I've been wanting to start a thread just to document the progress of my Fit. It started out as a base model Fit and is now on it's way to becoming a Mugen Fit. I took delivery on May 1st 2010. That same day I installed 17" wheels. I only bought the Base because I wanted a manual as a preference and I was told there wasn't going to be a Sport one for at least 3-6 months. So I bought the base knowing that I would modify it. I didn't do anything for months because I thought I'd get everything at one time and then put it all on. Well one small mishap changed everything. Now the sport bumper is on and next is Dropzone Springs and Mugen sides! By Febuary I will have every Mugen exterior part except window visors (not my style) and the rear bumper spoiler. (Not a fan of FAKE duals) So far everything I have put on the car except the wheels and soon the springs have been OEM Honda.

Delivery! 5-1-10





Wheels 11 miles later on 5-1-10





12K miles later... Minor mishap. I shared a lane with a trailblazer...

 

The bumper swap was relatively easy. It would have been quicker with a second set of hands but with patience one person can do it without scratching anything.

Old bumper



Remove Grill Cover



Remove the five clips and the six self-tapping screws
from the bumper. The next part is kinda tricky... Pull the edges from the clips on the fender (away from the car) Then starting from the outside inward pull firm but not too hard, the bumper from the headlight assembly.



Install the wire harness connecting on the right side of the car and clip in place.



After swapping the grill and lower spoiler, install Sport bumper cover using the reverse order.





Install the fog lights and you're basically done. Apparently one thing I didn't check was the inner fenders. There is a little difference so for a proper install you should replace them. I plan on ordering them when I order the Mugen sides.



I still need to do the interior install. I have the relay and combo switch to install!

 

Is that a new factory painted Sport bumper?

 

No, Unfortunately it doesn't come painted. Most body shops will give a discount if they don't have to install it and a cash discount. I paid $280 for the paint. Lifetime warranty on the paint from a local shop. The rear hatch spoiler and all accessories come painted. This was the only part in my Mugen conversion I'll need to paint.

 

Looks good! Thanks for the writeup!
+rep

 

good stuff ray any issues with the metal beam and the sport bumper>

 

No issues with the bar. The only issue was not knowing about the inner fenders. I will replace them. They do not attach to the bumper cover like they should. (holes don't line up) I don't want them making noise or causing damage @ freeway speeds! Everything else went easier than planned!

 

I still have not done the combo switch and fog light relay yet. I have been busy! I hope to get to it before going to Gymkhana! I am gonna drop by there just to check it out. Noon to 6pm tomorrow.
Might be COLD!!!
I'll take pics of the install when done! On a side note the OEM spoiler I ordered came in! It's a present so I get it and my Drop Zone Springs For Christmas! January mid-month paycheck = Mugen Sideskirts!

 

Well since most people will not got the same route as me, most will not have the same level of frustration. I opted for the combo switch instead of the plug and play OEM Honda Accessory switch. I wanted it to look like it came with the fogs. So I pieced what I thought was a complete kit. Just like the bumper there is a surprise. (inner fenders) It seems that although the wiring is there and the connectors all seem correct, the foglight harness in the Base is not plugged in. You HAVE to get the switch harness for the aux switch to complete the connection for the harness to the fuse box. It seems that all is not lost. I have more parts to order. On an up note. I switched the meep meep horn for the Accord horn. I researched this a great deal and heard that there are two horns. Well that is only true of the Sport not Base model. So, I have a extra new OEM Accord horn. The horn was simply the easiest and quickest Mod to date. I also have a spoiler to install but double-stick tape is part of the install so it might have to wait for a warmer day. I also have springs to install but I think that I should wait till I have two consecutive days off in case I have issues...



OEM Fit Horn



OEM Horn location



Accord vs Fit Horns



Accord horn installed



Body ground not installed yet for Foglights



Body ground installed



Base Combo switch



Sport Combo switch



Base removal : remove three #1 Phillips screws from bottom of the steering column cover. Apply firm pressure on the sides while trying to separate the upper and lower cover pieces. Remove the two #1 Phillips screws in the front. Turn steering wheel as required to access screws. remove connector and harness from the rear of the switch.



Sport installation : simply reverse the removal steps.

So the Foglight installation is still incomplete. Upon looking for the correct fuse location and where to plug in the relay I found I NEED the switch harness for the OEM Honda Base Foglight accessory. The relay plugs into the harness, the harness plugs into the fuse box and fuse #4 is the fuse location. The real kicker is going to be the switch plug to the combo switch without screwing up my OEM harness. Nice thing is I'm not afraid to buy OEM connectors from Honda and re-pin this to work. I just like plug and play so much better.

 

i wanted to say thank you for this thread it helped immensely in my conversion (particularly knowing about the inner fenders).

does the oem wing come with double stick tape?
and what are you thinking about side trim? mugen, naked?

 

Mugen. OEM would require square holes, and naked well... On the car I think it looks unfinished.

OEM wing = double stick and mounting bolts/screws.

If you do the Foglights, I'd recommend buying the honda acc Foglight pieces except the light assys and order the OEM sport fogs. then it would be plug and play. I'm still trying to figure out the wiring issue to make the fogs work with the Sport combo switch. I will explain more later I need more time to research the fuse box and wiring. The Honda Acc has it's own switch and would work well.

-Ray

 

thankfully i found an oem fog kit on ebay for cheap so i'm using all the parts from it i can either resupply what i took from the kit and sell it, or i think the lenses will fit on the sport fogs in case they get cracked, the bulbs too, the fog bulb housings are different though.

i was thinking of going the square hole route, but looking at some pictures today it seems the undercoating on the base goes up higher on the body and may interfere with the tighter fitting sport side trim, and i'm not about to start scraping the undercoating off.

 

Really? I know the Mugen sides will go right on but it seems like so much work for the OEM sides just to be like all the other Sport models. I know the price is more for the Mugens but when you spend like no time at all putting them on you'll appreciate it! I planned on going full Mugen body kit, but I may have talked myself out of the rear... Not into fake dual exhaust. I'll do front and sides soon. I was supposed to do the sides this paycheck but work has been too slow. So next month it is.

Watch the College Hills Honda install video!
http://www.diyhonda.com/podcasts/epi...e_spoilers.wmv

 

Hi can you tell me were did you find the or were did you buy it??? iwant to do the same to my fit, and wee did you but the switch the one inside the car???? and can you tell me $$$$$$ of all? thanks.

 

Hey you know your Fit is like the JDM not USDM Fit right? The shorter front means a lot more options than we have here in the US.

(USDM) As far as the fog lights go, The main harness is there but not connected to anything. he OEM Honda Acc fog kit has everything you would need to make it work except the Sport Fog light Assy's. I tried to find a way to use the Combo switch instead but I need to complete the wiring including a relay/harness. I will figure it out eventually.

As far your car in Colombia, I cannot promise the harness is there or that the USDM Sport bumper will even work. Check your dealer to see what comes in the OEM Accessory Fog light kit. You will need all of that plus the Sport Bumper and both Fog Light Assemblies.

I hope this helps and I will get back with the cost. You would have to figure out how the shipping would work if you bought the bumper and fogs from a US source.

-Ray

 

Dropped the base bumper off Friday to get a positive paint match. I take the Sport Bumper in Wednesday. I hope to have it back on the car by the weekend! I need to get those inner fenders by Friday! The SSM paint is a hard match 3 part metallic paint. At least my paint guy was real nice about the rework. I think he cringed a little when he saw it one the car! I'll post pics when I'm done.

 

Strong work Ray! Keep fightingting the good fight...you'll have a Sport for thousands less.
You gonna pick up a nav unit?

 

Since I had "accepted" the fact that the car was going to stay slow I decided I'd make it a Mugen Fit. I started to back out though. I don't think it'll be full Mugen Fit. I don't like the fake dual exhaust and the window visors. I do however like the Mugen front and sides. Those will go on soon. Right now my painter friend is having weather issues. I guess 20-30 degrees makes him paint bad. I am being patient. As long as the paint matches when he's done I'll be happy. Then I'll get to ordering my front and sides. I need to get my other ride going soon cause I think the Fit will be down a few days once it gets warmer. Lowering the car with the DZ springs may be kinda difficult for one set of hands. I'm not sure I can do it in a day and it looks like it'll be a while before I have consecutive days off again.

As far as Navi goes, I considered it. I would want an OEM unit. That is just WAY too much $$$ right now. Not to mention I'd have to make some custom wire harnesses! I have to do some wiring as it is for the fog install. So, while I'm in there I'm considering doing the radio steering wheel controls! Shh don't tell anyone. Too bad the cruise won't work... I've read all of the posts and attempts and it sounds like it just wouldn't work out. If only I could get detailed wiring diagrams for both the base and sport to see what wires need to be added to what harnesses and to figure out what the differences are...

Ah the projects never end.

-Ray

 

You're a stud (no homo)...but some things are better left to the Honda techs. I'm sure they'd be willing to retrofit cruise control for a nominal charge?

Only unfortunate downside is that all of this work will add little to the actual value...since it's still a base per the VIN. Strong work nonetheless!

 

I think the ECU controls the cruise. Like the Navi it's more than I want to spend now. The computers have different P/Ns between sport and base plus the wire harnesses have different #s The sport and sport navi have the same #'s. The dealers around here refuse to alter the car any way unless it's an OEM Accessory... They actually refused the bumper/Mugen kit install when I bought the car. I wanted them to do it when I bought the car. They said it was against policy to install parts that were not designed for that model. Now a shop with a Honda Master tech would be an alternative but most likely expensive.