1995 Civic VX progress/updates/questions - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

KROHN27 · 05-22-2014, 11:27 AM

Hey EcoModders,

I picked up this VX not long ago, and immediately started my journey to bringing it back to OEM specs.

It was very close to being all original actually, but I can tell it doesn't have the OEM plug wires. The previous owner said he had it at the shop and it was "all checked out" (whatever that means). But it drove well, everything functioned, so I decided to purchase the car.

I drove it for a couple weeks while I fixed the intermittent odo/trip gauge. I wasn't exactly focused on the MPG at this point, more just making sure the car was going to be reliable, and getting the kinks worked out.

-Put some new 175/70/13 tires on it @ 40PSI (44PSI sidewall)
-Changed the oil with Castrol 5W30 Part synthetic / New Oil Filter
-Put a new climate control in (the recirculate/fresh air button wasn't working previously)
-New air filter

At this point, the car drove well, but one morning I got in it and drove to the dealer to get a gasket for the oil cooler (leaking a little bit) and the car had a slight stumble in it under load at low RPMs.

I got the car home and pulled a plug. This is what I found.

I couldn't believe the car drove as well as it did with all the plugs being that bad! (they were the recommended plug for the car at least).

I put 4 new plugs in, and the car drives like a dream.

With the odo/trip working properly I got a chance to finally calculate my first tank of gas with this car, and at 48.2 MPG I was EXTREMELY pleased. I'd say it was 40% city and 60% highway as well. I can't wait to work towards that first 50+mpg tank.

I'd like to eventually get some wheel covers and maybe 35% tint to keep the heat down a bit in the car (factory no A/C). It also needs new brakes and rotors pretty bad, so that's on the list. It sits like a 4x4, so I'm looking into getting it just a tiny bit lower (maybe 1.5-2 inches). I picked up a set of eibach pro springs, just trying to decide on what struts to go with. I'm leaning towards the koni orange, which are the Koni STR.T struts. Those of you who are lowered at all, did you see any improvements in FE?

Anyway, looking forward to playing with this vehicle and learn a bit from those EcoModder veterans.

Superfuelgero · 05-22-2014, 12:45 PM

Looks nice.

You will see a slight FE increase from lowering. Problem is 2 inches is too much at times (I was at 2.5). Without a sway bar, if you hit a bump mid-corner, it'll bottom. I've since lifted my back up. The easiest way to go slightly lower and keep a good ride, is grab the stock shocks, springs and forks off of a EF (88-91).

Oh, and can the mudflaps.

basjoos · 05-22-2014, 02:42 PM

Or don't lower it and concentrate on cleaning up the underside air flow with smooth underpanelling, wheel spats, side skirts, wheel boattails, and a nose shaped to lower the stagnation point to reduce the amount of air going under the car. This way you get the better mileage without the choppy ride and increased chance for striking road debris and bottoming out that you get when lowering a car.

MetroMPG · 05-22-2014, 04:31 PM

Nice VX! Make a garage entry and start a fuel log for your MPG numbers.

50 MPG will be easy.

Welcome to the forum!

NachtRitter · 05-22-2014, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xntrx

...and can the mudflaps.

+1!

KROHN27 · 10-13-2014, 10:15 AM

Hey all,

Just a few updates. I finally snagged a set of insight wheels locally with tires that had some decent tread. I figured i'd throw up a picture in case anyone else wanted to see what they looked like on an EG hatch! I also made a partial grille block out of some flat black aluminum I had sitting around the garage from my stock car.

I don't have a mpguino so it's a little tough to see what these things will yield me in mpg right away, but hopefully they help me out some!

OG VX · 10-13-2014, 12:24 PM

wowsa that's clean! Love it, we need more!

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the Insight wheels run you? Happy with them so far? Notice any increase in mpg, versus VX rims? Are they heavier/lighter?

KROHN27 · 10-13-2014, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OG VX

wowsa that's clean! Love it, we need more!

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the Insight wheels run you? Happy with them so far? Notice any increase in mpg, versus VX rims? Are they heavier/lighter?

I paid $250, the wheels aren't perfect but that's alright with me!

I think they look super cool, plus I've never seen another EG run them (besides one other on here). I literally just put them on last night so I haven't noticed any difference yet.

My VX wheels are 9.75lbs + 14.4lbs for the Champiro VP1 175 tires that were on them so that puts them at 24.15lbs

The insight wheels are 11lbs, and the bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires in the 165 size are 13lbs. That puts the insight wheels at 24lbs

The weight is negligible, but hopefully the AERO helps out a little bit.

KROHN27 · 11-17-2014, 09:37 AM

Well I finally ran an entire tank through the Civic since the Insight wheels, bridgestone RE92s, and the partial grille block. I was able to get my best mpg ever, which was 56.77mpg the tank was probably 80% interstate driving around 65-70mpg, drafting semis from a safe distance when possible. I'm pretty happy with that outcome, but I know there is more potential. The car has Karlyn/STI plug wires, and I don't think the distributor is OEM either, I also haven't changed the fuel filter, which whether it needs it or not is always cheap insurance and can't hurt.

I have Eibach sport springs sitting in my garage, and I've been considering the Koni Orange Str.t struts to pair with them, but I'm wondering if I will see any positive effects mpg wise from getting the car closer to the ground. Anyone care to sway me one way or another?

OG VX · 11-17-2014, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KROHN27

Well I finally ran an entire tank through the Civic since the Insight wheels, bridgestone RE92s, and the partial grille block. I was able to get my best mpg ever, which was 56.77mpg the tank was probably 80% interstate driving around 65-70mpg, drafting semis from a safe distance when possible. I'm pretty happy with that outcome, but I know there is more potential. The car has Karlyn/STI plug wires, and I don't think the distributor is OEM either, I also haven't changed the fuel filter, which whether it needs it or not is always cheap insurance and can't hurt.

I have Eibach sport springs sitting in my garage, and I've been considering the Koni Orange Str.t struts to pair with them, but I'm wondering if I will see any positive effects mpg wise from getting the car closer to the ground. Anyone care to sway me one way or another?

Great work sir! So glad to here about the positive progress. I bet you can get to 58 with adding a front air dam extension. I noticed much less turbulence to have to fight once I added mine.

I just installed some Eibach Sportline springs on the car this weekend. They came with used OEM shocks that were not in as good of condition as mine. I went ahead and ran them anyway, as I didn't want to fool with a spring compressor. They ride surprisingly well, even with the aged shocks. I plan to swap on my OEM shocks this coming weekend. Hoping that fixes the slightly bumpy ride and few rattles here in there. It is my understanding that with the Sportline's, you CAN run the OEM shocks, though aftermarkets are recommended, solely because they will wear out the OEM shocks over time. But, if I can eek out 15K or so out of them, while riding nice, I'll do that.

I have a 2" gap at all corners. Very happy with the Sportline height. I'll make an update post to my thread soon.