95 Civic EX - Too much power
 

Hi all, I have a 95 civic EX with a D16Z6 motor. It's a quick car, but when driven sanely it doesn't get near the MPG the DX (base level) model does. The EX puts out about 125hp vs the DX puts out about 105hp.

Is there any way I can reverse this? I would much rather have less power and more mpg. Thoughts?

taller gearing.

What kind of MPG are you getting? I have a 98EX that has become my MPG project as of just this week. Been getting about 30MPG but my goal is to move that up around 40 using various techniques Ive learned about. Still on my 1st tank but the results are already pretty dramatic based on the miles i've put on the tank and where the gas gauge is reading compared to what ive seen in the past.

I mean I get about 35mpg avg after doing some minor mods (thermostat, tire pressure, etc) but with the way I, drive, especially on the highway, I feel like I deserve ~45mpg. If I had a DX I'd be hitting 45 easy because I used to have one, and I got 42mpg without even trying.

Pulse and glide is really the best way to effectively negate an overpowered engine (which IMO we ALL have, except maybe the XFIs). There are other things that will help, but that'll give you the largest gains.

I agree - pulse & glide. Even the DX has stupid-short gear ratios. I get low 40's with the cruise control at 65 on the highway. Lower speed, combined with P&G puts me in the upper 60's and sometimes over 70 mpg.

I think even an XFi is overpowered for its weight! At least that's how I feel after switching from the 2100 lb EV with ~20 peak hp to the extravagantly powerful 49 hp Blackfly.

Define "sane" driving. And do you have a ScanGauge?

Oh, yes. Absolutely get a Scangauge. Get it now, and you won't regret it.

Oh yeah, The 3 cylinders of screamin' fury, baby! The 1 Liter of Doom!!! :thumbup:

You can look into getting a CX/VX transmission. They have longer gears plus you can find them cheap.

You can't get a scangauge (95's were OBD-I)

Forgot about the '95/ScanGauge issue. But you can do a MPGuino.

Welcome to the forum, honda joe.

Warm air intake and use 5W20 oil.

There's a 2000 EX manual 5 speed with 105k miles for sale here for $4200.

I think the mileage for this model is not very good.

Would it help to change the transmission, and how much would that cost?

YKYAEM when you think a Metro is overpowered :-P

I'd look into a D16Y5 eninge from a 96-00 Civic HX. It's vtec-e and shouldn't be a hard swap since you're EX is already equipped with a D series vtec engine. As with all Honda swaps, engine tranny and ECU from the HX should be considered. Or find some highschooler who just got a DX and wants moar powah and trade him. More fibre (Carbon) in your diet would also help and turn heads......little too much $$ tho. but aftermarket support for these cars is unbelievable

http://www.octanemotorsports.com/ima...ercomplete.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0014_large.jpg
http://www.deftracing.com/seibon_car..._civic_2dr.jpg

http://image38.webshots.com/39/0/37/...8YFaKNc_fs.jpg

Eh, the engine isn't the worst part. It's the gear ratios. If you're going to swap anything, get the transmission out of a 96+ HX, or even better a 92-95 CX/VX.