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-   -   Honda 600 coupe: A tempting buy (https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/honda-600-coupe-tempting-buy-10640.html)

chuckm 10-17-2009 01:38 PM

Honda 600 coupe: A tempting buy
 
There's a local CL ad for a pair of Honda 600 coupes, one parts, one complete but not running. At 1,312lbs curb, and a 2570sqin frontal area stock, it could be the ideal ecomodder car. I think I'd end up doing an engine swap, using a modern motorcycle engine. Depending on condition, I might just have to do some aeromods. ;)

aerohead 10-17-2009 02:47 PM

600
 
Consider a full safety cage! I looked at one near here and after considering local traffic got scared off.I drove one in the Air Force,it belonged to a civilian contractor.The novelty wore off pretty fast and I don't remember that mpg was really that impressive.A modern water-cooled engine would be good.

chuckm 10-17-2009 05:07 PM

Safety cage? Is the structure that flimsy?

And you're right, the stock mpg isn't impressive: 35mpg. But that's why I mentioned an engine swap. You know, it would be really cool to stuff a small diesel under the hood, ala Jack McCornack's MAX vehicle.

RobertSmalls 10-17-2009 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckm (Post 134349)
Safety cage? Is the structure that flimsy?

With 1300lbs of 1972 technology, I can't imagine it's much safer than an enclosed motorcycle. Cue the '59 Bel Air vs '09 Malibu crash test footage.

Ryland 10-18-2009 10:01 AM

It's a heavy car for it's size, my parents have an N600 (sedan) and it feels pretty solid, loud but solid, sounds like an air cooled engine.
Thing is about the motorcycle engine swap is the honda engine is 36hp out of a 600cc engine, a motorcycle engine is going to have alot more power because it revs higher, it is also going to suck down the gas.

Formula413 10-18-2009 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryland (Post 134439)
Thing is about the motorcycle engine swap is the honda engine is 36hp out of a 600cc engine, a motorcycle engine is going to have alot more power because it revs higher, it is also going to suck down the gas.

I was going to say that, motorcycle engines are not pinnacles of efficiency by any means. I like the idea of the small diesel. And honestly a cage is probably a good idea.

Frank Lee 10-18-2009 01:49 PM

Safety schmafety, I always say. :thumbup:

Here's a thought: if you think something is going to hit you, get away from it instead.

It should get a wee diesel.

dwtaylorpdx 10-18-2009 02:32 PM

Kohler makes a nifty little Diesel engine series...

Kohler Engines: Kohler Diesel Liquid-Cooled: Series Landing: Engines

http://smallenginepower.com/catalog/c38_p1.html

Dave

RobertSmalls 10-18-2009 09:17 PM

Hmm, a small diesel powered 600 would have a certain charm. But seeing as these are 5-10 times the price of their gasoline counterparts, are there any lower-cost sources of small diesel engines? Used sailboat engines maybe?

dwtaylorpdx 10-18-2009 09:22 PM

The sailboat engine turn REALLY slow, like 900 rpm. and they are mega heavy, I helped install a Yanmar once, little 2 cyl, weighed like 800 lbs. They make them heavy to keep them quiet. On the other hand there are a lotof little diesel forklifts out there, but you'd have to find a road style throttle for them.

The most expensive of the Kohler engines is 7K cheapest about 3. Yea not for someone unless they are real serious. The question is , if the little 600 got 60MPG would it be worth it? Hmm. The old Bugs got about 35 with he old "40 horse" 1200 CC motor. (At least mine did in high school...)

Dave

chuckm 10-18-2009 09:34 PM

Ya'll are definitely right about the motorcycle engine... I was only thinking about the broad rpm range and small displacement. A diesel, if I can find one at a decent price, would be great.

roflwaffle 10-18-2009 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls (Post 134558)
Hmm, a small diesel powered 600 would have a certain charm. But seeing as these are 5-10 times the price of their gasoline counterparts, are there any lower-cost sources of small diesel engines? Used sailboat engines maybe?

Used VW IDI diesels are about the cheapest out there, but they might be too big.

chuckm 10-22-2009 11:26 AM

I'm gonna go look and see what the cars look like. The email I got back said that they were not in good shape.

What about putting a 3cyl metro engine and manual tranny in it? At better than 600lbs lighter than a metro and smaller frontal area, I should be able to pull 60+ mpgs easy.

Ryland 10-22-2009 07:15 PM

the car in stock form should get 70mpg at 40ph and around 40mpg and 70mph, mostly due to it having a 3 speed transmission...
I would look in to fuel injection, you might be able to make the fuel injection from a metro work.

user removed 10-22-2009 07:37 PM

I have a kubota D600 out of a riding lawn mower 16 HP at 1 gallon per hour, if memory serves me right.

600 cc 3 cyl diesel.

Revs to 3k RPM.

regards
Mech

gone-ot 10-22-2009 08:30 PM

...doesn't the 600 have a "chain-drive" to the rear wheels? Or, am I thinking of a different Honda?

chuckm 10-22-2009 09:45 PM

No, its FWD.

dwtaylorpdx 10-22-2009 10:30 PM

Maybe a Briggs and Stratton Vanguard?

:)

Dave

Ryland 10-24-2009 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Tele man (Post 135360)
...doesn't the 600 have a "chain-drive" to the rear wheels? Or, am I thinking of a different Honda?

Chain drive but it's front wheel drive, the chain is fully enclosed and runs between the engine and the transmission, kind of like it's done on the Saab's.

gone-ot 10-24-2009 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryland (Post 135688)
Chain drive but it's front wheel drive, the chain is fully enclosed and runs between the engine and the transmission, kind of like it's done on the Saab's.

...Thanks! that is what I thought, although I was obviously way off on front- versus rear-drive!

...I saw and rode in a 600 while stationed on Guam back in '66-'68, and later heard of the "woes" epeople encountered trying to bring them back to the 'States from Japan. California was one state that "banned" them from the highways--as I recall--because of their chain drive, which was deemed "not safe". Ironically, motorcycles aren't banned and THEY still use chain-drives.

chuckm 10-24-2009 07:39 PM

I had to pass on this CL ad, but I'm still very intrigued by the car. Being a car with a rear axle rather than an independent suspension, it would be possible to even convert this to a hybrid. Cut and splice in a differential into the rear axle. Then mount an electric motor to the differential.

Or make into a eco-rodder by stuffing a Civic engine and tranny - with that weight, the hp to weight ratio would be make for a very quick car.

Formula413 10-25-2009 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckm (Post 135796)
Or make into a eco-rodder by stuffing a Civic engine and tranny - with that weight, the hp to weight ratio would be make for a very quick car.

And still a very efficient one as well. :thumbup:


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