I brought the dealer the best price I found for the suspension from the internet and they matched it and the dealer installed it.

 

I had the car for at least 2 or 3 weeks before the HFP suspension was installed. No question that steering response, turn in and fun to drive factor were significantly improved. Also no question that ride quality was stiffer, but its not a lot different. Some people might not like it, but I do. Its like the car is on its toes and ready. I have used it as my daily driver all winter.

 

Thanks for your impressions. When I purchased my 2018 Sport in Feb, I had intended to equip it with the HFP suspension but have been driving it stock since then and appreciate the ride quality. I might not be willing to give it up to gain the improved, playful handling response...

That's may be so, but I'm the guy that drove the same CRX Si for 27 years...

The reason for my hesitation re: the HFP dampers (beyond ride quality) is because they seem to be available only with the HFP springs as a set, not separately. I admit I haven't spoken to my dealer about it, but that's how they show up online. When I asked Honda Performance Division, Inc., they asked me to refer to the local dealer.

You're right that I can simply go back to stock...but it sure would be reassuring if the dampers were known to be easily available separately from dealers.

 

if ure planning to keep the car over 10yrs doubtful they will carry the parts that long. service part contracts usually end by then.

but are there aftermarket dampers that you can use? id search those

 

I know there are varying opinions to suspension tuning and aftermarket damper tuning/performance...and what constitutes "performance" in a street suspension...but I'm of the opinion that the damper has to be carefully matched to the spring, both in rebound and compression as well as all piston speeds to achieve good performance AND ride quality...and not just the illusion of performance from a firmer, more busy ride that sometimes can result in less grip (even though the car may be more responsive) because the suspension no longer tracks bumps as well...not to mention reduced comfort. Dampers play a huge role in this. Again, just an opinion.

Yes, aftermarket dampers would be likely available as you suggest, but it would be a slim chance that any aftermarket damper would match the higher HFP spring rates in the same way that HPD engineers intended. Even commonly available adjustable dampers, if available, are a guess.

MKVT, did your dealer realign your wheels after installing your HFP bits? Did they change the alignment specs? Also, do you know if they kept the bump stops the original length?

 

I find the fit to be pretty sporty, and I'm coming from a Corvette Z06. As previously stated, it's fun to drive a slow car fast. I was in the "Student" group since I didn't have any U.S. HPDE events to validate, but it was my second time on a track (my first was 10 laps in V8 supercars in Australia). So, I was out at Spring Mountain in Pahrump. Stock 2017 Fit with just a short ram intake and HKS over the axle exhaust. All stock suspension and tires. I ran a 3:27 on a 3.4 mile track with 15 turns, my instructor ran a 3:06 in his NSX (with me shotgun). I love to row gears, I really like how the fit handles. Best part of the day? I lapped a Hellcat, 911, and caught up with a Stingray in my "Student" group. When passing the hellcat, my instructor said "you realize you're passing a 700 hp car right now in a fit?" Yeah, pretty sporty, lol. That was the baseline event. I will be running again in Sept, with Koni STRT and H&R springs plus Enkei RPF1s and 205/50/15 r-compound tires. Cheers, d'Art

 

Think any of these HFP bits would fit a GE?
Wish I had invested in lighter tires - think I would be a lot happier. I had other goals with the tires and didn't even look at it.

 

2015 FIT EX 6-spd. Had it for 60K. Had TEIN coilovers, multiple different wheels/tires, 17" and 18", custom exhaust, etc... I wouldn't consider the FIT sporty or fun to drive compared to other cars similar in size. The coilovers and wheels/tires help tremendously but I think of the FIT as more of a commuter car. I think the Civic is much more of a sporty car in terms of driving feel.

 

Matching spring rate to damping can make a big difference, but for a street car with pretty soft springs and shocks from the factory, even somewhat mismatched aftermarket parts can still be significantly better than stock for sporty/fun driving. Bump compliance isn't the only thing to consider, probably the biggest thing for me was reduced body roll. Reduced dive under braking is another benefit.

How much does changing to lighter or heavier wheels and tires change the ideal damping rate? Going to a larger diameter wheel can increase the effective spring rate of the tire sidewall, if the suspension was ideal before, now it's too stiff.

Not saying anyone should be trying to change springs/damper rate every time they change to a different tire (although you probably would for a race car)- rather, that for a street car it doesn't need to be perfect. Remember too, that despite having all the resources of Honda, the factory engineers are working towards a compromise solution. The finished product is what they think will work best for most people in most weather, on the most common type of roads, with the most common types of tires.

On top of that, some cars and many bikes have adjustable shocks. The bikes commonly have preload adjustment for the springs, but it's not the same as changing the spring rate. This tells me there for any given spring, there is no absolutely perfect damping rate. It changes based on conditions and user preference.

 

Agree with the above completely!

I've even had a poor mismatch by accident and it still improved the cars autocross times just because it was lower and stiffer.

I've also had plenty of cars from the factory that weren't well matched. Especially ones with adjustable suspension settings. Did the factory pick the spring rates based on the sport, normal, or comfort settings? My current car is over dampened when in sport mode.

It's a science, but it's far from perfect even in OEM form. They generally aren't hard to improve with aftermarket parts. OEM stuff, especially at the price point of the Fit, is based more on cost to manufacture than anything else.

 

Call me crazy, but back in 2014, I sold a '96 Corvette and bought an '08 Sport (MT). The Vette was, obviously, a faster car by an objective yardstick. But fun to drive? The Fit beats the cr*p out of it -- the Vette is just loafing, at any speed that's not going to get your license yanked. It also handled much worse on any but the smoothest pavement (that was a problem with the C4 Corvettes that was never really straightened out). The Fit Sport handles great, loves a good flogging, and generally induces a lot more happiness.

My '19 LX (CVT), I have to say, is not as much fun. But I've only had it a few weeks, so I'm still a little reluctant to floor it and see what it'll do. Stay tuned!

Urb

 

For the people concerned about dampers wearing out, why not just buy a spare set now? They aren't going to disintegrate in storage are they?

As for the original question I will echo the people saying that a modern Fit is "sportier" than a lot of old sports cars, but will pale in comparison to a modern sports car. Compared the the OPs list of previous cars the Fit will probably be awesome, faster and better cornering. I will say that I have the CVT and it's PLENTY fast, you might like to row your own boat, but with the paddle shifters you can keep the revs up and still get the mileage benefits when you aren't on the track.

 

Now, this is really funny. I bet the Fit driver is nervously looking in his rear view mirror. That could be me in the Modern Steel Metallic. Sporty or not? It depends on what you bought it for. For me, it is a utility daily drive since it is not my only car. In the garage, its sibling is just the opposite in character.

 

i saw the HFP suspension parts listed at college hills honda for under 700 . not a bad price . i swore i'd never lower another car again , but 10mm is
definitely livable . the kit has the white shocks and red springs , is that the one you have ?

 

While this is all true, I've found my Fit, despite its high profile, to be oddly resistant to being blown around on the highway. Driving past tractor trailers I don't feel being blown to the side like I have with the previous cars i've owned that were less than 3000 pounds. High winds don't have as big an effect. I'm not sure why but I guess there was some design element to the body shape that is responsible. I wonder if the under-body panels help. The car does let in a lot of wind noise. I hear lots of loud swirling air when driving over 60 mph.

The short wheel base and the torsion beam rear suspension make for a feeling of instability when I go over speed bumps at over 40 mph. It feels like both rear wheels fly up a couple of inches off the ground and land a couple of inches to one side. An independent rear suspension would have made the car fell better "planted."

I don't feel the car sticking to the road when going around cloveleaves at high speeds, as well as my 82 Honda Accord with 4 wheel independent suspension.. I could negotiate them faster in the Accord before I felt like the rear wheels were going to spin out. Tires are important in this regard but tires in both cars were similar. Fit had better steering than my 2010 Toyota Matrix. Is said to have better handling than Nissan Versa, Kia Soul, or Toyota Yaris, although for the very newest Yaris Toyota is putting their brand on a car manufactured by Mazda and it is likely to be sportier than older Yarises.

 

Drove a Hyundai Santa Fe 4 cylinder rental while up in Colorado on vacation this week. That thing was numb handling and the engine sounded like a sewing machine. Comfortable while cruising on the highway though. Really appreciated coming back home to my 18 Sport M/T with its sportier handling and steering. Changing out the stock 185/55/16 to 205/50/16 tires also really helped in the looks/handling department and planted feeling at speed.

 

WOW, I definitely have a different driving impression on the highway at 75mph. Living in corn country with some moderate East, West winds driving North South mine gets thrown all over the road. Especially once I'm around trucks. I feel like I'm driving a tail fin from an airplane. It's became better once I installed 16X7" wheels with 205/50/16 tires vs the OEM. Still not what I've been accustomed to from previous cars.

 

Again different driving impression. I can take a typical Illinois on/off ramp at well over the posted limit As posted earlier I run 205/50/16 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's which are a summer only tire on 16X7" wheels. I even have more grip when I put my Bridgestone RE-71R on. During the short time I had the OEM wheels and tires on I never felt like the back of the car was going to come around. If I pushed the OEM Firestone tires, the front would squeal and start to understeer. They were actually quite predictable. I could push to understeer, back off the speed or less steering input and stop the understeer. Then push harder and repeat the cycle until on or off the highway.

 

My experience is basically the same as Rob H. The only time I find the Fit to be a bit unenjoyable is when going in a straight line. The faster I go in a straight line, the less happy I am inside it. 16x7's with 205/45's here which aren't small on the GD.

However, my automotive history is mostly owning vehicles that are heavier, faster, and larger. The Fit is the lightest and least powerful car I've owned. Well...my '80 Prelude was probably similar in weight, but was much better at highway speeds.

BTW, love the Fit so not bashing it. I just would pick something else for interstate commuting.

 

That about summed it up for me too. It was great in the twisties and in some ways more fun then the GTI because you have to run it at nine tenths to get the most out of it. I can't unleash the GTI really, it needs lots of space. It was designed as a city car I believe or at least that is more what it is in Japan. A set of summer tires really transformed the Fit and brought the handling alive I think.