Honda S2000

There's an old saying: Good things come to those who wait. It's been uttered many times before, but never has this statement been more true within the automotive industry than today. We Americans have waited and waited, and finally we're starting to see the very best Japanese automotive technology make it over to our side of the ocean.

Of course, one might argue that once again Honda was the progenitor of yet another far-reaching automotive trend when it released the S2000. It was the first new purpose-built Japanese sports car since the demise of the Big Three (Z, Supra, RX-7). As a true car enthusiast, Andrew Lee is one of those who waited breathlessly for it to be released. Considering his position with import performance, the S2K was his absolute dream car. He put himself on a list but didn't actually take delivery of his car until August of 2000, because of high demand and a low supply. When he finally did get it, he was pretty charged and hit the upgrade path running. Lee's first modification was a set of new wheels; 18-in Volk SE37As in a gunmetal finish. Soon after, he added a carbon-fiber hood and ordered his C-West body kit direct from Japan.

Then one night, as he was driving home from the gym, Lee experienced his first piece of bad luck with the car. Four out of five lug nuts on one of his rear wheels decided to give, and the wheel barely stayed on long enough for Lee to slow down and pull to the side.

"I was going pretty fast when this happened, yet I'm still alive," Lee said. "To me it was just a minor setback, because what doesn't kill me only makes me and my car stronger."

Lee decided to keep the wheels and get the broken rim and his messed-up hub fixed. Meanwhile, the body kit was still stuck in customs because of the September 11 attacks. Since it looked to be tied up for another few months at least, Lee switched his project focus to the car's engine. Working with two Stateside distributors, Showstoppers USA and Raceline Development, he was able to transform his engine bay with virtually Spoon Sports' entire S2000 program.

Lee began with the major power adders: intake, header, exhaust and cams, the same components used by Spoon Sports in its Japanese N1 endurance cars. Lee also added cosmetic niceties like the Spoon reservoir covers, oil and radiator caps and a carbon-kevlar spark plug cover. A few more months passed, and the body kit still had not arrived, so Lee hit up the Spoon catalog again, this time for a lightened flywheel, oil pan, high-performance thermostat and iridium spark plugs. Then he added an A'PEXi V-AFC to allow him to fiddle around with VTEC engagement, as well as a Blitz Power Meter ID to monitor his engine's performance from the comfort of his seat.