FIT in Mid 90's VD

[RobLav]

I just bought a pretty decent RF93 FC and had intended to part it out, keeping the LD200 and various other parts for another project. Before I do that though, I thought I'd gauge the interest level in converting this type of car to FIT. It seems to me that this would make a great FF, especially with the narrower 93 bodywork.

Would anyone be interested in buying / help funding a conversion of this car? Otherwise, it's coming apart....

[Matt King]

I'm interested in the responses. I've been looking at FCs of that vintage as potential Fit conversions, but I'm not sure of the suitability, ie. what frame mods may be needed to fit the Honda, plus related parts availability. Right now a Piper, DB-6 or late-model VD is not in the budget!

[RussMcB]

The two things I'd try to look into would be: 1) How competitive are those chassis in FF with the Kent? And 2) How much effort will it take to make the Honda work.

The Honda has two pretty decent benefits: 1) Engine reliability/longevity/"moderness", and 2) HPD has done a lot of work figuring out out to get the engines into a Swift or late model chassis. Their chassis kits aren't cheap, but it's nice to have a lot of that work done for you.

I'm not sure about chassis competitiveness. I think I've noticed a few mid 90's VD doing pretty well in FF, but I don't have a good gauge of their competitiveness.

Knowing about your last project with the F1000, my hunch is you could overcome all obstacles regarding the conversion. If you decided to do it, there would be plenty of interest.

Good luck.

PS. I'm scheduled to receive a Fit engine from HPD this Friday. Let me know if you want measurements.

[RobLav]

Hey Russ - thanks for the comments. I won't FIT convert this car for me. I am wondering if anyone would commit to buy it if I convert it. My goal is to do the Zetec on the Citation. The FIT convert is still on my mind for the Citation though too!

On edit, I know of a very quick 93 or so Kent up here in the Northeast that is very competitive.

[reidhazelton]

Right now a Piper, DB-6 or late-model VD is not in the budget!

Then you are pretty much not getting a Fit in an FF with any financial economy. A Fit will not work on a 92, no way, no how. The rear of the car would have to be cut up so much that it would be far to expensive and you might as well build a car from scratch.

I know the 93 VD is a bit more similar in the rear frame layout to a 98 era VD than a 92, but only by eyeball. Not sure on the exact measurements. Keep in mind there is no kit from HPD for anything but the most expensive (the ones quoted above) FFs right now. You will have to fab many parts, if the engine will even fit in it. My guess is that the structure that sits above the engine and connects to the a-frame portion towards the rear will need to be substantially modified to fit the Honda intake. This is the issue with the 92. Then find a place to make or modify the engine cover to work. The roll hoop is different than a 01+ VD on a early VD, so the HPD scoop will need to be modified to work and melded to the engine cover.

I highly doubt you will ever recoup the expense of putting a Honda in it at resale. The best early VD in the world isn't likely worth more than $20K. A run of the mill early 90's VD is worth around $10K-ish. You will likely spend that alone in the conversion.

[RobLav]

I agree Reid. I ran those figures through my head and PM'd them to someone here about an hour ago. Looks like it is time to part the car.

[reidhazelton]

I agree Reid. I ran those figures through my head and PM'd them to someone here about an hour ago. Looks like it is time to part the car.

Good call Rob, not to mention the time it would take to do the project and do some testing to sell it as a known running car.

If that FC you talk about was the one that just sold on the FC section, nice buy!

[Wren]

Who built the pinto? How many hours and what parts are in it? I need a better pinto.

[eospeed]

I am going to start installing a FIT in my 97 VD after the Mid Ohio Pro Race. I will post some pics as I go along.



Erik

[racer27]

Erik ... look forward to following the progress.

[Ralph Z.]

Erik:

Yes, keep us posted as you develop the '97. I have an RF98 which is similar to the '97. I am very curious about your conversion.

Ralph Z

[ric baribeault]

ralph, hpd makes a kit for your car. erik has to make his own for the 97

[Ralph Z.]

I thought that HPD was making kits for '99 and up.

Ralph

[RussMcB]

FYI - Bill Maissey has a nice forum for Fit powered FF cars. There is a Van Diemen sub-forum: http://hondaff.yuku.com/forums/69/t/Van-Dieman.html

I really like the look of this car, and wondered if it'd make a good FF with Fit engine: http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39392