Which of these used cars would u buy? Super Stalker/ Ultralite S2k

[WestTexasS2K]

That's about what I would expect from two good drivers that know the track both cars should be very close.

[powderbrake]

That almost makes me want to pull that big square fuel cell out of the center of my trunk and fab a tank like that one. Did you find a way to foam the inside? That is really a great way of expanding the cars use from just shorter jaunts to actually travelling without everything strapped to the roll bar. Nice job!

 

The tank is full of foam, via the filler. I used some sticks to ram it to the corners. It has a center pickup, so at 1/4 to 1/8 tank full, you can't run flat out on a banked oval.( guess how I know)

 

The front of the tank rests on the diff, padded by rubber between a V shaped piece of aluminum and the tank, and also is pushed against the back of the passenger compartment. The rear rests on the crossmember over the diff.

Brian had these custom made on the earlier Ultralites, and perhaps he has one, or can source it for you. Should you use one like this, it would be better to have a lower pocket for the pick up to insure fuel flow, BUT it may not slide into the car between the roll bar and the upper tube of the body. Without the fuel pocket, I just always keep more than 1/4 tank full on the track.

[jimrankin]

That tank really does clean up the back end of the car. Have you thought about sitting the pick-up in a short "well" with small 'inlet" holes in it, mounted at the center of the tank with the fuel return line directed into it? I know that it is what a lot of the fuel cells are modified with for injected motors. Well holds enough fuel to feed through a corner and holes are sized to allow fuel in but build up when not running flat out. I'm sure someone here knows what it takes as Ive just seen it, not gone through how they engineered the well and inlet/outlet opening size.

[Bster13]

Ok, so I'm convinced on the race track, it's a wash...comes down to the driver, tires and setup. Both cars work well in that environment.

 

My questions now turns to touring...

 

MPG and Tank Range. These cars had the engines that are in the two 7s I am considering, or very similar. I know stuffing that engine in a 7 makes a completely different ballgame, but hey it's something:

 

2002 Pontiac GXP (auto)

City / HW. / Avg.

16 mpg / 25 mpg / 19 mpg

 

2007 Honda S2000 (manual)

18 mpg / 24 mpg / 20 mpg

 

The Stalker has a 10 gallon tank I believe, and the owner of the S2k says the same.

 

Which has a better tank range in your opinion?

(Stalker has 3.42 gears, S2k has 4.44)

 

Weather protection. It looks like I'm on my own for both cars, I can accept that.

 

Highway/Crusing backroads. From what I read, the stalker will seemingly "idle" along at low RPMs when cruising. Speaking to another S2k owner, the S2k would be at 4k RPM from his best guess (he AutoXs the car mostly) and he has 4.08 gears as opposed to 4.44 like the S2k for sale. I would think the Stalker would be more liveable in this case while touring.

 

Luggage. Powderbrake, great pics, thanks for taking the time to post them. That certainly is bigger that the trunk space available in the stalker I visited in person last Saturday. Here is the pic of the rear trunk on the S2k for sale:

 

http://crashton.smugmug.com/Cars/Desktop/CRA9578/782235600_5gEjc-L.jpg

 

@Powderbrake. I'm not sure if that looks like the same tank and resultablt trunk space as your car, but if it is, than there is a discrepancy as the current owner is telling me he thinks he has 10gallon tank, and you state your tank in 13 gallons. That would certainly make a big difference in tank range. But advantage S2k in trunk space none the less.

[Mondo]

I don't know much about the mileage, but regardless, you'll need earplugs going down the freeway no matter which car you choose due to the wind noise... plus with the exhaust only on the right side of the S2K, you only have worry about the passenger burning their leg;)

 

I have the weather kit for the S2K that Brian had built for me. Never put it on, except the windshield which I like (kit needs final assembly by upholster). I'm planning on more rollbar protection and would be willing to part with it should you go the S2K route.

 

 

 

I put one of these in my fuel tank... haven't had a chance to get back on the track yet.

 

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/category/Fuel_Safe_Surge_Tank_Collector

[powderbrake]

Mondo: The surge tank looks like a great idea, but I would have to cut open the tank to get it in. I am semi retired from track day events, so I will live with the 1/4 tank rule.

 

Bster13: I was told it's a 13 gallon tank, I'm not positive. I generally run about 200 to 220 miles, and my gauge shows 1/4 Full, but it's not calibrated well, and I usually put in about 8-9 gallons, which is around 25 mpg with a combination of cruising and "spirited" driving. I have never seen less than 20mpg with extensive "spirited" driving. Track use is another thing entirely, and can be as low as 8-12 mpg. I also have a 4.44 axle, and it runs around 4000 rpm at 70 mph. ( only 2/3 of the way to the Vtec point, and only 44% of full RPM)

 

The tank in the picture looks wider at the top than my tank, and it is a later model ( I can tell by the low exit of the header pipes). It likely has an internal fuel pump, mine is an external pump setup. Internal is better. I would not have a problem with a 10 gallon tank in my car, as 200 miles is a pretty good jaunt in a seven.

 

Notice in the picture, you will have to lift the tank straight up, then slide it out to the side, under the roll bar supports. Another good reason to have it empty when trying to remove it.

Edited June 9, 2010 by powderbrake

[Bster13]

@Powderbrake. Hrmm tough to know how big that tank is then. Looks like your tank is at least 10 gallons, all depends on how many gallons you can burn up b4 you start sputtering with the fuel pickup. If you're out cruising the highway (pls. specify whether u have helmet/earplugs or not), will 4k RPMs get to you over time?

[snookwheel]

I have a couple wind wings hooked to my Stalker windshield that does help with the highway wind. It really is no worse than it was in our Solstice with the top down. The wings also help with the pebbles that wide race tires tend to chuck at your head!

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/snookwheel/DSC00328.jpg

 

I'm not sure what my rear end gearing is, but I'm around 70 mph at 3000 rpm. Which also means I am smack into the middle of a huge torque band in case I decide to pass/play/whatever.....!

 

Scott

Edited June 9, 2010 by snookwheel

[rnr]

Mondo: The surge tank looks like a great idea, but I would have to cut open the tank to get it in.

You could do the external surge tank that Tom Tweed created on his/my car (http://members.rennlist.com/tweedt/S2K.htm). I have had zero fuel starvation problems at track or autocross even though I am usually well under half a tank when I come off the track.

 

 

@Powderbrake. Hrmm tough to know how big that tank is then. Looks like your tank is at least 10 gallons, all depends on how many gallons you can burn up b4 you start sputtering with the fuel pickup. If you're out cruising the highway (pls. specify whether u have helmet/earplugs or not), will 4k RPMs get to you over time?

 

Rather than asking us you should check the tank capacity on the car you are looking at. Each Ultralite has its own quirks and mine for example has a ~8 gallon tank. With the external surge I have run it down to less than half gallon left on the street with no spluttering. I have also driven 4 hours straight on the highway (70mph 4k rpm) with a helmet and earplugs without hearing issues.

[jimrankin]

I just fitted two taller windscreens to my s2k as I was getting blasted a bit more than I wanted. Raised them about 2" and brought the "Curve" in a bit later to stay as wide as possible. Keeps the wind down quite a bit more (now off my forehead, I'm about 5'11"+) for such a little add in height. Not as good as a windshield by any means and you do get the side buffet, but not really any worse than a windshield without added deflectors. I have driven it in fairly heavy rain and I got wet but not by directly being hit and didn't slow me down. If your looking for fun and comfort, wrong cars, go buy the MINI in the photo next to the S2K, but if your looking for FUN, both 7's work.

BTW, I don't feel like the S2K is any more wound out at cruise (4:44 gears) than my MINI Cooper S or the V8 Camaro (with 3:73's). Just so much RPM left at 4000 that it's just getting started.

If the attachmet worked the lower line on the paper is the old windscreen size, the next one up was my first layout for taller and then the actual cut and final size is what you see.

[WestTexasS2K]

4.44 gears will get you about 25 mpg. 4.10 you get about 27mpg 3.90 you get about 30. You get the most out of the car on the track with4.44.

 

You can run 15" race slicks with 4.10 and final drive is close to 4.44 w 17" wheels.

[powderbrake]

@Powderbrake. Hrmm tough to know how big that tank is then. Looks like your tank is at least 10 gallons, all depends on how many gallons you can burn up b4 you start sputtering with the fuel pickup. If you're out cruising the highway (pls. specify whether u have helmet/earplugs or not), will 4k RPMs get to you over time?

 

It has never sputtered, only one time on the big oval at Run N Gun, it just ran out of fuel when I had been hot lapping with less than 1/4 tank. I have never had it sputter or run out on the street when driven at least 220 miles. It really is not a problem on either car. If you can go 200+ miles in a seven without a restroom stop or a drink stop, you must have a huge bladder.

 

On the highway.:

1) I typically wear Scott motocross "over the glasses" goggles.That is to a) protect from flying rocks, and b) keep dust out of the eyes, and c) keep wind buffeting out of the eyes.

2) I typically wear a)no cap, just sunscreen on the bald spot, or b) a do-rag cap to keep the sun off the bald spot, or c)a baseball cap which has an under chin stap with velcro closure made by my wife, or in the winter, d) a leather "snoopy style" aviators cap which keeps the ears warm.

3) I don't wear a helmet unless on the track, I haven't driven it in the rain , but a helmet might be good there.

 

4) I don't wear earplugs, I do wear an earphone in my left ear which is connected to the audio on my V1 radar detector.

 

5) 4000 rpm in an S2k does not get to me over time, remember there is a lot of wind noise, tire noise, exhaust noise and noise from other cars, and the engine noise is inconsequential. Besides 200 miles of continuous Interstate highway is excessively boring..... change your route. Besides, the twisties give you a chance to rev it through the gears, and it makes a sweeeeeet sound between 6000 and 9000 rpm.

 

NOTE: I have replaced my windscreens with the 2" higher ones like Jim Rankin has, and it makes a big difference in cutting down buffeting. What I should do is take the 1" riser out from under the driver's seat, and it will reduce it more, but nowadays I never work on the car , I just gas it and drive it.

 

You really need to ride in each of these cars to answer these questions for yourself. I don't know where you are located, as there is no city your profile, but I'm in St.Louis, and you are welcome to see and drive my car.

Edited June 10, 2010 by powderbrake

[Boxologist]

...

You really need to ride in each of these cars to answer these questions for yourself....

 

This is the best advice u have recieved in the thread for your current point in the decision making process. I could remember where teh map with all the owners was i would gladly link that.

[Bster13]

Thank you for the details powderbrake.

 

Sorry about that I've updated my profile. I am in Norwalk, CT and willing to drive a few hours in any direction for a ride. Heck, I'll even pick up lunch! I posted on the WCM Yahoo group (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ultralite_USA/) looking for a ride as well, but no luck yet.

 

Unfortunately there are no super stalkers around me either. Just one stalker that runs, but is not currently insured/registered, but I did get to sit in it and hear it run.

[Boxologist]

there is a club drive in NJ this saturday ur welcome to join us. Please check the thread in the NorthEast region forum. Don't worry about having a non se7en, or even tagging along as a passenger. I did that for both drives last year as my car was being a basketcase.

[Bster13]

I have an EVO IX, I'd love to see how it compares by following at the back of the pack, but most likely I'd enjoy being a passenger more and getting as much time in a seven as possible. I appreciate the invitation. I'll check out the thread.

[Bster13]

Grrrr... I forgot I'm booked this wknd. I'll keep an eye out in that forum though, thx.

[Mondo]

Guess someone snatched up the S2K while you were deciding... sounds like he had several interested at that price.

 

You definately need to get a ride in some 7s so you know what you want. Then it's just a matter of waiting for the car, which can be a while.

[S1Steve]

That S2K is a nice example of big fun at a very fair price.

Good Luck to the new owner !!!!

[Bster13]

I will be at the drive on the 19th!