Trollinsight Modding Thread (2000 Honda Insight)

[HyperMileQC]

Originally Posted by War_Wagon

So THAT's what they look like under that plastic engine cover! I've never had to remove mine, so I just left it alone, thanks for posting that.

No problem, in fact I popped the cover only to take a picture of it and ensure everything was fine.

Originally Posted by War_Wagon

That isn't the factory ground strap on the 12v battery, but I can't remember if that is the correct location for it to be attached to on the body. I only mention it because these cars are really finicky about having the system well grounded, so you might want to double check that it shouldn't be attached to something else for what it's worth.

Yes, I know. The PO had grounding problems, so he took the Insight to a Honda Mechanic and he changed all the grounds in the engine bay. There seems to be no ground problems (maybe).

[HyperMileQC]

Since I bought the car, the rear fender skirts have been off the car. This was due to missing OEM fasteners. My father and I thinkered a solution and came with an idea : A 1/4'' plastic bolt with a rubber washer and a plastic butterfly nut. There is two of them per fender skirts.

I also did another mod, simple & easy antenna remove. I turned on my radio and tried different stations and even without the antenna I could capt the majority of them, plus, I rarely listen to radio. Since it weights less than a pound, I decided to keep it in the car in case I need the radio out ot town. (Not showned in the pictures).

I took some pictures of the car today :


I decided to remove the "L'allier" sticker from the back window.

[Xist]

Some Ecomodders have installed the antenna inside of the car. I do not know how they do that, but when I have a car worth modifying, I plan on installing a shark fin antenna.

Of course, I would need one of those with the Sirius radio that has been waiting in my closet.

[payne171]

Forget the Scangauge and go to Insightcentral for a OBDII C&C. It is a member designed device that does everything a Scangauge does plus it shows you what the hybrid system is doing. It allows you to control the state of charge gauge so that you can force charge the battery or stop a charge.

[HyperMileQC]

Originally Posted by Xist

Some Ecomodders have installed the antenna inside of the car. I do not know how they do that, but when I have a car worth modifying, I plan on installing a shark fin antenna.

Of course, I would need one of those with the Sirius radio that has been waiting in my closet.

Yeah, I could do that but I do not use my radio much, so that would be useless.

Originally Posted by payne171

Forget the Scangauge and go to Insightcentral for a OBDII C&C. It is a member designed device that does everything a Scangauge does plus it shows you what the hybrid system is doing. It allows you to control the state of charge gauge so that you can force charge the battery or stop a charge.

I would probably plug the two devices on a OBD-II splitter . What is the price of an OBDII C&C?

Update : Today I went to VitroPlus Ziebart to install my insurrance transponder, they started my engine and made it idle for 15-20 minutes . 76.2 MPG down to 71.7 MPG... I also decided to disable my electric power steering. I removed the EPS fuse from the engine bay fusebox. It works well, and my steering is still pretty easy to turn. I always have the "EPS" dash light tho.

[HyperMileQC]

I ordered 8 LEDs from lightdepot.ca. They should be here in a week or two...

[HyperMileQC]

Did a lower grille block on my Insight today. It is made of coroplast and gorilla tape and its help up by zip-ties. It definitely helped with warm-up time and sooner lean burn activation. I also plan on doing a 100% upper grille block. This is not permanent, I plan on doing a more esthetic one this summer.

[retepsnikrep]

Originally Posted by HyperMileQC

I would probably plug the two devices on a OBD-II splitter . What is the price of an OBDII C&C?

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to a small club.

My thoughts on your car.

1) Sort/check the grounds out in the engine bay they are vital.
2) Replace all the under body panels or make your own.
3) Fit the proper RE92 Bridgestone tyres and sell yours.
4) Buy the little dash trip switch pcb from the supplier on IC. (Insight central)
5) Read up on and or fit/build a grid charger it may improve your battery and keep it going for a long time.
6) Build and fit a MIMA manual IMA control device

Re OBDIIC&C I designed and built that device.
It can't work with another device on the OBDII port and neither can the Scangauge ASFAIK. But you don't need both anyway.
The cost of it is $50 for the blank pcb and software license.
Assembled and tested units cost around $150 on top of the above.
Read the large number of threads on it at IC.
http://www.insightcentral.net/forums...c-c-gauge.html
The lead time for built units is quite long so you are best to buy a pcb and build your own at the moment. All the details are on IC.

Although this is a good forum the main technical discussions surrounding the Insight take place on IC ASFAIK. I suggest get yourself logged on over there as well.

[payne171]

I am with Peter (retepsnikrep). The OBDII C&C does everything the scangauge does, PLUS it tells you what is going on with the IMA system.

I think building and/or buying a grid charger is also a must for battery health. I built a dumb charger. My 2000 has its original battery, I think, and while its capacity is down a bit, it doesn't cause me any problems.

Once you get some RE92s, make sure you keep an eye on tire pressure, I.e. as high as you feel comfortable with. Many go 60 PSI+, depending on what kind of potholes you deal with.

[HyperMileQC]

Originally Posted by retepsnikrep

1) Sort/check the grounds out in the engine bay they are vital.
2) Replace all the under body panels or make your own.
3) Fit the proper RE92 Bridgestone tyres and sell yours.
4) Buy the little dash trip switch pcb from the supplier on IC. (Insight central)
5) Read up on and or fit/build a grid charger it may improve your battery and keep it going for a long time.
6) Build and fit a MIMA manual IMA control device

1) All the grounds have been upgraded by the PO.
2) I plan on making my own.
3) I will buy the Bridgestone Potenza RE92 165/65/14, but I won't sell my current tires, being in Quebec, winter tires are mandatory from december 15 to march 15.
4) How much does it cost? Who do I contact on IC?
5) Wondering how to do it.
6) Same thing as above.