2000 Insight - TLC and ecomodding build

[Ecky]

This is just me thinking out loud, but I wonder what the degree of compatibility is between the HCH1 and Insight's electronics and drivetrain. E.g. transmission bolt pattern, cluster wiring (digital vs analog), IMA wiring.

Driving around in the salt, eventually the HCH1 will be rust, and I put more miles on the Insight, so I'm daydreaming about a franken-car. It would be easier to rebuild the 3 cylinder, of course (whenever that ends up being), and the economy would be better, but it would be interesting to take the best of both cars and see how it comes together.

-The LDA engine in the HCH1 is generally quieter and smoother than the ECA1 in the Insight, has 33% more torque/HP and a 50% larger electric motor, with a 33% larger displacement (1.3 vs 1.0). I have been unable to find any BSFC numbers for it, but if geared properly, it shouldn't be too significantly different.

-The HCH1's transmission is a bit shorter to compensate for larger wheels, but shifts smooth as butter; I've never used a MT that feels as good. So, I could do a final drive swap and use the HCH1's transmission, or try and mate the Insight's transmission to the HCH1 engine, in which case I'd want to do the syncro fix. Plus some stuff with the VSS, depending on the cluster.

-I like the HCH1's seats. They don't kill me like the stock ones in the Insight.

-The HCH1 cluster looks nicer, IMO, but is larger and I might not reasonably fit it in the Insight.

-If I reuse the Insight's cells (in better condition) in the HCH1 pack, I could regain most of the hatch space dedicated to the IMA. The HCH1's pack is significantly more compact.

On the other hand, I love the weight savings the Insight has. The aluminum unibody is stiff and responsive, the steering is vastly superior, and it's a lot more aerodynamic to begin with.

Again, just talking to myself.

[jamesqf]

The cells in the Insight aren't exactly compatible with the HCH. The Insight has sticks of 6 cells, the HCH has 12 cells glued into a unit (like two sticks next to each other). So it'd be a little work taking them apart to interchange them.

[NoD~]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Switch is 3 position, momentary forward.

After debating on which direction I want to go, I think I like your idea too much not to copy it. Which switch exactly is that? I've googled around, but it's hard to find one that is on-off-momentary that is DPDT. I think is also called on-off-(on).

[Ecky]

I found the switch I used the first time at a radio shack for about $3. It has since been repurposed for use in my grid charger as the switch between charging, discharging, and just running the cooling fan - I took it apart and modified it so it isn't a momentary anymore. I now use Daox's 3d-printed shift knob instead.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ons-31991.html

[Ecky]

Wife and I went out for dinner this evening. Averaged 101mpg on the way there, and 99mpg on the way back - until I got to the bottom of the hill we live on. Lost around 15mpg getting up the hill, as usual. Also, the headlights have been a bit misaligned since the accident, and I finally had some time in the evenings to adjust them.

I'm close to 250 miles into this tank:

[IamIan]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

The cells in the Insight aren't exactly compatible with the HCH. The Insight has sticks of 6 cells, the HCH has 12 cells glued into a unit (like two sticks next to each other). So it'd be a little work taking them apart to interchange them.

Gen1 HCH also used the 6 cell sticks .. could be used as direct replacements for Gen1 Insight 6 cell sticks.

It was later generations of HCH that they used two sticks together as a single subpacks.

[samwichse]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

The cells in the Insight aren't exactly compatible with the HCH. The Insight has sticks of 6 cells, the HCH has 12 cells glued into a unit (like two sticks next to each other). So it'd be a little work taking them apart to interchange them.

This is incorrect. HCH2 cells are the two 6-cell units like that, but HCH1 sticks are identical to Insight sticks.

Also: I've been waiting for someone to decide to put that buttery smooth, torquey 1.3 (and tranny) into an Insight, but everyone seems to want to go straight to a 2L K-series. That 1.3L would be awesome in an Insight, IMO.

Sam

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by samwichse

This is incorrect. HCH2 cells are the two 6-cell units like that, but HCH1 sticks are identical to Insight sticks.

Also: I've been waiting for someone to decide to put that buttery smooth, torquey 1.3 (and tranny) into an Insight, but everyone seems to want to go straight to a 2L K-series. That 1.3L would be awesome in an Insight, IMO.

Sam

Not any time soon.

Actually, if I could pick any drivetrain, it would probably be the newer Accord Hybrid's - a 2.0L Atkinson engine with a 1-speed gearbox and a combined total of 196HP / 226ft-lbs, mated with a lithium battery, which propels the 3600lb Accord to 60 in about 7 seconds with a 50 city / 45 highway EPA rating.



Hey, if I'm going to dream, might as well dream big, right?

[Natalya]

What kind of MPG do you get if you drive it like you stole it?

Also, I met a guy in NC this weekend who did the exact same headlight mod you did -- projectors off Amazon and blacked the inside of the lights.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Natalya

What kind of MPG do you get if you drive it like you stole it?

Also, I met a guy in NC this weekend who did the exact same headlight mod you did -- projectors off Amazon and blacked the inside of the lights.

What, my Insight, or an Accord Hybrid?

And, yeah, now that I've done this headlight mod, I'm starting to see it everywhere.