The quality of its body kits far surpasses anything from the many who attempt to copy it. Body kit manufacturers often use the original C-West kits as templates for their usually inferior versions. Cheap knockoffs rule the tuning industry, which is one of the reasons why C-West is parading its S2000 as evidence of superior work. By simply looking at the handiwork of this particular C-West creation, where the lines are seamless and it appears to have been made perfectly for the S2000, one would be hard-pressed not to buy the original. C-West used various types of carbon fiber to make the chassis of the S2000, composites that only experts of carbon fiber weaving would know: polyester carbon, press polyester carbon, carbon honeycomb, and dry carbon. Though we may not notice it off the bat, these composites are what comprise the S2000 seen on these pages. Each and every aerodynamic part is produced by C-West, and created to functionally reduce drag and essentially kick the competition's asses. Aside from the clearing of air, it also lightens the car significantly. For example, a factory hood from Honda weighs approximately 14.8 lbs., while C-West's Dry Carbon Honeycomb hood weighs in at an Atkins-diet 4.6 lbs.
C-West also sells this kit as a special order, but its Web site won't publish the cost. It would be an insult to these custom aero-parts if these prices were shown freely. However, for the sake of interest and embarrassing anyone who actually thought of calling C-West to buy one, one door costs over $4,000.
Of course, that price is definitely worth it if you're trying to secure a place in Time Attack history. But there's more to this Time Attack madness. Next to aerodynamics, the suspension, wheels, and tires are the most important components. So C-West made sure it used equally superior products to match its body kit. The rolling duty was given to the folks at Advan, providing both wheels and tires to C-West. The shiny gold is courtesy of the Advan RGII, running 17x9 in the front and 17x9.5 in the back. Gummy Advan A048 tires, sticky enough to grip to any track in the world, wrap up all four wheels. Tein dampers and springs control the movement of the S2000, helping the Mugen rollcage make the ride as stiff as possible. When it's all said and done, a set of Endless brakes stop the carbon fiber from hitting any guardrails and complete the prominence of the S2000.
Though the original race engine can't be seen in these pictures because it was replaced with a standard S2000 motor to easily start and move the vehicle for photography purposes, this C-West innovation undoubtedly fades everyone to black. It's functional, fast, and goddamned sexy.
The Breakdown
Everyone is interested in dieting because, let's face it, America is one big glob of blubbery fat. So let's take a look at how much some of these carbon fiber parts really weigh:
C-West GT Carbon Mirror: 200 grams (street talk for some good sh!t)
C-West GT Hood: 4.6 lbs.
C-West Super Trunk: 3.96 lbs.
C-West Side Chassis Stabilizer: 10.58 lbs.
C-West Door Panel: 8.59 lbs. Each
C-West Front Fender: 3.52 lbs.
C-West Rear Diffuser: 19.40 lbs.
And that's just to weigh a few. We could've listed the other parts but we're too lazy to convert from kilograms to pounds.
But the grand total weight loss is 675 lbs., making the C-West Honda S2000 weigh a waif-like 2,150 lbs.