Dear P Tuning,

I have called, written and visited you guys all the way in Dumfries from Richmond. You are the first side street with the 2 large office complexs, next side street to the right is a large brick church like building. You are the first building and right on the edge cloest to the street.

I had some problems getting the Tanabe springs from you last year as it seemed the task switched hands 3 times and after several weeks of phone calls and emails. Once you got my card info, they came a week later.

I am trying to build up my 2010 honda insight. I know its a hybrid and most do not consider them cool, but I have won afew awards with this car and can cruse 70mph and get 54mpg. I can do 56mph and get 63mpg with current modifications.

THe car has the 1.3L L Series SOHC 8 valve DIS engine, yeah, 2 plugs per cylinder just like the Honda Fit and the same CVT. The suspension and lots of other parts are identical to the 09 Fit. In fact I am running a 09 Fit progress rear sway bar.

In additin to suspension mods I want an axle back Tanabe part T80148A. Can you get this and the price? What are the power gains as the website seems vague other than its max for an NA car.

Second, do or did you offer any turbo kits for the Fit? I know I own the Inisght, but am asking for the Fit since you likely have nothing for the Hybrid. It has the 1.3L series DIS engine.

Third, when autocrossing the brakes fade and smell aweful. I want to get better brakes, but cant find anything than the Wagner Cermic flavor at my local parts store. If you do not have anything, what about for an 09 Honda Fit and if they do not fit my car, can I return them?

Thanks for your time.

 

Im not a salesperson so I can't offer any pricing answers. But as far as power gains with the axle-back exhaust, it will honestly be minimal. Maybe 2whp. An axle-back exhaust system on most modern imports is more of a cosmetic upgrade over anything else. An exhaust system makes most difference on a boosted car or large motor.

For the turbo kit, we can get the Greddy kit offered for the fit as we are a distributer for Greddy. We would not be able to verify fitmet unless we had your car to look at. Also the engine managment plug and play harness that comes with it may not work as your ecu is most likely different from the fit's. It could be hard wired up if need be although that is more labor.

As for the brakes, best thing for you to do is cross-reference the part number of the brake pads you purchased. If they are listed for the fit then the hawk pads for the fit should work.

 

That was your xa in the parking lot with the hood scoupe? Wow....

Thanks, I know 88hp isnt much and if the battery is low the 13hp hybrid assist isnt a sure thing. Really helps to do a force recharge before any fancy driving or ride the brakes before merging to top it off.

I really like what the strup axle back did for my xa and sound, however it was a little loud. Is Tanabe more refined?

Carlos talked about a dry shot of NOS, but the Honda dealer rather I turbo it at a few psi, 3-4psi of boost.

 

Yes that was my xA lol.
Tanabe usually has a pretty conservative sound yes.
I actually like nitrous very much, it is simple and effective. For your application it might be the better choice. I would not rely on what a dealership says. Im not fond of dealerships opinions myself when it comes to performace.

 

Thanks. Wish I could of talked to you. I spoke to one guy, he went into the back, came out with Carlos. Carlos in turn went into the back for 15 minutes after I asked the price and other upgrades. I looked around, went to the bathroom and went back to the counter. He just gave me a card and said there was nothing for my model and told me to call back with the part number if I found anything.

I would of never guessed your xa was making that much power from the looks. I saw the white car next to it, but wasnt the TC I thought you guys built.

I basically want power or a boost for merging into traffic. I am fine keeping up with traffic and exceeding posted limits. Its just 0-60 can take 15 seconds if the hybrid system isnt fully charged. Id just want a small shot 15-25hp or what ever the minimun isnt. Id say 5-10hp as I want to do least damage to engine.

As for brakes I wanted ebc yellow with sloted rotors. You say hawker is good too?

 

Guys, I might need to move this one. Valid discussion but not really related to the mid-Atlantic section, other than the fact that PTuning is physically in Manassas. Either Buyer / Seller Experience from the Tanabe springs or All Other Vehicles for the Insight.

For nitrous, it's going to be difficult to find something for that small of an HP shot. Lowest I've seen is 35 HP. A specific engine model, the Fit uses an L13A iDSI in Japan, but uses the L15 in the US, so a US-spec turbo wouldn't work. The insight also lists a pause-cylinder i-VTEC design, where it actually decouples the drivetrain from the engine during all-electric operation. During this time, all engine valves remain closed and the fuel injectors are cut off. The spark plugs still fire to keep them from fouling. If you're injecting nitrous during this period, it can pool in the intake track, which is a dangerous condition as when the valves are re-opened they will get a much higher nitrous concentration than intended.

A turbo would fare much better since when the engine goes into valve-idle, no exhaust gasses are produced and the turbo doesn't spin, so there is no pressure buildup on the intake.

From what I've read at a cursory glance, I would not recommend nitrous on a hybrid engine with cylinder / valve idling. Here's my primary reading material on the L-series and Insight.

http://asia.vtec.net/Series/FitJazz/lseries/

http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/ob.../PPTchap11.ppt

 

Nitrous is set to only engage @ wide open throttle with any nitrous kit. Id say a 20shot should do nice. Simple and effective. Adding a turbo to a hyrid would be very complicated when it comes to tuning, I wouldnt know where to start with partial throttle.

 

I see nos kits for the civic hybrid. I think the turbo would be cool, but I like the ability to turn something off and on, so if I am just cruzing I can burn cheap gas, then when I need to get somewhere in a hurry, the preminum stuff. I drive upwards to 500 miles a day and many are casual at posted speed limits in the far right lane.

I never heard back about the tanabe axle back, feel free to forward my info along. I use some straight pipe and rigged up something. Got 70mpg and a nice throaty sound. Helps me to relift the throttle and take it easy letting the assist do the work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsXjAd9lLEM

Other than the dsi ignition system, I imagine tuning would be the same as the fit with or civic with the 1.3 l engine. Just the power curve maybe wacky with the assist from the electric motor as its assist is varied based on tons of factors, so no 2 runs maybe the same in regards to power curves. Thats really the only fustrating thing, you cant count on having an extra 13 ponys on hand or the drag of 13 ponys as the car decideds as you accelerate it suddenly needs to recharge the hybrid system.

Best fuel economy to date 79.5, worse 43mpg. Consistantly getting 54+ doing 70mph and 63+ going 55mph.