2006 Honda Insight MT Build Thread

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Yeah, my fuel economy numbers have improved every year, all else equal. In Detroit for the weekend, might see you at an Insight meet someday if you're into that sort of thing.

I would definitely go to an Insight meet if it wasn't all the way in California or something, and was in the summer when I'm home from college. Do you know when the next one is?

Originally Posted by Ecky

I should clarify, the regen button still works. It's the clutch switch (also called calpod) which functions differently - depressing the clutch switch only prevents regen and not assist. A MIMA would work around this. There are actually a lot of more advanced IMA mods I never got into.

Aaahhh, good. I'll need to look at the regen switch thread again. I saw one where wiring up the Rostra cruise control could make the "cancel" button act like a regen button, but it looked more complicated than the normal regen button I saw on here before.

Would the calpod still cause assist because of some weakness in the mod? since I wouldn't think the car would want to assist in neutral at all.

Originally Posted by Ecky

-Three O2 sensors rather than two in 2001(?). Stricter emissions related. No effect on economy. I think the O2 sensors might have been different in every year of the car too. Careful if they ever need replacement.

Three? Where is the third one? I only saw two when inspecting the engine.

Originally Posted by Ecky

-Tan/beige interior rather than grey and black and the seats got sporty-looking holes in the head rests. I like the 00-04 interior colors better but ymmv.

I like the gray better too, but tan/beige hides dirt better. Then again, I didn't buy the Insight for interior design. I might focus on that after implementing all my planned ecomods.

Originally Posted by Ecky

-Rear speakers became standard in 2004(?)

Didn't get a chance to look at the speaker setup. Seems to be the same as the Civic, but sounds better because it's a smaller cabin.

Originally Posted by Ecky

-Probably quit coming with a tape deck.

Yup, CD slot instead.

Originally Posted by Ecky

I know for certain my 2000 would not go into lean burn with the Arduino IMA bypass, while most others reported their cars did.

How did you get lean burn then with your bypass?

Originally Posted by Ecky

Hard to say. The battery gauge doesn't reflect what's really going on, nor do the assist and regen gauges. Sometimes you'll really have 1 bar of regen for miles but it won't show up. Full and empty on the battery gauge are generally ~40% and ~80% actual charge in the battery, but halfway down may or may not be 60%. I'd prefer if they were more honest, but presumably Honda had their reasons. Much like how fuel gauges aren't linear?

Hm, true I guess. Is there a way to test the battery? How accurate is the fuel gauge? I would think it would be more accurate due to it being digital.

Originally Posted by fusion210

And welcome to the Insight family! Not very many of us last year guys around.

I read the same things about some of the hacks people doing not working for us which is sad.

Thanks! Seems most people have 2000s. Do you know if the VIN # accurately indicates what # the Insight was in production?

[Lemmy]

I love these Gen I Insights, very rare over here (I think roughly 200 mademitmto the UK). Watching with great interest.

[fusion210]

I'm not sure how accurate the vin # is for production.

Are you missing the cover for the tow hook in the front bumper? I was at a yard last week with one heavily chipped bumper, but it still had the cover. I have to drive back there to return some things anyway. I might be able to grab it for you.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Originally Posted by Lemmy

I love these Gen I Insights, very rare over here (I think roughly 200 mademitmto the UK). Watching with great interest.

They're fairly uncommon here too - I have actually only seen 1 or 2 other Gen 1 Insights in my life in the wild.

I'm at college now finishing the last couple weeks of this semester before I will be home doing any modifications to the Insight.

Originally Posted by fusion210

I'm not sure how accurate the vin # is for production.

Are you missing the cover for the tow hook in the front bumper? I was at a yard last week with one heavily chipped bumper, but it still had the cover. I have to drive back there to return some things anyway. I might be able to grab it for you.

Yes, the front cover is missing the cover for the tow hook, and the paint is heavily chipped. Looks as speckled with white as a robin's egg is speckled with brown. Will be looking for a red replacement depending on what we can do as far as touching it up, but if I get a replacement I'd rather it not be as chipped up as this current one is.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Sticking this on here real quick:

I love how the average fuel economy of vehicles at home as increased over the years. Back in 2015 we had:

2015:
1999 GMC Sierra (both parents): 2500: 12-13 MPG
2004 Toyota Sienna (both parents): 25-27 MPG
2004 Honda Civic (me): 46 MPG (personal driving lmpg)
1993 Honda Nighthawk motorcycle (dad): 50 MPG
Approximate fuel used for all 3 to drive one mile: 0.080 + 0.038 + 0.022 + 0.020 = 0.16 gal = 25.0 average MPG.

December 2018:
Today my parents just purchased a Prius, so now our driveway:
2015-2017 dealer demo car (dad): ~35 MPG (31-38 depending on vehicle)
2008 Toyota Prius (mom): 49 MPG
2006 Honda Insight (me): 72 MPG (hopefully higher when I figure out how to drive it efficiently )
Approximate fuel used for all 3 to drive one mile: 0.029 + 0.020 + 0.014 = 0.063 gal = 47.6 average MPG.

I love how the most fuel inefficient car we have gets over 30 MPG.

I return home in 2 weeks. Time to finish learning how to drive manual + order stuff to mod that Insight! I'd love 100 MPG, but we'll see.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by mpg_numbers_guy

It's official! After months of searching I finally scored an Insight.

Congrats! A first gen insight was my second choice, right behind the accord.

Originally Posted by mpg_numbers_guy

Planning on replacing the wheel bearing and getting the engine valves adjusted

U WOT M8? That engine has screw type valve adjusters, which are really easy to work with and learn valve adjustments from. I made a thread on another forum instructing how to adjust the valves on a K24, you can check it out to see what you are getting yourself into. A valve adjustment would likely cost you around $300, so you could easily save that if you can do it yourself.

https://www.driveaccord.net/forums/1...ment-pics.html

[Ecky]

Agreed, valve adjustment is very easy, can definitely do at home. You just need a set of feeler gauges, a #10(?) wrench, and a flat head screwdriver.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

A certified Honda tech that my dad knows will be adjusting the valves. Seems too precise for me just to go at it with my fairly limited mechanical know-how. It'll be less than $200 and I should be able to watch him do it so I can learn how for any possible future valve adjustment.

What's the best winter tire to get for the Insight? Should I get all-season tires as winter tires, or get actual winter tires? What do y'all have experience with that works well but doesn't drop the MPG as much? Hoping to get a set mounted to my HX rims for the Insight after the semester finishes up.

[Ecky]

Nokians are the best, and have excellent rolling resistance, possibly then better than the legendary RE92s. Definitely get real winter tires.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Are these it? https://www.discounttirezone.com/NOK...T_p_12979.html

What do you mean better rolling resistance? I thought RE92s provided the lowest rolling resistance and the best fuel economy....don't non-RE92s and especially winter tires add rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy?