The Honda - What a difference

[spitfire9703]

Hey All,

I just wanted to say thanks for all the tips I read here before my recent trip home that helped me achieve a High of 49mpg, averaged almost 45mpg for the whole almost 600 mile trip. My family was awestruck.

The Honda is a 98 DX with a 5 speed. So far I have not done any aero mods. Any thoughts on what mods would yield the best results. I was planning on getting a scan gauge once I save up some more cash(poor college student). I was thinking about doing a grill block, but my radiator is about the size of a cookie sheet.

Thanks Guys and Gals

[SVOboy]

Sweet fill! Always nice to hit a milestone.

You should swap a different transmission in there, would be great for mileage,

[PaleMelanesian]

You should try using Pulse & Glide. It works wonders.

I used a foam exercise mat for my grill block. It just press-fits in. I did it in several pieces, so I can open or close as much or as little as I need.

[spitfire9703]

I don't know about tranny swap yet. But it will go on the long term list

I did a little pulse and glide on my trip home, but it was a long trip 10.5 hour drive, so I kept it to a minimum. I read it is very tedious to keep up and the little I did I saw why.

[PaleMelanesian]

I've heard the tranny from the 92-95 civics (like a VX) will fit. That'll make a huge difference. The speed sensor is on the wheel side of the transmission, so the speedo and odo will handle the change just fine.

Gear ratio information available here: http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=71070

[SVOboy]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

I've heard the tranny from the 92-95 civics (like a VX) will fit. That'll make a huge difference. The speed sensor is on the wheel side of the transmission, so the speedo and odo will handle the change just fine.

Gear ratio information available here: http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=71070

You're right, the 92-95 CV and VX (same tranny) will fit in 96-00 cars.

[spitfire9703]

Thanks for the info guys, I will bookmark it and make sure to keep it around if i decide to swap the tranny one day.

[cfg83]

spitfire9703 -

Congratulations. I like to think of the Civics as having great "MPG Pedigrees". In the right hands, they can really excel, as you have proven.



CarloSW2

[MetroMPG]

I love reading these success stories - congrats on the great improvement.

I'm with palemelanesian: the first mod I'd recommend is a partial lower grille block (only if you're the type of driver who pays attention to the instruments). It's easy to do/undo, and has multiple benefits all of which lead to better MPG: faster warm-up; more heat retention in the drivetrain; better aero.

[mohr84]

I would like to add my thanks onto spitfire9703's. It has significantly improved my mileage. It is funny how addicting hypermiling can be. I use to dread the gas station, but now its exciting to see how my fuel mileage is increasing. Being a college student (poor)...and married (extra poor), every little bit helps.

Have yet to do any aero mods on my 99 civic yet, but I am planning on it as well as adding a scangauge. The person who had the car before me added a push button ignition, which makes EOC easy. I just flip one switch to turn the electrical system and engine off, and then flip it again to just activate the electrical. Then there is a push button for the starter. It works great.