S2000 Aero Tricks
Aerodynamics is important, especially for those of us who want to go fast. It's also one of those tuning realms few actually understand. This crucial balance between drag and downforce is continuously scrutinized from major racing teams utilizing Formula 1 open-wheel chassis all the way to sport compact drag beasts. It doesn't really matter what you're racing, aero tricks will either help you or kick you in the ass. Many of the concepts that help propel an F1 car around and keep it on the track are implemented on mass-produced sports cars, you just might not realize it. Some manufacturers incorporate front splitters and rear wings into a vehicle's design in hopes of generating downforce. However, for those of us who can't afford to drive something with Italian horses or bulls badged onto the front grilles, more than likely, there's plenty of room for improvement with what we've got.
The kit includes one of Password's...
The kit includes one of Password's rear frame braces. The brace stiffens up the subframe but also serves as a mounting point for the undertray.
Aero: Let It Help You
A good example is the S2000. It's light, nimble, and there are tons of lip and wing options offered that can help improve downforce, but aerodynamics isn't based solely on the air pressure moving along the top of the car-downforce-half the battle is fought from underneath. Some companies have developed rear diffuser options for the S2000 but Password:JDM owner, Steve Naing, is one of the few who's realized that there really wasn't a complete front-to-rear solution yet, so he made his own. Working with his team, Steve developed the first production undertray specifically for Honda's roadster. Installing one is easy. Knowing why you should pay for one is a bit more complicated.
A series of laser-cut brackets...
A series of laser-cut brackets are bolted to the chassis and feature mounting points for the carbon pieces. Installation is simple and nothing needs to be removed. Simply loosen the rear antiroll bar mounts and slide the brackets in-between.
So what's the big deal? As long as you have a rear diffuser and a GT wing the S2000 should handle just fine, right? Well, sure, it's better than nothing, but it's far from complete. Understand that air moves across a car from all sides but, for simplicity's sake, we'll just focus on the top and the underside. The front splitter helps guide the air toward one of these paths. The air flowing across the top moves at a higher rate of speed and at a lower pressure when compared to the air flowing underneath. One of the undertray's obvious benefits is that it diverts air that could potentially cause drag away from the chassis. The less obvious benefit is that it guides high-pressure air out from underneath the car, through the back. This stops the high-pressure air from dwelling underneath, in turn, allowing for the downforce created by the rear wing and front lip to be far more effective. The difficult part is manufacturing something that's flat enough to channel all of this air out. The system requires panels that extend from the car's front to its rear, which is what Password:JDM did. The Password:JDM S2000 undertray is something of a masterpiece and, although Ferrari owners would never admit as much, it's enough to make even some of them green with envy.
The Solution And Why It's A Good OneRight about now you might be assuming that the Password:JDM undertray is just another JDM knockoff. If you are, then you're wrong. Password:JDM's system is an original design-besides, we just told you there's yet to be a complete front-to-rear S2000 undertray solution, so pay attention. A simple, single undertray could have been developed, but instead key factors were stressed during the design process-we know since we grilled Steve with as many questions as we could. The first key factor: It has to be a direct bolt in. A combination of water jet CNC brackets and threaded inserts are part of what makes this a reality. Of course, all of the hardware necessary is included, which makes mid-install hardware store runs a thing of the past. Even the washers are Password:JDM special issue; you know, those neat-looking, anodized fender washers you want to cover your engine bay with. The kit is even designed around the stock exhaust system and will fit with most any aftermarket one around.
 Password's kit mounts to the...  Password's kit mounts to the body with rubber inserts that allow for the carbon to break away in the event of an accident or hang up. These plastic inserts are first pressed into existing holes in the chassis. |  Start from the back and mount...  Start from the back and mount the rear panel first using the supplied Password:JDM fender washers. Yep, Password's fancy fender washers are included with the kit. |  The rear diffuser was engineered...  The rear diffuser was engineered to clear just about any exhaust out there including both the OEM and the Amuse system shown here. |
 The entire kit mounts to the...  The entire kit mounts to the chassis using rubber adapters except for this fastener here, which secures the middle of the center section in place. |  Align the center tray and...  Align the center tray and fasten it in place. |  Password's undertray was engineered...  Password's undertray was engineered around a stock S2000 chassis. As such, slight modifications were made to adapt it around the Cusco under bracing. Carbon fiber can be shaved and trimmed similarly to fiberglass, so adaptations like these are easy. |