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About a decade back I was SleepyG and drove a CD5(96 Accord) with a huge shopping list of tasteful mods.
I loved that car so much and still miss it.
I had a big build thread and tons of pictures and write ups on various DIY stuff. I got out of the game and parted my car out due to tough times....
Years later and I have inherited an '09 fit 😄.
....but I have come to really appreciate this car and I think it is underrated. The gas mileage is great because I am currently driving a fair distance to work 5 days a week without breaking the wallet. Also, the car hauls a ton of stuff!
About the car:
2009 LX 5spd, just passed 300k kms(and climbing fast)
Other owner was my mom 😆.
I'm not sure how much maintenance she did on it aside from oil changes and brakes and usual stuff. It's all highway mileage and the car was always good to her.
Seems to still run pretty smooth and strong, and I have been changing the oil every 6-8 weeks due to my high mileage trips.
Some questions I have:
1. Should I be changing my water pump asap? Does the timing chain need replacing too?
2. I have read up on an air shock upgrade for the rear, similar to the jazz. Does anyone know if a munroe part is still available that fits our model?
3. If I was to do an ITR front brake conversion, does anyone know what size spacer I would need for the ITR caliper to clear my factory 15's? If they can't clear, I probably wouldn't bother and just get better pads and rotors.
4. If there is any preventadive maintenance I should do now before it gets too late, from some of you longer time fit owners, I would be happy to hear it! 👂
Here is my plan, you can raz me a little if you wish, but only reply if you have something positive for me please.
In adition to some engine maintenance, and new tires, I am installing a progress rear sway bar and.....a hitch receiver.
I plan to short distance tow and launch my 14.5 tinny. Trailer boat and motor are around what the max cargo load is(850Ibs) and tongue weight only around 50 pounds. We have seen ppl try hauling much worse and succeed with ⚠️.
Anything over a 20 min drive and I would consider dismounting my outboard motor and putting it in the car for the trip.
I have pretty new front pads and remanufactured calipers, wish I knew about the ITR front bbk before I had done that, but the drums look brutal. I ordered a brembo blanks kit and new springs etc as well and I would like to get rbf600 fluid in there.
Really, really appreciate anyones help and time, and thanks for having me and existing. Honda's can be so much fun, I really missed them.
Hello SleepyG
Welcome to the forum. I am new here also only being a Fit owner for 4 months. I can't help you with your questions but a am interested in the rear sway bar modification.
Let me know how it works out.
A Draw-Tite hitch is easy to put on the Fit. I did mine in less than an hour and I'm not mechanically inclined.!
Here's a pic of it with the Swagman bike carrier added to the hitch.
Welcome welcome!
Can't speak to the ITR conversion, but a few guys here have enhanced brake performance and some have even added rear disks. This aught to make their ears ring. As a heads-up, our forum search is awful.. But if you search a mod with google like "GE8 disc brake conversion," you'll find some stuff.
I've got no info on airbag suspension, but someone here might.
etrailer.com is where I got the hitch for my little tacoma. Their prices were good and they were cool to work with. I especially liked the pre-made brake wire harness hook up (although wires could have been a little longer.)
The progress rear sway bar comes heavily backed by members, but I assume you knew that!
As for chain maint and water pump business, uhh.. If a car sat for an extended interval, I'd do the chain. A tell-tale sign of damaged guides is delay between pressing the throttle and the engine revving. Slinky effect. But temper that suspicion by acknowledging that the TB opens up gradually. Anyways, sitting (or I guess driving without oil) is the only cause of timing issues that I've heard of, and we're talking like.. frequently for a month or more, or once for a year or two. It's just no fun when that junk breaks.
For the water pump, if the coolant looks good and you don't have any leaks or symptoms like pump whine I think you should be alright. Just drain. You're coming from FWDs so you know the deal. On rear wheels, radiator fans can get put on the same shaft as the water pump and they vibrate, messing up the pump. We've got all electric fans, and I havent heard of it being an issue.
What needs attention is the valves, some cleaning around the throttle plate, and possibly the spark plugs. Some model years came off the lot with under-torqued plugs, a spec that was later revised from 14 to 20 ftlbs. There isn't much in way of threading on them. Most folks are fine, but there's been plenty of folks posting about loosening or ejections, plug blow-by. I'm from the loosening category. If the car ever acts weird, check the plugs.
I'm sure more folks will chime in with tips, but that's really covered it for me. My only component failure was the struts n shocks.
Mod list sounds good, G. Consider checking out short shifters, or throttle controllers, and if and if yours is a manual, adjusting that clutch pedal down and reading the "Clutch Delay Valve Delete" thread from way back when.
Oh man. I think the model year was 05 for civic coupe headrests via ebay. I can verify if you're interested. They dont push your head as far forward and are a direct swap.
Hey, Sleepy. "Welcome back to the fight," as they say in Casablanca.
There's good advice in this thread, but here's my take:
Timing Chain: I think we've seen OEM timing chains go 250K miles (not km). I would inspect and consult before doing anything rash. Especially on a Mom Car.
Water Pump: I prefer to wait until they need replacing.
Brakes and Tires: You obviously don't need me to tell you.
MT Fluid: If you haven't already fallen in love with changing out your MT fluid, you have a beautiful romance in your future. Change it when the gearbox feels less than absolutely heavenly (approx. every third engine oil change for me). Honda OEM MT Fluid is just perfect.
Serpentine Belt: That's a part that I would start keeping an eye on after 100K miles (not km).
Suspension: This is what every serious car guy works on after brakes and tires and before power mods. Unfortunately, I'm smart enough to know that I'm not smart enough to do my own suspension. Maybe you are.
Your Mom sounds like she was a demon for the road with this car. Let's hope the hubcap does not fall far from the hydraulic lift.
Thanks for the responses! I have some research to do and possibly some wrenching. I have new spark plugs waiting and I may tackle the valve clearances myself. I installed these new wheels today. They are oem civic wheels and tire size and are running smooth and wonderful.
Going to Honda tomorrow to grab some fluids and a new valve cover gasket.
I think in specs I'm just up 3mm, but my old tires were pretty bald so it looks higher.
Made it through a 90km one way round trip to gbay and back. Pulling her out of the water wasn't any trouble, nor was the haul.
I changed out the mtf when I got back and all seemed fine.
She shifts buttery now, and I will change it again when I do my oil very soon just to get it semi flushed.
Been on the denso ik22 plugs now for a few weeks as well. After just over 1.5 tanks of gas on ultra 94, I stopped for a small top up and when I got going again there was definitely a small difference. I do believe there was some timing advanced under load as some others have experienced, and the car felt like it had more torque into shifts and in the low end. I may have some starting issues when the cold mornings come....we'll see. So far, she really seems to like the plugs otherwise. The gas mileage may bave slightly improved also...slightly.
I did have a couple semi loose plugs, and the coil on the loosest plug showed signs of being toasted. I'll likely replace all 4 coil packs soon when I do my valve clearance.
I'm gonna share some pics of my old cd5. I miss it like crazy, it was such a vibe cruising in her. The fit will never compare I'm afraid. I do enjoy drivong my fit a lot more now than when I took possession. Intake, some basic maintenance, new wheels/tires, and the rear sway helped give it a little needed personality.
Led conversion done by me Prelude seats, possibly the comfiest seats I've ever sat in! Forbidden shortshifter! S2k steering wheel, working cruise I baked, opened and blacked out the tail lights myself. Also had a nice custom made magnaflow cat back. It purred deep but actually stayed quieter than an apexi ws2! Suspension was Tokico RAK(illumina coilovers)
Last edited by SleepyG_; Sep 23, 2021 at 11:03 AM.
