ITEM9's Build Thread: PWP EX

[ITEM9]

Mission
To build a CR-Z that further embodies the spirit of what a “sport hybrid” is through a balance of modifications that positively impact both, fuel economy and sport performance, while maintaining an adequately low impact on the environment.

Project Goals
150-160 hp
50 mpg cruising at 70 mph
Excellent driveability
Improved handling
Improved Braking
Low[...ish] emissions
Clean, simple JDM look

Current Modifications

Exterior
JDM Power Folding Mirrors
JDM Auto Retract Mirror Accessory
JDM Reverse Tilt Side Mirror Accessory
HIR High Beams
PIAA Yellow Fog Lights + GT Yellow Film
JDM (Insight) Tail Reflectors
Hella Supertones
Wiper Delete (-2.67 lbs)
Debadged

Interior
Acura TSX Homelink
2012 CR-Z Black Seats w/ Blue Stitching
2012 CR-Z Black Center Console
Base CR-Z Trim Pieces & Door Handles
Honda All-Weather Floor Mats (+4.85 lbs)
Honda Cargo Tray (+2.00 lbs)

Under the Hood
Hondata FlashPro
ARK Cat-Back Exhaust (+9.34 lbs)
Spoon Air Filter
Spoon Oil Cap

Suspension & Chassis
Spoon Fixed Dampers + Spoon Progressive Springs (-0.67 lb)
Spoon Sports Motor Rib (+7.23 lbs)
Progress 19mm Rear Sway Bar (+7.42 lbs)

Wheel and Tire
SSR Gunmetal Type-C 16x7.0 ET42 (12.1 lbs)
Yokohama db Super e-spec 195/55R16 (19.0 lbs)
CBRD Titanium Lug Nuts

Alternate Set
Racing Hart Winning Gold CP-035 17x7.5 ET50 (13.0 lbs)
Yokohama S-drive F: 235/40R17 R: 205/45R17

Future Modifications

Blue = Ordered
Red = Awaitiing install...
Green = Work in Progress...

Exterior
JDM Reverse Camera

Under the Hood
GE8 High Cam Conversion
GE8 Intake Chamber
Extrude Honed Intake Runners
KMS Stage II Cylinder Head
Spoon Throttle Body

Suspension
Spoon Front Stabilizer Bar
Spoon Rigid Collar Kit (+60.6 g)

Brakes
Spoon Monoblock Calipers
Mugen Active Gate RSX-S Front Rotors
Mugen High Performance Rear Rotors
Castrol Racing SRF React Brake Fluid
EBC Yellowstuff Pads

[ITEM9]

SSR Gunmetal Type-C 16x7.0 ET42 (12.1 lbs)
Yokohama db Super e-spec 195/55R16 (19.0 lbs)

I started a thread about these wheels earlier and you can check out some more pictures of them here:

My SSR Type-Cs have arrived!

I took some more pictures with the center caps installed:











The wheels are machined to accept a snap-in retaining ring to hold the hub rings in place. Pretty nice…


Overall, I love these wheels. You can absolutely feel the difference in weight and I can’t recommend them enough. Not to mention they look really good on this car too…

[ITEM9]

I came across a used Honda Fit (GE8) cylinder head assembly on eBay and contacted the seller about whether they came with the cams, rockers, valve, etc. or not. I ended up getting the cylinder head, GE8 cams, GE8 intake plenum, intake runners all for $650 shipped from MN to FL. I’m looking into extrude honing the head and runners, but I may try to port it myself by hand. I’m going to practice on another manifold first to see if I have the capacity to reach everything.

I took some pictures showing the exterior as well as some internal shots of both pieces that I’m going to extrude hone:

GE8 Cylinder Head





An Intake Port:


Kind of a cool shot...


The Integrated Header Exhaust Port:


Further inside…


To the side…


Intake Runners





A peek inside…


GE8 Intake Plenum

[ITEM9]

PIAA Yellow Fogs and Headlight Armor GT Yellow Film


Insight (JDM) Reflectors

[ITEM9]

I came across these wheels used on eBay and remembered seeing them on the wheel weights list as one of the lightest wheels made. 13 lbs. for 17x7.5! They are discontinued and are pretty rare. I wanted to have another set of wheels so I can play with some wider, stickier tires. The fitment was perfect for the CR-Z, so I made an offer and he accepted! They looked pretty dirty in the pictures, but no curb rash or major damage. I got them safe and sound, and with a little elbow grease I was able to get them pretty clean. Two of the tires are 60% and the other two need to be replaced. I’ll probably replace all four and sell the two usable ones. I’ll probably sell my stock wheels now too...

Anyways here are the specs of the wheels and the tires I want to run:

Racing Hart Winning Gold CP-035 17x7.5 ET50 (13.0 lbs)
Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 215/45R17 (22.0 lbs)

And pictures:

















These pictures were with no spacers.

[jester33]

In your first thread about the ssr rims on the picture where you weighed them on the scale they were 11.9 not 12.1 just curious as to which is the correct number? Btw what is the weight of the stock 16' rims?

Nice car man your build is one of the ones I follow because you have the same idea as to what a "sport hybrid" should be

[ITEM9]

Originally Posted by jester33

In your first thread about the ssr rims on the picture where you weighed them on the scale they were 11.9 not 12.1 just curious as to which is the correct number? Btw what is the weight of the stock 16' rims?

Nice car man your build is one of the ones I follow because you have the same idea as to what a "sport hybrid" should be

My scale says 11.9 lbs, manufacturer says 12.1 lbs and I only weighed one of them. Stock weight is 16.5 lbs. Thanks for the compliments!

[ArtJDM]

Seems I'm not going to be biggest fish at our next meet. Looking good, man.

[ITEM9]

Originally Posted by ArtJDM

Seems I'm not going to be biggest fish at our next meet. Looking good, man.

You're safe...

...for now.

[ITEM9]

I vinyled my Honda emblems today and took some shots with the hood open to show the Spoon Motor Rib that I installed a few weeks back. You can also see the Spoon oil cap in the last shot as well.

The red vinyl isn't quite "Honda Red", but for the money it'll do for now. I'll figure out a better solution later...