SPOON SPORTS, THE LEGENDARY HONDA TUNER

HISTORY

Spoon is a Japanese company dedicated to modifying engines and tuning parts designed for the high performance of Honda cars. Its founder, Tatsuru Ichishima, previously worked for Honda as a race car tester and driver. In 1988, he decided to take this path, and was backed by the brand itself, and its first preparer, Mugen Motorsports.

The first base car with which the tuning began to develop was the Civic E-AT, better known as (Wonder Civic) that Ichishima owned and modified. This vehicle became the foundation for Spoon's racing concept and philosophy that guide the company to this day.

 

  

 

 

WHAT MODELS DOES SPOON MODIFY?

The Spoon brand is known for making Honda a true racing competitor through its modifications. In Japan, Spoon Sports is considered a leader in time trials and endurance racing using cars such as the Integra Type R, NSX, S2000 and Civic. These are the main and best known, but there are also models such as the CR-Z and the Jazz.

Not only are cars modified for the track, there are also demo cars for the street. The most striking with the mythical blue and yellow paint are those for the circuit, while those for the street are usually white or yellow.

 

 

WHAT IMPROVES SPOON REGARDING A PRODUCTION HONDA?

Spoon improves its vehicles accordingly, as new technologies and new high-performance parts come out. The main thing is usually at the chassis level, from arms, silentblocks, suspensions, brakes, cooling to modifying the aerodynamics and engines making them capable of going up to 11,000 rpm.

Many carbon fiber parts are used, both in the original car parts and in the aerodynamics, to lighten the weight of the vehicle.

CURIOUS FACT:

All Spoon engines are refined and hand-built to a pattern of tolerances so that the piston and connecting rod assembly are the same weight on all 4 cylinders. In this way, power is not gained, but smoothness and better engine response are gained, favoring the increase in revolutions, still being very reliable.

 

TYPE ONE 

Spoon's office today is primarily used as a store to store and distribute its own brand of parts. In 2001 the company opened what is now known as Type One, a workshop where the brand's cars are modified, exhibited and sold, thus differentiating the car area from the spare parts area.

Type One's headquarters are located in the Suginami neighborhood of Tokyo. In the same compound, you can also find Spoon's main office.

 

CURIOUS FACT:

Type One is also a workshop open to the public, you can take your car to be repaired or have the brand modify it to your liking.

 

 

RACES IN WHICH SPOON PARTICIPATED

The Ichishima Wonder Civic was the first Honda Civic to enter the Japan Touring Car Championship (JTCC). From that moment on, the company would stand out for its magnificent racing cars.

There are many races that Spoon participated in, here are some wins:

-Super Tayiku ST-4 class championship.

-24h of Nurburgring.

-24h from Tokachi.

-25 from Thunderhill.

-9h from Tsukuba.

CURIOUS FACT:

The name of Spoon, comes from the famous curve with the shape of a "spoon" (Spoon in English) of the Suzuka Circuit.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS OF SPOON SPORTS IN THE PERFORMANCE

OIL

Tatsuru Ichishima has some recommendations for Honda drivers. For B and K series engines, it is recommended to use the OEM oil, (the one recommended by the manufacturer) and if it can be of the Motul brand.

After each trackday, it is recommended to change the oil to facilitate the flow of oil through the engine. In this way, impurities in the lubricant are avoided and the best lubrication of the engine is always maintained at high rpm.

VTEC

A good modification in engines with a VTEC system, especially in B-Series, is to modify the VTEC input through the ECU, making it come in much sooner. As standard, it is usually a bit high, between 5,500 and 6,200 rpm on the B16B. Ichishima states that the sweet spot is between 4200-4800 rpm.

TRANSMISION FLUID

If the use is exclusively trackday, it is recommended to change this fluid at the same time as the engine oil, after each batch.

TYRES

Tires are made of rubber, so they weaken in the sunlight. If the vehicle sits for a long time, such as a few months, it is better to park it in a shady place, to avoid damaging them and extend their useful life.

On the circuit, the pressures are very important, in front-wheel drive Hondas, less pressure is recommended on the front axle than on the rear because that is where the engine (more weight) is located.

MORE ABOUT SPOON

To finish we leave you here more videos about the company, reviews about some of its demonstration cars and interviews with Mr. Ichishima.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHMZlrC1ngA&t=304s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YM_OQHvmso

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpJtazeTHog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCJTqX03Fgw&list=PLLg2qd1Kr-rqFRGvHDI_35QryW4AVdFsl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZvGv29Ei-0&list=PLLg2qd1Kr-rqFRGvHDI_35QryW4AVdFsl&index=3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO0OetM-XcI&list=PLLg2qd1Kr-rqFRGvHDI_35QryW4AVdFsl&index=5