6th gen Honda Civic owners - Gearing Question

[hayden55]

Update: Tires purchased: Michelin Defender 175/70/14.
Transmission purchased: 92 CX 5mt.
With how much money I just spend I'm ready to start seeing returns! Haha. Since I I'm not going to track one down and turn this into a day trip I went ahead and bought the trans off ebay since they had an ebay motors coupon, and the tires had a mail in rebate I figure now would be the time to buy. Especially for the summer xommute being so long i'd see the fastest gains right now. So saved 10% off the pair. Now just to sell my 13 inch wheel set and the LX/DX trans.

Going from 2960rpm @ 70mph to 2270rpm @70. Then upgrading to LRR tires as well. Excited to see the improvements!

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by hayden55

Update: Tires purchased: Michelin Defender 175/70/14.
Transmission purchased: 92 CX 5mt.
With how much money I just spend I'm ready to start seeing returns! Haha. Since I I'm not going to track one down and turn this into a day trip I went ahead and bought the trans off ebay since they had an ebay motors coupon, and the tires had a mail in rebate I figure now would be the time to buy. Especially for the summer xommute being so long i'd see the fastest gains right now. So saved 10% off the pair. Now just to sell my 13 inch wheel set and the LX/DX trans.

Going from 2960rpm @ 70mph to 2270rpm @70. Then upgrading to LRR tires as well. Excited to see the improvements!

Congrats on decisions and committments. Good stuff you bought.

Also, remember that at first any new set of tires, including LRR, will tend to decrease FE as they break in. So wait a few hundred miles to judge 'em. Also, are you swapping the trans yourself? If so, be sure to get a new throw-out bearing, check drive shaft oil seal positioning very carefully, and prepare for the PITA that is the spring pin in the shifter linkage.

[hayden55]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Congrats on decisions and committments. Good stuff you bought.

Also, remember that at first any new set of tires, including LRR, will tend to decrease FE as they break in. So wait a few hundred miles to judge 'em. Also, are you swapping the trans yourself? If so, be sure to get a new throw-out bearing, check drive shaft oil seal positioning very carefully, and prepare for the PITA that is the spring pin in the shifter linkage.

BTW, I've already swapped the entire clutch, flywheel, throwout, pilot bearing assembly and inspected the seals on the motor so it's all good. Easy for the most part. Just climbing around the car to hit each bolt is time consuming and pulling the axle and hubs etc...
But yes I agree. I couldn't even get my shifter linkage pin out the last time so I pulled the whole linkage with the trans. This time around I guess I may have to pay a shop to fix me up.

I also bought a 200 dollar roof rack (versus 450 new) so i'm very committed to keeping this car.

Haha I was gonna comment earlier on your year old hub bearing thread, THAT was a pain in the ass. Imagine. We replaced both hub bearings with a freezer, 12 pound sledge hammer, 5 pound sledge hammer, and a ball joint press. Very creative pita, but we did it ourselves in about a day so we didn't have to pay anybody. Got rid of the quarter inch wiggle in both front hubs.

Before I throw all this in I've got about 6,500 in miles of testing on my current setup so far. So my real average, not PnG, at 70mph on the interstate with the AC off is 39mpg.

[Xist]

Roof rack?! I think you are in the wrong neighborhood, son.

Have you considered something like this? Hitch Cargo Carrier - 500 lb. Capacity

[hayden55]

Originally Posted by Xist

Roof rack?! I think you are in the wrong neighborhood, son.

Have you considered something like this? Hitch Cargo Carrier - 500 lb. Capacity

How are you loading your kayaks on that?

[Xist]

Origami

[hayden55]

Originally Posted by Xist

Origami

Haha. That's a cool link. I'll have to get one of those. We have a harbor freight in town. Just need a hitch. My primary goal is: 45 mpg interstate w/ the AC on. My secondary goal is for this to also function as my SUV and truck.

[Ecky]

60+ mpg pulling over 1000lbs:






I'm highly inclined to believe you can achieve your goals with your Civic.

[hayden55]

Wow that kinda pisses me off. Haha
I didn't buy re92's because i didnt think they could handle load. But You're over there hauling everything plus some. Lol
But that's awesome. That's almost my dream setup if it had 4 doors!😍

I really think I'll enjoy the handling characteristics of the Michelins though anyways and i drive 25k/yr so hopefully these tires last to warranty!

What tongue weight are you seeing with all that? Isn't the insight only rated for 375lb while my civic is rated for 800lb?

[Ecky]

I load it close to neutral, try to keep it between 50-100lbs tongue. The rear bumper is aluminum and I'd rather not load it up.

When I came up to Vermont from Florida, I drove through the Appalachians with about 1000lbs in the trailer (very rough guess) and a minimum of 500lbs in the car. It was squatting a bit, but I encountered no problems, and still averaged close to 60mpg despite taking a very mountainous route.