Thomas Wu - 2002 Honda S2000
Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Sammy Zhao (@samxz_photo)
Thomas Wu’s 2002 Honda S2000 started life in his hands as a former 10-second drag car, but its second act took the build in a more versatile direction. With a fortified F20C, Precision 6466 turbo, 692 whp, Nissan 300ZX rear differential, OZ Racing Ultraleggera wheels, StopTech brakes, and functional aero, Wu’s S2000 has been reworked for both street duty and serious track use.
Thomas Wu didn’t buy his S2000 looking for an easy starting point. What he found instead was a bare-bones 2002 Honda S2000 that had already lived a hard life as a 10-second drag car — stripped, focused, and built for one job: going straight as quickly as possible. The shell had potential, but everything else needed direction.
“I always wanted to build a powerful and fun JDM car,” Wu says. That goal never changed — but how the car achieved it did. Rather than continue down the drag-only path, Wu set out to rework the S2000 into something far more versatile: a car capable of street duty and serious track time. Alongside his mechanic and a close group of friends, he tore the car down and rebuilt it piece by piece, correcting its course entirely.
At the heart of the build is a heavily fortified F20C. The block is O-ring sleeved and filled with Wiseco 10.5:1 pistons and Carrillo rods, topped with a 4Piston cylinder head. A big-frame Precision 6466 turbo sits on a tubular manifold, feeding air through a FullBlown intercooler. Fueling is handled by a Radium surge tank, 1650cc injectors, and dual Walbro pumps, while AEM’s Infinity ECU and supporting sensors manage everything with modern precision. The result is 692 whp and 414 lb-ft — enough to remind you of the car’s drag roots, even as it now thrives beyond straight lines.
That power feeds through a carbon-fiber driveshaft into a Nissan 300ZX rear differential, a combination chosen specifically to survive repeated abuse. A custom three-inch exhaust exits cleanly, keeping things purposeful rather than flashy.
To make the most of the power, the chassis received equal attention. HSD coilovers form the foundation, supplemented by Cusco strut bars, chassis bracing, and additional billet reinforcement. StopTech ST40 brakes handle front-end stopping duties, while OZ Racing Ultraleggera wheels wrapped in Yokohama AD08Rs keep the car planted through corners.
Visually, the S2000 wears functional aero without excess. A Voltex-style front bumper, Monster fenders and skirts, VIS hood, Asuka trunk, and Type-5–style rear wing establish intent, while a Mugen-style hardtop and chassis-mounted splitter complete the package. Inside, Bride Gias seats, six-point harnesses, and a Cusco four-point cage make the cabin track-focused without tipping into full race car territory. An AEM CD5 digital dash and Greddy Sirius gauges deliver critical data front and center.
Wu’s S2000 isn’t about nostalgia or chasing trends. It’s about evolution — taking a car built for one extreme and reshaping it into something far more capable. From quarter miles to corners, this build proves that sometimes the smartest move forward starts with a course correction.
Originally featured in PASMAG Issue #184
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ESSENTIALS
VEHICLE:
2002 Honda S2000
OWNER:
Thomas Wu
LOCATION:
Brampton, ON, Canada
HORSEPOWER:
692 whp
CLUB:
DME, GroupN
SOCIAL:
IG: @slowspools2
ENGINE:
O-ring sleeved block + Wiseco pistons with 10.5:1 compression + Carrillo connecting rods + 4Piston cylinder head + Tubular turbo manifold + Precision 6466 turbocharger + TiAL wastegate + FullBlown intercooler + Custom catch can system + Battery relocation + 1650cc fuel injectors + Radium Engineering surge tank + Walbro 255 and 450 fuel pumps + AEM Infinity ECU, fuel pressure sensor, oil pressure sensor, and smart coils + Adjustable fuel pressure regulator + Flex fuel kit
EXHAUST:
Custom 3-inch exhaust system
DRIVETRAIN:
Nissan 300ZX rear differential + Driveshaft Shop carbon-fiber driveshaft
WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
OZ Racing Ultraleggera wheels – 18x8.5 +45 + Yokohama Advan Neova AD08R tires – 225/40/18 front / 255/40/18 rear + StopTech ST40 front brake kit
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
HSD coilovers + Cusco front strut bars, chassis bracing, and rear strut tower brace + Additional billet chassis bracing
EXTERIOR:
Voltex-style front bumper + Monster front fenders and side skirts + VIS Racing hood + Asuka trunk lid + Voltex Type-5–style rear wing + Mugen-style hardtop + Chassis-mounted front splitter
INTERIOR:
Cusco 4-point roll cage + Bride Gias bucket seats + Six-point racing harnesses + Mugen steering wheel + NRG quick release + Works Bell steering hub + Greddy Sirius gauges + AEM CD5 digital dash
PHOTO CREDIT:
Photography by Sammy Zhao — @samxz_photo
