Over a decade ago, JP Damo took his first spin in a Honda S2000 that caught his eye, and its responsive shifting, solid handling, and exhilarating redline persuaded him to invest his hard-earned money. His bond with the cherished two-seater seemed unbreakable, but after significant modifications, he found himself contemplating letting it go.
Boredom Creeps In
Experienced enthusiasts may relate to the familiar scenario of pushing a build to the extreme, only to eventually tire of the drastic changes. In JP’s case, he transitioned from a simple initial version to a more audacious second iteration featuring an aggressive Voltex front bumper, a substantial rear wing, and pronounced fender flares. With a turbocharged engine under the hood and interior upgrades, it garnered a Super Street feature in 2017. “Two and a half years into the second version of the car, I started to get bored and wanted something different,” he confesses.
While selling the car and starting anew might be the logical choice for some, JP had a different vision. “Instead of selling it, I decided to part ways with all the modifications on the car,” he explains. The proceeds from selling those parts provided him with an opportunity to take the project in an entirely new direction. “A Spoon build was the first thing that came to mind because I wanted a timeless look that would never go out of style if I decided to keep this car for another 10-20 years,” he adds. With extensive experience in working on various Honda chassis, including Civic, Accord, Integra, RSX, and NSX, and having performed almost every task himself on this AP2, he was well-prepared for the challenge.
Off The Shelf Excellence
While many S2000 enthusiasts incorporate parts from the Spoon Sports brand, JP took it a step further, essentially assembling a front-to-back catalog of Spoon goods. Ordering JDM parts often entails long wait times, but luck was on his side, and he began receiving boxes within a week after placing a substantial order.
The former Voltex bumper made way for Spoon’s V2, a single-grill opening bumper, accompanied by a matching S-tai hood. Spoon’s squared rear bumper and a low-hanging carbon fiber diffuser are now in place, along with their GT spoiler and custom LED taillights. The roadster adopts a fastback appearance with its Spoon two-piece hardtop developed by Mooncraft Racing.
While the MRacing carbon fiber mirrors from the car’s previous phase remain, they have been color-matched to the S2’s custom pearl white. The collection of Japanese components is completed with the inclusion of the Spoon “certified” badge #00856.
All the pearl white bodywork contrasts elegantly with matte black Regamaster wheels fitted with robust Toyo Proxes R888R. The front wheels slightly conceal the iconic blue calipers clamping down on Ballade Sports’ larger rotors. Buddy Club N1+ coilovers allow JP to adjust his ride height, supporting spirited drives and leisurely jaunts around his island.
Adding a Boost
Diverging from Spoon Sports’ relatively conservative S2000 engine tuning approach, this build’s engine bay retains elements from the previous project version. The factory intake box has been replaced with a Precision ball bearing 6266 mounted to a Full Blown manifold, complemented by a TiAL wastegate. This bolt-on setup delivers a reliable 475 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on the stock block, utilizing Hondata’s plug-and-play FlashPro and receiving necessary fuel from a Full Blown 340 lph pump and ID1000 injectors.
Satisfied with the power output and thrilled with the new exterior aesthetics, JP made subtle changes to the interior. These include swapping his Mugen steering wheel for a Spoon Momo and silver shift knob, and a Renegade carbon fiber center console delete. The previously installed red Bride seats have been replaced with Recaro RSGS, while the Ballade Sports roll bar remains in place.
The Final Iteration?
After developing a deep connection with the S2K platform, giving it a minor update, and then going all out with the second version of his long-standing project, JP’s third round of changes appears to strike the perfect balance between parts and personalization. While enthusiasts often claim their project is “done,” JP asserts that this is the case for him when questioned about any future plans.
