Fuel up and tested out how the lip holds up through driveways.

 

That looks good. I'm almost contemplating getting my bumper repainted and taking off my JDP in favor of that lip.

 

Thanks Erik! It's surprisingly durable-- I've been scraping since Saturday and it still looks fine haha. If/when it gets destroyed and I still want to rock another one, it's inexpensive enough to be okay

 

Finally time for a new battery, the old one was making the car hard to start. Guess I can't complain, got 6yrs/102K out of the original one.

 

What kind of lip is that?

 

Once one has experienced quality tools...why go to Harbor Freight?

 

06-07 sti s204

 

I've seen this mounted on the 12-13 front ends and I think it looks good too...my only dilemma is drilling holes into my bumper. But I guess you got to pay to play, in a manor of speaking.

 

Yea-- I kind of stropped caring for what's under there because I already had a ton of holes left from my old diy lip, and on top of that, the amount of scraping had taken it's toll under there. This way, my bumper is somewhat being saved from scraping for a while haha.

 

True, but a good woodsman will sharpen his axe before chopping down the tree.

 

It's not a hatchet's fault that it's not the best tool for taking down a redwood. That doesn't make a hatchet an improper tool, just a tool being used improperly.

A couple times is learning. Past that is not learning, none of which is the clutch's fault.

 

The problem with the CDV is it's vague. Muscle memory is a huge key in repetitive reflexes, and if the clutch engagement point changes unpredictably, then the subconscious action of depressing the pedal before shifting becomes something that has to be consciously thought about on every stroke.
I have been driving my 2010 GE daily since I bought it in May. We took it on a 2,000mi roadtrip in August up the California and Oregon coast and my biggest complaint would be the vague clutch.
I have been driving a manual transmission since 14 and have driven my fare share of track and high performance cars throughout the years, and driving the Fit takes way more fore-thought when engaging the clutch than any other car I've driven.
I have consciously had to change my shifting technique that has served me over the nearly 24 years, and now have to wait until the pedal is completely depressed to the floor before even thinking of moving the shift lever.
So, keep on with the misplaced tool allegories and I'll be switching to the 01-05 CMC and be happily knowing exactly WHEN the clutch engagement point is, and returning to the same shifting technique I have used in the past.

 

Beautiful, very nice. What size tires and wheel? Did you stagger?

 

I think what Charlie (and Goobers) is saying is; what we have here is a failure to adapt in a significant manner, so what people are doing is making changes to make that adaptation easier, that is human nature. Some people are better at adapting muscle memory and/or are more accepting of variances. Nothing is wrong with either and one is not better than the other as long as the same end goal is met; being able to drive the car in the manner that you would like to and enjoy it.

It doesn't bother me, so I just leave it. It took me a little while to get used to it but it's not a problem jumping car to car anymore. Pretty much anyone who gets in to drive it for the first time comments on it I've found though.

 

Doesn't mean it's not a poor design.
I've driven just about every manual Honda/Acura product on the market since the early '90s (sans some of the ~2012+ Civics) with both stock, through to heavily modified clutch systems, and it's by far one of the worst feeling clutches of any car I've driven, Honda or not.
If you hop into anything that has a decent,"normal feeling" clutch, you're going to have to adapt to the feel (more than likely reverting back to the way you've been doing it on every other car prior).
I fully understand that it's not a performance car, and willing to accept some slush in exchange for economy and lower price point, but the CDV IMO is an unnecessary component, that adds more parts, and what I would assume, more cost.

If you like the stock feel, and it doesn't bother you....save the $50 in parts and go about your day.
But, if you're like me, and side-step the clutch on downshifts, or left-foot brake ever, it just doesn't cut it. (yeah I know I shouldn't be side-stepping in an econo-box on the street, but it's just the driving style I've adapted over the years.)
I have never been one to hammer through the gears, and think short shifters are a waste of money because they're not going to win you any races, but I still found myself coming up short when shifting when I first got the car. The full pedal depression before initiating gear changes is a pain IMO.
The CMC is on the top of my list of things to do to mine personally.
I like the feel of a traditional, predictable clutch engagement, so it's well worth the upgrade.

p.s. 55sexydrive....so in love with those wheels! Can't wait to see pics of them on!

 

I wouldn't go so far as to say I "like it"

I tolerate it.

 

I fully agree with this poster....


I've gotten used to the CDV up to a point, but seriously the CDV in the USDM GE8 is a POS!

I learned how to drive manual when I was about 14-15 on an old VW minibus... the shifter was almost taller than me... and it was in the country (hills & valleys galore), so you had to learn quick or slide back in a gully, busy intersection, stream or even sea... lol. The clutch was heavy as hell too.
My next experience was my friend's (77-79?) 911 Targa, talk about a heavy clutch. Miss that car.
After that it was a whole bunch of cars & makers, but none newer than 96, until I got my 09 GE8. Damned CDV.. lol

I'm happy for some of you who have learned to adapt to the CDV, but I think the older guys are probably the ones having more issues.... which is why I should've changed the CMC already to the one Item9 modifies... the thing I like about that one is that it's the exact same unit, just modified, so it should be a direct swap. No need to bend any lines, etc, etc.

 

Looking good!

 

Thanks Wais

 

Not to take away from Item9's business, but the 01-05 Civic (non-Si) CMC is a direct replacement for the Fit minus the CDV. No bending lines or modifying anything.
And you have to worry about something going wrong with a unit that has been modified after it left the factory. New CMC for those direct from Honda are ~$100 and if you don't mind aftermarket you can get a new non-Honda one from your LPS with a lifetime warranty for as little as $38. With fluids and a little elbow grease, you'll be in it less than $50. Plan to replace mine this spring.

As for a heavy clutch feel, I love being able to feel the exact engagement point of the clutch. Makes driving in the snow, or in places like SF much easier. I haven't been to the city in my GE yet, but I'm scared I'm gonna rev the piss out of it on the hills like some 16y/o girl. I used to be able to barely roll back, while not having the revs jump at all in my old MKII Jetta when I lived there in college, because I could FEEL the exact engagement point.