Aeromodded Civic VX 72mpg (image heavy)

[Xist]

Originally Posted by The donkey CRX

One thought for "fixing" the "fast" rear departure would be to remove the rear glass and build up a new frame for it that was lifted at the bottom to match the template. Do you think that approach has any merit? Don't worry about hurting my feelings, because I am confident you can save me *valuable time and effort with your experience.

On a another note, I started my version of the WHEELHOUSE DEPARTURE Radii. I hope to get Ecotex to post some pictures soon.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction on that project

Welcome! We love your car!

When I think about the final version of the Kamm-back that I want for my Civic, I often think about cars with long and flat windshields. The newer Civics have really long ones, I do not know what would be better. I understand that trimming vehicle glass is difficult and almost everyone says that even the people with the most experience often break a windshield when trimming it, but I think that would be the best way to maintain visibility, if we can make it work.

How would you use a built-up trunk?

Some of us have discussed trying to convert sedans into fastbacks. There is a recent thread where one Ecomodder found the car of another and posted pictures. He considered cutting his Kamm-back to match the trunk, but just left it, and accesses his trunk from the inside.

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's the Fuel Log:

1992 Honda civic VX Gas Mileage (MULE VX) - EcoModder.com

There are two entries, so far; with one being a total for 3 tanks.

[The donkey CRX]

Actually, I was hoping not to need to cut the glass. I would remove the glass and use aluminum extruded stock with a grove that the glass could be reinstalled like it came out at the top, but at the bottom would be lifted up maybe 2 or 3 inches. On each side would be 2 filler pieces that would look like very long and thin door stops. Not sure what those could be made of.

One problem with the CRX rear glass is that it flares up at the very bottom, so that right there my kill the concept.

Thanks for your kind words about the car.

[The donkey CRX]

Since the red 92 VX mule is about finished, we wondered how much weight all of our modifications added to the car. So today at the shop we got out the 4 racers scales and found out.

When we first got this car it weighed 2060 lbs. We have removed the passenger seat, the back seat, and today I also removed the spare tire.

To my amazement, with the above items removed and all the aero stuff added, it still only weighs 2084 lbs.!

So even though the rear may look fat, it doesn't look like we have much of a weight penalty.

[basjoos]

Got to love that warm, dry summer weather for kicking your mileage up into the 80's. The nice thing about getting your mpg's into the 80's is that (at current gas prices) it drops your fuel cost per mile down into the same cost range as an EV, but without the range limitations or additional weight of an EV system, and you are doing it without the added cost of the battery replacement that you would eventually see down the road with an EV. A nicely broken in replacement engine from Japan is much cheaper to buy and install than a new set of EV batteries. You can't drive a car for a lower overall cost than in an old (i.e. no auto loan) aeromodded Civic VX/CX getting hybrid (or better than hybrid) level mileage without the higher cost of buying and driving a hybrid.

[The donkey CRX]

That's why we love finding these old CRX's and VX's and getting them back on the road.

When I first moved back to West Tennessee, I was making my daily 108 mile commute in a 05 GMC crew cab. It would cost around $25 a day just for gas. Today in the red 92 VX that same commute cost me $4.79 at $3.55 per gallon.

I am saving at least $500 a month and having fun doing it.

[The donkey CRX]

Previously on this thread, Thnorm and Aerohead suggested a modification to the front wheel enclosure that might help exhaust warm air from the engine compartment.

This is what I came up with. I have only made one trip with this new modification, but I think I see an improvement.

Thursday was the warmest so far this spring. There is a 10 mile uphill climb on my route home and I usually need to open the radiator grill block slightly in order to keep the fan from coming on at 206 degrees. Thursday I was able to make the climb without opening the grill and the water temp never exceed 200 degrees. The oil temp was also about 5 degrees lower than it has been on previous trips the last week.
So I am thinking this will help me control engine heat this summer as it gets hotter.

Thanks for the help guys!

[ultimx]

I have a crx and am planning on doing exactly the same thing. I did remove all the glass out of the hatch and am planning on building on it like you are planning on doing. One thing that i would share is to not use the glass and replace it with lexan/polycarbonate piece. It will be a lot lighter. The glass in the hatch is real heavy! I need to learn how to take the profile picture and make some measurements inorder to see how close of a arc i am to the ideal line i am. Best mpg i got so far was 61mpg with just lowering springs and shocks. I do have vx wheels and tires on also. Hope to see what your mods will be to the crx, as your plans you posted for the vx were along the same lines as mine for the crx.

[The donkey CRX]

Great to hear someone else at least is thinking about this same solution. Since I just finished the red VX, I'm not sure when I will get started on the CRX, but I sure would like to see what you come up with.

I think a CRX with the same mods as the VX could beat it in top MPG.

[ultimx]

Idk if it will beat it. What were your vx mpg's before all the mods? I average low 50's on my fillups with mixed city and highway. Maybe 20/80% highway driving. 50mil round trip depending on the area i have to work. I was also considering making the front bumper more rounded and longer in the front to help" break through" the air but idk how that will work out yet.