Honda 600 coupe: A tempting buy

[chuckm]

There's a local CL ad for a pair of Honda 600 coupes, one parts, one complete but not running. At 1,312lbs curb, and a 2570sqin frontal area stock, it could be the ideal ecomodder car. I think I'd end up doing an engine swap, using a modern motorcycle engine. Depending on condition, I might just have to do some aeromods.

[aerohead]

Consider a full safety cage! I looked at one near here and after considering local traffic got scared off.I drove one in the Air Force,it belonged to a civilian contractor.The novelty wore off pretty fast and I don't remember that mpg was really that impressive.A modern water-cooled engine would be good.

[chuckm]

Safety cage? Is the structure that flimsy?

And you're right, the stock mpg isn't impressive: 35mpg. But that's why I mentioned an engine swap. You know, it would be really cool to stuff a small diesel under the hood, ala Jack McCornack's MAX vehicle.

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by chuckm

Safety cage? Is the structure that flimsy?

With 1300lbs of 1972 technology, I can't imagine it's much safer than an enclosed motorcycle. Cue the '59 Bel Air vs '09 Malibu crash test footage.

[Ryland]

It's a heavy car for it's size, my parents have an N600 (sedan) and it feels pretty solid, loud but solid, sounds like an air cooled engine.
Thing is about the motorcycle engine swap is the honda engine is 36hp out of a 600cc engine, a motorcycle engine is going to have alot more power because it revs higher, it is also going to suck down the gas.

[Formula413]

Originally Posted by Ryland

Thing is about the motorcycle engine swap is the honda engine is 36hp out of a 600cc engine, a motorcycle engine is going to have alot more power because it revs higher, it is also going to suck down the gas.

I was going to say that, motorcycle engines are not pinnacles of efficiency by any means. I like the idea of the small diesel. And honestly a cage is probably a good idea.

[Frank Lee]

Safety schmafety, I always say.

Here's a thought: if you think something is going to hit you, get away from it instead.

It should get a wee diesel.

[dwtaylorpdx]

Kohler makes a nifty little Diesel engine series...

Kohler Engines: Kohler Diesel Liquid-Cooled: Series Landing: Engines

http://smallenginepower.com/catalog/c38_p1.html

Dave

[RobertSmalls]

Hmm, a small diesel powered 600 would have a certain charm. But seeing as these are 5-10 times the price of their gasoline counterparts, are there any lower-cost sources of small diesel engines? Used sailboat engines maybe?

[dwtaylorpdx]

The sailboat engine turn REALLY slow, like 900 rpm. and they are mega heavy, I helped install a Yanmar once, little 2 cyl, weighed like 800 lbs. They make them heavy to keep them quiet. On the other hand there are a lotof little diesel forklifts out there, but you'd have to find a road style throttle for them.

The most expensive of the Kohler engines is 7K cheapest about 3. Yea not for someone unless they are real serious. The question is , if the little 600 got 60MPG would it be worth it? Hmm. The old Bugs got about 35 with he old "40 horse" 1200 CC motor. (At least mine did in high school...)

Dave