Honda S2000 bucket seat guide
1999 to 2009, AP1 and AP2
The AP1 ran to 2003 and revved to 9,000rpm with the 2.0-litre F20C. It is also the one that bites: early cars have a reputation for snap oversteer, and Honda revised the suspension in response. The later AP2, from 2004, dropped the rev limit slightly with a 2.2-litre engine while making the car considerably easier to drive quickly. Confirm which chassis you have before ordering a sub-frame; the parts are not interchangeable.
The roof is low on this car, and most have a roll bar behind the driver. Getting under both with a helmet on is the real constraint on seat height, more than on most cars in this range.
- The AP1 (1999-2003) and AP2 (2004-2009) need different sub-frames. M2, Planted and PCI Racing all confirm both chassis explicitly; check which you have before ordering
- PCI Racing make their sub-frame in narrow and wide versions. Which you need depends on the seat you are fitting, not the car; tell us the seat and we will confirm the mount
- PCI's adjustable mount gives the lowest possible seat position, solving the low roof and roll bar clearance problem, but gives up the sliding fore-aft adjustment in exchange
- The AP1 has a reputation for snap oversteer; the AP2 is more forgiving thanks to a suspension revision
- Harnesses above 3-point need a roll cage or a properly engineered harness bar
Mounting
The M2 Motorsport sub-frames are chassis-specific: AP1 (16663) and AP2 (19171), both £138.50, side-mount designs made to fit most side-mounted seats. The Planted Technology brackets are also chassis-specific: AP1 (18048, part SB046) and AP2 (18049, part SB107, confirmed 2007-2009), both £185.50.
PCI Racing offer a different approach: a sliding sub-frame that covers both AP1 and AP2, 1999 to 2010, in narrow (178047) or wide (19534) versions, both £275. Which you need depends on the seat, not the car. A narrow competition bucket sits properly on the narrow mount; a broader shell needs the wide version to sit square. Tell us the seat you are fitting and we will confirm which to order.
PCI’s adjustable seat mount (190196) at £210 is the lowest option in their range, solving the low roof and roll bar clearance problem this car has. You give up the sliding fore-aft adjustment in exchange; the seat is set at installation rather than moving on rails.
-
From £166.20 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £166.20 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £222.60 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £222.60 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £330.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £330.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £252.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Competition bucket seats
Most seats here carry FIA 8855-1999 approval. The Sparco Sprint at £210 and OMP TRS-E Velour at £199.50 are the accessible dual-mount starting points. The Cobra Monaco Pro at £235 is the steel-shelled alternative.
The OMP Champ-R at £318 is a lighter fibreglass option. The Sparco Rev QRT at £345 and QRT-R at £544 sit at the upper end. The Recaro Pole Position at £829.50 and Pole Position with ABE at £866.25 are premium options for an S2000 being built properly for competition.
-
From £252.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £239.40 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £282.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £995.40 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £1,039.50 Incl. VATPayPal CreditTop 10 productKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
💬
Competition seats for the S2000Which bucket seat for a Honda S2000
For a track day car, the OMP TRS-E Velour at £199.50 is the practical FIA-rated starting point. If the car sees contact, the Cobra Monaco Pro at £235 trades some weight for a steel shell. For an S2000 built properly for circuit work, the Sparco QRT-R at £544 or the Recaro Pole Position at £829.50 give strong support through fast corners. Talk to us with the seat dimensions and confirm whether you need the narrow or wide mount before ordering.
Roll cages
Custom Cages list two options: the Multipoint CDS Roll Cage (18924) at £1422.64 and the Multipoint T45 Roll Cage (18925) at £1919.58 for a car being built properly for competition.
💬
Roll cage tier for the S2000Which roll cage for a Honda S2000
The Custom Cages Multipoint CDS kit at £1422.64 is the more accessible of the two, a proper multipoint cage without the weight of a full T45 build. The Multipoint T45 kit at £1919.58 is the step up for a car being campaigned seriously, with the added strength T45 tube gives over CDS at a corresponding weight and cost increase.
Harnesses
Harnesses need a roll cage or harness barA 4-point, 5-point or 6-point harness with separate shoulder straps needs proper attachment points above and behind the seat. Fit a roll cage or a properly engineered harness bar before using anything above a 3-point belt.
The TRS Clubman 3-point bolt-in at £80 and 4-point clip-in at £100 both use the standard seat belt anchor points and do not need a cage. For 4-point competition use, the TRS Magnum 4-point FIA at £205 and the Takata Drift II at £229 are the step up.
For 6-point harnesses, the cage goes in first. The TRS Magnum 6-point Superlite FIA at £245, the Takata Drift III at £270, and the Schroth Profi 3×2 at £370 all suit a caged S2000 going to competition or serious track days.
-
From £96.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditAmazing valueSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £120.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditAmazing valueSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £246.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditAmazing valueSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £274.80 Incl. VATPayPal CreditSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £294.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditAmazing valueSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £324.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £444.01 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
What fits
Approval for every seat in this guide.
| Seat | Mounting | Approval | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparco Sprint FIA | Base mount and side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Dual mount. |
| OMP TRS-E Velour FIA | Base mount and side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Dual mount. |
| Cobra Monaco Pro FIA | Base mount and side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Steel shell. Dual mount. |
| OMP Champ-R FIA | Side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | HANS compatible. |
| Sparco Rev QRT FIA | Side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | |
| Sparco QRT-R FIA | Side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | |
| Recaro Pole Position FIA | Side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | GRP shell. |
| Recaro Pole Position with ABE | Side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | ABE certified. |
Common questions
Do I need to know if my car is AP1 or AP2?
Yes. The M2 and Planted sub-frames are chassis-specific, and the parts are not interchangeable. The PCI Racing option is the exception, covering both from 1999 to 2010.
Should I choose the narrow or wide PCI mount?
It depends on the seat, not the car. A narrow competition shell needs the narrow mount to sit properly; a broader shell needs the wide version. Tell us the seat you are fitting and we will confirm which to order.
Why would I choose the adjustable mount over a sliding one?
It gives the lowest possible seat position, which matters on this car given the low roof and the roll bar most examples have behind the driver. The trade-off is that the seat is fixed at installation rather than sliding on rails.
Is the AP1 really more difficult to drive than the AP2?
Early AP1s have a reputation for snap oversteer, and Honda revised the suspension in response for later cars and the AP2. The AP2 also dropped the rev limit slightly with a larger 2.2-litre engine, trading a little of the AP1’s top-end drama for a car that is easier to drive quickly.
Can I run a 6-point harness without a roll cage?
No. A 6-point harness needs anchor points above and behind the seat for the shoulder straps. Fit a roll cage or a properly engineered harness bar first. A 3-point bolt-in harness uses the standard seat belt anchor points and does not need a cage.
More help
Confirm your chassis, AP1 or AP2, and the seat you are fitting before ordering a sub-frame. Cameron works through the seat, frame and car combination together.
Need a personal recommendation?
We're here to ensure you pick the right seat.
Contact us today.
Have a walk around our showroom before you even buy your new seats.
What's the best FIA bucket seat for a Honda S2000?
For a track day S2000, the OMP TRS-E Velour at £199.50 is the practical FIA-rated starting point, with the Cobra Monaco Pro at £235 as a steel shell alternative if you’re worried about knocks. If the car’s built properly for circuit work, step up to the Sparco QRT-R at £544 or the Recaro Pole Position at £829.50, both give strong support through fast corners.
One thing to check before you order: S2000 mounting hardware differs between the AP1 (1999 to 2003) and AP2 (2004 to 2009) cars, the parts aren’t interchangeable, so tell us which one you’ve got.