I’ll make it Fit!

Formula Ford is basically the entry level of Formula 1 racing and is meant as an inexpensive method for people to get into open wheel racing. There are a few engines that are legal for the series, the most common is the 1600 cc, DOHC 16v Duratec engine. The interesting news is that the Sports Car Club of America approved Honda’s 1.5 liter Fit engine for use in Formula Ford, or Formula F, in 2010.

The 1.5L Fit motors are being built by HPD or Honda Performance Development. HPD is Honda’s racing company within North America and is a subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. According to the press release the motors will be “equal the performance of the traditional Kent power plant” which was 115HP at the wheels or 140HP at the crank. Compared to the 109HP that the stock fit makes at the crank its quite an increase.

The press release says “Final track output will be mandated by the SCCA through its restrictor determination.” This leads me to believe that the motor will actually put out much more HP than the 115HP.

This has the import gear head in me asking myself “can I just switch or remove the restrictor plate and get the ecu re-tuned and throw this thing into a used high mileage fit?

I found a ‘07 fit with 183k on the clock for just under $7,000. I’m sure one can be found for less, especially if you are willing to go salvage title.

From what I see here it looks like the engine kit will cost $12,000 total but I wonder if one could purchase just the engine for well under 10k since you don need anything other than the ECU, Dry Sump (maybe) and engine.

The complete Honda FF kit is expected to sell for under $12,000. The package would include a base L15A7 engine, FF race kit (including intake, exhaust, dry sump, restrictor plate and ECU), and a bolt-in chassis kit, to permit installation of the engine without welding or other major modifications. Individual component parts would also be available for purchase separately.

This means that for probably 15k you can have Fit with a real NA Honda Race Engine.

I will admit I am not the best guy when it come to engines and tuning, I basically know enough to be dangerous. I venture to guess that the 1.5L engine from HPD will be pretty high compression to achieve the HP increase but still might be super-chargeable.

I am guessing since they were shooting for reliability the motor produces more HP and is restricted by the plate allowing it to run without any real strain at the 140HP.

I would like to defer to one of Jades more tuner proficient members like Harrison, Jon, Andy or Vinny to try and estimate as to what the motor might be capable of though.

Now I know there are much cheaper Honda engines out there that make more power (KA). Although is you had the HPD motor you would be unique, plus you get to say you have a “crate engine” in your fit.

So what do you guys think?

PRESS RELEASE

Honda Performance Development, Inc. Begins Honda FF Engine Deliveries

02/19/2010 – TORRANCE, Calif. -

Honda Performance Development recently began shipping 1.5-liter Honda Fit engines to racers planning to run the engine in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Formula F competition. Through its introduction to the category, HPD hopes to strengthen FF’s position as the first step in American open-wheel auto racing.

The initial batch of fuel-injected Honda L15A7 overhead-cam engines was shipped to competitors who had previously secured their orders via cash deposit. The Fit engine can be adapted for installation in existing FF chassis.

“This is an exciting day for all of us at HPD,” said Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development. “We hope that this foundational step in our grassroots motorsports initiative will help grow the FF class by making it more affordable and competitive.”

The Honda FF engine was developed by HPD in cooperation with Maryland-based Quicksilver RacEngines. The engine was developed to equal the performance of the traditional Kent power plant through utilization of an intake restrictor plate and appropriately mapped Engine Control Unit (ECU), as confirmed during comparative testing with representative Kent engines under SCCA supervision. Final track output will be mandated by the SCCA through its restrictor determination.

Honda-powered FFs are approved for SCCA competition effective March 1, 2010.

Developed from the current Honda Fit, introduced in 2009, the L15A7 engine in FF form is intended to provide open-wheel racers with a modern, fuel-injected design offering superior service life, increased availability and lower operating costs. Engine rebuilds will be reduced, with a corresponding reduction in the need for top-end refreshing. In addition, crankshaft and valve-spring life should be extended dramatically; and most ignition and all carburetor maintenance will be eliminated.

“Many of us at HPD, myself included, have been involved in FF racing,” said Marc Sours, HPD Production Division Manager and Large Project Leader for HPD’s grassroots effort. “We believe in the class and want to see it grow in popularity. With the delivery of this first batch of Honda FF engines, and future orders, we are hoping to increase participation through economical competition.”

Honda Fit race engines can be purchased as a complete package, including a base L15A7 engine and FF engine conversion kit (including intake, exhaust, dry sump, lightweight alternator, restrictor plate and ECU). Individual component parts will also be available for purchase separately.

HPD also offers chassis kits for three of the most popular FF designs: the Swift DB-1, Swift DB-6 and Van Diemen RF99-09 models. Several current race-car manufacturers, including Fast Forward Components (Piper) and Citation Engineering, offer FF chassis ready to accept the Fit engine.

For more information on the Honda Fit FF engine, racers can explore the HPD website, http://racing.honda.com/hpd, or contact the company at:

Honda Performance Development, Inc.
661-702-7777
grmsadmin@hra.com

Honda Performance Development (HPD) is Honda’s racing company within North America. Founded in 1993, and located in Santa Clarita, Calif., HPD is the technical operations center for American Honda’s high-performance racing cars and engines. In addition to its new grassroots motorsports business, HPD is the single engine supplier to the IndyCar Series and spearheaded Acura’s championship-winning efforts in the 2009 American Le Mans Series.

Quicksilver RacEngines (QSRE) is a private company in Frederick, MD, owned and operated by Sandy Shamlian since 1973. QSRE engines have been a staple in open-wheel and sports-car racing, logging countless professional and amateur race wins and championships in the USA, England, Venezuela, Australia and Canada in classes such as Zetec F2000, Formula Continental Sports 2000, Formula Atlantic and FF1600.

Honda Performance Development

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