Happy Friday!
No progress updates for today, but thought I’d check in with some performance progress and future plans. The Civic is still pulling 65mpg trips, notably one 30 mile trip with my whole family in tote.
However, I’m finding it harder to do now that the weather is a good bit colder and the fall winds are really picking up here on these NC mornings. I’ve also started getting the family around in the Civic on the weekends, since the F150 was getting us 15 mpg each weekend. That will save us about $90 per month, we calculated. Basically, I have the coolest wife IN THE WORLD.
As a result of these changes, my MPG average dropped a good bit, as I’ve now been off of solely doing my normal/predictable work commute paths. I ended up with 55mpg last tank last week. I’ve since gotten that up to 58.5 mpg so far this week, but I’m not sure if I can pull back above 60 mpg until more Aero work is done, atleast until we get a more full-efficient car to ride the family around in on the weekends.
Here’s my aforementioned trip with the fam on Tuesday. We went to do some volunteer work in the community, and I had VTO from work, which was nice: Family time + volunteering.
Also, I believe my fuel pump is weakening, so that is likely a factor in the lower MPG’s as well. I picked up an OEM-used and warrantied unit from Beaver’s Honda, and also a new OEM-spec sock filter from Autozone. I plan to replace the pump this weekend. The car has been struggling to regain fuel pressure when coming back off of an EOC. Its been getting worse daily, and was scary yesterday on the highway, so I’ve just stopped EOC’ing all together, until the pump is replaced and/or the issue is corrected.
I’m taking a trip to pick up some used Eibach Sportline springs + OEM shocks tomorrow morning. I will put them on asap. I’m hoping to pick up 2 more mpg’s with the lowered stance. It will, of course, be nice to have a bit more of an aggressive stance for aesthetic reasons as well... I cringe every time I look at that 4.5" wheel gap. Wowza.
Likely, this will also mean me needing to shave 1-2” off of the front air dam. That’s fine, as the front dam will then level out with the height of the side-skirts. While I'm in that area, I have also found a clean OEM drivers seat that I will likely pick up. I’m uncertain, at this point, as to whether the fabric color on the sides of the seats is an identical color to mine, but the center pattern is a direct match. The outer gray fabric appears to be a lighter gray than my own, but that could just be the exposure on the seller’s pics. I hope that is the case, as he only want’s $25 for it, and it's rip free
Also, I have been discussing and have received confirmation from user "The Donkey CRX" at EcoModder.com that I can use his rear end aero designs. I will use his proven designs to finish up the aero work on the OG VX, alongside a full underbody Belly Pan and rear diffuser. I plan to drill in 12mm nutserts across the rear end to mount the new aero. I’ll then use anodized black washers + SS Allen-head bolts off of Ebay for a clean/flush look to all panel mounts. For those curious, he is making regular 85 + mpg tanks with his aero package. He is truly an eco-pioneer for us Honda-heads, and his showcase thread is HERE.
Once all aero work is done (around late winter), the car will get a fresh coat of Milano Red paint.
I hope to be show-ready by late- spring, with hopes bringing the car to the Import Alliance 2015 summer meet.
Anyone want to
Eco-Roll with me to IA 2015 this year?!
Finally, I stumbled upon these pics today of one of my first builds, the "OG Wagon". Man, this made my day! New owner, Chase, is doing a great job with the car, taking it to new heights and adding his own unique twist to the car. Love the period-correct PRIME rims he has put on, and these rolling shots are superb!
All, have a great weekend. Thanks for
EcoTuning in.
