Honda Insight w/Acura TSX engine - Ecomodding - Page 58 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Ecky · 10-05-2020, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minor4326

wouldn't it be just as easy and cheaper to put a timer on the heater and run it 2-4 hours before work?

Previously I had experimented with a block heater and the stock 1.0L engine, and found there was very little gain running the heater for more than 2 hours, and that it's overall diminishing the longer you run it.

I actually just purchased a cheap outlet timer from Amazon. This morning was the first time I used it, and I started the heater 1 hour before my normal departure time. I found that the coolant reached ~160F (basically lower end of full operating temperature) around the same time as it would normally just be hitting 120. And, that was with interior heat running.

If I were to guess, the break-even in electricity costs is likely sometime between 1 hour and 2 hours of heating.

Ecky · 10-05-2020, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Not necessarily. Large current timers are about $70 USD, and 2-4 hours may not be enough time to warm things enough to buy economy

The current isn't too high. If I recall, standard Honda block heaters are 400w?

I might later add oil pan and transmission pad heaters.

Piotrsko · 10-06-2020, 10:53 AM

Thanks for the clarification. All the heaters I have used require special stuff rated for 20 amps or 2500 watts or they start fires.

Volermo · 11-22-2020, 04:59 PM

Sounds really interesting. Would a 2.0 liter engine from a 2002 to 2006 Honda Civic Si fit ?

Volermo · 11-22-2020, 05:15 PM

I am new to this . Thank you for any knowledge you can share. I will have a 2001 Insight I plan on purchasing from the original owner. They have replaced CVT, radiator and battery pack.Car belongs to a friend of my wife. I do not know the mileage yet. Asking price is $ 5,000. I am guessing my wife’s friend has spent a good amount reconditions this car. Does this price seem reasonable.

Ecky · 11-22-2020, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volermo

Sounds really interesting. Would a 2.0 liter engine from a 2002 to 2006 Honda Civic Si fit ?

Yes. I would personally not use the transmission though. An Accord gearbox would match an 02-05 Civic Si engine, wiring harness and ECU and give better ratios for the Insight's weight and tire size. It also bolts up to the Si engine without issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volermo

I am new to this . Thank you for any knowledge you can share. I will have a 2001 Insight I plan on purchasing from the original owner. They have replaced CVT, radiator and battery pack.Car belongs to a friend of my wife. I do not know the mileage yet. Asking price is $ 5,000. I am guessing my wife’s friend has spent a good amount reconditions this car. Does this price seem reasonable.

It's hard to find a clean, low mile Insight, and those can hold a premium, but right now they're basically rock bottom in terms of price. It's not uncommon to find many of them at $1500-2000. The CVTs are much less desirable than most because they are less reliable and get worse economy. I would say if it's really clean and less than 125k miles, I would price it at $4000.

If this friend doesn't have a receipt for the battery, treat it as if it didn't happen. No receipt, no warranty, and aftermarket batteries don't last nearly as well as the original OEM did.

Ecky · 02-11-2021, 09:33 PM

Been a little while since I updated. I haven't been driving super economically, but it's also somewhat dispiriting to struggle against the effects of winter.

I just ordered a new crank pulley, and am waiting on the belt to arrive. I'll be swapping the factory K24 pulley out for a Type R / K20Z1 pulley, which is 12% smaller, and will similarly underdrive my water pump, alternator, and A/C compressor by 12%. I'm thinking it should help get my parasitic losses down a bit.

Hopefully it will also be an upgrade in damping, since it's brand new, whereas the other pulley is ~2004-2008.

The mass is not much different between the two, but the smaller diameter should also give a smaller moment of inertia, helping the motor rev more quickly.

Ecky · 02-11-2021, 11:44 PM

I realize I haven't shared many videos. Please be aware that I meticulously follow (or greatly fall short of) speed limits, except for when I occasionally open it up for a few seconds on a back road.