212cc engine swap gives a new life to an old Honda Insight.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by fujioko

The fuel economy aspect is possibly an interesting side effect of using the small engine but I don't expect any miracles. But then again I was completely surprised with the results I previously got.

Since it's already quite featherweight and more aerodynamically favored than average "all-purpose" econoboxes, a small engine won't be so overstressed as it would be in something more conventional. Would be quite tempting to do the test with a Mitsubishi Mirage though...

[fujioko]

Hey CR

The featherweight aspect of the Honda Insight was key in selecting what vehicle to use for my engine experiments. Accelerating the car up to speed obviously works better with less weight, but also the light weight helps with going up grades in the road.

The "hillbilly proving grounds" I use in my videos has a wide range of road conditions, but the most difficult challenge is going up hills. Now, during the summer I kept the car at a friends house that was located near the Hillbilly proving grounds and that worked out great for filming. Due to the onset of winter I brought the car back to my house were the road conditions are not as favorable.... lots of hills and lots of traffic. Its a little bit scary to drive such an underpowered car in my part of town.

So yeah, lightweight and aerodynamics goes a long way with such a small engine, but honestly I truly believe the car is too slow to be safe, unless it is driven in a rural area.

Now for the purposes of entertainment the car is constantly evolving and getting more and more faster. I believe the larger 420cc engine will help make the car more driveable in an urban environment. Now keep in mind that the channel caters to small engine enthusiast especially the gokart and mini bike audience... so we will also continue to experiment with the smaller 212cc engine.... even though it is impracticable to use for the purpose of actual transportation.

I think if the viewers keep an open mind they may find value is some of the future topics we will cover. Anyway, its a fun project and a great learning experience.

[Ecky]

Hey fujioko,

I just picked up a cheap "WEN" 2000w generator, powered by an 80cc engine. While idling it in front of my house, I thought of this thread. Any feedback on potentially making a series hybrid?

The cost of a <10hp electric motor, ~1kwh battery, and controller would be relatively small, and might provide 6-12 miles of range. A generator might be sized to cover the average power consumption, or even some large fraction of that just to be a range extender.

This particular generator I picked up was the cheapest on the market. It's rated to run 6 hours at 50% load, on 1.19 gallons of gasoline. Some basic math:
1000w * 6 hours = 6kwh produced
33.7kwh/gallon * 1.19 gallons = 40.1kwh in the fuel
40.1 / 6 (I know I'm butchering significant figures) = ~15% efficient


At ~125wh/mile (pulled out of a hat), a gallon of gasoline could be expected to add 40 additional miles, or 47 miles per tank. Not as good as what you have! I'm certain efficiency would be higher at closer to 75% load, however.

Honda's 2200w EU2200ITA is rated for 3.2 hours @ 2200w using its 0.95 gallon tank. That's 7.4kwh per gallon, or 22% efficient, which (before conversion losses) would be closer to 59mpg. And you could size the electric motor however you wanted, so long as the battery + generator could support the peak draw.

Any interest?

If my second Insight didn't already have an obligation for where it was going, I'd be tempted to build this myself.

[Stubby79]

I quite agree...the original motor combined with any small engine would make it pretty drivable...

But that's not to the tune of this project, so I don't see it happening.

Hows about a Tillotson 225? Though I think the "Big block" 420 will be more usable, with it's higher torque.

[fujioko]

Actually I have been toying with the idea of doing some sort of hybrid in the future. Perhaps using the running gear of a wrecked electric motorcycle. Anyway that's future stuff.

[hayden55]

Maybe you can convert the motor to Koenigsegg's free valve tech as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_MrPylnsDg

[samwichse]

Originally Posted by fujioko

Actually I have been toying with the idea of doing some sort of hybrid in the future. Perhaps using the running gear of a wrecked electric motorcycle. Anyway that's future stuff.

Get a junkyard gm e assist motor-generator. 13hp and 44lbft and readily available cheap and setup for belt drive.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by hayden55

Maybe you can convert the motor to Koenigsegg's free valve tech as well.

Funny:



I just noticed fujioko's Insight 420cc project/channel was mentioned in the comments of a Jalopnik article about that free valve project!


https://jalopnik.com/watch-this-gear...bor-1845861701


Coinkydink?

[freebeard]

Youtube wanted me to see it so I watched it from their front page. I have Youtube well trained.

I'd be more impressed if he'd put an engine stand under it, even a piece of strap metal with two rubber feet. Not up to Tech Ingredients standards.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by fujioko

Now keep in mind that the channel caters to small engine enthusiast especially the gokart and mini bike audience... so we will also continue to experiment with the smaller 212cc engine.... even though it is impracticable to use for the purpose of actual transportation.

Now keep in mind my penny-pincher side kicks in sometimes, so it's interesting to see how such a small engine or the 420cc one could fare in real-world driving conditions

On a sidenote, it would be interesting if you build something similar to those autorickshaws from India around the 212cc engine once you fit the 420cc one into the Insight. I once took a ride in an autorickshaw, which had nearly the same displacement (actually a few cc's lower) of the smaller engine.