This car has the task of being my only private, long distance transportation option. I am motivated to limit my use in it as much as possible to minimize my impact on air quality and carbon loadings. Given my circumstances and choices this means this car currently is a commuter for distances and areas im unwilling to pass on a bike, an errand runner (under the same circumstances), and soon will likely be used for moving. My first goal for it is to reliably, and year round, exceed 40 mpg, and to be able to achieve 55mpg+ under best case driving conditions. My next goal is to reasonably maintain or -if possible- even improve driving comfort, performance and utility wrt its stock form, which it currently is in.
•LED Headlights (previously installed - thanks A.)
•wood bead driver seat cover (extending my range of comfort/tolerance without AC)
•Whip antenna delete
•OBD2 ELM
*not ecomods:
*Interior antennae install
*Interior Dome bulbs replaced with LED equivalents
*fix rear door mechanisms
*fix left power mirror mech or replace w/ manual mirror
*re-line/reupholster/replace: visor-shades, sunroof cover, console lid
*apply sound deadening: butyl dampener and wool insulation
*reline door moisture barriers with new barrier and gasket material
Later and/or more involved mods:
•mudguard modification/replacement (or deletion)
•Front bumper lip/chin spoiler
•front grille air dam
•side skirts
•Rear wheel spats
•spoiler delete/hole plug (must divert power to cabin brake light)
•14" wheel discs
•Lithium deep cycle Battery replacement
•Transmission swap: 96-01 HX/CX/DX/LX, to decrease 5th*F.D. by ~12%: from 2.984 -> 2.613
•undercarriage/belly pan/trays
For experiment:
•alternator load reducing battery
•trunk vs roof extensions:
a) bonneville-style extension mounted to oem spoiler holes
b) partial kammback section mounted @ top of rear window
Not expressly planned (but considering/dreaming of):
• wheel/tire spats
•Wheels/tires
15 inch wheels (konig heliums? steelies?)
Front tires: 195/60/r15 gt all seasons
Rear tires: 185/65/r15 all seasons/LRR
Moon disc / aerodynamic hubcaps
0.5 inch lower, progressive or 2-step suspension springs
• **after wheel/tire changes: suspension/suspension geometry changes to maintain or improve caster, camber, KPI, ackerman type, ride harshness- all for low speed cornering, minimal straight line scrub, and comfortable cruising
•Alternator mod: alternator regulator - similar to that of the Civic VX (maybe retrofit that?) to limit frequency/intensity/consistency of alternator drag
•Power Steering system replace/modification/delete: reduce PSI and flow rate from stock to reduce strength and parasitic loss. Or just delete bc car=light
*tow hitch
•tow hitch mounted box (serving also as boat tail extension)
