for it’s own good, numerous Lexus here and there….. and I have access to my friends 90s jdm Type Rs of DC2 and EK9 config.
Alright less talk more pictures.
Aforementioned E30 M3 that is in my possession. I'll give a deeper dive into this
My GC8 Daily... I've been working on this thing....I'll go deeper when I got more time.
Alright let's get back to business. I'm going to go through 2020 and the events that have occurred that year. We all know what happened in 2020....
Grocery stores were looking like this.....
My S2k was looking like this....
Yes that is an ASM Ti 70mm Exhaust just sitting on top of my car...
With my 2003 Lexus LS430.
It really all started with these JDM Celsior Window Visors I installed.
Sourced by the guys at Formula S in La Habra.
Next came some TOM'S boxes to chill next to the Mugen Boxes...
Then a TOM'S rear Bumper....
Then a TOM'S front bumper.....
And then one thing led to another and a TOM'S Supercharger for the LS430.... I did as much research as I could and I was 75% sure I can make it work, since these are designed for the JDM market UCF30 aka Celsior...
With the stock manifold out... I found this damn coolant leak on this hard line... Of course I replaced it. This is where I should of just replaced the starter since I was in there.... But I did it years later...
I put some videos of this Lexus LS430 TOM'S Supercharger build on my youtube channel you can check out here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpreUjquIVaPHS1tPQS_Njg if you wanna hear the noise!
After the install the car felt amazing, I'm realistic and I know the car isn't going to be fast as an Mercedes AMG E55 or a Ferrari, but it really gave it the little bit extra power and gravitas with oem + reliability. The fit and finish is just like oem, each bracket has a place for a harness, everything is extremely well though-out. The system comes with some bosch pumps that run the air to water intercooler. The ECU is just a reflashed OEM ECU with some TOM'S goodness on it.
Said ECU.....
Not sure if I have pictures but I do have youtube content... on the channel. I took this time to install the full TOM'S exhaust system with their TOM'S high flow cat and mufflers. The sound is very quiet, very OEM +. Like running Mugen parts on the S2k.
Later I installed JDM headlights and wired in the JDM fogs on the bumper
On the S2k Front, I bought some brand new OEM red carpet from Honda for the 2006+ model years since that's all they had...
I picked up this block that was built in Japan with Toda F20c high Comp pistons, fully balanced and blue printed.... I had it shipped in from Japan.
Off went the OEM brand new F22c short block to get sold at Formula S.
Around this time, I picked up this beat ass Mugen Gen 1 S2000 Intake. In 2020 Mugen Intakes for the s2k were still being made. I actually sold a brand new in box one to pay for this one. I still have it in this condition waiting to be restored to a more functional state.
She has some potential...
I love how the intake inlet goes all the way down to the bumper. It's kind of like what RG-O does with their mugen intake kit like this
It is perfect for my ITB setup.... more on that in a later post
she got good bones.
Of course I had to rock my Toda Racing Apron for proper engine work.
Later that year I picked up a TOM'S Strut brace and TOM'S Carbon Fiber Cover that is made for the TOM'S Supercharger.
Again back to the S2k.....
I wanted to do a proper Ap2 tail light conversion on my Ap1. I picked up an AP2 rear panel from Formula-s years ago.... Off comes the old panel. 200 spot welds later. When you cut the Ap1 Panel for Ap2 tails, the sealing is just never correct. You can also buy a plate that is made by JSP to weld in.
On for a test fit. I didn't do a final mount of this till like 2 years later... Yes I was using the S2k to store my crap.
I picked up a full works Toda Racing Cylinder Head from Toda Racing. They did everything they can possibly do on it. Porting, valve guides, equalization, etc.
Beautiful ports
Of course me being me... I had to WPC all the valves.
These ports are a work of art.
How I kept it all organized.
Around this time I picked up a set of Ganadors for the Is300..... just some hot boy stuff.
Towards the end of the year I copped some TOM'S wheels to complete my look.
Tom's Side Skirts and Tom's VP-1 Wheels in 19" on the LS430...... Sadly the wheels are not in this condition anymore.
Of course I couldn't help picking up other TOM'S goodies.
And a super rare trunk mat for the Is300
In 2020.... I sold this spoon spark plug cover that ichishima san signed... for really under recent market price....
Closing out this post with a Mugen tool kit I put a bid on that year.... but ultimately lost. It sure looks cool.
Sorry I was all over the place with this post, but this what happened in 2020! Next post is 2021.
Life: Import Showoff Little Tokyo 2019
Sorry for the long pauses between blog posts, I’m crazy busy as life goes on. A few months ago I checked out Import Showoff Little Tokyo…. Import Showoff used to be the premiere car show/meet in SoCal…. but man has times changed, and have changed for the worst! People used to mark this event down… Continue reading Life: Import Showoff Little Tokyo 2019
Finds: 2018 TAS Spoon S2k for Auction!
Hi all, Long time no post… It is 2018 and I’m still unemployed, so things are a bit slow for the s2k on my end! Don’t worry me and the S2k are in this till the end! I still gotta post up a picture of what I have left of the S2k….. In other news,… Continue reading Finds: 2018 TAS Spoon S2k for Auction!
PickUps/Parts Review: TODA RACING 60-70MM CATALYST ADAPTER (TestPipe)
I got some parts reviews I’ve been meaning to put up…. Since I have an ASM 70mm Titanium exhaust (Which I believe is the best S2k exhaust ever, much better than the SS version, the sound is so crisp!), I’ve always ran it with an invidia 70mm testpipe which is 70mm straight through, for what… Continue reading PickUps/Parts Review: TODA RACING 60-70MM CATALYST ADAPTER (TestPipe)
Life: S2k Cruise in San Diego
Just because I don’t “have” an S2000 does not mean this is not S2kandTheAnt…. I lent my camera to my friend Alvin to take some pictures of an S2k cruise a few Sundays ago. The cruise was through the very scenic mountains in the San Diego area. For those not from LA, San Diego is… Continue reading Life: S2k Cruise in San Diego
Life: The day I meet Ichishima San! at Spoon Sports USA
Being in Southern California and being a car enthusiast is awesome! I can’t say that enough, I can see how you can eventually become jaded from the car overload…. I’ve been cutting down on car events to keep things fresh and we just bought a house, so we’ve been busy fixing it up. When I… Continue reading Life: The day I meet Ichishima San! at Spoon Sports USA
Pick Ups: Recaro SR-7 ASM IS-11 with Recaro Japan Rail
It’s crazy how things can change over time. If you were to talk to me about my S2k 4-5 years ago, I would have told you, “Race Car Bro.” Now I have come to the conclusion that I’m a shitty driver, and I would like a well-rounded car. Not only can I play pretend racecar… Continue reading Pick Ups: Recaro SR-7 ASM IS-11 with Recaro Japan Rail
Life: Another 626 June night
It’s getting hot in the 626… with the SoCal summer heat comes more summer meets….. I kicked it with a few friends this past week…… My car next to clements track machine. This shot reminded me of fast and the furious when they line up and look down the line….. Track bro Track bro Track… Continue reading Life: Another 626 June night
Maintenance Log 1: Cabin Air Filter and Vtec Solenoid Gaskets
I’m starting a new segment, I’m going to use these maintenance logs to keep track of my maintenance. It’s a reality, my S2k is over 15 years old if you can believe that…. and with that age comes great maintenance. When I changed out my Cam gears, noticed this oil leak on my timing cover…..This… Continue reading Maintenance Log 1: Cabin Air Filter and Vtec Solenoid Gaskets