Subtrac

The S2000 is one of my favorites. I actually owned one. Driving dynamics, design, power-to-weight — it's just a fun, well-balanced car. And who doesn't love the VTEC sound at 9k rpm?

I've seen a lot of these built. The Evasive S2k R. The Ralf V10 Viper-powered S2k. The Elusive Performance K24 swap. So many others. If I had all the funds in the world, how would I build mine?

Track beast. That's the only answer. The F20 lacks torque, so that's gone — in goes a K20C1 out of an FL5 Type R. I drive one, so I know how badass that swap would be. Already turbocharged. The power-to-weight would absolutely kill.

Widest wheels and tires I can fit, for the corners. I widen the rear fenders but keep the coverage minimal — just enough. Front end gets stripped down almost to nothing, open-wheel style, Ariel Atom inspired. Top comes off completely. No need for it. Windshield chopped in half. Mirrors gone. Wipers gone. Door handles gone — step over the side instead, like they say James Dean used to with his 550 Spyder. Hood gets vented for cooling. Cuts on the sides to feed the brakes.

That's what I came up with. Painted it dark gray, like a shark. I'd seen AO Racing's Bushi Rex — a samurai-themed Porsche 911 GT3 R — and fell in love with it. That's where the mouth on the front came from.

The name's Subtrac. From subtract — minus the T. Feels right for a car built by taking things away instead of bolting them on.

Is it real? Nope. Just imagined it. One-of-a-kind concept, based on mods I know are possible. Maybe somebody sees this one day and says “dude, let me build that.” Unlikely. But it's fun to dream about.

Words and images by: Axiom Otto