Unity Performance Humza's FL5 Build Thread

[Unity Performance]

Not our first FL5 shop car but finally my own FL5! Important distinction is that the first CW (wrapped purple) was a friend's car given to us for early product testing, and that was sold off in early 2024 for a BMW M5. Then we've had the RR FL5 build ongoing which most of you have seen on our socials getting mostly JDM parts, it's also owned by a friend.

I became a human dad a couple weeks after becoming an FL5 dad so car content was on pause. This also sets the tone for the mods that will be chosen over the years as I'll have to strike the balance between a shop development car and fun toy, plus something I can take the wife and kiddo in for a drive. I've also toned down my own taste over the years, and not chasing as hardcore an experience I had with my FK8 that was equipped with Ohlins + every RV6 suspension catalog parts.

I'll keep it as OEM++ as I can, testing and sharing as many upgrades as possible to improve on the car's already great balance from factory.

Here's the first post with transport and delivery pictures. Funny enough, the sage friend who loaned us his CW FL5 was the only one to spot the car on its way into the city from out-of-state, and him and I had a fun chat about things coming around full circle!

 

[Vlad@27WON]

Excited for what's to come, guys!!!!

 

[2fast916]

Congrats on both!!!

 

[Unity Performance]

With less than 10 miles on the clock, most of which were likely in Japan, we kicked off with the first mods

Superspeed 76RR in Matte Black - 18X10.5 +47 with 285/35R18 Continental DWS06+. The 9.5" setups are proven but wanted to showcase that 10.5" can be easily accomplished as well. I didn't need all the rolling resistance so I went with these UHP All Seasons instead of Conti ECS02 Summer-only tires, which I usually run.

OE Wheel + Tire weight = 51lbs
SS Wheel + Tire weight = 44lbs

These wheels will soon be launched in Bronze, and I have made requests for Silver to be an option as well.

The poke is easily remedied by pulling the guide pins out for extra camber. The Rear doesn't poke.

 

[Unity Performance]

Excited for what's to come, guys!!!!

It's gonna be good! 27WON parts will definitely see their way onto the car

Congrats on both!!!

Thank You!

 

[ABPDE5]

With less than 10 miles on the clock, most of which were likely in Japan, we kicked off with the first mods

Superspeed 76RR in Matte Black - 18X10.5 +47 with 285/35R18 Continental DWS06+. The 9.5" setups are proven but wanted to showcase that 10.5" can be easily accomplished as well. I didn't need all the rolling resistance so I went with these UHP All Seasons instead of Conti ECS02 Summer-only tires, which I usually run.

OE Wheel + Tire weight = 51lbs
SS Wheel + Tire weight = 44lbs

These wheels will soon be launched in Bronze, and I have made requests for Silver to be an option as well.

The poke is easily remedied by pulling the guide pins out for extra camber. The Rear doesn't poke.

Is this on stock suspension? Any rubbing issues?

 

[jcfishel]

I can identify with so many things in your opening statement. Congrats on the new FL5. I've also been pretty tame with my mods since I traded in my FK8 for an FL5 about 9 months ago.

Despite what most FK8 owners I talk to say, there is a quite significant improvement in virtually every aspect of the FL5 in modern conveniences and features vs. the FK8. The way I see it now, buy a used FK8 if you want to build a full on racecar, buy an FL5 if you want a fun family car w/ a warranty.

Can't wait to see what you do with it!

 

[Evox787]

Congratulations on becoming a Dad also congratulations on getting that FL5! Hope to see the development over time.

 

[derbo904]

Excited to follow along!

I appreciate your ethos and I follow a similar one.

 

[cryptolime]

love those tires. looking forward to your build. Also, love your shop! wish I lived near you!

 

[Unity Performance]

Couple more updates before we took it out for its first drive

1) OLM Honda Access Style Wing - originally we were going to retrofit this on our FL1, but that received the standard FL5 wing in Carbon from OLM along with OE risers, so this was sitting collecting dust. Glad we sat on it because I've never liked the standard wing - always felt it was too narrow and looked disproportionate relative to the wide hips this car has. Overall a lot more character! Sucks that OLM discontinued it for now, I've asked them to consider bringing it back. Fitment was bang on, it took less than 5 minutes to get it on as everything lined up perfectly.

2) Dream Seat Covers - love them or hate them, they work. I want to be able to have a beverage or snack in the car. I don't want to Sonax my seats every week to get stains off. These also prevent bolster wear as you're able to slide in and out, versus dragging over the bolster each time. They can be removed for car shows and track days in 30 seconds. Plus I like the Black interior for daily, it makes the Red feel more special each time I'll get to uncover it.

3) BlackVue DR970X Dashcam - 6+ years of history with these guys, even before Unity. I've tried a number of other brands as well, and they can match the footage quality but nothing has touched BV in terms of the app's ease of use and functionality. Parking mode is great as well. 4K Front, Full HD Rear. I'll post updated pics of this when I get the car back - it was plugged into the 12V for power initially but then I did get it hardwired a couple days later.

 

[Unity Performance]

Is this on stock suspension? Any rubbing issues?

Stock suspension at the time of pictures, drove it like that the first 100 or so miles. Follow up post will show ride height with H&R's - no rub as well.

I can identify with so many things in your opening statement. Congrats on the new FL5. I've also been pretty tame with my mods since I traded in my FK8 for an FL5 about 9 months ago.

Despite what most FK8 owners I talk to say, there is a quite significant improvement in virtually every aspect of the FL5 in modern conveniences and features vs. the FK8. The way I see it now, buy a used FK8 if you want to build a full on racecar, buy an FL5 if you want a fun family car w/ a warranty.

Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Thanks! My first drive out on the backroads reminded me how good of a package Honda has put together since it had been a while that I'd driven a stock example, minus wheels and tires. +R still felt bouncy even with the softer tire compound and 35 sidewall. We'll work on this, stay tuned.

The FK8 wrapped around me more than the FL5, and the FC1 Si I owned before it even more so. The FL5 feels bigger but I like it because I want that wide road presence that this car delivers

Congratulations on becoming a Dad also congratulations on getting that FL5! Hope to see the development over time.

Thank you on both! Tiring yet the most rewarding experience, I can't wait to take her out to meets and show her my world as we raise her

Excited to follow along!

I appreciate your ethos and I follow a similar one.

I started taming my FK8 down in year 4 of ownership, once the novelty of some of hardcore changes wore down for daily use - I got it to it's sweet spot just months before selling. It's going to be great getting the FL5 to a point where it's right at the sweet spot as well.

This past year I've had so many conversations with other Type R parents who've come to us for parts, and it's been great working with everyone to dial up the enjoyment to where they feel it's just right.

We get to do crazy builds as well routinely with customers - for example a recent set of Nitron R3 Coilovers for a dedicated canyon carver FL5 in SoCal, multiple 550+ whp setups, big aero cars etc. Not going soft with our knowledge anytime soon

love those tires. looking forward to your build. Also, love your shop! wish I lived near you!

DWS06+ are great! Highly recommend if you won't be tracking, and/or will be getting a dedicated track setup. I've not given up much useable grip in the city or highway, and up in Toronto I can run these till early December. They're rated for the lightest of snow, but the car will be parked up from December to April.

If you ever find yourself in our city, you're always welcome to stop by! We routinely get people stopping by to say hello

Adam and I will be in Vegas next week for SEMA, and in April I hope that I can come down for WTD as that's my favorite event all year!

 

[TW00Si]

I bought the Dream seat covers from you. They do serve a purpose but the fit isn’t great and it isn’t breathable so not good for long drives. I leave the passenger side on but I like mine without.

 

[cryptolime]

I bought the Dream seat covers from you. They do serve a purpose but the fit isn’t great and it isn’t breathable so not good for long drives. I leave the passenger side on but I like mine without.

true, true, But i love how easy those seat covers are to install/remove to wash. Some of the fancy seat covers you can't really take them off easily without risking ripping them, because the fit is so tight.

 

[derbo904]

I started taming my FK8 down in year 4 of ownership, once the novelty of some of hardcore changes wore down for daily use - I got it to it's sweet spot just months before selling. It's going to be great getting the FL5 to a point where it's right at the sweet spot as well.

This past year I've had so many conversations with other Type R parents who've come to us for parts, and it's been great working with everyone to dial up the enjoyment to where they feel it's just right.

We get to do crazy builds as well routinely with customers - for example a recent set of Nitron R3 Coilovers for a dedicated canyon carver FL5 in SoCal, multiple 550+ whp setups, big aero cars etc. Not going soft with our knowledge anytime soon

I own an E90M3 and followed a similar ethos to build a car following BMW M CS. The words "Racetrack optimized + everyday suitability" spoke to me

I'm hoping to do something similar with my FL5 as well. Can't wait to see what your vision of that is vs mine!

Sponsored