Honda Insight w/Acura TSX engine - Ecomodding

[Ecky]

The image above is a bit misleading. I warmed the car up for a few minutes while scraping ice and only then started the timer, and I snapped that pic at the bottom of a small hill about 7 miles into my drive - it was the peak fuel economy. However, I did manage to keep the average over 60mpg @ 55mph for the 20 miles of highway commute I have.

I think the low hanging fruit right now are getting all of my underbody panels back on, and in finding the right ignition timing for the 50-70% load area on the map - where I typically am when climbing hills. It may be close there but I'm not 100% certain. Oh, and for winter to end. This was in sub-freezing weather with wet to slushy roads.

Thinking about making a post on engine geometry and timing in the next few days, just to share my thoughts.

[Ecky]

This summer I'll likely be reconnecting my kill switch. However, I lose power braking as soon as the engine dies, something which didn't happen with the old - it must have had a vacuum reservoir somewhere. Anyone have experience with aftermarket vacuum reservoirs?

For example:
https://www.amazon.com/JEGS-63010-Va...0315731&sr=8-2

EDIT: Also, partial explanation for my dismal fuel economy numbers lately. I'm doing a lot of stuff like this:

[hayden55]

Hey Ecky, let me buy the k-sight when you get tired of it and buy something else.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by hayden55

Hey Ecky, let me buy the k-sight when you get tired of it and buy something else.

I can help you to build one.

[hayden55]

Originally Posted by Ecky

I can help you to build one.

I'm gonna take you up on that offer.








Not yet though because I'm still poor until summer.

[19bonestock88]

Don’t threaten me with a good time lol

[Pressingonward]

No experience with aftermarket vacuum reservoirs, but it isn't rocket science - all it is is a pressure vessel that can handle -14.7 psi with a check valve on the port going to your engine so that air can only flow out. You could make one easily enough if you had an appropriate pressure vessel. I have a thought on what I'd use, but can't really recommend it to the great wide internet due to safety concerns with the residual flammable contents of said pressure vessel. Maybe $35 for the Jegs aftermarket option isn't so bad lol

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by Ecky

This summer I'll likely be reconnecting my kill switch. However, I lose power braking as soon as the engine dies, something which didn't happen with the old - it must have had a vacuum reservoir somewhere.

Check valve? Sometimes they're hidden in the booster vacuum hose. I can't remember where it is on the Insight.

[Piotrsko]

I make my reservoirs from schedule 80 plastic pipe with appropriate glue in fittings.

If the vacuum is leaking from your master cylinder, you may need a rebuilt/ new booster. I have had a couple go bad. You want to get two brake applications engine off.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

I make my reservoirs from schedule 80 plastic pipe with appropriate glue in fittings.

If the vacuum is leaking from your master cylinder, you may need a rebuilt/ new booster. I have had a couple go bad. You want to get two brake applications engine off.

So, I'm looking into this a bit more.

When the engine is off in a stock Insight, there's still vacuum to operate the brakes another 5+ times, and this vacuum can last quite a while so long as one doesn't press the brake pedal too many times.

It appears stock cars have two MAP sensors - one on the throttle body and one in-line with the vacuum hose going to the brake master. This second one is (presumably) to detect when to restart the engine if vacuum gets too low at the brake master while the engine is off.

So, to me, this suggests there IS a check valve somewhere. But where is it? Is it part of the intake manifold? I'll have to dig around under the hood of my 2nd Insight. I'm sure I can just add a valve and make it work, but I wonder how the OEM system did it.