2007 Honda Fit - Quite Fitting

No less than four 12" Polk db124 subs -- two in each fiberglass-covered MDF box on each side of the hatch area -- handle the Fit's low end. Pieces of 3" PVC piping were used for the ports to save space and to allow them to be routed around the drivers. Up front, a 10" Polk db104 sub in the dash fills out the bass.


And that's why Honda of America hired him to modify one of its new-to-the-U.S. Fit models earlier this year. "With Honda trying to focus on a certain age group, we wanted a look that would appeal to someone that can relate to the vehicle," he says. "But it was stressful, since we only had five weeks to complete the project."

To power the system, six amplifiers were mounted on a custom rack in the rear of the car. Three Polk C400.4 multichannel amps power the front and rear component speakers, while a trio of C500.1 monoblocks handle the system bass. To smooth out the look, the MDF amprack was wrapped with black Tsunami suede and topped with a Honda "H" cut out of clear acrylic. Overall, the system produces more than 2,500 watts.

An Alpine PXA-H701 multichannel processor mounted under the amprack handles all of the audio adjustments including EQ, phase, time alignment and 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound decoding. The unit also acts as an active crossover in partnership with the Polk component speakers.

Although Shutt handled most of the bodywork and system designs himself, Thom Voisinet and Josh Claar from Polk installed the Fit's audio system at the manufacturer's Baltimore headquarters. And here's how they did it.

In addition to the in-dash monitor, a pair of 7-inch Directed HVM700 LCD monitors were mounted on the rear hatch and wired to turn on whenever the hatch is opened.


Shutt wanted a do-it-all head unit that wouldn't dominate the Fit's interior space. The Alpine IVA-W200 DVD player fit the bill -- offering DVD and CD playback, a 6.5-inch LCD monitor, satellite radio and an iPod connection. The unit was installed in the Fit's factory dash opening and was ISO-mounted with a custom-fabricated steel bracket.

Honda wanted the Fit to be an eye-catcher on the show circuit, so Shutt modified the body with a custom Tourren kit, side moldings, shaved mirrors and a two-tone black and orange paint job with white camo highlights. Enkei EVO-5 wheels and Dunlop tires round out the look.


DRIVER PROFILE
Ryan Shutt, 29, is a paintless dent removal technician from Baltimore, MD. He has been modifying show cars for about six years and has appeared at import and specialty shows nationwide. This '07 Fit is his second project for Honda.

*2007 Honda Fit
Wheels: Enkei EVO Five 18" x 7.5"
Tires: Dunlop tires
Suspension: Eiback springs
Performance: Nitrous Express direct-port nitrous kit

The audio installation team gutted the car and lined every exposed surface with Dynamat Extreme sound dampening material. From there, Shutt took over and covered the dash, doors and trunk with Tsunami suede, complete with carbon-fiber door inserts and orange highlights.


Two pairs of Polk db651 6.5" coaxial speakers were installed in the hatch and set up to run as front speakers when the car is open at shows. Additional rear fill is provided by two pairs of Polk db401 4" fullrange drivers installed in the headliner behind the rear seat.