Name: Spoon Sports EK9 Civic: Maximizing A Perfect Platform For Street Performance
Uploaded: 2021-02-03T06:46:18.651812+00:00
Duration: 1794 s
Channel: GTChannel
Description: Spoon Sports from Tokyo has followed a simple ethos since its founding in the late 80s: maximize Honda performance with minimal mods. Founder Tatsuru Ichishima, a former Honda race and test driver, advocates a tuning philosophy that combines internals, airflow, suspension, aerodynamics and an obsession with shedding weight for maximum power-to-weight ratios.

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Spoon Sports from Tokyo has followed a simple ethos since its founding in the late 80s: maximize Honda performance with minimal mods. Founder Tatsuru Ichishima, a former Honda race and test driver, advocates a tuning philosophy that combines internals, airflow, suspension, aerodynamics and an obsession with shedding weight for maximum power-to-weight ratios.

<p>Spoon Sports from Tokyo has followed a simple ethos since its founding in the late 80s: maximize Honda performance with minimal mods. Founder Tatsuru Ichishima, a former Honda race and test driver, advocates a tuning philosophy that combines internals, airflow, suspension, aerodynamics and an obsession with shedding weight for maximum power-to-weight ratios.</p>

https://d3ev5earl6dvd0.cloudfront.net/public-media/videos/001/631/001631/video_KNjWPaG.mov

The Civic Type R hatchbacks tuned by Spoon Sports in the 1990s were nothing short of legend on track and in endurance racing. Light as a feather, Spoon’s CTRs maximized power-to-weight ratio and inspired every Honda hatch owner to cut weight before adding boost.

Spoon Sports EK9: A Classic, Updated

Spoon’s tuning approach is about building on Honda’s factory specs, a tall order given Honda’s attention to detail and focus on building affordable, daily-driven performance cars. But there’s always room for improvement, including weight reduction and engine balancing. Response, not always power, is the goal.

Spoon Sports EK9 Civic: Finding Hidden Performance In Type R

As good as the Type R platform is, there are still gains to be had. A carbon fiber hood and intake pipe, and stainless steel headers (replacing cast iron) shave more than 30 pounds, while all new valvetrain parts contribute to a smoother and more freely revving engine.

Spoon Sports Civic Type R: Cutting Weight Is First Step

Spoon’s trademark method of rebuilding an engine includes increasing the tolerances of Honda’s already-impressive factory specs. That includes weight balancing and matching components down to the most insane detail, even down to 1/100th of a weight difference. The goal? Less vibration, quicker response, increased durability, especially in racing conditions.

Spoon Sports Civic Type R: Performance Lies In Tiny Details

Honda’s Type R engine mounts are pretty firm by most street performance standards. Spoon’s versions are firmer still, but made with a rubber compound that ensures compliance. Stiffer bushings aid response by holding the engine tight during acceleration. But it’s a balance. Too firm can lead to cracking, especially in endurance racing.

Spoon Sports Civic Type R: The Secret Sauce In Stiff Bushings

Spoon’s new-era Type R uses a more street-friendly exhaust than the classic N1 found on the earlier track car. The reason is simple: noise. The N1 sounds great on a track, but not in your neighborhood. Spoon’s new exhaust tames the noise, but still delivers a classic high-revving gurgle.

Spoon Sports Civic Type R: Classic Exhaust Your Neighbors Will Love

Spoon’s classic blue brake calipers are a four-piston unit made from aluminum that are lighter and deliver more stopping force than Honda’s factory clamps. And for EK hatches, they’re a direct replacement, no spacers necessary (sorry, DC2 owners). The adjustable suspension uses 20 percent stiffer bushings.

Spoon Sports Civic Type R: Better Brakes, Sharper Springs

Captain Bradford is so stunned by what he 
experiences behind the wheel that at one point he’s unable to speak and drive. The 190-horsepower Civic isn’t blazingly fast, but rather it’s so incredibly responsive that it feels blazing. Tens, if not hundreds, of variables come together in an instant.

Spoon Sports Civic Type R: Response Leaves Driver Speechless

Spoon founder Tatsuru Ichishima is a fount of wisdom when it comes to all things Honda. Here he explains why OEM motor oil (especially Honda’s) is very good quality, when you should change your oil and trans fluid, and why coolant is like women’s cosmetics.

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