Go Back   EcoModder Forum > Introductions
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 07-21-2013, 11:02 AM   #1 (permalink)
Mirage 5MT driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 43

honda - '99 Honda Civic EX
90 day: 38.09 mpg (US)

Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES
90 day: 45.5 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
New here another Honda Civic guy

I have a lot of experience working on cars, including Honda's. This will be my 30th one I believe lol. I bought it from my friend not too long ago, its a 1999 Civic EX coupe automatic with 217k. We have card boarded and masking taped the front end and the door/hood gaps before and cruised at 55mph achieving 54+ mpg. I have a few plans for my civic but I am not going to go to extreme...or least no monster tail fins.

Things I want to do,,,


Aluminum sheet metal riveted to the front end with a opening for the radiator.

I want to have that opening have a linear actuated shutter to close off that opening until it reaches a little under operating temperature (override for winter)

Moon flying saucer hubcaps on steel wheels, stock 14's.

Mirror removal/replacement.

More to come as I learn more from this board

__________________
1999 Civic EX coupe Autotragic -MPG project best mpg 54.2 w/masking tape mods otherwise stock. -SOLD

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 5MT. 15k miles 44.2 mpg avg overall in my mountain, northern PA


2010 Cobalt sedan XFE -project uber/mpg taxi.
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 07-21-2013, 12:33 PM   #2 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
Welcome to the forum!

Lots of Honda guys around here doing fun things with their cars and getting great results. You're in good company.

Too bad about the slushbox though... condolences.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2013, 05:58 PM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
jedi_sol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tustin, CA
Posts: 929

2013 STi *SOLD* - '13 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Subaru
Sports Cars
Team Turbocharged!
90 day: 26.59 mpg (US)

1996 Geo Metro *RETIRED from Ecomodding* - '96 Geo Metro Base
90 day: 58.68 mpg (US)
Thanks: 368
Thanked 380 Times in 238 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by alex16 View Post
I have a few plans for my civic but I am not going to go to extreme...or least no monster tail fins.
We dont do monster tail fins here...we do kaambacks!

you can also consider doing underbelly tray to smooth out airflow under the car.

Rear wheel skirts to smooth out air flow over the back wheels.

lookup user California98civic for more mod ideas.
__________________







See the rest of the Sti project log:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...log-26612.html
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2013, 09:41 AM   #4 (permalink)
Mirage 5MT driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 43

honda - '99 Honda Civic EX
90 day: 38.09 mpg (US)

Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES
90 day: 45.5 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
awesome. I will do. I do want to make a underside aero soon as well, but simple things first lol.

I really like the idea of covering the wheel arches, I saw a Probe prototype on here and I can't believe we had a car like that in 1983. I had the idea to have front wheel arch covers that have hinges and springs to hold it in place while driving straight, and rollers to come in contact with the tire and allow them to push out for wheel turning. I also would like side skirts and maybe a way to make the airflow for the tires better?
__________________
1999 Civic EX coupe Autotragic -MPG project best mpg 54.2 w/masking tape mods otherwise stock. -SOLD

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 5MT. 15k miles 44.2 mpg avg overall in my mountain, northern PA


2010 Cobalt sedan XFE -project uber/mpg taxi.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2013, 01:55 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
jedi_sol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tustin, CA
Posts: 929

2013 STi *SOLD* - '13 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Subaru
Sports Cars
Team Turbocharged!
90 day: 26.59 mpg (US)

1996 Geo Metro *RETIRED from Ecomodding* - '96 Geo Metro Base
90 day: 58.68 mpg (US)
Thanks: 368
Thanked 380 Times in 238 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by alex16 View Post
I had the idea to have front wheel arch covers that have hinges and springs to hold it in place while driving straight, and rollers to come in contact with the tire and allow them to push out for wheel turning.
Here you go ...hinged front wheel covers

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...1-0-a-290.html
__________________







See the rest of the Sti project log:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...log-26612.html
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2013, 02:33 PM   #6 (permalink)
Cyborg ECU
 
California98Civic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Coastal Southern California
Posts: 6,299

Black and Green - '98 Honda Civic DX Coupe
Team Honda
90 day: 66.42 mpg (US)

Black and Red - '00 Nashbar Custom built eBike
90 day: 3671.43 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2,373
Thanked 2,172 Times in 1,469 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by alex16 View Post
I also would like side skirts and maybe a way to make the airflow for the tires better?
Welcome! I have lots of notes no my garage page (linked in my signature file below). But on the ideas you list in this quote above: you're looking for "tire spats" it seems, and they're easy. My side skirts are cut rain gutter attached to the running boards.

-james
__________________
See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.



  Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2013, 07:02 PM   #7 (permalink)
Mirage 5MT driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 43

honda - '99 Honda Civic EX
90 day: 38.09 mpg (US)

Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES
90 day: 45.5 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
A lot of stuff I am going to duplicate from your Civic to mine for sure! I have dreams of putting a CX transmission in mine when my autotragic bites the bullet.

I also thought about the possibility of spare donuts for the rear with performance scooter tires for the rear.
...these alloys are too expensive but if cheap aluminum donuts could be found it would be nice

ebay item number 281138681065?


item number 161058787335

I doubt I could get away with that mod though. People so eager to sue one another... my luck I'd be rear ended and sued over having narrow rear tires lol.
__________________
1999 Civic EX coupe Autotragic -MPG project best mpg 54.2 w/masking tape mods otherwise stock. -SOLD

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 5MT. 15k miles 44.2 mpg avg overall in my mountain, northern PA


2010 Cobalt sedan XFE -project uber/mpg taxi.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2013, 07:45 PM   #8 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
cbaber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Missouri
Posts: 540

Lean and Mean - '98 Honda Civic HX
Team Honda
90 day: 46.69 mpg (US)
Thanks: 30
Thanked 190 Times in 110 Posts
Welcome!

I wouldn't go putting motorcycle tires on your car. The load ratings for those tires are not designed for a car, and a tire that was designed to corner sideways wasn't designed for a cars suspension. The potential for less friction and lighter weight is not worth the the safety risks. Also, motorcycle tires wear quickly. It's a lose-lose.

But for the aero mods you seem to be on the right track. I would also suggest deleting your power steering and alternator as a future goal. As mentioned, California98Civic has provided lots of valuable information about our civics.

What kind of driving do you do mostly?
__________________
1998 Honda Civic HX - My Project Thread

  Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2013, 08:23 AM   #9 (permalink)
Mirage 5MT driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 43

honda - '99 Honda Civic EX
90 day: 38.09 mpg (US)

Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES
90 day: 45.5 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Most of my driving currently is terrible for mpg, 45mph and under up hill down hill mountain trails to and from work. The worst is a 3 mile 9% grade that the civic does not like. Even my Lincoln has to hold onto 3rd gear for the climb, the instant mpg gauge on the lincoln shows 8-9mpg on the grade. I have tried down grade without the engine but I don't feel safe without my brake power booster, so I neutral coast down it.
__________________
1999 Civic EX coupe Autotragic -MPG project best mpg 54.2 w/masking tape mods otherwise stock. -SOLD

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 5MT. 15k miles 44.2 mpg avg overall in my mountain, northern PA


2010 Cobalt sedan XFE -project uber/mpg taxi.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2013, 04:10 PM   #10 (permalink)
Mirage 5MT driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 43

honda - '99 Honda Civic EX
90 day: 38.09 mpg (US)

Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES
90 day: 45.5 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
First mod was installed today.

APC Vacuum Gauge 107168 Black Bezel New | eBay

$14.00 vacuum gauge to show instant engine load.

I am curious if anyone has a wind speed gauge to monitor how much wind they are fighting.

__________________
1999 Civic EX coupe Autotragic -MPG project best mpg 54.2 w/masking tape mods otherwise stock. -SOLD

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 5MT. 15k miles 44.2 mpg avg overall in my mountain, northern PA


2010 Cobalt sedan XFE -project uber/mpg taxi.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to alex16 For This Useful Post:
greenVX (02-27-2014)
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com