For this Honda S2000 build, we paired the F20 engine with a ZF 8HP70 from a Dodge Charger. The swap combines an eight-speed transmission with MaxxECU RACE control, a custom driveshaft and a Perfect Tuning sequential shifter, while keeping the interior looking like a factory manual car.
Here is what we used, where we had to make room, and the fitment photos from the installation.
Watch the S2000 8HP70 build
See the fitment work and the factory-looking interior with the Perfect Tuning sequential shifter in use.
Watch the Short on Perfect Tuning's YouTube channel.
The S2000 build at a glance
- Engine: Honda F22.
- Transmission: ZF 8HP70 from a Dodge Charger.
- Fitment: transmission tunnel modifications near the firewall and near the rear of the transmission, plus a lower bellhousing cut for the F20/F22 adapter installation.
- Mounting: Perfect Tuning transmission mount kit.
- Driveshaft: custom one-piece, 3.5-inch aluminium driveshaft.
- Control: MaxxECU RACE for both engine and transmission, with a wiring harness built for the swap and a drive-by-wire conversion.
- Interior: factory-looking manual-car layout, a working clutch pedal and a Perfect Tuning sequential shifter.
Making room in the transmission tunnel
The 8HP70 required modifications to the S2000 transmission tunnel in two areas: near the firewall and near the rear of the transmission. We test-fitted the transmission and marked the tight spots before making the clearance changes.
The photos below show the marked areas and the relationship between the adapter, transmission and tunnel. These are fitment references from this car; the final clearance must be checked with the engine, adapter and transmission in their installed positions.
Marking, cutting and modifying the tunnel
The tunnel after clearance work
With the clearance work completed, we coated the modified areas and checked the fit again.
The F20/F22-specific lower bellhousing cut
With the F20/F22 engine, a cut must be made in the bottom of the transmission bellhousing to provide the space needed to bolt the transmission adapter kit to the flexplate. This is a separate modification from the tunnel clearance work.
The marked lower opening and engine-side assembly below show the area involved. Confirm the cut with the instructions for the exact adapter kit being installed; the photo is a visual reference rather than a dimensioned cutting template.
Transmission mounting and final fitment
We used a Perfect Tuning transmission mount kit for this build. With the transmission supported in position, we checked clearance around the adapter, transmission casing and rear of the tunnel.
A custom one-piece 3.5-inch aluminium driveshaft
To connect the 8HP70 to the rear differential, we used a custom one-piece, 3.5-inch aluminium driveshaft. The driveshaft is part of the complete swap package, alongside the engine adapter and transmission mount.
For a similar build, establish the final engine and transmission positions before measuring the driveshaft, and confirm the connections at both the transmission and differential.
MaxxECU RACE, wiring and drive-by-wire
We used MaxxECU RACE to control both the F20/F22 engine and the 8HP70 transmission. We also built the wiring harness for the installation and completed a drive-by-wire (DBW) conversion.
The engine control, transmission control, throttle conversion and driver inputs were planned together as part of the build. For more background on this approach, read Controlling the 8HP with a MaxxECU.
Keeping the factory manual-car interior
Inside the S2000, we kept the factory-looking manual-car interior, including a working clutch pedal. A Perfect Tuning sequential shifter provides the shift interface.
The result preserves the familiar appearance of the S2000 cabin while bringing the eight-speed transmission into the build.
Planning your own Honda S2000 8HP swap
The key fitment work on this F20/F22/Dodge 8HP70 combination was the tunnel clearance near the firewall and transmission tail, plus the lower bellhousing cut for adapter-to-flexplate access. The mount, custom driveshaft, wiring, DBW conversion and shifter complete the package.
Use our ZF 8HP swap checklist to plan the rest of the installation. For a parts plan for your S2000, open the swap kit builder and enter your chassis, F20/F22 engine, donor transmission and intended use.