Quote:
Originally Posted by Ecky
I don't have the car anymore, but it was drivetrain efficiency. Prior to the engine swap, ~70mpg averages were normal, whereas after, it was closer to 45. With the original engine I might see 100mpg cruising at a steady 50mph. After, it was closer to 60mpg.
A big part of this was engine load - even geared taller, the K24 was nearly idle pushing the car down the road. If I could have given it a 7th and 8th gear and had it turn close to 1000rpm at 65, I'm certain highest economy would have been more like 75+mpg - although it would have been loaded at a much lower RPM than its peak efficiency was at. From another perspective, the fuel economy with that engine in the Insight was 50-100% better than it was in the car the engine originated in. I found it to be an interesting case study.
I will say, it was entertaining to know that I could do a rolling-at-70mph burnout, or accelerate quicker than basically any car under $100,000. It brought a lot of smiles, and in absolute terms it was still a very frugal car.
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I enjoyed reading your posts on that, especially since I still have a K24.
It still absolutely annoys me how close the gear ratios are and how worthless 6th is for taming the RPM. Even in the heavy car, 6th has plenty of torque and I almost never need to downshift. Heck, I'm using 6th at 35 MPH going up a slight hill.