[rabbit640]

Searched everywhere and I have certainly learned a lot. Sadly...no conclusions though...

I'm looking to get a Honda Civic VX with a D15V1. However, I have heard that this car is painfully slow. For my job I am driving back and forth across town getting off and on the interstate, interchanges, aggressive merging, etc. Given that I'm driving all day for work I want great MPG. However, my fear is that a stock D15V1 will struggle with aggressive interstate driving (perhaps even causing a reduction in mpg).

Modifications won't add much HP unless we are talking about a turbo. Weak rods and small valves in d15z1 make me doubt the increase of power in a turbo.

I hate to get something other than a D15V1 motor, but if I have to... Considering a JDM D15B 3-stage 92-95, but I think I'll have better luck curing cancer than finding one. A much more realistic find would be a D16y5.

Best estimation mpg I have with a D16y5 in a Honda Civic VX/CX is 36 combined (calculated by using data from Fueleconomy.gov and weight difference calculator). Obviously 36 mpg combined is good, but its almost 10 mpg less than the D15V1 motor. Even with my aggressive driving I think the D15V1 would get better than 36 mpg combined...

Lastly, people claimed that putting a turbo on a D16y5 at a low psi (0-5) would help MPG. I've seen claims ranging from 25 mpg (worse than stock) all the way to 64 mpg... Obviously proper tuning and driving characteristics playing a big role.

SO........ what should I do? Again this is a daily driver for MPG. Unfortunately, I'm not delivering newspapers in a suburb; I'm on and off freeway/highway/interstate/interchanges (very hectic).