Go Back   EcoModder Forum > Introductions
Register Now
 Register Now

Now available from EcoModder: ScanGauge II fuel economy gauge.  Click for details.  

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 07-21-2010, 11:16 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
SturnellaNeglecta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 10

KJ - '90 Integra LS
90 day: 29.01 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Cool LaFawnduh the Honda

Hi all, I've been lurking here for a while and thought I'd introduce myself now that I've used a couple of the ideas I found here.

This is my 1989 Accord LX with 195,000 miles on the odo. Her name is LaFawnduh, 'cos I met her on the internet (just like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite, get it??). She's just a couple months older than me and we get along great.



She was getting pretty decent mileage thanks to her manual transmission and broken AC. Together we averaged 33.6 mpg over the course of a 2,000 mile road trip this spring... with four adults and luggage in the car. I was satisfied with that until I stumbled across this website.

After reading a bit, learning to drive properly, taping the upper grille, removing the passenger side mirror, and covering the empty spots where fog lights could go...



...LaFawnduh got 40.7 mpg on our last long out-n-back drive. That might not be super accurate, but I filled up at the same pump both times, so it's plausible. Temps were in the 80s and 90s and I only had to have the pop-up headlights on for half the trip.

Of course, I still want to do more. Being carbeurated, she's ineligible for a scangauge, but I'm still honing my driving. I might do pizza-pan wheel covers, but that may not be worth it without skirts (your opinion?). All the mods I've done so far have been free or very cheap.

Anyhow: thanks, EM community, for what I've learned from you already!


(Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying ads!)      
 

Last edited by SturnellaNeglecta; 08-08-2010 at 12:46 PM.. Reason: added pics
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2010, 11:28 PM   #2 (permalink)
Honda Ecomodder
 
redline5th's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Jackson, TN
Posts: 46

The Civic - '98 Civic DX
90 day: 41.59 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I <3 my Honda!

WELCOME TO ecomodder!!!
__________________
http://thechriscoleman.com/
Alas.... no more 40mpg -- Now B18C swapped.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2010, 11:49 PM   #3 (permalink)
MPG>HP
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Posts: 479

Little Blue - '09 Focus SE
Team Ford
90 day: 34.41 mpg (US)
Thanks: 6
Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts
Napoleon Dynamite was what I thought of when I read the title.


Welcome!
__________________
Best Tank:36.915MPG|422.6Miles
Longest Tank:35.2MPG|435.8Miles
Best Trip:45.9MPG|5.9Miles
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2010, 01:59 AM   #4 (permalink)
Pokémoderator
 
cfg83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,724

1999 Saturn SW2 - '99 SW2 Wagon
Team Saturn
90 day: 43.05 mpg (US)
Thanks: 385
Thanked 459 Times in 315 Posts
SturnellaNeglecta -

Welcome to EM! To show you how much times have changes, your Accord is about the same size as a Honda Civic today.

CarloSW2
__________________

What's your EPA MPG? Go Here and find out!
American Solar Energy Society
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2010, 08:08 AM   #5 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 12,533

Blackfly - '98 Metro
Team Metro
90 day: 67.07 mpg (US)

ForkenSwift - '92 Metro EV
90 day: 125.37 mpg (US)

U.F.O. - '00 Insight
Team Honda
90 day: 85.75 mpg (US)
Thanks: 302
Thanked 1,019 Times in 568 Posts
Woo, LaFawnduh!!




Exactly the same as my old Honda. Except mine was called Fred.

'89 Accord EX 5-speed (LX with power windows & locks ), which I sold ~5 years ago, and found out this week that it was just retired by the guy I sold it to because someone gave him a free Acura. Well, he's keeping Fred for one more year for winter beater duty. 440,000 km / 273,000 mi.

FYI, in summertime highway driving, I regularly got 40 mpg US (5.9 L/100km, or 48 mpg IMP). Just by keeping the speed down to 90-95 km/h (about 55 mph).

The EPA vs the EX (and the V8): beating the ratings - MetroMPG.com

My only real efficiency mod was the VX wheels. And their weight advantage in stop/go driving was probably cancelled out by the horrible aerodynamics (vs. the stock wheel covers) at highway speeds.

PS - welcome to the forum.
__________________
Latest project: removable Geo Metro boat tail
Latest test: Massive cardboard air dam on a Geo Metro


www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2010, 06:16 PM   #6 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
SturnellaNeglecta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 10

KJ - '90 Integra LS
90 day: 29.01 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Thanks all for the welcome, I do feel welcome haha.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cfg83 View Post
To show you how much times have changes, your Accord is about the same size as a Honda Civic today.
Isn't it crazy? The listed curb weight for the current, 8th gen Accord is a full 800 lbs more than my car. Even the Civic coupe is a hundred pounds heavier- though I hear the next generation will be smaller again. I need to park next to a new Accord and take a picture if I get a chance.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
My only real efficiency mod was the VX wheels.
How much lighter are they? Light enough to cover with coroplast or aluminum and still end up with a weight loss compared to stock steelies?
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2010, 11:06 PM   #7 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
SturnellaNeglecta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 10

KJ - '90 Integra LS
90 day: 29.01 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
So I'm working on a solution to the pizza pan wheel cover problem. That being: there is no easy way to make them stay on. The plan so far is to drill holes in the pizza pan and run bolts through into my soon-to-be-extended lug nuts. A barrier is that I can't find lug nuts that are long enough. I need more than three threads showing. Has anybody been able to find 12mm x 1.5 lug nuts that are open ended and quite long?
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 09:14 AM   #8 (permalink)
Left Lane Ecodriver
 
RobertSmalls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Posts: 2,236

Zombie Insight - '00 Insight MT
Team Honda
90 day: 62.82 mpg (US)
Thanks: 79
Thanked 240 Times in 174 Posts
No, I haven't seen open-ended lug nuts with more than about five threads. One method among many that's been used here is to get closed-ended ones and drill & tap them.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 07:28 PM   #9 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
SturnellaNeglecta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 10

KJ - '90 Integra LS
90 day: 29.01 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
That might be what I have to do. I haven't been able to find any bolts that would fit the m12-1.5 lug nuts, either. No better time than now to learn about tapping etc.


(Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying ads!)      
 
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread

Tags
honda accord, mirror delete

Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Project: Rebuilding an '01 Honda Insight as a nonhybrid Fabio Hybrids 155 05-01-2012 09:33 PM
Honda IACV explained TomO Off-Topic Tech 10 11-25-2011 12:59 PM
Honda Cub Makes a Comeback (Sort Of) SVOboy EcoModder Blog Discussion 2 04-28-2009 09:41 AM
Honda Insight Concept to Debut at Paris Int. Auto Show SVOboy EcoModder Blog Discussion 32 04-17-2009 10:45 AM
Honda Begins Use of Class 8 Hybrid Truck Q1000 Hybrids 0 03-11-2009 07:55 PM




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com