212cc engine swap gives a new life to an old Honda Insight.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by mannydantyla

212cc is just slightly larger than my 200cc motorcycle engine. Honda CL200 (same engine as a CB200 which is much more common).

Its power and torque curves make it easier to reach speeds not so unsuitable to regular traffic as those stationary engines.

Though I wouldn't recomend you use that engine for a project like this because the carbs are too small (easy replacement of course but...) and the cam shaft is too wimpy.

Besides those makeshift adaptations of small motorcycle engines around 125cc to 250cc into cars which have been performed on Latin American countries, it's also not so uncommon to see cars with their stock engines being adapted with motorcycle carburettors as they're cheaper and nowadays it's easier to find them brand-new and at a reasonable price than a proper automobile carburettor.

[fujioko]

Today we kicked off a a new build in our street legal go kart series. We are upgrading the car with a slightly larger engine. The new engine is 420cc and is about double the size of our previous engine.

The new engine will make the car more user friendly as far as driving on busy roads. Also, the feedback I have been getting is people are very interested in the MPG as well as performance.

In all of our future episodes we will include MPG data... So I think this would be perfect for the eccomoder community.

Below is a link to the first of the 420 build videos. It is mostly an unboxing video, but it shows the viewers a detailed explanation of were all the parts will go. Future episodes in this build will show the actual construction of the new powertrain.

Hopefully this link works...

https://youtu.be/UO5_n5x3EB8

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by fujioko

The new engine will make the car more user friendly as far as driving on busy roads. Also, the feedback I have been getting is people are very interested in the MPG as well as performance.

People usually tend to look at displacement and amount of cylinders as if it was all that defines the fuel-efficiency of a car. I guess it might lead to some of that interest in the MPG.

[Stubby79]

I've watched the videos with interest. My kind of infotainment.

IMHO, too small of an engine is as bad as too big, when it comes to fuel efficiency. A vehicle - like a Chevy Tracker - would get better gas mileage with a big(er) 4-cylinder engine, than it would with it's undersized 1.6L; it has to work too hard all the time to ever be efficient.

It will be little different with the insight. The mid 50's MPGs you recorded would have been higher with the original 1.0L engine. I'd hope/expect the 420cc to be more efficient, at least at the same speeds.

Besides that...it's going to be a difficult fight to equal the original engine. Besides the various "tricks" designed in to the engine to maximize fuel economy, there are a few basic/major losses using these simple, single-cylinder engines. No EFI. No liquid cooling, meaning lower compression ratio. And the CVT is maybe 80% efficient.

Still, I expect the 420 will do better than the 212, and make it more useable/street friendly.

I would love to be shown I'm wrong on either point, so keep up the good work and entertaining videos!

[jakobnev]

420cc

You have to get it to either 69mpg or 69mph.

[Stubby79]

Originally Posted by jakobnev

You have to get it to either 69mpg or 69mph.

While running it on hash oil?

[fujioko]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

People usually tend to look at displacement and amount of cylinders as if it was all that defines the fuel-efficiency of a car. I guess it might lead to some of that interest in the MPG.

Ultimately my goal is to get the car to go as fast as possible with a tiny engine. After all, my channel is still about small engine modifications.

The fuel economy aspect is possibly an interesting side effect of using the small engine but I don't expect any miracles. But then again I was completely surprised with the results I previously got.

The one topic I haven't touched yet is aero mods. I think with such a small engine and limited power some subtle mods may help with both speed and economy?

We will find out.

[fujioko]

In reply to Stubby 79,

Yes, I agree, the smaller engine is not necessarily going to be anymore efficient then the stock 3 cylinder that was in the car.

The youtube channel is about small engine modifications and I'm using the Honda insight as a test vehicle for basically go kart engines. Most of what I will do applies to off road Motorsports.

The side effect of using a automobile as a test vehicle is we will see some pretty interesting results and the viewer might learn something new.

One of the modification planned for the larger 420 engine is fuel injection, that should be interesting.

Anyway stay tuned for more episodes.

[Ecky]

Definitely staying tuned.

[hayden55]

Originally Posted by fujioko

Ultimately my goal is to get the car to go as fast as possible with a tiny engine. After all, my channel is still about small engine modifications.

The fuel economy aspect is possibly an interesting side effect of using the small engine but I don't expect any miracles. But then again I was completely surprised with the results I previously got.

The one topic I haven't touched yet is aero mods. I think with such a small engine and limited power some subtle mods may help with both speed and economy?

We will find out.

If it makes you feel better your car is faster than the first couple decades of automotive history. All with a lawn mower engine. lol
Also, on the bright side depending on what state you're in if you put this back on the road (totally possible in Arkansas) you're $100-250 ahead over the hybrid guys who now have to pay the luxury tax on their vehicles.

Also, I would recommend a 250cc oem moped muffler. That thing is loud!