In the last installment of project yellow jacket we highlighted the installation of a new cooling system along with a vented hood and a few kevlar heat shields to keep the under hood temps down. This month I'm finally getting a few bolt-on performance parts to uncork the factory exhaust system. It's no secret that the F20 and F22 motors don't generally see big improvements from exhaust upgrades. In fact, it's not uncommon to see absolutely no gain from a cat-back install. However, making naturally aspirated power is a puzzle that requires more than just a few pieces to complete. As future mods make their way to the AP1, the supporting exhaust system is a crucial part of power development. I also got my hands on a new intake system, a slightly used header, a high flow cat, and the ultimate must-have for S2000 owners, a hard top.
With the factory air box and...
With the factory air box and front bumper removed, the main "bath" is placed into position, utilizing the factory mount points.
As with any Honda, intake systems are offered in all shapes and sizes. The great thing about the S2000 engine bay is that you can pull fresh air right from the front grill opening without having to run an extremely long intake tube to the throttle body. Once the factory air box is out of the way, there's plenty of room to place a filter in the huge gap between the motor and the core support. I chose Password:JDM's carbon kevlar intake system. It utilizes a K&N cone filter placed in a kevlar "air bath" with a lid to keep out under-hood heat, and a kevlar snorkel that runs from the grill opening to the air filter, bringing in fresh air. As with any Password:JDM carbon kevlar product, it weighs next to nothing. The construction, though feather-light, is very solid. Installation will take a little longer than most intakes due to the multiple pieces that interconnect with one another. Every screw, hose, and washer that you'll need for the installation is included, as well as detailed instructions. Although I did this at home on my own, I would recommend having a second set of hands to help complete the install.
The snorkel snakes just above...
The snorkel snakes just above the radiator and core support, with the bottom half flaring into a massive inlet that sits just behind the bumper grill.
The intake took a while to install on my own, but it was well worth it. The fit and finish was very impressive for such a complex piece, and I didn't need to cut or trim anything for a proper fit. A jump in midrange power could be felt immediately and the sound was noticeably deeper as a result. Popping the hood reveals Password:JDM kevlar parts everywhere, but the intake is definitely the center of attention.
 |  The main portion of the intake...  The main portion of the intake and the supplied K&N air filter are fitted to the throttle body, then swiveled position. |  The lid, along with the rest...  The lid, along with the rest of the screws are laced with loctite (also supplied by Password) and tightened down securely. |