[lanakano]

Thanks for the comments. I was thinking that this post looked like an advertisement too. In reality it kinda is because I feel so indebted to Yasu and Dan for helping to make this reality. This was the 1st NA Fit to have the JDM LSD installed. Many weren't sure if it would work. Yasu contacted many Honda Specialists and Honda Trans Shops throughout Southern California including the big guys out in Fontana and none of them were willing to put the LSD in at a reasonable price (even though they sold his porducts). At that time the LSD and Carbon Clutch idea for my Fit didn't look like it would happen. So after the holidays I called a friend, RC Engineering, they suggested DAN's SHOP. From there everything fell into place. I found out that Dan and his son Chris campaigned a CRX in the all motor division and did very well.

I took the car in at 8am and drove back home at 4pm with the LSD and carbon clutch in place. Dan's guys are very efficient and do things by the book. Before they started Dan had them read all of the instructions that Yasu sent with the carbon LSD and carbon clutch. Dan also had them read the Honda FIT Service manual for trans removal/install. When they istalled everything they would refer back to the instructions and manual to set torque specs. These guys are top notch mechanics.

I did say that this LSD was life changing. Back in the 1987 I bought a 1st gen Integra and had Russ Collins blue print the engine with Mugen cams/pistons/rods/crank. I had the car dynoed from Redline at 228hp at the wheels. FYI there was another Integra (Red) same year that had a turbo system that Oscar from the Huntington Beach area built. Funny thing is I met that car in Pasadena were we both went to school. (Hey Oscar if your reading this thread I'm the kid that had the BLACK 86/87 normally aspirated Mugen Integra - I know that your interested in an LSD for your FIT too. If possible stay away from all others and get this one. The transfer of power is much better with this carbon LSD than with metal ones). The car was great but it didn't handle like I wanted it to. I was confused and couldn't adjust my driving style to suit FF cars. Rather than learn FF driving techniques I drove my FR 16v (AE86) Corolla and have not bought any FF cars since then.

I now have two babies at home, a 50 mile round trip commute into downtown Los Angeles, and gas prices were over $3 so I needed a commuter car but the commuter car needed to be fun. I bought the FIT. After 20 years of not driving FF cars my dislike for them crept back in me when I drove the FIT. My problem, as you probably figured out already, is that I'm used of oversteer and getting more and more forward grip after the apex of corner when I apply the throttle. With an OEM FIT this isn't going to happen no matter what one does.

With the addition of this LSD I finally can get the wheels to tuck into the corner. In addition, I've had the LSD locked and got pulled around a corner. This pulling around and the ability to adjust your line after the apex of a corner, through throttle modulation and steering, was life changing for me. I've never been able to do this with an FR car. In addition, I've owned 4wd Subies and the above feeling is different. For me and possibly for the majority of others, the lsd builds confidence and a wider margin of error. That's why I said the lsd should be original equipment on all FITs and that it was life changing.

Please note that I have a manual, sport Fit. In the past LSDs have been limited to manual transmissions. However, as mentioned in my initial post above, through the use of carbon v. metal disks you Automatic Trans owners can also enjoy the benefits of an LSD now too.

I wish I can tell you how much I paid for the Carbon LSD, Carbon Clutch and istallation. However, it would be unfair of me to say becuase my car was used as a test platform so I got very close to cost prices. Furthermore, I don't work for Yasu or Dan (never met them untill this project) and I don't sell these parts or any car parts what so ever. After all was said and done - this was not expensive for me. However, the benefits I enjoy from are well worth their weight in gold.

I know of several fitfreak members who are seriously considering LSDs. In your decision pay great attention to how long the lsd is expected to work at its intial torques setting. Once it stops working you'll have to take it out of the trans to reset it. For me another consideration was noise.

The one drawback to the LSD is that your transmission fluid change intervals increase. This really isn't a problem for me becuase I do all of my maintenance. I'll probably change the trans fluid every time I change my oil.

As for those who are wondering what was shaved on the transmission bell housing when Ben (AJR) installed the same carbon fiber clutch that I did - it was the raised dome shaped area by the input shaft. 1-2mm of material need to be shaved from this area so that the clutch cover doesn't hit it.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

PS JamesBizzel and other so cal members, if all goes well I might be in the caravan to Eibach and would love to show you my car.