1995 Civic EX Tuner MPG Project

[Christ]

You can make ANY tire have ROWL - we used to do it for customers at Sears as a side-thing... You just have to touch them up once in awhile, which isn't an issue if you're into detailing your car. Make sure you apply the color using either a wax pen or a grease pencil, then wax your tires.

As far as the sunroof, if you want to make a good plug of it, take the sunroof section that you removed, make a vacuum form of it, and lay in the fiberglass with a dacron or foil peel-ply in the mold. Your "rough side" will be the inside, so you'll have a smooth surface that you won't have to sand much on the top, and it will follow the same contours as the original glass, including the buttons, if you don't fill those bumps in the mold. (If yours has buttons, I can't remember)

If you're into the look, even though it has minimal aero effect, you can always shave body lines, door handles, etc... it's a very ninja mod to do. Very Ninja.

If you want to keep your wheels, but make them more aero (and keep them cleaner) you can vacuum form some plugs that fit in the back of them, so the brake dust doesn't get on them, and it keeps them from becoming giant fans while you're at speed. If you want to see your brakes, this won't work.

[PaleMelanesian]

What transmission are you running? A tall-geared trans like the CX/VX will make a huge difference in mpg.

[franklovecchio]

I know you can make any tire ROWL, but I've seen it done, and it looks tacky. (detailed cars for years)

The problem with the fiberglass layup I did is the form didn't hold the curve after I took it from the mold, even after 5 layers. I should have epoxied in something rigid to keep it's form. The other problem, the seal, is the aftermarket rubber does not bend the contours well...which is why using the original metal frame and seal seems like a good idea.

Look closely...I shaved the roof moldings, the side moldings, and I got rid of the front windshield moldings and replaced it with an aftermarket seal! I did not shave the door handles because that is another project in itself, one thing at a time

I don't have Brembos, nor do I plan on getting them, so I could care less about seeing the brakes. I like the plug idea for the wheels! I could easily come up with a CAD file of a plug and have them printed out from that company overseas, Shapeways does it cheaply I think.

As far as the transmission goes, I have the 5speed manual that was in the DX/EX. I wonder if a swap requires an adapter plate. I'll have to do some googling and Honda foruming to see if it's been done with my generation.

[PaleMelanesian]

I'm pretty sure the 5th and 6th gen transmissions are all a direct fit. I've idly considered doing the swap myself.

[franklovecchio]

I just looked at the trans specs for 5th and 6th gens, the CX/VX trans has the same ratio in 5th gear as the EX trans, so if you're talking straight highway driving it's unlikely to make a difference?

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by franklovecchio

As far as the transmission goes, I have the 5speed manual that was in the DX/EX. I wonder if a swap requires an adapter plate. I'll have to do some googling and Honda foruming to see if it's been done with my generation.

All D-series engines bolt up directly to all D-series trannies. You pretty much answered your own question right there.

You are using a 5 speed manual that was in the DX (D15 something something) / EX (D16Z6). So if you think about it, the 5 speed manual bolts up to both engines.

[franklovecchio]

I knew that. If the engine that was in a DX was a direct replacement for my EX engine, so was the trans. But I didn't know the engine/trans codes of the CX/VX!

[SVOboy]

The transmission swap is a piece of cake. Anything from a 92-00 d series will be a direct fit, with the 92-95 cx/vx gearing being the tallest.

Furthermore, DX and EX gearing are not the same: crxMPG - Gas mileage never looked so good » gearing

[PaleMelanesian]

The final drive ratio is different, so ALL the gears run lower rpm. Ask basjoos about this - his aerocivic has done well with that transmission.

[franklovecchio]

I clearly missed the final drive ratio, the last line of defense against good gas mileage. Makes good sense. I have taken out the trans before, with a Sunday and a lift it is not a big deal. Another project added!