Aeromodded Civic VX 72mpg (image heavy)

[The donkey CRX]

I think I said this before, I am an old analog guy and this is the first time I have ever made comments on an internet site. My son, EcoTex talked me into getting involved as more than just a lurker on EM and it has been a total blast!

Most everything we have done to our cars we saw first here on this site, so I think it is only appropriate we share our interpretations with everyone.

My plan all along was to spend my retirement playing around with old cars, but this adventure has exceeded all my expectations for not only fun, but just how far you can take the search for more MPG's!!

Thanks to everyone for following along so far and we have many more ideas to work on in the future.

[sokdo]

sweet vx

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by The donkey CRX

Here are some pictures of the items I used to assemble the "ultimate" oil and water preheat system, It consists of the following items:
1. 1500 watt Water Heater with Pump to heat and circulate all the water in the block and the radiator of the 92 VX to a temperature of 125 degrees.
2.400 watt Block heater to heat the water in the lower block to above 180 degrees.
3. 400 watt heating pad on the bottom of the oil pan to heat oil to 180 degrees.
4. 150 watt heating pad on the bottom of the transmission to heat the tansmission oil to 180 degrees.

Here are some pictures of each.

Here is the 1500 watt water heater and circulating pump. It takes water from the bottom of the radiator thru the drain cock and pumps it past the closed thermostat via one of the heater core 5/8" lines into the block.






Here is the 400 watt block heater which is on the front of the block right under the manifold. I removed the manifold and the exhaust down tube to get easy access to the threaded plug that was removed in order to install the heater.










Here are the two heating pads for the oil pan and the transmission






I will post pics of the alternator delete tomorrow.

3.

I was really excited to see how agrressive you went with the preheat system. This would be pretty much my dream setup. I love the Odyssey PC 1800 214 AH battery choice, and would definitely go that route if I went alternatorless. Maybe when I retire I can hope to have this much fun!

[The donkey CRX]

Thanks Mikejd, so far the pre-heat set up has performed great. Even though the circulating heater only warms up the water in the block and radiator to 125 degrees after about 20 minutes, the other heaters are able to bring the oil and water up to between 160 and 180 degrees after 2 hours. this means I can start out each trip with lean burn enabled from miles one. before this setup was installed my MPG average was at about 45 MPG after the first 5 miles in winter. Now I am seeing as much as 70 MPG after 5 miles on the same route. This really helps me be above 80 MPG for my 54 mile commute so far this winter.

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by The donkey CRX

Thanks Mikejd, so far the pre-heat set up has performed great. Even though the circulating heater only warms up the water in the block and radiator to 125 degrees after about 20 minutes, the other heaters are able to bring the oil and water up to between 160 and 180 degrees after 2 hours. this means I can start out each trip with lean burn enabled from miles one. before this setup was installed my MPG average was at about 45 MPG after the first 5 miles in winter. Now I am seeing as much as 70 MPG after 5 miles on the same route. This really helps me be above 80 MPG for my 54 mile commute so far this winter.

Awesome! I would imagine most cars would experience a huge benefit from starting in closed loop, even if not as much benefit without lean burn capability. I'm guessing you'll be flirting with 100mpg next year with your current setup once temps are back to ideal.

Any chance you would be willing to disclose the materials used for the prewarmup kit?

[The donkey CRX]

Here are the details for the 4 items that make up the oil and water preheat system on the red 92 VX

1. Circulating water heater and pump. Made by HotStart Hotflow model #CTM 120 volt. This item lists for $700, but we were able to find one on EBAY for $300. There are some Chinese made ones out there for around $120, just make sure it is wired for American 120 volt and 60 hertz. Many are EURO 220 50 hertz and will not work in US.

2. Block water heater. Majestic Honda.com part number 08T44-SRO-100G was $29.40

3. Oil pan 400 watt heat pad. Moroso part number 23996 5"X7". Got it from Amazon for $59.99

4. Transmission oil heater pad. Proheat .com. model 32. The invoice says 75 watt, so I guess I only thought it was 120 watt. Anyway it seems to work just fine. I got this one because it was small enough to lay flat on the bottom of the trans. The instructions say you cannot have any voids or ridges under the pad. It cost $45.95.

Hope this is the information you needed. Let me know if you have any others questions about the system.

[bluesteel93]

Any updates recently? How have the latest mods impacted your fuel economy so far this winter? According to your fuel log you've been able to at least keep the MPGs in the 80's which is awesome! Also, any news on the CRX build that you mentioned awhile ago?

Hope all is well! :-)

[The donkey CRX]

Thanks for checking in bluesteel93. You are right, I have been able to stay close to the "life time" average of 82 MPG, but my stretch goal of 87 MPG looks to be out of reach. I do feel that without the recent pre heat and alternator delete I would be no better than about the low 70 MPG range.

Unfortunately, while doing maintenance on the 1988 CRX, I discovered it had a blown head gasket. So the CRX is currently on hold until I decide if it will be worth the money to try and bring it back to life.

Sorry I have not been on Ecomodder much lately, but I have some other projects that are taking up most of my time this winter. I plan to get back to my MPG projects soon.

[lilwilly75]

Thanks for posting your heater info. I've been getting killed here in Wisconsin this winter with gas mileage. It's been below zero the past few weeks.

The question I have is have you noticed a rise in your house electric bill from having the block heater connected?

Also do you have it on a timer or is it on all the time?

Thanks for your help!

[The donkey CRX]

Hi lilwilly, The preheater system is not on a timer. All 4 heaters (circulating water heater with pump, block water heater element, oil pan pad heater, and transmission pad heater are all turned on 2 hours before I leave for the shop in the morning. This is the amount of time it takes for the oil and water to reach between 160 - 180 degrees.

My winter electric bill has gone up about $6 to $11 per month from last year, but I also think we have had more below freezing days this year than last.

I put the 92 VX back on the road with the preheat and alternator delete at the same time, so I don't have any clean data on the improvement for the preheater alone, but I estimate it is worth an improvement of 3 to 4 MPG for my 54 mile commute.

Also, I plug the preheater up 2 hours before leaving the shop in the afternoon before heading back home.

Hope this answers your questions.