Binky the Civic Build Thread

[JacobLeSann]

She runs!

Finished it up last weekend. Took a good amount of troubleshooting. Seems a lot more peppy than previous, but I could be wrong. I’m working on a high RPM idle issue, but that’s about it. Previous owner had deleted the IAT sensor for whatever reason, so I added in a new one. Remade the exhaust using a cherry bomb as well as the old fart can, and it actually sounds great! Gets rid of that tinny, raspy sound. I regret trying to do a slash cut on the exhaust tip. Shifter works and feels great, though I’m waiting on a local machine shop to make proper, low-tolerance bearing races for it (mine were very loose).

More disappointing, though, is the fuel economy. Getting about 29-33 MPG overall. Runs through town net me 20-22 MPG. For comparison, I drive a new Toyota RAV4 at my job making deliveries in stop-and-go traffic and regularly get 30-33 MPG. What I’m saying is that I’m not doing it wrong or anything. It’s got everything cleaned up and all the engine fluids are fresh and brand new. I know the throttle spring is worn out, making it difficult to DWL. I hope the scanguage is just off a bit.

Then again, that could just be normal for an EX/SI model. Disappointing, though.




(This last pic is funny. Suspension is shot and I accidentally hit a pothole. Smacked the car so hard it spit a wrench out. It’s trying to communicate.

[freebeard]

Congrats. The wrench is funny.

I regret trying to do a slash cut on the exhaust tip.

Why?

[Ecky]

My opinion, it's likely in the tune and gearing. You have options with both.

I've seen as high as 57mpg @ 65mph with my TSX K24 swapped Insight. It's a pig in stop and go however, especially when the weather is cold and trips are short.

[freebeard]

Serrations would quieten it, a bellmouth would couple to ambient air more efficiently.

[JacobLeSann]

The slash cut was done too steep, and you can see where I grazed the body of the pipe. Doesn’t look good.

The nacelles are a cool design. I actually like the current loudness of my exhaust, but I was thinking it would look punk-ish to weld a hole-saw on as my exhaust tip. A serrated tip with some tapered forming could be the next step. Only problem is that I will likely be remaking the exhaust in the future, to make more room for my planned diffuser. Have to see what happens; for now I’m just trying to get as much MPG as possible stock.

Gearing is likely it. I got some better numbers today. 35.9 MPG average on a long-ish trip. The average rose to 37 MPG when I ran through town (no traffic), but dropped down to 35 once I hit the highway again. It turns 2500 RPM at 100 kmh/60MPH, so that’s likely why. I think the lower gearing helps a lot in low speed P&G. I’ll be cross-checking these numbers with manual measurements when I can.


Anyhow, I’m gonna keep working on restoring it to stock(ish). Im thinking I might invite a buddy over and record some tuft testing sometime, though. I’m mainly interested in the rear window airflow. Will update if/when I do.

[JacobLeSann]

Life’s great! Peachy.

Was at an intersection when the light turned green. I drove forward and started getting up to speed, then suddenly a truck came flying through their red light and in front of my car. Slammed the brakes and managed to save myself but my whole front end is bent up terribly. No idea what that guy was thinking but I spent 5 minutes dancing around traffic and cleaning up the remains of my front end while feeling one of the worst emotional pains of my life. Guy was just quiet about it and said sorry once or twice. Police told me its not their case as I’m not injured. I think that’s stupid; if I wasn’t fast on the brakes I would very well be dead.

So engine is okay and there are no leaks or anything, still runs great. Whole front end is toast. Insurance is probably gonna write off my car and I don’t really know if it’s possible to fix that frame and pass an inspection. I’m extremely disappointed as I have so much money into this car.

So that’s fun. I can buy a ‘91 Civic DX hatch, but it’s an auto and needs a bit of rust repair. Could swap my engine in there with a OBD2 conversion. There’s another 97-98 coupe in town, so I’m gonna ask the owner about it.

[freebeard]

Thank your slow reaction time.

[JacobLeSann]

I mean, yeah, but I think I did the best I could. I’ve evaded a lot of other occasions but I guess my luck ran out. Could’ve been ALOT worse; I doubt he was going the speed limit.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by JacobLeSann

I mean, yeah, but I think I did the best I could. I’ve evaded a lot of other occasions but I guess my luck ran out. Could’ve been ALOT worse; I doubt he was going the speed limit.

Glad to hear you're safe and made it out unharmed. The loss hurts (been there) but often these are opportunities in disguise, depending on how you look at it.

[JacobLeSann]

I think I agree. My brother can sell me the pretty clean ‘91 hatch I mentioned earlier. Has very little problems beyond some rust and an auto trans. I’ve been wanting a hatch deep down despite the inferior aero, as it’s a pain to put a bicycle in a coupe. Should be peppy if I swap in my current engine. He says he’ll sell it to me it for $400-500 CAD. I think I’ll write off my car, then buy it back; then strip it out.

Thanks for all the interest and support in this car. I’ll update up until I get my next car, and start a new thread. Aero mods on a boxy retro car will be interesting.