2002 Honda Civic LX auto - repair & modding

[Daox]

Oh, there is a list of cars that would work. Mainly, I'd like something that easily tops 40 mpg without having to P&G the pants off of it. Been there, done that with my 1997 Toyota Paseo. I hit 72 mpg twice. It was fun. Now the challenge for me is get good mileage while keeping it easier to drive. Four door would be preferable, but not required.

Possible cars include:
- Saturn SL1 / SC1 (cheap and great mileage)
- Civic VX/HX (great cars but hard to find)
- 1st gen Insight (harder to find and expensive here)
- I wouldn't mind another Paseo, but it would NEED to be regeared.
- I'd also probably consider a manual Cavalier or Sunfire. Though I'd rather get something with a slightly smaller engine. They're still not rated horribly and some ecomodders have gotten some pretty good mileage out of them.


I also have my 1993 Tercel 4 speed manual that needs a fair amount of work. I'll be working on that once the Civic is finished up. So, in the mean time I'll browse for a Sunfire replacement. If I find one, thats cool. If I don't find one, its not a big deal.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Daox

... I started adjusting the valves and ran into one that is either stuck, or extremely short! So short that the adjustment won't take up the slack. You can visibly see how short it is. The one second from the left is a bit short too, but I was able to adjust it properly.

...

Wow. That is short! Something needs replacing, eh? But I'm impressed with how clean the aluminum looks. Mine is a copper color from oil (probably burnt oil).

Originally Posted by Daox

...Now the challenge for me is get good mileage while keeping it easier to drive...

I am completely there with you. I have been trying to improve the car to make higher MPG easier, not to reach new highs so much as to reach the same or similar highs more easily.

If you want a different car rather than convert this Civic... I'd say get an '07 or '08 Fit 5-speed and splurge on a VX-tall custom final drive gear. With that mod you would end up with gearing in between the famed VX and HX, but closer to the VX. I love the Fit. Hell, you could get and 09 or 2010 Fit if you're swapping the gears... my list of ratios for Hondas includes the Fit... take a look and see what I mean: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post378478

james

[Daox]

My only thought is to possibly put the nut UNDER the lifter? I'm not sure thats a good idea, but it might work. That still leaves that problem that the spring is really compressed already. I really don't feel like removing the head again, but it looks like I'll have to.

If I do buy another car, its going to be a Sunfire replacement, and of roughly equal cost. Thats what I have this thread for:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...0-a-29156.html

I'll fire it back up after the Civic is gone.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Daox

My only thought is to possibly put the nut UNDER the lifter? I'm not sure thats a good idea, but it might work. That still leaves that problem that the spring is really compressed already. I really don't feel like removing the head again, but it looks like I'll have to.

Sorry, but it does look that way. I know it cuts into the profits for the replacement vehicle. If I were close by, I'd offer to come help.

Originally Posted by Daox

If I do buy another car, its going to be a Sunfire replacement, and of roughly equal cost. Thats what I have this thread for:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...0-a-29156.html

I'll fire it back up after the Civic is gone.

Ah, I see... nevermind.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Ah, I see... nevermind.

That is, of course, unless I come across another great deal... you never know.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

Next up was the headlights. They were horribly yellowed from the Texas sun. A bit of Meguiars plast-x and a buffing wheel on the drill takes that right out. I must have forgot to get a finished picture, but you can see it cleaned up nicely. I put some of the nufinish wax on after polishing them to prevent UV damage. I'm not sure that will work all that well, but its what I had on hand.

This is, at best, a temporary fix, at worst it's a shady trick to improve resale value.

I did the same to my headlights and 6 months later they were worse than when I started. Any "repairs" to a modern headlight housing remove the UV protectant layer. It's a coating that is baked on during manufacturing and can't be easily duplicated at home.

UV damage will quickly return unless something is done to slow it down. You can improve how long the lens will stay clear with a spray-on UV protectant or a UV protectant clear film, but neither will last as long as a new OEM lens.

[Daox]

Is there any spray on type you recommend? I was thinking of doing that, but I just didn't have any handy. I figured the wax would at least do something.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

Is there any spray on type you recommend? I was thinking of doing that, but I just didn't have any handy. I figured the wax would at least do something.

The waxes and most of the cheap stuff are just temporary and need to be reapplied very regularly.

I've heard of good results with the XPel clear films (they are die-cut specifically for your car). That runs about $50-70.

Other than that, you need a 2K (i.e. 2-component: paint and hardener) urethane clear coat. Which, holy crap, you can get in a rattle can:
http://www.amazon.com/Spray-High-Glo.../dp/B0043B7UQY

I haven't done either. I'm still undecided if I want to attempt to clean them up again... or just say screw it and get some cheap eBay lenses.

[Daox]

I did a bit of googling and found this:

Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

He used "UV Sealer-Helmsman Spar Urethane(Indoor/Outdoor)Clear Gloss mixed with Mineral Spirits(1part urethane to 1 part mineral spirits." And wiped it on (vs spray)

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

I did a bit of googling and found this:

Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

He used "UV Sealer-Helmsman Spar Urethane(Indoor/Outdoor)Clear Gloss mixed with Mineral Spirits(1part urethane to 1 part mineral spirits." And wiped it on (vs spray)

Yeah, I thought about mentioning that one too. You can get about 2-3 years with that method. If you do that, don't polish as he states on the first page, instead, wet sand to 3000 grit, wipe with mineral spirits, and after it is fully dry, apply the urethane/mineral spirits mix.