World's only Diesel Honda Insight

[Cd]

Wow ! Youv'e just built my dream car.

Now for the question everyone is wondering : How did you manage to sneak an "illegal" engine through customs and get it to pass inspection once installed in the Insight ?

Thanks

[jpstaub]

Originally Posted by Cd

Wow ! Youv'e just built my dream car.

Now for the question everyone is wondering : How did you manage to sneak an "illegal" engine through customs and get it to pass inspection once installed in the Insight ?

Thanks

Actually US Customs and the EPA know all about what I'm doing. I filled out the required forms and got permission to import a Lupo 3L and perform the diesel conversion on my Insight. Let me tell you, reading the Clean Air Act is not a good time but if you're determined there's a way to do what you'd like and still operate within the framework of the law. Since I don't have the deep pockets that Uncle Sam does I thought it best to comply with regulations or find exceptions when possible to stay out of the Federal court system.

There are some who look at the project and wonder what the big deal is since we only swapped an engine. The big deal is working your way through all the details necessary to make the swap happen in the first place. Operating as private individuals makes the details quite challenging.

Best wishes,
Jake

[MadisonMPG]

Did I miss the pictures?

EDIT: found them.

[jpstaub]

Thanks to Eric Smith and an Arduino microcontroller the world's only diesel powered Honda Insight is now the world's only diesel hybrid Honda Insight. The hybrid side of the vehicle is now fully functional. Auto stop, regenerative braking, and electric assist all function the same as they did in the Insight before we swapped engines.

The electric assist makes the car a much better driving vehicle especially in NW Washington where there are substantial hills. The gear ratios of the Insight are pretty long and the diesel was tuned to keep the turbo out of the equation until approximately 2000 RPM so climbing hills was tough without the electric assist. With the assist it's like having the turbo available right off idle without sacrificing fuel economy.

The jury is still out on how much of an improvement the hybrid side of the vehicle makes to fuel mileage. This week (week of 14SEP09) I'm heading down to The World of Speed (Bonneville) to see what the car will do flat out. Over the 900 mile transit there will be ample opportunity to gather some data. Keep an eye out for the results as well as another video or two featuring the Insight 1G (1 gallon/100 miles).

Best wishes,
Jake

[dcb]

Sweet, you (or Eric) should definitely put a blurb up on arduino.cc about your arduino based hybrid controller being used in the xprize, I'm sure it would be well received.

The thing I like most about this project is just how easy it is to relate to it. I know you have a few mpg to go to qualify, but it seems like a real no-nonsense approach.

[bluetwo]

Plus.... It's a diesel hybrid! I don't understand why this isn't readily considered viable.

Same reason we don't have diesel in a lot of other places I guess.

[Funny]

That is quite amazing, using and Arduino to make the hybrid IMA system fuctional? Really?!? Stick that in your eye, auto companies! May the 1G live a long healthy, green life, and promote the benefits of diesel and electricity together!

[bluetwo]

Originally Posted by Funny

That is quite amazing, using and Arduino to make the hybrid IMA system fuctional? Really?!? Stick that in your eye, auto companies! May the 1G live a long healthy, green life, and promote the benefits of diesel and electricity together!

Thanks! I couldn't have said it better.

[Jammer]

I always suspected the Honda Insight could get better fuel economy, even their 2009 Hybrid is rated at 43MPG (I think).

[roflwaffle]

Originally Posted by bluetwo

Plus.... It's a diesel hybrid! I don't understand why this isn't readily considered viable.

Same reason we don't have diesel in a lot of other places I guess.

It's not that it isn't viable, just expensive and doesn't offer a whole lot in the way of gains compared to a hybrid or diesel. Diminishing returns and all that.