Another Civic VX Kammback with deep roots

[mloveland78]

The block heater plugs into a 110v outlet. It is a 100W heater which is pretty wimpy even for a small 4 cylinder block, but I wanted to go with the factory heater since it was available. I plug it in overnight right now, but It would probably be better to get an outdoor timer to turn it on 2 hours before I leave. It does not register on the temp gauge on the dash, the gauge is still pegged on "C" when I start the car, but it cuts my time to get to operating temp in half.

[slownugly]

I'm running a napa block heater. I saw roughly 2-3 mpg increase when using it religiously. Great modification For the wintertime

[mloveland78]

In preparation for the Green Grand Prix, I installed a front belly pan on my VX this weekend. It is made out of aluminum sheet metal and a welded conduit frame. I followed pretty closely the one they made on the import tuner project sipper website.
1992 Honda Civic VX - Import Tuner Magazine
Mine has a lower front skirt though. It lowers the front bumper edge by about 3" and goes back to the firewall. I also installed another deep cycle battery to go with the alternator delete. Pics will follow and here is the testing I did.
I can't do an ABA test for obvious reasons but I did do an AB test. I don't have cruise control either so I had to hold 55mph manually. I drove at 55 on a stretch of highway that is as flat as it gets around here, which is to say that it has rolling hills. So I tested multiple times in both directions over a 2 mile stretch without the belly pan in the morning and with it in the evening, temp difference was +5 degrees in the evening.
South North
A 53 67
A 57 69
B 65 73
B 67 76
Average for the A(without mod) was 61.5mpg
Average for the B(with mod) was 70.25mpg
Northbound is a bit downhill and Southbound is a bit uphill.
Looking like a 14% increase. Part of that will be due to the temp increase, not sure how to compensate for that. It was 47 in the morning and 52 in the evening. It should also be noted that both sets show increasing numbers indicating that my transmission was probably still warming up, the engine was fully up to temp before starting both runs, but I did not drive around much after the engine got up to temp and I use a block heater also.

[jedi_sol]

You can also try simple coast down tests since you don't have cruise control. Just see how far you can coast down a hill belly pan off vs belly pan on.

However with aero mods, coast down tests are more accurate at higher speeds.

[mloveland78]

I used the lower suspension mount bolt to connect some brackets to support the rear of the belly pan. The construction is riveted aluminum sheet flashing from Lowes.

[jedi_sol]

nice work with your fancy shmancy welding ! Is the actual under tray aluminum too?

[mloveland78]

Did some AB testing today on my alternator delete.
SB_____NB
58.1___72.1_A
60.7___71.9_A
61.7___75.6_A
61.2___75.5_B
60.6___78.3_B
61.3___82.3_B
Average of A runs is 66.67
Average of B runs is 69.85
For a 5% increase in MPG with the alternator disconnected. I unplugged it and removed the belt for a total alternator delete. It should be noted for those who don't already know that the Civic alternator is already pretty efficient, it has I think two or three different charge modes and adjusts its output to only what is needed. So a 5% increase is pretty good. I would have done another A run after but a state cop pulled up in the middle of the highway at the end of my B run. I was not doing anything illegal, but I am sure that if he saw the same weird car drive by 6 times he might pull me over just to see what I was doing.

[slogfilet]

Would you be able to give some measurements (or a rough template) for the kamm? I'd love to get one going on my VX, and I thought the wheel might not need to be completely reinvented. =)

Looks really great!

[California98Civic]

Thanksfor the picsof the front end belly pan. Looks good.

[OG VX]

Man, I love this build! Great attention to detail and the Blue Island Metallic is a great color!