CVT swap? (Into 2005 Civic, replacing 4-spd auto)

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

No surprise Toyota went so conservative before switching from more traditional automatics to the CVT in many of its models even though in hybrids the so-called e-CVT had been successful even though it's not a real CVT, and IIRC it still doesn't resort to a CVT on 4WD versions of its CUVs. Well, maybe a high failure rate of CVTs would be a good excuse for Nissan to do a switch to hybrids, considering the ability to emulate the operation of a CVT in a hybrid setup similar to the HSD.

Nissan has a hybrid out in Japan which is basically a Leaf electric motor and a small "generator" gasoline engine to provide the electricity. Their city fuel economy is supposed to be pretty good.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Nissan has a hybrid out in Japan which is basically a Leaf electric motor and a small "generator" gasoline engine to provide the electricity. Their city fuel economy is supposed to be pretty good.

I'm aware of this. But anyway, I'd still prefer some layout that also allows the ICE to directly drive the wheels under certain conditions.

[EcoCivic]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Nissan has a hybrid out in Japan which is basically a Leaf electric motor and a small "generator" gasoline engine to provide the electricity. Their city fuel economy is supposed to be pretty good.

That's an interesting idea. Using the gasoline engine to power a generator and running the generator only when the batteries are low may reduce or eliminate pumping losses and transmission losses, but introduces more efficiency losses in the generator, charger, inverter (if it has an AC motor), and electric motor. Not sure how much benefit there is.

Honda actually made an Accord hybrid that had no transmission, the engine ran a generator at low speeds and it powered the wheels with a simple differential with a 1:1 drive ratio when driving at higher speeds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmMb45PPrmg

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by EcoCivic

Honda actually made an Accord hybrid that had no transmission, the engine ran a generator at low speeds and it powered the wheels with a simple differential with a 1:1 drive ratio when driving at higher speeds.

Seems like a glorified version of the transmission layout of the Mobylette

[Ecky]

I imagine Nissan probably cheaped out and left out the 1:1 gear so they could use a lot of parts-bin stuff.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Ecky

I imagine Nissan probably cheaped out and left out the 1:1 gear so they could use a lot of parts-bin stuff.

Seems in line with Nissan's strategy of a single-powertrain for its EVs.

[CVTCivic]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

Are the 0-60 or 1/4 mile times better with a CVT Civic over the equivalent manual Civic?

With the actual 10th gen Civic, they're almost equivalent. The CVT is slightly faster at 0-60. When it comes to fuel consumption however, the MT is better.

[EcoCivic]

Thanks everyone for all the responses, I really appreciate it! I have pretty decided to just get a 5 speed next time I run across one at the junkyard for simplicity and reliability, preferably one from a Civic LX or DX. Perhaps the acceleration or fuel efficiency may not be quite as good as a CVT, but it will still be better than my 4 speed and the fact that it is a much simpler, lighter, and more reliable transmission compared to an auto or CVT more than makes up the difference to me.

[hayden55]

I would imagine the Civic HX 5 speed trans would be amazing. I have a 92 CX 5 speed in my attic waiting for use one day. lol
Has the somewhat rare ratios that drop the cruising rpms at 70 mph to 2000 rpm.

Looks like the HX trans with 185/70/14 tires on your civic would get you 2150 rpm for 70 mph. Thats not bad at all.

[EcoCivic]

Originally Posted by hayden55

I would imagine the Civic HX 5 speed trans would be amazing. I have a 92 CX 5 speed in my attic waiting for use one day. lol
Has the somewhat rare ratios that drop the cruising rpms at 70 mph to 2000 rpm.

Looks like the HX trans with 185/70/14 tires on your civic would get you 2150 rpm for 70 mph. Thats not bad at all.

That's pretty low, the Honda Stream trans I have now has me running at 3K RPM at 70 mph. I thought I wouldn't like this transmission's 4th gear compared to my stock 4 speed, but it's actually alright. The higher cruising RPM doesn't seem to have cost me any MPG, probably because I live in a somewhat hilly area and it climbs hills much more effortlessly at a little higher RPM. It also pulls noticeably better in the lower gears since gears 1-3 are shorter as well.

With the 5 speed I am planning on getting, 5th gear is a bit taller than my 4th gear. 3K RPM will be at 74 MPH. However, I don't think I will feel much of a decrease in climbing performance from cruising at 2800 vs 3K since the manual trans is significantly lighter and is more efficient since it has less moving parts and no internal oil pump.