Spoon also tuned the transmission gears to close ratios to adapt to the various tight curves of Japanese tracks. This also allows the car to operate near the maximum power band of the engine a majority of the time. Another tuning concept that Spoon still practices today is enhancing the performance of the original part. This means using the same hardware but by tuning and polishing, that same part contributes to raising the overall performance of the car. By buffing up, cleaning and pampering it and feeding it high performance transmission fluid, Spoon was able to lower the friction produced within the gearbox thus hoisting the endurance level. The current close gear set by Spoon still makes use of the same gear ratio from the Group A days.
Spoon also chose Nissin brakes, another OEM Honda brand, to tune and perfect the braking. Pads were replaced to high performance racing pads but the hardware basically remained stock. Today Nissin still manufactures the high performance monoblock and twin-block calipers for Spoon.
Showa suspension was the way to go for Spoon since whether it's a racing car or not, Ichishima's cars are very easy to handle. He says the feeling is very linear and nothing tricky. If you already guessed, you guessed right, Showa still produces specially tuned Spoons legs to this day.
Many of Spoon's cars have made it over stateside but this one has yet to make it over. The Spoon president hopes one day he can bring this Wonder Civic across the Pacific so his US fans can take a look at history.
Fast Facts
1985 Civic (E-AT) Group A Spec
Owner Spoon sports
Hometown Ogikubo, Tokyo, Japan
Daily Grind Honda Tuning Specialist
Power 230HP@9800rpm
Torque N/A
Under The Hood naturally-aspirated ZC Engine 1.6L DOHC; Spoon valve cover, aluminum oil pan, oil cap, reservoir covers, straight pipe-exhaust (megaphone type), custom header w/spring flange joints; NGK spark plug wires; grey sealer paint
Brains Keihin ECU
Drivetrain 5-speed close ratio transmission
Stiff Stuff Showa struts; custom aluminum rollcage, front torsion bars, rear springs, front strut tower bar, front/rear swaybars w/spherical endlinks, adjustable panhard rod, air jacks, single lug conversion
Stoppers Nissin calipers; adjustable proportioning valve; 2-piece drilled rotors
Rollers 15X8 (front) and 15X6.5 (rear) center-locking Enkei wheels, 205/55 R15 Vintage Yokohama Advan SS tires
Outside : Flat panel underneath car; Spoon Sports paint scheme, decals, windshield banner; tow hooks; EC Works Type A mirrors; hood pins; fender-mounted air jack wand
Inside Handmade meters: Spoon Sports first-gen steering wheel, carbon-kevlar bucket seat; Simpson harness; custom seat brackets; battery kill switch;
WWW spoon.jp