Honda Insight - Replace CVT Transmission (with manual)

[Irons]

I'm considering buying a Honda Insight CVT. Does anyone know if the CVT can be replaced with a manual transmission from another Honda Insight? Thanks.

[Red]

You could, you'd need a few parts which isn't easy to find for an Insight

For starters
ECU
Cluster
Shifter
Shift cables
Trans
Flywheel
Clutch
Trans sensors (5ish or something)
Part of the harness that hooks up to those sensors

And since you'll be swapping in a manual trans ECU might as well hook up the Lean Burn stuff so
LAF sensor
New cats with the right ports
Extra bits of harness

IMO too much work and $$ to be worthwhile unless you have most of the stuff on hand or you could pick up a parts car cheap

[Irons]

Thanks for the information. That's quite a laundry list of parts. I had a feeling it might not be worth the effort, but I'm glad I asked.

[MazdaMatt]

Why would you want to change it? Isn't CVT the ultimate in efficiency? Your engine can always choose to be at the most efficient RPM for any cruising speed, and select the most efficient RPM for any acceleration rate... I guess they just havn't set up the computer control to do that?

[Red]

On the Insight the CVT isn't all that reliable. Nor does it comes with Lean Burn. Other than that for an engine like the Insight a CVT would be a good match provided it could keep the RPMs up while driving especially during a shift. The gears on the 5spd are so widely spaced that you drop out of the power band each shift

[johnmyster]

The jeep I recently rented with a CVT displayed a major efficiency advantage. It was able to lock the torque converter out as soon as the vehicle got moving.

However, it didn't really get that good of mileage anyway. Some suspect that the hydraulic pumps that they require eat a bunch of power.

[MazdaMatt]

Originally Posted by Red

...for an engine like the Insight a CVT would be a good match provided it could keep the RPMs up while driving especially during a shift.

CVT = no shifting.

[Red]

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

CVT = no shifting.

Yeah I miss worded my post. What I meant to say was that since a CVT doesn't shift you don't get the RPM drop you see with the 5 spd and it makes it easier to drive

johnmyster, did you drive a Compass?

[johnmyster]

Yup. A rental AWD Compass. Slow as turd. 26 mpg highway.

[metromizer]

When I was looking for a decent 3 cylinder 5spd 1995-2000 Metro, I came a cross several Lsi's that were perfect except they were automatics. I went through the same thought process, concluded a trans swap just wasn't worth it for a Metro... unlike the Insight, Metro donor cars are plentiful