CRX VX Conversion Completed - Some Questions - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

SuperHatch · 08-08-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Sounds like a reasonable and patient plan. I'm sure you'll figure this out more easily than I could, but good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arragonis

+1 ^^

Thanks!

phunky.buddha · 08-08-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperHatch

I really believe it's the A/C. It's frustrating because he's disappointed in the results, since some here have seen MPG in the 60+ with this conversion. His mileage is no worse than the old D15B6, and he now has a newer engine with half the miles of the old one and 20 more HP when needed. Even with the same mileage the overall improvement of the vehicle is there. I know the real gains won't be seen unless he changes his habits, but old habits die hard... ya know?

Totally agree. I have a lead foot.

Trust me though- the driving habits make quite a bit of difference, especially with that engine- since lean burn is when it gets the best economy.

SVOboy · 08-09-2011, 05:49 AM

Don't forget, the HF did have a pretty stellar EPA rating, the VX's improvement mainly come in the form of power, not so much in FE. This might be an issue of not knowing how to drive the VX as well as it could be driven.

user removed · 08-09-2011, 06:32 AM

Some thoughts. Make sure the system is not overcharged, more work for no gain. Try to get Dad to use max AC plus recirculate with lowest tolerable fan speeds. Best method is to use the compressor when you must decelerate so the lost energy is converted to cold evaporator temps. Recirculate is the key to cooler air with lower energy cost since once you get the humidity out the air is much easier to keep cool. Cycling the compressor on and off may be too much work for Pop but it would also help to improve mileage. You may find that the mileage he is getting is not that far off from the best you can expect unless you really concentrate on efficient driving and best AC use strategy.

regards
Mech

SuperHatch · 08-12-2011, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phunky.buddha

Totally agree. I have a lead foot. Trust me though- the driving habits make quite a bit of difference, especially with that engine- since lean burn is when it gets the best economy.

I guess we'll have to teach him some new habits then! I bet if I told him some basics of driving with FE in mind, made it a game kinda, and he got good mileage on one tank, he'd be hooked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Don't forget, the HF did have a pretty stellar EPA rating, the VX's improvement mainly come in the form of power, not so much in FE. This might be an issue of not knowing how to drive the VX as well as it could be driven.

This is very true. Getting the same FE as before, but with 20 more HP and a healthier motor overall isn't such a bad thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Some thoughts. Make sure the system is not overcharged, more work for no gain. Try to get Dad to use max AC plus recirculate with lowest tolerable fan speeds. Best method is to use the compressor when you must decelerate so the lost energy is converted to cold evaporator temps. Recirculate is the key to cooler air with lower energy cost since once you get the humidity out the air is much easier to keep cool. Cycling the compressor on and off may be too much work for Pop but it would also help to improve mileage. You may find that the mileage he is getting is not that far off from the best you can expect unless you really concentrate on efficient driving and best AC use strategy.

regards
Mech

I'll try to explain that to him... see if he believes it or not.

In other news, his last tank was 48.8MPG, and he says he used the AC for about "a third" of the tank. Sigh... At least I know it's now equal to the best he ever got before, and the best he ever got before was with no AC in the spring.

And just to pacify the non-believers out there:

California98Civic · 08-12-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperHatch

And just to pacify the non-believers out there:

The best honda body with the best honda engine... your dad will only HYPO-mile and still he's pulling near 49 in combined driving. So basically with circa 1990 technology and hardware you beat many of the hybrids and kept all the comforts. Hook up an aux line for MP3s and your cell phone, this is an enviable build.

Arragonis · 08-12-2011, 12:52 PM

Thats a really nice Ronda,most of the CRXs here have disolved unfortunately.

jjackstone · 08-13-2011, 12:13 AM

Maybe lose the mudflaps?
JJ

MetroMPG · 08-16-2011, 10:45 AM

Sharp car, superhatch! Nice work on the swap.

Get an MPGuino in there if you really want to be able to tweak your steady state/cruising mpg. In the event you can't feel the lean burn transitions, the numbers on the display will tell you fairly clearly whether you're in or out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by California98Civic

The best honda body with the best honda engine...

Second best Honda engine!

(I'm really impressed with the motor in the gen. 1 Insight - and I've been driving it without hybrid assist since I got it.)

California98Civic · 08-16-2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Second best Honda engine!

(I'm really impressed with the motor in the gen. 1 Insight - and I've been driving it without hybrid assist since I got it.)

Haha! I was not thinking at all about the Insight first generation, which definitely has the better body too. Love the "UFO". But for a gasser, superhatch's swap with the CRX is pretty brilliant. I envy.