Endless Customization: Comparing Thailand's Entry-Level and Hardcore Honda Fits

Original: HonDa Magazine 日系車迷誌
Date: 2024-12-14 11:00:00

Although Thailand is a developing country, lagging behind China in overall national strength, it is surprisingly more advanced in certain areas. Today, I want to highlight one such area: the customization industry. In Thailand, the government imposes minimal restrictions on vehicle modifications—as long as you don’t speed, everything is negotiable.

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Thanks to decades of development, car customization has become a norm in Thailand. Even a dancing granny at the local market might have a cannon-style exhaust on her grocery car. Speedy, modified taxis have also left a lasting impression on many international tourists. If the government were to crack down on modified cars, it would undoubtedly deal a severe blow to Thailand’s economy.

In this vibrant land of car culture, let’s take the Honda Fit as an example to explore the levels of car customization in Thailand.

Entry-Level:

After modifying wheels, tires, suspension, exhaust pipes, and brakes, many enthusiasts in China might already consider their car "graduated." However, in Thailand, such modifications are just the starting point.

Take, for example, this Honda Fit GK5 adorned with Spoon Racing livery. In Thailand, this is considered lightly modified—an entry-level build. Don’t mistake it for a race car; in Thailand, no one bothers you about paint jobs or decals. Customizing wheels and tires isn’t enough for Thai enthusiasts, so a flashy livery is a simple way to turn heads.

This GK5’s exterior mimics Spoon Racing’s factory cars, creating the impression of a race car. However, it’s just a dynamic-looking car cruising on public roads. Visible exterior modifications include wheels, tires, calipers, side mirrors, exhaust pipes, and a rear wing.

Inside, the rear seats have been stripped out and replaced with racing bucket seats, and a C-pillar strut bar has been installed. The steering wheel is also a Spoon Racing part.

Looking under the hood, the car retains its original L15 engine. While the intake manifold has been painted Spoon Racing yellow, it adds zero horsepower. This car is visually stunning but lacks performance upgrades. It’s a textbook example of an entry-level modification.

Mid-Tier:

To reach the mid-tier level, a car must undergo comprehensive modifications to its exterior, interior, engine, and chassis. Let’s look at an example of a mid-tier Honda Fit.

This Fit features RS-spec exterior components, including front and rear bumpers and a grille. Compared to the previous car, it has a more subdued appearance. Modifications to the wheels, tires, and brakes are standard, and this car is equipped with Endless braking systems.

A cluster of monitoring gauges dominates the dashboard—a staple of Thai customization culture. It’s like luxury hotels displaying clocks for different time zones at the reception desk. Even if the car doesn’t have a turbocharger, a boost gauge might still find its way into the setup!

The most significant upgrade is under the hood. This second-generation Fit (GE) originally came with a 1.5L L15 engine, but now it houses a transplanted K24 engine from a Civic Si. With its 2.4L displacement and over 200 horsepower, this engine is a game-changer. However, to truly qualify as a mid-tier build, the car would need a turbocharger or upgraded high-lift camshafts.

Hardcore:

Hardcore builds are essentially professional race cars. Thailand’s drag racing scene is incredibly popular due to the low cost of building tracks and the low technical barrier to entry. With its rich history and competitive culture, Thailand has achieved a high standard in this sport.

This example is a highly specialized drag racing Honda Fit. To reduce drag, the front bumper grille is sealed off, sacrificing radiator cooling efficiency. The goal is simple—finish the 400-meter drag strip. Afterward, the front bumper is removed, and the car is cooled with water spray or dry ice.

The front wheels are wider than the rear wheels since it’s a front-wheel-drive car. Every effort has been made to minimize rear-end weight, as rear traction isn’t a concern.

The doors are made of carbon fiber, and the windows have been replaced with acrylic, all in the name of weight reduction.

Under the hood is a K20A engine transplanted from a Civic Type R. Paired with a turbocharger, it pushes the engine to its performance limits.

Inside, a B-pillar X-bar reinforces chassis rigidity, while a quick-shifter ensures smooth gear changes. If there’s room for improvement, the owner could upgrade to a sequential transmission for even faster shifts.

Final Thoughts:

Many people think of Japan as the ultimate car customization country, given its long history in the automotive industry. However, in certain areas, Thailand has surpassed Japan—drag racing is a prime example. In this sport, Japan can’t claim dominance.

This article provides a brief introduction to Thailand’s various levels of Honda Fit customization. Some readers may find the standards too stringent, but the abundance of outstanding builds in Thailand makes competition fierce. That’s the beauty of Thai car culture!