Hondaworkshop - project log

[trebuchet03]

^^ Repair it with fiberglass on the inside.... To fill the crack on the front, apply tape over it (to conform to shape), then fill with resin (polyester won't yellow in the sun which may be a good attribute for you). Then wet sand with super high grit so it appears clear.

That is, if you want to repair it.

[tasdrouille]

I think that a front air dam without side skirts will not be as effective as a smooth full size undertray with wheel fairings.

With an air dam and side skirts, you don't have to care about how rough the underside of your car is, plus it's probably easier to build and install, but it can increase your frontal area by a good 10% and frankly does not really look good compared to a stealthy undertray.

[hondaworkshop]

I've done some glassing before, but this thing shattered into too many little bits.

I'm going to try out the undertray with wheel fairings.... but first I'm doing a warm air intake.

Thanks for the input!

[boxchain]

Looking good. Did you match the paint?

I've got the same front bumper with the giant gaping hole in the bottom. I'm thinking of covering the whole mess and keeping the top one open for engine cooling. I don't have the two on the sides or the spoiler that you broke. Maybe delete it (less A) and start on the undertray...spend the 100 on materials

And those don't look like DX wheels

[MetroMPG]

I think basjoos has pointed out in another thread that you're better off (for best aero) blocking the upper opening and leaving the bottom one partially open, rather than vice versa. If aesthetics and SWMBO permits.

[boxchain]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I think basjoos has pointed out in another thread that you're better off (for best aero) blocking the upper opening and leaving the bottom one partially open, rather than vice versa. If aesthetics and SWMBO permits.

Interesting, but the 5th gen civ that basjoos and others have don't really have much of an upper opening. Which was his point, now that I found the statement (on GS)

I haven't found Cd figures for each model of Civic, but the 5G is apparently .31-.33 and the 6G is ~.36. So I have more work to do

My problem is that I have to sit at too many stoplights and I live in a hot climate, where it's 90F from April to October, AC is a necessity, and cooling is the issue. My thinking is that the upper opening is more beneficial to cooling, and smaller, so it would be the one to keep in this case. I'm thinking of an AndrewJ style airdam and leaving the upper grill as is. Next week when I start getting daylight after w*rk I'll look at the radiator/airflow setup more closely.

My 92 Accord was a chronic overheater, the radiator leaked, then a hose blew, then the water pump leaked, and one of the radiator fans never worked. I had to turn the AC on to get the condenser fan to cool the engine in traffic.

I think my first mod will be a killswitch (thinking EFI as it's the fuel we're trying not to use) anyway, but as this is a similar car in a similar climate I'm following this one with particular interest.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by boxchain

My problem is that I have to sit at too many stoplights and I live in a hot climate, where it's 90F from April to October, AC is a necessity

We get that kind of heat humidity in Ontario in the very peak of summer - though not for the length of time you have it. I've never had a car with A/C, though sometimes I've wished for it.

I'd suggest you can extend your non-A/C season with one of these:



Wooden bead seat cover. I call it "my A/C", and I only put it on for about a month or so per year, but having a bit of air circulating behind & under you makes a world of difference. I swear by mine.

[hondaworkshop]

Just did a fillup today, and its looking like I might be about to reach my goal of 40mpg average on this new tank... Why?

• First: warmer ambient temperatures
• Second: the addition of a Warm Air Intake setup that showed an immediate spike in my mpg numbers. Are you listening, fellow Honda folks?

I'll get some pics of my warm air setup ASAP.

My intake temps have gone from basically ambient before the WAI mod up to an avg of 140°F, sometimes peaking near 200°F. The only question I have is "what could be the negative side effects of the WAI, and how can I address them?".

I know the horsepower is compromised, but honestly I have not put the gas pedal down past 1/4 since I got the scangauge, so I wouldnt really notice. What I'm thinking is premature wear on spark plugs? Should I buy colder plugs or adjust my timing next?

BTW, I'm going for a wood-bead seat cover soon, too. Here in the middle of Texas, AC is a serious necessity for much of the year.

[AndrewJ]

Originally Posted by hondaworkshop

• Second: the addition of a Warm Air Intake setup that showed an immediate spike in my mpg numbers. Are you listening, fellow Honda folks?

Duly noted.

Looks like something I may have to tackle tomorrow. I've been thinking about an easy way to do it for a while now.

In Cali one cannot technically alter any part of the intake (or exhaust) system without the modifying part having the CARB stamp of approval.

Fortunately before the air filter, the intake is split, half coming from under the wheel well. The other comes from the engine bay.

[boxchain]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

We get that kind of heat humidity in Ontario in the very peak of summer - though not for the length of time you have it. I've never had a car with A/C, though sometimes I've wished for it.

Our peak of summer is a month or so of 85F low temps. I never had AC either until I moved here. It's a wet heat!