Reviving a 2000 Honda Insight "beater"

[Red]

I'd put it on the same level as driving a top-less Jeep. You have to do it atleast once in your life.

Random factoid for any TJ or YJ owners looking at this. The front Al radiator pan for the Insight has mounting holes more or less the exact width as our frame rails. Was bored of doing Discrete Math, so I found out that one could mount it to the front frame snubbers, lie it against the steering box and you'd have a front air dam angled back around 35-40 degrees that would covers almost all of your steering linkage. Before I mount them to Rommie I think I'm going to experiment with them first on the Heep.

[hondaworkshop]

Originally Posted by Red

:P Yep its my "beater" adhering to a loose definition of the term.

Stubborn to a fault. Thanks all. I've been taking pictures as I go, just haven't had time to clean them up and post them online. Got a weeks worth of tests next week so I've been stretched for time lately. But so far its been fun.

From my understanding the engine of the Insight weighs around 120lbs and the battery pack around 50lbs or so, so the IMA drivetrain excluding the tranny would be around 170lbs give or take. Not sure on the weight of a z1 engine but you would be better off in gasoline power but not in the weight department with such a swap. Engine bay room would be tight though with a 4 banger instead of the 3. The electric motor is fairly thin, I want to say its housing is about 2" wide. I think you could probably offset the tranny some more to the drivers side, but assuming you kept everything mounted the way it is, there wouldn't be room or it would be a really tight fit to get everything in there.

Though if you could give me the length of a z1 + tranny I could give you a definite yes or no.

Well I know of some drag racing types who put a K20 in one...wait it was a tube-frame redux. :P

Honestly I'm shocked about the battery pack being so light... I'm rethinking the weight savings now.

[budomove]

You would need to reverse the z1, since the transmission is on the drivers side on the insight. the mounts would likely all need to be totally fabricated, since the mounts are not in typical places on the insight.

[brucepick]

Wow - what a find.
And it looks like you're doing a fine and thorough job straightening out the car.
Good luck with it!

[RH77]

Hey Red, welcome to EM!

What a great find -- looks like a little TLC and off it goes.

I have to commend you for looking for a daily driver outside of the TJ. I will admit that a solid Jeep is good for purpose driven off-roading, and to maintain that hobby, but expensive as a DD.

Have fun with both vehicles, and again Welcome. Here, you'll find some Jeep members that "understand", so to speak

Best FE to ya!

RH77/Rick

[johnsn]

Sweet deal!
I have a 2001 Insight. I love it.
Yes it's fairly gutless, that's why it gets such good mileage.
Fix it up and enjoy.
Check with Honda for any recalls. You might get some free parts.
john

[Red]

Day 1 of Spring Break, pulled the LAF Sensor. Looked like this



I don't see anything remotely serviceable...Save for the carbon dust on the end, I don't see any real fouling or anything that looks like it could have killed the sensor. Old age I guess did it in. Going to dig out my ElmScan tmw and hook it up to see if the 02 is doing anything at all. Else time to call up Majestic Honda again.

[Red]

Amazingly enough I get wireless outside.....
So I hooked up my ElmScan got the following data out of it
S1B1 = 1.085v no matter what
S2B1 = 0.835v @ idle then drops as the RPMs Increase 0.055 @2k+

[SVOboy]

How does that compare to what the manual says on the subject? You might just need a new one, na?

[Red]

Book says death. The sensor should show some voltage change once warmed up. Post cat is operating within range. Pre is dead in the water.