Project Fit
Two months ago, we asked you what you thought about Project Fit. Aside from the two guys who want to see a V-6 squashed underneath the GE8's hood, the responses were fairly predictable: lower it, put some wheels on it, and make it faster. As much fun as a big, fat J35A would be, it just isn't practical at this point. No, we're going to push the 1.5-liter engine's limits. Sure, the whole thing could end with a neat little window positioned in the side of the block, but nobody will be able to say we didn't try.
But before we start fiddling with the engine, we've got to address the exterior. The '09 Fit is wider and longer than the previous model and its wheelbase and track is extended. It also doesn't handle any better and its gawky stance doesn't do much for aesthetics. The solution is simple, solves both the aesthetic and the handling issues, and involves nothing more than a set of adjustable coilovers paired with properly sized rims and tires. We turned to Function Form for a set of its 32-way Type II adjustable coilovers. Function Form is hot right now, so if you haven't heard of them, you best step out of your cave. The company manufactures high-quality, double-adjustable coilovers for most popular Honda applications and, apparently, for unpopular Honda applications like the GE8 Fit. But that'll all change soon. Although the Fit's in-crowd status will no doubt escalate, as expected, hard parts like coilovers are at a premium at the moment.
You can't lower a chassis like the Fit without proper wheel and tire fitment. Well, you can, but it won't do much for good looks. Project Fit's wheel choice had to meet several criteria: they had to look good, they had to be light, they had to fit properly in terms of width and offset, and they had to be unique. Although the Fit Sport is outfitted from the factory with 16-inch alloys, we opted for 15x6.5 Rays Gram Lights 57 Optimise that feature a +38 offset paired with Falken Azenis tires sized at 205/50-15. While some may consider such wheel and tire downsizing on par with sacrilege, consider the reduced offset and increased drop that's possible in such cases. Because of the wheel and tire's decreased overall diameter, offset can be reduced to as little as +30 without any rubbing. You can't say the same for a 16x7-inch wheel. Bolting it all on is the easy part.
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