Hello! 2013 CR-Z Here!
 

Hello! Names Kumar!
This is my car
So after this whole government shutdown I was trying to see how I can best save gas milage. My car is currently rated at
36City 37Combined 39 Highway
But I have been able to get a bit higher.
Highest mpg in a trip was 56 ( I have images but I can't post them )
Now I didn't build my car for economy because I never though of it to be what I was about. But paychecks not coming and I figure I may as well learn from the best.

I have done a bunch of performance mods which seem to have affected my MPG in a positive light ( lowering, and intake, exhaust ) I seem to how a lot more lower end torque allowing me to obtain better MPG ( I could be wrong ) but I never seen my car get this kinda MPG before the mods.

I have a ton of other mods if anyones interested.

Just saying hi and hopefully I will learn lots around here!

info and pics or links.

Welcome to the site Kumar. We would love to hear about your CRZ. Its a fun little car with IMO quite a bit of potential.

Welcome!

Your CR-Z is just breaking in, so it should get better over time anyway.
Lowering definitely helps reducing air resistance. Getting accustomed with the hybrid system does too, you might need to. I tried to drive economically from day 1, yet it took me almost 10000 kilometers before that became apparent (see my log).

You need 5 posts before you can add links and pics, but just drop in the URLs and a mod will put them up for you.
Read the 100+ hypermiling tips and 65+ mods. Get addicted ;)

I LOVE these. It was a very difficult call between the Mustang and a CR-Z (STi was in there, too). I'd like to see images, too.

The CVT will be a challenge, but you should still be able to do a lot. It depends on how you want it to look, too. I have an example of decent builds and an example of very (ROI) efficient mods lol.

I look forward to following, and make sure you update your fuel log!

I really like these cars as well, I wish there were more of them on the site here. Sadly I think Honda shot themselves in the foot with it though - they should have offered a "sport" model that was just a straight gasoline car, and an "eco" version with a smaller ICE and a hybrid system IMO. They are a really neat car, great styling, nice and light, it could have appealed to a lot more people if it was available in two flavours. Welcome to the site, and keep us updated. :snail:

I disagree.

But for the same reason you want two flavors. Although I am not really a fan of the US Top Gear, when they reviewed it, they were comparing to the CRX, which was fun and sporty- the CRZ doesn't really quench either of the two.

I'd like the same one model, but I'd want more performance and better fuel economy. I know the CRX had a couple[models], but nowadays it seems like the segment is much smaller- and Honda has a tendency to have great cars that it doesn't advertise, and let's die out.

I can't post images yet but I can do this :Pwww(dot)crzforum(dot)com/forum/cr-z-build-threads/16346-leafvillage-build-thread.html

Ya I get that, I'd like them if they had more of both FE and performance as well. But from a seller's point of view, a 2 seater car is a limited market to start with. A car is such a large investment nowadays that for someone to drop $25k + on a new car (what a CR-Z is around here), that is a niche market (2 seater) to start with, then it has to be what they really want. We would like more FE, the sporty crowd would like it to be peppier and easier to mod. I think they are a good start the way they are, but if Honda wanted to sell more they'd have to either improve them on both fronts, or split them up into two types. More than likely though they will just let them die out, just like Toyota let the regular cab, 4 cylinder, 4x4 Tacoma die out. Niche stuff doesn't pay the bills, sadly. Why spend money advancing the CR-Z when they already have the Insight/Hybrid models for eco minded people, and the Civic SiR etc for the sporty crowd? It's a shame, they are cool little cars and in a few years when they get cheap for a used one I will be on the hunt for one.

I have had the car since march I have put about 10k Miles on it, I built it with performance in mind and that alone ( INITIALLY ) but I can't afford to do that anymore in these times. so I will be learning the eco route! I am not bad at hypermiling ( I know most of the tactics and what not ) the biggest help I didn't realize was listening to slower music. EDM / Dubstep / 145BPM = 80MPH for me!

Here is the car!
( LATEST MPG )
http://i.imgur.com/LM6M9Gp.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WpWRXUS.jpg
Honda CR-Z ZF2 2013 NSBP

Under The Hood
K&N Short Ram Intake ( with heat box )*
KSK Exhaust

Outside
HID Conversion Kit (6000k) IJDMTOY's
LED Reverse Lights ( Projector )
LED Rear Turn Signals HyperFlash
LED Front Turn Signals HyperFlash
Debading CR-Z *and Hybrid off the back.
PlastiDip Emblems Black
Carbon Fiber Wrap Hood
Carbon Fiber Wrap Side Mirrors
Carbon Fiber Wrap Door Handles
Rho Plate Licence Plate
JDP Carbon Fiber Spoiler
JDP Carbon Fiber Diffuser
Swift Lowering Springs

Inside
LED Kit *Replacing all 7 Bulbs

Wheels / Tires
40PSI Tires
Stock Rims / Tires ( Winter Tires Now)*
Plasti Dipped Rims ( Removed )
Konig Deception Rims ( Current )
Blue LED Internal Replacement
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...20291329_n.jpg
HID Conversion Kit (6000k) IJDMTOY's
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...87869608_n.jpg
Debading CR-Z and Hybrid off the back.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...98415011_n.jpg
PlastiDip Emblems Black
Carbon Fiber Wrap Hood
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...58588704_n.jpg
Carbon Fiber Wrap Side Mirrors
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...04509318_n.jpg
Carbon Fiber Wrap Door Handles
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...44665215_n.jpg
Rho Plate Licence Plate
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...83370630_n.jpg
Konig Deception Rims ( Current )
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...50860965_n.jpg
Tinting 3M
K&N SRI
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...40541809_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...90663707_o.jpg
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/...95250490_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...84733553_n.jpg
Exhaust / Springs Installed !!!!

Exhaust Installed! KSK Axel Back
CR-Z KSK Exhaust Sound - YouTube
CR-Z KSK Exhaust Sound Drive By - YouTube

Springs Installed!!!
http://i.imgur.com/i513Fe8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nJhDdk9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/F5HbS8c.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WpWRXUS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5DdnZqC.jpg

Agreed. I just wish it became like a Honda Miata, but I fear it will be out in a few years. I would love to get one, also- but in years when it's cheaper.

How is it performance wise? It looks really good. I mean, a lot of that stuff I would not do, but I still think it looks good. Does the wheel/tire combo weigh less?

Have you thought about putting the plate back in front?

Removing the little anchor in the back?

Well i built the car initially for performance and I am apart of a Infinity G35 / Nissian 350z club, I can compete around corners ( not straight away's ) Now they around a 100 mile run were getting low 12's and I stomping it was getting around 33. Now I feel that the car is plenty fun ( in sport mode ) it competes with the CRX in speed. Now on the other hand it's no CRX and its no Prius ( or most eco friendly car ) But at the same time my results have been fantastic, and I normally drive the car in sports mode at all times but since times are tough it's nice to be able to press econ and fully be able to get near 60MPG (57mpg) with no mods.

( LATEST MPG )
http://i.imgur.com/LM6M9Gp.jpg

Are you seeing that at your tanks, or just on the gauge? That's pretty impressive, the performance from a fellow Ecomodder with one in the past influenced me that they weren't that efficient.

I don't have an answer yet. I started hypermiling again as of the Government shutdown ( 4 days ago ) Max MPG I ever got on a tank is 45MPG but I know with all the new tactics I got and performance mods I can get it WAY higher.

Are you going to be modifying at all, or just working on the nut behind the wheel?

In a fuel efficiency competition last year, the Mustang ran 33.6 mpg (when I was averaging ~30-32 on a tank) and Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Profile: SecondWind 's CR-Z doesn't have fuel use averages for then, but he definitely wasn't a slouch, and tipped past 40.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ved-23055.html

This was the final performance, I led by % but they got me by straight MPG.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post335667

The CR-Z is bitter sweet for me. It's kind of a weird car, and thats probably why it's not selling like crazy. Honda was brave to introduce this type of car, and I respect that. It was suppose to be a hybrid sports car, that combines fuel efficiency with a great handling and fun-to-drive car. The problem is that it's not good and not bad in either of those areas. The 39 MPG highway rating is the same as 2013 Civic's, so you can't say it's the most economical car. At the same time it's not all that fast. So who wants to buy the car? Not the sports car people, because it's not a great sports car. Not the fuel economy people, because its not a great MPG car. The market this car has is very limited. Mostly people that want something that gets good gas mileage like a Civic, but is a little more fun to drive and more exotic and sporty looking. As sales numbers have proven, thats a small market.

All that being said, I totally want one! Your's looks very good. I like the black hood/door handle/gas cap look with the black wheels. And I'm not usually a fan of blue, but I love the color. It is a very unique car, and I think that is what makes the CR-Z so awesome. Now if only they would come down in price on the used market...

I feel like the car is a perfect match for me, I am 24 but a weird kinda person. I was a geek in highschool / college and I always kinda was the odd man out saying awkward things at the wrong times and what not but the car was a personal tribute to my personality :P! I fell in love with it the moment I found out nobody liked it! Haha I felt like it was a match made in heaven :)

Thank you! The color was my fav :P and I love the blue / black / carbonfiber. You can pick one up for 14-16k with 20k miles on it

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...40541809_n.jpg

Great! A warm-air intake! People on here have seen good results with those!

They are like a 1st gen Insight on steroids, but with love handles and a few extra pounds ha ha. I'd really like to see someone go to town on one of these cars, before Honda decides to stop making them.

The CR-Z is interesting. As the EPA shows, drive like a normal person and highway economy is not much different from a Civic... but I've seen over 50 mpg out of (a stock) one on the highway with the CVT... and there's a lot of room for improvement. The Civic can do over EPA, but not that far.

The handling is wonderful, but the biggest question in my mind is... considering the hardware is mostly Honda Fit... wouldn't a Fit drive this nice if it had the same set-up?

Also, useless back seat. Got five people in one, but it wasn't a happy occassion, as two of those people were over 5'8" (the other three were me, my wife and our kid). Had to drive with my knees in my chest. Surprised they put ISOFIX anchors in the back, as no decent child seat will fit there.

Still... loads of fun.

A PHEV kit parallel to the hybrid battery may enhance both economy and performance, as it allows for (much) more hybrid support. Looking into that for my Gen 2 Insight.
Sadly it will have a rather long ROI, even if it keeps working.

"" Warm "" Cold "" SAI" "CAI" You can say what you wan't and make fun of it all you want but fact of the matter is it improves lower end torque, and improved throttle response, I have seen a GREAT MPG increase / Performance Increase and in the land of Maryland where it rain's all the time it's too risky to run a CAI down near the tire, and the heat shield does a surprisingly good job ( now I would say not COLD but cooler )

We crz guys buy a lot of parts off broken / abused honda fits. Manifolds / headers / etc its all slightly bigger than ours. Now yes the fit and the crz are very similar but I bought the car because I wanted something that looked / felt cool the FIT is awesome don't get me wrong but the cr-z looks amazing IMO

Move that license plate to dead center and it can be an ersatz partial grille block.

Thought about skirts over the rear wheels?

I thought about the partial grilleblock as well but I have no holes in my grill so I would need to drill ( arizona where i bought the car doesn't require a front plate. ) so dealerships don't drill.

I have but no company makes them, I was thinking about doing a custom mold but I know I can save money by getting them ON but at the same time I (personally) would need it to look good as well. Does anybody know shops that make / install / custom skirts? I understand I could make one with carboard / poster board / ductape. but I would want a more permanent / painted solution.

No, I am not making fun of it. Several members here have installed warm-air intakes and, as I mentioned, have seen good improvements.

Those of us interested in making custom modifications out of fiberglass have looked into different techniques and one guy on YouTube that has made dozens of instructional videos mentioned that racers want cold air intakes. He pointed out that if you pull engine air, you have a warm air intake, which many people do not realize.

I actually lived in DC and Maryland for two years. I know how much it rains.

How much of a great MPG increase have you seen? Did you do A-B-A testing?

My apologies I am just so used to people "" dogging "" on honda's / my intake and what not. My apologies I just get defensive . Yeah I did everything in the name of performance but it seems to reflect in a positive light for hypermiling

LeafVillage, this is a friendly forum, and we keep it that way. Sometimes debates get out of hand and the moderators step in.

I am a friendly person. Insulting is destructive. You do not convince someone that you are right, you convince them to not listen to you.

Racing and hypermiling have a strange relationship. Both try to make the vehicles more efficient and aerodynamic, but I believe that the forum members here use more science than "racers" often do.

My first car was a 1987 Honda Prelude. I loved that car! My avatar used to be a picture of a black one and you can still see it if you click on my profile. I do not know why it does not show up with my posts. I always looked into modifying her, but I struggled just to keep her running, and sometimes she sat and waited on my finances. I remember one guy talking about how make a car faster. He talked about removing restrictions in the intake and exhaust, but he was specifying how many horsepower he could gain with various modifications, but you can really only tell that on a dyno.

I asked you about A-B-A testing. I have only tried a few modifications and they were such terrible failures that I abandoned them, but I do not know of any other way of knowing whether your modification makes a difference or not. Honestly, many of the things that members try, unless they put in more time and money than most of us have, detract from the appearance of the car.

If I am taping cardboard to my car, I am going to make sure that it is worthwhile. If so, than I can make a better version.

Welcome to the site. I hope that everyone is friendly and helpful. Good luck!

Sir, why would you need to drill to get the license plate to cover your front end? Like I and Elhigh said, it will work as a partial grille block, and might work well as part of a full grille block.

If you attach it to the plastic that is already blocked off, it will not do anything...we mean covering the open grille. I did the same on the Mustang for my current (final?) lower grille block.

Only had the car as a loaner for a week. Never thought to check the size of the manifolds. Of course, we get the uprated spec cars with the extra power (about 134 hp, supposedly)... so they might have upsized them already. Sounds like a cool, cheap way to modify the motor.

No arguments about the looks. Jaw-droppingly cool. ;)

I know about the looks. I want to add skirts to my HCH but they're going to have to look as if the factory built a set for my car before the wife will let me put anything on. So that's going to be a project.

Add a couple of pieces of wood to the grille at the center and cable tie them in place. They don't have to be very big or thick, just thick enough to drive a screw into them and be certain it'll hold. Then you can attach your front plate to the wood blocks. That's a completely reversible, no-drill modification and it should be secure enough to keep everything in place, no problemo.

If the wood shows, take everything back off, sand prime and paint the wood. Two or three good coats of matte black, or even spray-on bedliner coating, should suffice to make the wood just disappear.

If you have any experience at it, you could try making skirts from hardware cloth and papier-mache. You can get an uncommonly good surface with papier-mache if you're patient at. A few turns of filling and sanding, a couple of coats of shellac and some color matched paint and it'll look like stock.

Hmm, I think I know what to do for my car.

love this car,,test drove one just before I bought my 350z about 2 yrs ago. Its a great package if you like 2 seater sports cars!!The mileage is much better than I was led to believe 2 yrs ago might have influenced my decision. Hope to hear more from you leafvillage!!

@elihigh I do love the car :P and all the suggestions I might try and make some sirt mockups!!

@royandloreen this is my MPG as of last night ( NO ECO MODS ) just driving style
https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho...24448161_n.jpg

around 59.5 MPG ( no ecomods )

I wanted to bump this thread and see whats going on in the world of the CR-Z. I was considering getting one, but I wanted to see if you, leafvillage, have had any more success as far as ecomodding goes?? What was your best take?