Hi everyone,

I'm interested in doing some autox with my Fit. I want to keep the car fairly stock and probably just keep it in H-stock. But I wanted to change a few things around for looks/drivability as it's also my daily car. So I've got a few questions regarding allowable mods in H-stock:

I read in another thread that base fits must keep to 14" wheels and Sports must keep to 15" wheels. Now I can understand if we're talking about a base Civic and a Civic SI since they've got different engines and can be considered two different cars. but The Fit is essentially the same car, engine, etc whether its a base or a sport trim. Am I really stuck with 175/65/14 tires or can I go up to 195/55/15s and run some lighter 15" wheels I'd normally run on the street? (I'm not going to bring different wheels/tires to the events)

Also, on the same note, since the Fit Sport comes with the chin and roof spoilers, can chin and roof spoiler and not get bumped out oh H-stock? I was thinking of getting Carbon replica OE style chine spoiler and maybe a Spoon carbon roof spoiler to match.

I mean realistically, I'm not really in for the points race. I'm doing it for fun. So if I have to be bumped to street touring or street prepped, then so be it. But I'd just rather be running with similar cars to get a better feel of how I'm doing.

Thanks for your help.

 

http://scca.com/_FileLibrary/File/2007SoloRules.pdf

Here's the online rulebook for 2007. The Fit isn't listed in H Stock for some reason, but it's the class for the car after checking SCCA forums (not to mention that's the slowest class available). I think the Fit will have a heck of a time vs the Minis, but we'll see. I'm thinking about running H Stock for fun locally too.

First off, I doubt anyone will protest you for using wheels similar to the OEM Sport wheels. However, they must be the exact same size (15x6) with an offset +/- 5mm. That'll be hard to do most likely since our Sport wheels are 45mm. Even so...I doubt you'll get protested. If you're beating Mini ass then you might have to go to STS where you'll get whooped.

Some "stock" class mods worth mentioning (I'm not copying everything and I can't cut/paste from Adobe):

-Spare tire, jack and tools may be removed.
-Roll bars/cages may be added, but must be bolted in and not welded
-Driver restraints are allowed, but you cannot cut the seats for it to fit (check into Schroth and others). A harness bar can also be used as part of the installation hardware for allowed driver restraints (also good for a camera mount). These are great mods for racing BTW.
-Any item that cannot be held permanently in place by factory installed fasteners may be removed. I'm still trying to interpret this one.
-Basically you can use any tire. Even full out race tires (Hoosier, Kumho, etc).
-Brake "linings" (pads) may be changed (however no steel braided brake lines for us) Another great mod
-Aftermarket shocks/struts are allowed.
-Front swaybars may be substituted, added or removed.
-No aftermarket springs...factory cannot be altered.
-No changes to engine management are permitted.
-Engine air filter element may be removed or replaced. No other components of the air induction system may be removed, replaced or modified. That means you can't removed your air intake MUFFLER guys
-Cat back exhaust is allowed. Cats cannot be removed or replaced with test pipes, etc


Good luck! I'll probably post up my results here within the next couple months. My SE-R is still dead so I need something to race.

 

You can also replace the shocks! I don't know about any tire though, they have sepreate classes for race tires(anything R compound).

 

I ran my stock Integra for many years locally (that's Vancouver, j5ive).

It is correct that your base model could only run 14" rim. If you want to run 15" and stay on H-stock, you have to do the whole trim upgrade to sport. However, you could run any tires that fit your 14" rim. Competitive stock class cars are all on R-tires even locally.

If you want doing it for fun, you could talk to your class competitors and get their opinions. If they let you do it, then basically no body will care unless you're in a big event.

The alternative is to run STS where only street tire is allowed. This is a suitable class for you if you are running your street tires plus the coming spoilers. You could always compare your time to H-Stock drivers even you're running different class.

- Brian

 

Yeah I already mentioned shocks/struts. Trust me you can run R compounds.

 

Ah that's right. You have to change everything over. That's why I couldn't remove my rear spoiler on my STi and run AS. Even though the regular WRXs came wingless.

 

One thing that's been on my mind today is the lack of lightweight wheels in 15x6 with +/- 55mm offset to be H Stock legal. Can anyone help me out there?

 

I'm interested to know what does it mean to do the whole trim upgrade? Does it mean I just have to add all the aero package from the Sport in order to run 15" wheels? What about fog lights? Or even cruise control, stereo and two extra speakers? Keyless entry and alarm?

I mean, the factory sport aero kit isn't making ANY difference in soloII really. And if it's about the weight, according to my brochure, there's only a 16kg difference between the LX curb weight and the Sport. I'd be more than willing to keep my spare tire in for the weight penalty.

The Spoon carbon spoiler I can totally understand bumping me up since it's not the shape of the OEM spoiler (even though I don't think it'd make a difference), but you think the OE style carbon replica front lip would push me to STS too?

Anyways, Thanks to all for your insights. I really don't plan to do anything to my Fit for the next while anyway. The questions regarding the aero enhancements are just speculatory for the future. Heck, I'll probably just be running my car on the stock all-seasons 'til they wear out. Then I'd have a better excuse to explain why I need to buy new wheels/tires.

Like I said, I'm not in it for the points. I seriously doubt I'd be very competitive anyways. I had attend a few local autox events in the past with previous cars, and also been at track sessions with other car clubs. So I know where my skill level is, which is why I'm looking to improve. Plus I want the wife to try it out as well since she has learned to drive stick from my previous car and loves it now. So I just wanted to know where these mods would stand with other competitors. If it's going to cause trouble, then I won't bother trying to stay in Stock if I end up with the mods. I'm there to have fun, not cause trouble.

Brian, since you're local, which local clubs have you had experiences with? I'm trying to figure out which club I should join up with. Who has the better events, locations, layouts, competitors, etc? Your insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again all for your help.

 

If you stick with rule book strict, almost everything except maybe the stereo and keyless entry/alarm which should be cover under "comfort and convenience items''. Everything is arguable with weight saving (even it is weight adding). For local events, again it is very casual.

A rule is a rule. Even the small piece of plastic to cover the stereo counts. Even the carboard covers the spare tire counts (unless the carboard is a loss item, then under another rule you could take it out. And you can't do weight substitution since that change your car's weight distribution. Sorry.

From our old rule book, this is the wording: "Stock Class Section 13.2 allows accessories, gauges, indicators, lights and other appearance, comfort and convenience modifications which have no effect on performance and/or handling and do not materially reduce the weight of the car."

Now, does a front lip affects performance/handling, it is up to what your competitors think.

In your case, just go out and have some fun. Whatever class you end up landing on doesn't really matters. Regarding to local autox clubs, maybe we should go to the Vancouver forum instead.

- Brian

 

i was 6th in STS out of eleven...since my car is dropped i will stay in STS...however now with the wider rim and better tire i will run sunday it should make a big difference with my lap time...i am also putting the F/R strut tower brace from GTspec (not this event) for the one next month...i am doing it for fun, but i do want points though...its all about the driver too...a lowered Fit is not faster than a Mini S, but some guy could not beat my time in his

i am running Falken Hanabis w/ 205/50 Falken Azenis tires...they grip very well!!!

 

Paulo-- pics of that setup?

 

I still think the best setup for a Fit in H Stock will be a base car with adjustable shocks, 14" alloys, and 225/50R14 r-compounds. The base car has the same drivetrain and suspension, and the lack of Sport features saves weight. The trick would be finding replacement shocks and wheels of the right offset. I think the Fit could actually be competitive against the other H Stock rides if prepped to the max of the rules.

Mike

 

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...o-rubbing.html

check it out

 

Id go with this, just go out, enter in the novice/amature class and have fun, get to know the car better, then start talking to the other competors, about what you need to do to stay in H-stock but switch to the 15" rims and stuff.

 

Yeah, I saw that thread after I had posted that. Looks nice. Let us know how it works on course.

Mike

 

it worked very well on the course...i was real fast and beat the piss out some cones...i did not get a clean run so i was last even though my times were a just shy second from the first place car...i am stii getting used to my car and and i am pushing it to the limit...one part of the course i was bouncing off the rev limiter

 

I was under the impression that you are not allowed to change your tire size from factory in stock class. That's one of the main reasons why I wanted to run 15" sport sized wheel/tire combo. Because then I can run at least 195/55/15 tires instead of 175/65/14 size on my base Fit. So this is good to know.

but will the offset allow for 225 width tires? I'm actually not sure what the factory offset is on the 14" steelies, but on the sports I know they're already more than normal Honda 4x100 wheels ie. Civics, 'tegs, etc. And in stock class we can't move the offset too much right?

 

J5ive - Did you even read my post? This is my 8th year AutoXing. I wouldn't give you bad information.

Any size tire on factory sized wheels. Offsets can't be changed enough to find something light and aftermarket.

 

BUMP...anyone else thinking of trying their Fit in H Stock? I had my AT in "S" mode the other day and it got me thinking. Even if you don't use the paddle shifters it holds it in gear, keeps the revs up and runs it to redline. I honestly think this car has a chance to keep up with most of the H Stock competition. Locally we only have 1-2 entries, but if I go down to KC they have about 4-5 people that seem to show up from past results.

I'm seriously thinking about picking up a set of R comps and trying it out while my SE-R is down (I can use the R comps for the SE-R later for track days). I picked up my K&N panel filter already and that has to be good for at least 20 hp right?

 

One other note (I've been doing autocross for 28 years...) - per the rules, you have to be within +/- 0.5" (I think??) of stock ride height. If you choose the wrong tire size it could raise/lower the ride height of the car.

Personally, I used to run 185/60-13 BFG T/A R1's on my '89 CRX DX. It came with 175/70-13's. I had some Monroe Gas-Matic struts on it (gasp!!) that most people laughed at until they were in it. I had an instructor at Summit Point Raceway say that it was one of the best balanced cars that he had ever been in.

The bottom line is to go out and have fun. Learn your car like it is, like you'll be driving it on the street. Learn the handling at the limit, the braking, what happens when you get loose. Even more fun is if your local club runs in the rain!! My experience from my many years of autocrossing has helped me numerous time when someone has done something stupid. It can save your butt!!!!