Aerocivic - how to drop your Cd from 0.31 to 0.17

[basjoos]

There's not much opportunity for weight reduction in my car since I'm not going to rip out the interior of my car in the search for that last additional mpg. I spend a lot of time in my car, so I'm not going to make it uncomfortable to drive. I could replace my heavy stock steel wheels with lightweight alloy wheels, but that would be about the extent of any weight reduction I could do.

Since my car seats 4(5) and has double to triple the interior space of the Insight, its not really a direct comparator. The Prius or the Insight-II would be more comparable to the aerocivic in seating and interior volume, but neither comes close to achieving my mileage at normal highway speeds, although the Prius can beat my mileage around town in below 35mph stop and go driving. The fact that my much larger and heavier car can come within spitting distance of the Insight's mileage without the use of hybrid tech is amazing enough just on its own.

[JimIsbell]

Thats great. Then it IS real world mileage. Thats really good to hear.

Here in South Texas the AC runs from June 1st to October 1st, day and night. At night it cycles a bit but during the day it just stays on full blast. The rest of the year I only use it when the wife has a fresh hairdo...#8-(

Yes, I agree with you about pretty....but my wife DOESNT! But your mods could be prettied up and still work, maybe even better, but that might take a lot of work that was better spent on research.

[JasonG]

If only you dropped a diesel in, talk about lean burn!
Keep it up Basjos, I'm moving to the Charlotte area and look forward to seeing you around or at meet-ups.

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by JimIsbell

Thats great. Then it IS real world mileage. Thats really good to hear.

Yes, I agree with you about pretty....but my wife DOESNT! But your mods could be prettied up and still work, maybe even better, but that might take a lot of work that was better spent on research.

actually with some bondo and white paint it can be smoothed out and be made "prettier" quite easily ill bet

i assume its just not that high up on the list

[basjoos]

The engine Greasemonkee installed in my car was a D15B Vtec-e, which was a Japanese market near equivalent of the D15Z1. This low mileage import engine was in excellent condition inside, but had a number of parts that were missing or damaged, so he took some parts from the D15Z1 engine I had gotten from Tom-O to get it working. The transmission was from a VX with 150,000 miles on it that he partially rebuilt, replacing some worn bearings in it. The old engine that he removed from my car was a D15B 16-Valve, another used import engine made for the Japanese market.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by basjoos

The engine Greasemonkee installed in my car was a D15B Vtec-e, which was a Japanese market near equivalent of the D15Z1. This low mileage import engine was in excellent condition inside, but had a number of parts that were missing or damaged, so he took some parts from the D15Z1 engine I had gotten from Tom-O to get it working. The transmission was from a VX with 150,000 miles on it that he partially rebuilt, replacing some worn bearings in it. The old engine that he removed from my car was a D15B 16-Valve, another used import engine made for the Japanese market.

Thanks for the clarification!

[PaleMelanesian]

So does this make your car a VX now, or is it still a CX or DX? How much do you have to change before you start calling it something else?

[Christ]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

So does this make your car a VX now, or is it still a CX or DX? How much do you have to change before you start calling it something else?

The VIN number :P

It's a CVX now?

[2003protege]

Originally Posted by Christ

The VIN number :P

good answer

[3-Wheeler]

Basjoos,

I just completed a full coverage panel that covers the entire underside of the engine compartment for a Honda Insight.

Took the car out for the first time this summer, and was utilizing a 60% engine radiator block, and running on the highway at 55 mph. Was monitoring a ScanGauge very carefully for water temperature over 200F and noticed that the engine seemed to stay in this range most of the time. The highest I saw was 204F and the ambient air temperature was about 80F today in Wisconsin.

The Insight fan is supposed to kick on at 205F and I could not tell if this happened or not today, but the temperature was very close to that point.

I also noticed that the under hood temperature must have been very high on the Insight, as the hot air intake is purposely half connected and still the air intake temperature was as high as 135F or so. Upon getting home, I disconnected it completely for now. When the cooler weather arrives, I can reconnect it again. My first catalytic converter is right behind the Insight engine and it seemed very steamy in there after the drive.

For now I have completely removed the radiator block to allow more air flow into the engine area.

I saw your car at the Hybrid Fest in Madison, WI, and talked with you about your design. I noticed that your radiator opening (actually two small inlets) is about 1/3 the size of the Insight radiator in total.

What temperature does your Honda usually run at on the highway. Do you happen to know what temperature your fan kicks on?

Jim.