Best tuning tips for the Honda Jazz/Fit

"Honda Jazz & Fit Tuning"

The Honda Jazz is also marketed and sold as the Honda Fit, with the exception of engine choices and various equipment/trim details the cars are essentially the same.

It was a very popular small car and because its light responds really well to tuning although the larger engines are usually better propositions to work with.

Popular with young drivers, thanks to it low insurance costs, excellent reliability and low running costs.

We take a peek at Jazz/Fit tuning and show the premier modifications. Honda Jazz/Fit offer good returns when tuned and with carefully chosen mods and upgrades you can greatly improve your driving pleasure.

The Jazz is popular among our members for tuning projects We see car enthusiasts wasting money on their Jazz/Fit doing the wrong mods and then having to start over. Follow our hints to avoid wasting your money.

Check out our video introduction to Honda Tuning, all you need to know about mods and upgrades on your Honda.

Bear in mind that power gains are proportional to the starting power levels, so think of each mod as adding a percentage.

If you have the 1.2 it will cost a lot of money to get it up to 1.5 performance levels and is probably not worth it, so in that case we would suggest you focus on handling and braking mods and make the car more fun to drive. Engine swaps are a good option if you have a small engine size.

Our aim in Jazz engine tuning should be to increase peak power and Torque at the top end.

The best power gains come from larger engine sizes. The more you start with the bigger the return on investment so engine swaps are good value mods for small engined cars.

Tuning tips and articles

Engine tuning Transmission tuning Care care Intake & exhaust mods Improve handling Forums

Best Jazz & Fit Engine tuning mods.

Turning our attention to the Jazz/Fit engine we need to get a bit more torque out of the top end.

MK1 Jazz - Fit

  • GD1: 1.3 L L13A i-DSI
  • GD2: 1.3 L L13A i-DSI  4WD (Japan only)
  • GD3: 1.5 L L15A VTEC
  • GD4: 1.5 L L15A VTEC  4WD (Japan only)
  • GD5: 1.2 L L12A
  • GE3: 1.3 L L13A i-DSI (2007 Europe 1.4 L model. Made in China)

Mk2 Jazz - Fit

From 2007 the Jazz/Fit was rewored with a longer wheelbase and more interior space. Engine options were limited to just 2 units.

  • 1.3 L L13A i4 (79 cu in) i-VTEC - 98 hp Europe and Asia
  • 1.5 L L15A i4 (92 cu in) i-VTEC - 117 hp USA only

There was also a Hybrid version introduced in 2010.

Mk3 Jazz - Fit

In 2014 we saw a Mk3 Honda Jazz released with a much wider choice of engines,

  • 1.2 L L12B i-VTEC  petrol
  • 1.3 L L13B Earth Dreams i-DTEC
  • 1.5 L L15A (petrol)
  • 1.5 L L15B1 (petrol)
  • 1.5 L15B Earth Dreams i-DTEC
  • 1.5 L i-DTEC diesel

Mk 4 Jazz - Fit

From 2020 we see a new range released with an extensive hybrid option to test market adaptation, with more engine options teased for later release.

  • 1.0 L P10A2 VTEC turbocharged
  • 1.5 L LEB-MMD Atkinson cycle Hybrid i-MMD (New Gen)

Jazz Fit Engine swaps

Engine swaps have been done on the Jazz Fit models, here are the engines we've covered in detail but the larger ones are probably going to be impossible to fit into the engine bay but you could always go with mid mounted engine for the ultimate project.

Getting the correct grade of sports parts for your planned usage of the car is essential. Stage 3 competition upgrades just don't work well on the road hard to control in slow traffic.

The following modifications and performance upgrades are usually installed by our members, decide how far you wish to go in your tuning project before you start.

Please watch our video which covers the 5 principles of tuning your car. Be sure to keep up with our latest YouTube content and subscribe.

Best Engine Mods for your Jazz / Fit

    1. Engine Tunes - engine tuning/remapping provides the most advantage in terms of cost savings,  aftermarket ECUs, and piggyback ECUs are all alternatives.
    2. Intake and Exhaust - Note that on their own these mods will NOT ADD POWER in most cases, but they can help enhance power after other mods by removing the restriction.
    3. Brake Upgrades - Make sure the anchors fitted to your Jazz/Fit will not fade when you need them with a big brake upgrade conversion kit.
    4. Suspension upgrades - improving the handling is a great first mod, and really transforms your Jazz & Fit into a fun car to drive.
    5. Head work - The goals of porting and flowing the head are to get air flowing into the engine while removing flow restrictions and turbulence.

Jazz Fit typical tuning stages

Typical stage 1 mods often include:
Alloy wheels, Panel air filter, Lighter flywheel, Suspension upgrade (drop 30-40mm), Sports exhaust, Remap.

Typical stage 2 mods often include:
Fast road cam, Ported and polished head, hihg flow fuel injector, Power/Sport clutch, fuel pump upgrades.

Typical stage 3 mods often include:
Competition cam, Engine balancing, Sports gearbox, Adding or upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger), Internal engine upgrades (pistons/head/valves).

You should keep as much low end torque as possible and aim for a long power band across the rev range rather than a narrow top end power hike.

A little note about an issue that has been bought to our attention. There is a very annoying clutch delay valve fitted which effectively limits the speed at which you can change gear, and affects the way the clutch feels and handles.

Swapping out with a modified Civic part is generally the way to go and really transforms the gearchange on the fit, so it's worth investigating.

Best Jazz & Fit Mods & Upgrades

In this article we shall give a limited introduction to the best mods for your car, but we'd encourage you to spend some time on the site looking into the details of each type of performance upgrade.

Fast road cams offer one of the biggest performance gains for your money as far as a bolt on motorsport upgrades goes on a NA (naturally aspirated) engine.

VTEC kind of does the work of a fast road cam, so for newer Honda models a fast road cam is not a great priority.

It maximizes the intake and exhaust flow and increases the power if done right. Ideally you'd add other mods and finish up with a remap.

We'd also caution you not to go with a competition cam as this affects the engines idling and general town driving characteristics.

You will need to ensure that the engine is not starved of fuel so will need to uprate the fuelling.

Jazz & Fit Handling/Suspension upgrades

Handling modifications are usually your first port of call for the Jazz. We would go to a maximum drop of 35mm on most models. You risk rubbing on the arches if you go lower than this.

Improving the handling for people is often first priority in your Fit or Jazz tuning project.

So, if your vehicle is also used as a daily driver, what aspects do you need to consider while setting up and selecting your suspension?

Bushing upgrades

Bushes are a rubber mount that rotates allowing the Jazz & Fit suspension components to attach and rotate around the car's chassis. The rubber ones will degrade with time.

A new set of OEM rubber bushings can drastically improve the handling of your vehicle.

New polyurethane bushes last longer and maintain the handling considerably tighter, although they might make the ride a bit bumpier since they are tougher.

They may also hasten the deterioration of other suspension parts with the increased vibration and play.

A set of new poly bushes will improve your car's handling by decreasing the excessive play associated with rubber bushes.

Most aftermarket bushing kits will come with a complete set of suspension bushes, while rarer models and older models may only have the main bushes available in polyurethane.

Often, custom bushes may be manufactured to fit your needs.

Buying a non-adjustable suspension system that lowers the vehicle 30mm from a local component shop and expecting it to be the ideal setup is a common misconception.

Most Jazz & Fit suspension kits are relatively generic in nature, and vendors may claim that they may be installed on any or all of a car's models.

Because differing engine weights, wheel sizes, and vehicle weights need varying suspension characteristics, the one-size-fits-all approach is bit of a misconception.

Remember that instead of slowing down a lowered vehicle, speed bumps will grip the sump and pull off the bottom of the engine as well as the majority of the front skirt. Lower doesn't always imply better handling.

Most road vehicles should not be dropped more than 35mm, while hot hatches with uprated suspension should only be dropped 30mm, according to TorqueCars.

These tolerances might be considerably lower if you modified the wheel size. A vehicle with conventional suspension and 17" rims would be OK, but if you lower it as well, you may run into a slew of issues.

The goal should always be to enhance handling, and since the vehicle is lower, there is less air passing beneath it, which may assist with stability. It's important to remember that lower springs should be used with matching shocks.

Think about the geometry and alignment of your Jazz & Fit

Setting a little negative camber on the fronts and around 1 to 1.7 degrees of toe in to improve stability or toe out for better cornering, will often benefit your Fit in handling and cornering.

Drop the car optimally somewhere in the region of 27mm - 36 mm. and fit motorsport grade stiffer dampers, bigger drops will need other modifications in most instances.

Suspension Upgrade Kits

Embrace the thrill of enhanced handling and unparalleled responsiveness with the BC Racing V1 coilovers, a range of really well designed suspension systems engineered to transform your Honda Jazz or Fit's driving dynamics.

These exceptional coilovers offer a remarkable level of adjustability, empowering you to tailor the suspension's performance to your specific preferences and driving style.

For those seeking a balance between comfort and performance, the Bilstein B14 PSS coilovers emerge as an outstanding choice.

These coilovers seamlessly blend exceptional handling capabilities with a comfortable ride, making them ideal for both spirited drives and daily commutes.

Drivers seeking an uncompromising track-focused suspension experience will find solace in the KW Variant 2 coilovers.

These coilovers are meticulously engineered to deliver unparalleled performance on the racetrack, providing exceptional handling and stability even under the most demanding conditions but some have said they are too harsh for long journeys, so I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

The Honda Fit makes a good sleeper car thanks to its light weight and relative large engine bay, out cornering many bigger cars on a track!

Brake Upgrades

Experience the ultimate in braking performance with the D2 K Sport brake upgrade kits, meticulously engineered to provide exceptional stopping power and unrivaled confidence behind the wheel.
These brake kits feature high-performance components, including oversized brake discs and high-friction brake pads, ensuring that your Honda Jazz or Fit is always in command.

If you find you get flat spots and power surges after your upgrades you should check the fuelling and try a higher octane fuel as well.

To get sufficient fuel you may need to uprate the injectors on your engine. If you've uprated your fuelling with bigger injectors you will also need to get a bigger fuel pump to supply it.

Jazz & Fit Intake and Exhaust Tuning.

Now we move on to the intake and exhaust and ensure proper flow through the engine.

Contrary to popular belief there is generally a small if any power gain to be had by fitting an induction kit, they only become beneficial and are recommended after you increase the engines power to the point where the standard air intake box cannot cope!

For most Jazz engines TorqueCars would suggest you just go with a washable panel air filter. On heavily tuned engines and turbo vehicles an induction kit will help release the power providing you address the problem of supplying cold air.

Enthusiasts seeking to enhance the performance of their beloved Honda will be thrilled to discover the KnN 57i air filter, a remarkable component engineered to lift your driving experience primarily through better engine sound.

This meticulously crafted air filter boasts a high-flow design that ensures an unrestrained supply of air to your Honda Fit's engine, empowering it to unleash its full potential.

The KnN 57i air filter's meticulously crafted design eliminates the need for frequent replacements, as it is conveniently washable and reusable. This not only saves you money but also contributes to minimizing environmental impact.

Exhaust Upgrades

Do not go with the biggest exhaust you can get this will reduce the exhaust flow rate - the best for power gains are usually between 1.5 to 2.5 inches. It is the shape and material more than the bore size.

Unleash the true voice of your Jazz or Fit, with the Fox exhaust backbox, a meticulously crafted component designed to enhance the exhaust note and amplify the driving experience.

This exhaust backbox delivers a rich, sonorous sound that perfectly complements the Honda engines spirited character, adding an exhilarating dimension to every drive.

gas flowing the head will allow you to maximise your air/fuel charge. Leave this to a professional though with a proper flow bench and machine tools

In nearly all cases of Jazz tuning your clutch will start to slip and this should be improved - read our overview on clutches for more information. Remaps offer significant power gains on all turbo charged cars. On NA (naturally aspirated) engines the benefits are doubtful.

However a flashed ecu on a NA (naturally aspirated) engine will help unleash the potential if you have done a lot of mods. The most significant power gains for NA (naturally aspirated) engines usually involve the addition of forced induction. Superchargers are generally easier to add than turbos. Turbos increase power in increasing proportion to increasing engine speed and this can make mapping difficult.

Superchargers, however will give a boost which is directly proportional to engine speed so is simpler.
Decreasing the engines compression ratio will allow you to add forced induction, water injection may also help prevent detonation.

Alloy wheel upgrades on the Jazz & Fit.

Alloy wheels can help the brake cooling and are usually less heavy than the steel ones. The drawback to large alloys on your Jazz is that you're changing your effective final drive ratio so this will have a negative effect on acceleration and performance.

For this reason we would advise sticking to a maximum wheel size of 16 inches, although we know some of our members have gone larger than this with no problems.

Improve your Honda Jazz/Fits aesthetic appeal and at the same time improve its performance with the Calibre Vintage wheels, a set of meticulously crafted 16x7J alloy wheels complemented by 195/45/16 tires.

These wheels not only add a touch of vintage charm to your Jazz or Fit but also contribute to improved handling and responsiveness.

If you would like to know more, or just get some friendly advice on Tuning your car please join us in our car forums where you can discuss Jazz options in more detail with our Jazz owners. It would also be worth reading our unbiased Honda tuning articles to get a full grasp of the benefits and drawbacks of each modification.

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One Response to “Honda Jazz/Fit Tuning”

  1. Djuneid says:

    What about adding supercharger to the 2015 honda fit hybrid (GP5) 135hp stock? I have been looking everywhere over the web but cant find anything about this option

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