Seriously! My 1994 Honda Civic DX Build Thread! - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

JJMunoz · 09-25-2009, 01:30 AM

This is my build thread for my 1994 Honda Civic DX Coupe!
Bought in May of 2009 with the idea of hypermiling in mind.
I got involved in a motorcycle accident that month and I wanted something that got just as many mpg's as the bike did which was around 55.
However, I got 63mpg once out of the bike!
So I've yet to reach my previous goal.
I want more mpg than that now though.

So I've got my work set out for me.

Anyway, let me know what you think!

The car!

Front shot of the car with the caulk drying

Lulz

Mirror deletion and caulking around the little holes left by the deletion

New interior mirrors installed

Coroplast ramp for air diversion from wheel wells

Side shot of the ramp

Caulk drying around the headlight. Once it dries it will become clear!

Current engine bay

Hole in the engine bay where everything used to be!

Cd · 09-25-2009, 02:34 AM

Looking good !

Did you smooth out the caulk ? It may not matter much to the air, but it takes only seconds to do.
( No sense in having the car look like crap right ?! )

I still don't get the concept of the wheel ramps, since it diverts the air right smack into the tire and the pavement. It seems like it would be more beneficial to make them split the air around the tire.

What all have you removed from the engine so far ? ( I see no A/C )
Also, what is your baseline MPG at the start of the project, and in it's current state ? Edit - nevermind
http://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-l...vehicleid=2711

Christ · 09-25-2009, 03:35 AM

Nice job so far! Welcome to EM, and happy motoring!

(SRSLY...)

pgfpro · 09-25-2009, 03:39 AM

Nice ride!!!

How do you like your mirror mod? I need to do something along these lines.

JJMunoz · 09-26-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cd

Looking good !

Did you smooth out the caulk ? It may not matter much to the air, but it takes only seconds to do.
( No sense in having the car look like crap right ?! )

I still don't get the concept of the wheel ramps, since it diverts the air right smack into the tire and the pavement. It seems like it would be more beneficial to make them split the air around the tire.

I did smooth out the caulk. The caulk near the hood in the center's a little lumpy, but when the hood closes and the weathersealing hits it, it shouldnt even show.

And as far as I can see, ramps are better than no ramps. With a ramp, the air is diverted towards the ground, and the airflow would be more likely to hit and end there, whereas with no ramp, the air goes into the wheel well and swirls, causing drag.
I don't know a lot about aerodynamic efficiencies, but that would make the most sense to me at a glance.
I also noticed basjoos did it, and he's attained over 90 mpg in the past sooo..I think I'll trust his judgment too!

JJMunoz · 09-26-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgfpro

Nice ride!!!

How do you like your mirror mod? I need to do something along these lines.

Thanks! I initially noticed at least a couple miles per hour more on coastdowns from 65 mph after I turned the key back on with the mirror removal.

The interior mirrors aren't too great. I find myself looking over my shoulder often, but I also have a 300mm wide broadway mirror which helps. Most times driving at night, all I need to see is light in the mirror to know someone's next to me.
So, all in all, they're not that bad. I'd say it's worth it!

Cd · 09-26-2009, 12:46 AM

Looking forward to seeing some pictures of the belly pan.
What's next ?

Since this is a new thread, can you remind us all of what you intend to do to the car mod wise ? ( Add smooth wheel covers, delete mirrors ...etc. )

basjoos · 09-26-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cd

[B]
I still don't get the concept of the wheel ramps, since it diverts the air right smack into the tire and the pavement. It seems like it would be more beneficial to make them split the air around the tire.

A vertical divider that would split the air around either side of the front tire is more efficient than a ramp and is what I would preferred to have installed. But it would be more easily damaged by impact with hard crusted snow, small furry animals, and high curbs encountered while driving that the ramp can tolerate without damage. Its one of those theoretical meets reality sort of things. The Loremo and Daihatsu UFE-III both use a vertical air splitter and it will be interesting to see how well the one on the Loremo stands up to the real world before getting nicked and broken off. Perhaps if you built the thing out of thick steel and had it bolted onto the car's frame it would hold up, but as a coroplast structure bolted onto the car's plastic bumper, it certainly wouldn't.

Daox · 09-26-2009, 10:03 AM

Nice work so far!

JJMunoz · 10-02-2009, 01:17 AM

More pics taken today! And I got the front bumper constructed today as well!

The underbody paneling!

Nice tight fit of underbody paneling by the muffler!

Other rear underbody paneling.

Another shot of the underbody paneling near the exhaust.

Part of the box I constructed to divert airflow from the new bumper portion through old ABS plastic piece I had on the front bumper.

The box almost installed in the front bumper!

The box installed. Front view.

Another view of the box.

The almost finished product of the front bumper! We can definitely see an idea copied from Basjoos here. haha My radiator airflow slot is somewhat different though, passing directly through the bumper, still.

As usual, let me know what you think!!