Hey comm. obviously the new guy, hoping to buy a fit/jazz (JDM import) in the near future. I'm from Brisbane, Australia and my nick name is 3.

I've been doing a fair bit of research into multiple cars and I'm really liking the idea of buying a GD2/GD4 fit as a future rally project (semi-inspired by the 2012 ARC version). Now that I've been seriously entertaining the thought in my head I can't stop reading through these forums trying to gather info. Which is why I finally decided to join the forums and ask for advice and recommendations since technically I'm new to modding (I have mechanical background).

So I'll explain where I'm at with my ideas:
I'm looking through tradecarview (probably the first no no) and eliminating the cars with over 200,000kms since I hear the CVT is often flogged on the travelled Jazz. I've found 2 that have sparked my interest a 2005 GD2 (87,000 kms) and a 2003 GD4 (165,000 kms) which is only a couple of hundred more both running CVT. I'm not going to base my decision around the odometer since I've heard in Japan it's not against the law to tamper with it (happens regardless of country anyhow) (correct me if I'm wrong) and it might even have to do a rebuild (going from the shifty reviews people have given about TCV).

So my thought process is initially I will only do handling, suspension and basic engine mods so I can get a feel for the car's abilities before I start giving it more power. I'm leaning more toward the GD4 for obvious reasons (L15), saves me from having to do a swap later on if I get the GD2.

Questions in regards to importing/buying car from TCV;
Is there any common faults/problems I should expect?
Do you know of someone on forum who has a JDM fit/jazz?
Is there any key questions you think I should be asking the seller?
*I am thinking of getting it independently inspected, trying to line up a friend of a friend to look at it in Japan. If you have a contact it'd be awesome if you could share

I have some other questions in regards to mods I'm having trouble finding info on and I'm not to sure about;
- Turbo Kits (not looking to supercharge in future), worth looking into?
- Manual swap can't find anything on swaps for the AWD model (...I've heard they can be pricey but worth it, so once again it'll be a future plan once I can find one and all other components)

Do you have any recommendations for cosmetics? I kind of want to keep body kits on the down-low, to avoid unwanted attention (I was thinking something similar to the Vti-s OEM kit (really like that flush swept wing look), would like to find some nice looking fender flares as well (but once again not to extreme).

Oh yeah one last question, Do you feel that the centre of gravity on the jazz is a bit high, does it feel easily rollable? *Just looking at it from a shape perspective


Thanks guys and appreciate any help/advice/recommendations/welcomes.
I hope I'm not to demanding for a first poster, but I am hoping to sometime soon join officially.

 

Wrong section?

 

Rally project?

Manual trans, offroad tires, stock springs with good shocks.

Don't worry about anything else at this point. Don't bother with CVT. Don't bother with bumpers or kits.

 

That was what I was thinking for initial changes. Do you know of any manual trannys that fit the GD4? Because the GD2 and 4 come stock with CVT

 

They sold an AWD model in Japan, that would be perfect for rally if you can import it.

 

LOL @ turbo charged CVT off road rally car. Please do this so I can see what the result is. It would be like a Frankencar!

 

There was recently a new member in Chile who imported a RHD GD4 from Japan and converted it to LHD. See this thread: https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...ngs-chile.html for further information.

 

Yeah when I was lurking, I came across that. I'll have to leave him a message although it looks stock.

All my cars have been Manual and Naturally Aspirated so a lot of this will be new to me that's why I'm trying to find out some more info before I actually commit to import and project. I've been reading into CVT (have no prior knowledge) and have come across people saying that they are expensive to repair and after a fair distance travelled around the 150,000-200,000Kms they tend to have a lot of problems. I've also read that the RPM is limited to 5k where as it redlines at 6,500. So to be blunt it would probably drive me nuts so I really want to convert it to manual but I'm unsure on process

So I'm unsure of CVT if anyone can give me a few headers it would be appreciated.

Have you seen the Honda Insight rally car? lol it's a hybrid with CVT
Also, the turbo is just an idea for now we'll see how it goes. Btw the GD2 and GD4 are the JDM AWD Fit models

 

GD2 is the 1.3L AWD, and GD4 is the 1.5L AWD version... both are CVT... similar with the GE series (CVT/Auto only for AWD)... I had asked a question one time, about why no MT in the AWD Fits/Jazzes, and iirc it has something to do with the AWD system... I believe it's not possible to swap the MT in to that AWD system or something along those lines... well I guess anything is possible with the right amount of money, time, etc...

I can't help but think if it would be easier/cheaper/more possible for you to just buy the Jazz (most economical in the best condition), and just do the full swap... engine/transmission/AWD system.. pretty sure I've seen a few threads over on hondatech of those conversions on older Civics.. It will definitely be pricey especially if you have to have a shop do a lot of the work... lots of research of part compatibility...

Some one was working on a Civic turbo AWD (swap from a CR-V), don't think it was ever finished, but there's lots of info in there which you might be able to use ---> AWD EJ2 Build - Honda-Tech
This will require a significant amount of time spent researching, but it is possible. My dream build would be the SH-AWD Turbo from the RDX in to a GD or GE... :droooooooooolz:

Turbo... depending on what you're doing with the engine there's some options out there... there were quite a few kits available for the JDM GD turbo option... HKS did one, and a few others... but the question is are they still available... also depending on which GD model you get you might be able to use the Flashpro available for GD's to turbo it yourself (or use a diff engine management system).

As for GD kits, I always liked the J's Racing, and ofcourse the Noblesse... but I don't think those would necessarily match the AWD goal your interested in.

Keep us updated mate.

 

I wouldn't even worry about the AWD. The manual trans is more important than the AWD with a low powered motor like an L series. You can always flick the rear around and play with suspension to get the car to rotate offroad, there's lots of FWD rally cars.

IMO the Fit would be a fun car to start in, you could even turbo it later with a small quick spool if you need more power. Ultimately though, when you really get to that level where the car is holding you back, it's probably time to move up to a more appropriate chassis that has a sporty AWD system... the Honda systems aren't really the best for what you're trying to do and I think it'd be a lot of money and effort spent for small gains that could be had much more easily by just changing chassis.

My 2c on the matter and just being realistic with you. Everyone wants to build that super oddball awesome car, and I can respect that, but sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason. If you want to do it for the novelty, that's great and I applaud you, but if you want to do it for you as a driver, just get a better base to work with when it's time to do so.

 

Appreciate your honesty, The only problem is that it's hard to find a suitable car. I was thinking the fit because all up I could do most mods and car for just under 10k. Whereas most AWD platforms are generally quiet dear. So as you said my other alternative would be a FWD, I know of a few that would be good almost stock and quiet cheap but I forgot to mention this; I'm completely biased against FWD, I've just had bad encounters with them and that's just my close-minded view.

 

I was like you for a short time after I started driving RWD spiritedly, it was like a whole new world was opened to me. That is, until I sat in, and drove a well set up FWD car, and then that bias disappeared forever...

They have their quirks to learn for sure, but once you learn how to drive a FWD car fast, everything else is pretty easy. Just think of it like that LOL

Well except for MR, RR cars and AP1s, those scare me a little