Hi all, Im from Australia and am about to be buying my first $2k+ car (so thusyl, my first non-shitbox). Ive been reading these forums afor about 3 weeks now researching, and Ive learnt an awful lot. I however, have a few questions that havent been easy to answer, I have planned upgrades, basically everything exists in theory, and as soon as my income is settled I'll be going ahead with this. OK. so...

Im planning on buying a White Fit and doing the black roof like another member here (i was amazed, it looks so incredible), Im aiming for a 04 or 05 model, because late 04 is when the propper paddles came in.

Ive decided on Auto for a couple of reasons. 1. Im always doing something with my other hand, eating, adjusting radio, etc. I drive in the city mostly, and almost never do highway KMs, i'd do maybe 5 highway trips a year. Also even though im sure i'd learn, I do have my manual licence, but I fail hard at hill starts.

I was planning on lowering, but then decided to just go to bigger wheels, whats the largest rim you can fit in in the guards? I know keeping the wheels light is something I have to keep in mind, yes?

Due to city driving I was instantly going to go for a high pressure radiator cap (1.1 is standard yes? 1.3 a good idea?) to keep the temp down a little while idling for hours, I also plan to modify the fan-control so that the fans come on at a lower heat (How do I do that? I had trouble searching the forums for this mod).

As for the Intake, I was planning a Short Ram that sits in front of the battery, because thats where the front bumper sucks air into, I was also planning on modifying that tube to a larger diameter, as seen here: https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...ryer-hose.html though i'll be using PVC or Silicone pipe, not that horrible looking stuff lol. I was also planning on getting the 'P2R Intake Manifold "performance" gasket' because its cheap and a cooler engine is always a better engine (within reason...).

A rear sway bar is a Must and will probably be the first mod I do to the car because I corner aggressively, I doubt anyone will be able to say 'no dont do it!' to this mod.

I'll be doing 'the big3' electronics upgrade using all 2guage wire; mainly because electrical problems are my enemy, I do a lot of DIY and im sick of electrical problems. I also run a basic sub speaker setup, so want to guard against any dimming.

Plastic mesh gutter guard behind the lower grill so I dont get stones or junk attacking my aircon, thats a costly fix, but the prevention is cheap!

Ive read NOTHING but good things about NGK Copper spark plugs and this car, specifically BKR7E - 1 range colder (7), several threads report more power and smoother idle, cheap upgrade and somethign i'll have to replace on a used car anyway so lets go!

I havent even begun to look at exhaust systems, so I'd like some oppinions there. PLEASE comment on as much as possible, i'd love to hear feedback on my plans.

Now for the questions:

1. 0-60kmph, How good are these cars? I dont race, I dont speed, but I DO use the outside lane to nip in front of peak hour traffic, is off-the-mark acceleration the best point of this small light car? What specifically should I be looking for in terms of mods to get better accel and nothing else?

2. Have we successfully flashed or modded any of the chips in this car yet? As above, i'd love to force the car to stay in first and second a LITTLE longer, though if this is going to take major effort I'll let that slide.

3. What should I be looking for in an exhaust that wont kill my acceleration, I dont want a loud car, I want it to sound like a V6 close to stock, not rattle the fucking neighbours to hell. Too much will ruin my music anyway and thats where my main joy is.

Im sure i'll think of LOADS more questions in time, but this will do for now.

Thanks to all,

Scythe.

EDIT:

thought of my other questions reguarding Turbo, as i know almost nothing.

are these sort of kits any good?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...Q5fAccessories

or should I go to my local turbo place and get them to do a custom kit?

If the turbo breaks, will it normally take the engine with it, or can the turbo be disconnected?

If im only running 4\5psi, do i need an intercooler? they seem to make the project a lot harder and seem to usually need to sacrifice the lights.

Is a turbo giving SOME increase in power all the time (no matter what the Rev range), or only once it reaches 'spool up speed'? because if it doesnt give accel off the mark, I wont bother.

 

76 views and no one can confirm\deny or comment on any of the above points? shit... anyone know somewhere I could post that might know a bit more and be able to help me with my questions?

 

umm let's see

ebay FI kits are garbage
the biggest wheels that look good on a GD are 17's but that's very rare cases stick with 15's and get a nice drop

SRI and exhaust won't gain much power just sound

and please don't rice it out.......Thanks!

 

test drive a fit yet?

and like he said, dont rice it out!!!

15s with a nice drop look great imo. as for engine mods, the simple intake is always an easy route.

but before anything, test drive it and see if its really for you

 

thank you for a comment

Yup, i'll avoid the ebay ones, boost was the last thing on my mind anyway, but one that was there none the less. I'll go to my local turbo place and get a custom job done if i decide to.

17" are the biggest? cool. 15" you say? maybe a 16" would be a nice middle ground? are spoked wheels the lightest?

 

spoked? as in like a mesh wheel? that's not a huge deal the big factor in weight is cast v. forged

a better question is what is your budget for wheels going to be?

 

Of course i'll be test driving as soon as i can find somewhere that still has an 08. as i really dont want an 09. Price and the more curvy look is not for me.

It wont be riced. none of those mods are ricer mods IMO. externally i'll just be getting a basic spoiler for asthetic purposes and some larger wheels + dark tint. thats about all.

 

just find some rims you like that arent over 17's. they dont look soo good on a fit lol.

15's and 16's would be your best choices if you plan on lowering the car a bit.

 

Well I want them as light as can be. as long as they're below about $4k AUD (3.5k US?) i'll be happy.

 

oh dang with that budget you could get any wheels you want dude

 

my budget is about 15k.

well the car is gonna cost about $10k for an 06.

1k for intake, exhaust, and tinting.

4k for wheels\swaybar

is how im laying out my funds atm.

 

well if i were you this is how i'd spend that 5k

i like that 1k (intake, exhaust, tint)
for the 4k i'd cut it too 1k for wheels, couple hundred for a sway bar, few hundred for some lowering springs and then 2k towards FI!

 

yeah a tiny turbo would be nice. depends how the fuel economy goes.

I currently drive a 91 Galant HH (4cyl DOHC) which seems to be a pig, so i dont want to kill city driving. But I would like a turbo eventually.

In aus insurance goes up about 4X if I get a turbo below 25yrs old (im 21) so I may have to wait.

As the ammout of boost set relative to the amount of extra fuel used? eg. 4psi boost will use less extra fuel than 8psi?

 

seems like you pretty much have everything planned out with great resources goodluck with the fit! post pics once you get it!

 

well with a turbo you'll need premium fuel, and mpg will drop a bit, but not too bad as long as you stay out of boost

btw GALANTS FTW!

 

Id like to say I love my galant... but I dont.

Parts are rare, the car is sluggish, the computer has failed twice (capacitors i believe), and its generally too big for my needs.

But yeah, thats what I was wondering as i konw nothing about turbos. the whole boost thing. it only happens when you reach the set pressure yeah? is there any benefit from a turbo before you reach boost levels? I Only want 'off the mark' acceleration.

also, more boost = more fuel? true or not?

EDIT: what counts as PREMIUM? in Aus most of our fuel is 5-10% Ethanol, with a 91-97 octane. I use 95Oct 10% normally. I'll also likely add some toluene at each fill up.

 

that sounds fine, and what i mean is a turbo takes some time to spool up so it's not until about 2.5-3k rpm that the turbo actually reaches speed. that's when your mileage will drop

 

and untill it reches max spool it wont provide any extra power? or does it provide extra, but less power, the whole time?

and does less boost = less fuel?

 

not really, from my experience the car will still feel slow, then when boost kicks in you get pushed back in the seat

but with the size of the turbos that a kit for a Fit would come with i can't imagine them taking long to spool up