Aeromodded Civic VX 72mpg (image heavy)

[Xist]

Donkey!, have you explained why you went with the space saver wheels? I did a search and just came up with http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...els-16886.html and http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...uts-19094.html. I wondered if at least part of the reason that they are only rated at 50 MPH and 50 miles is not because of any lack of the donuts themselves, but because they do not match the other four tires, but if you have four donuts, especially in your case, where you have real tires on them, if it balances out.

I know that we avoid using our brakes, but how is your stopping distance?

[The donkey CRX]

Xist, We are using the alloy space saver Insight 4"X14" rim with RE92 tires. The only difference I can see between the space saver rim and the Insight regular rims is the regular is 5 1/2" wide. I think the 50 MPH limit warning is because of the spare donut tire, not the rim.

I have put over 12,000 miles on a set of the 4" wide space saver rims and RE92 tire and have had no issues. I have not noticed any difference in braking ability, but as you say, we are not doing any heavy braking anyway.

I have seen 1 1/2 to 2 MPG gain using this combo compared to the same tire running on the 5 1/2" wide Insight rim (60 lb of air in each) The tire is noticeably narrower

And of course I am using the 4"space saver on all 4 corners of the car.

The 4" wide wheel is about 1 1/2 lbs lighter than the 5 1/2"

[The donkey CRX]

Xist, one other reason we like the 4" wide rim is you can tuck the tire under the rear skirts without putting a "bulge" in the skirt.

[Chrysler kid]

Originally Posted by The donkey CRX

You are right Kid, but I am retired and I show up at a shop in a metal building without A/C 3 or 4 days a week just because I think it is a lot of FUN to get these old cars to get double the MPG of newer "sophisticated" cars.

But let's get real, how many people would be willing to actually sweat to get an extra 10 MPG?

The greatest feat in life is being able to find your passion and be able to use it to help ourselves and others. Driving without ac is common for race cars, and by my logic the passion to make a "drag-less car" is far more practical than building a 72 nova to go fast for 10 seconds on a Friday night.

About my screen name, I'm in my 30's and grew up around mopars.

Originally Posted by The donkey CRX

Thanks for your encouraging words. I'm not sure I have the technical and digital skills to make what you asked for happen, but I will think about it and consult my son (ecoTex) to see what we can come up with.

I am very fortunate to have the time and health to do things I really enjoy. I also like to share with anyone who may find it helpful.

If you could type up a list it would be helpful as well. The big silver lever in particular is intriguing, I assumed it was for the slats up front but then I see there are two levers on the dash board. It looks as if most of them are mechanical and not electrical

Thanks for explaining the wheels, have you tried using the factory spare tires as rear wheels? I would imagine they are the narrowest and have the least rotating mass.

The 50mph speed ratings are primarily for using an under sized wheel and tire on one corner of a vehicle. Rx7 spare wheels and tires, 04-07 Pontiac gto spare tires, are commonly used as front runners for drag radial cars regardless of the tire rating and the weight of the vehicle.

Running a 15x3.5 front rim, being lowered and running 15x10 rear wheels with drag radials on my camaro in college driving from Dallas to Lubbock I was getting 26mpg highway. This was with a 3500 torque converter that would not lock in gear below 2500rpms cruising at 80mph in a 3600lb car making 450whp. During normal driving use I would see no noticeable difference in braking, if something would have happened at high speed I'm sure I would have a different opinion though. In 2008 I nearly sold my camaro when gas prices were over $5.00 a gallon, luckily at the time I was walking to class and only using the camaro to visit family( and making party runs on friday and saturday nights) making 26 miles to the gallon because of those front runners helped me big time

Kind of a thread jack/

You could say I started ecomodding by accident. I have since swapped the transmission and have achieved 33mpg highway on e0. Granted I'm still running a 2.73 rear end and 60mph in 6th gear is at 1400 rpms

I've never intentionally aeromodded my camaro however I do know the drag created by the large sloping windshield of the car let's you drive 55mph with the tops off without creating wind resistance (so female occupants do not have to tie their hair.).

I am running a lighweight aluminum flywheel, I can not shift into sixth unless I am going over 53mph or the rpm will drop below idle and my cam surge will physically shake the car

[Chrysler kid]

Also reminds me to reccomend switching your vx to solid motor mounts. The movement of the engine against and, pressing against the rubber bushing does delay throttle response.

This bushing flex is extremely noticeable in larger motors, and even in small motors the engine is effectively using power to rock itself fully against the maximum movement strength of the rubber bushing before putting power to the wheels

[The donkey CRX]

Hey Kid, thanks for the post. Several members here have tested the spare donut tires and even though they are narrow, they were not low rolling resistant. Since I drive over 100 miles on my commute each day and 400 to 500 miles a week, I want a proven LLR and safe tire and the RE92s give me that.

[j12piprius]

T D CRX,

Did you use #6 X 1/2" stainless screws for the side skirts, and no washers?

How do you determine when to use DWL, and how do you use it?
I'm curious if you might go at 40 or 50% MAP for example, sometimes between pulses instead of EOC.

Thanks much for all your patience and helpfulness.

[Chrysler kid]

Originally Posted by The donkey CRX

Hey Kid, thanks for the post. Several members here have tested the spare donut tires and even though they are narrow, they were not low rolling resistant. Since I drive over 100 miles on my commute each day and 400 to 500 miles a week, I want a proven LLR and safe tire and the RE92s give me that.

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

T D CRX,

Did you use #6 X 1/2" stainless screws for the side skirts, and no washers?

How do you determine when to use DWL, and how do you use it?
I'm curious if you might go at 40 or 50% MAP for example, sometimes between pulses instead of EOC.

Thanks much for all your patience and helpfulness.

Agreed!


Now what the heck does that big lever do

[j12piprius]

The big lever is a hand throttle, which helps to attenuate the pressure on the gas.

[fusion210]

Just had to say that this is my favorite ecomodded car since the aerocivic!