Hondaworkshop - project log

[hondaworkshop]

You can see my introduction here: http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthread.php?t=690&p=6888

In a nutshell: I have a 2000 Honda Civic DX hatchback automatic. It's stock except a factory front lip. I'm going to shoot for 40mpg.

In this thread I will track everything I do to modify the car and all the results I record.

[hondaworkshop]

Jan 26, 2008 - Removed Factory Mud Guards

These were an option I picked up that really do help keep the car clean, but as I've illustrated with the blue arrows, they are like 4 little pockets for creating drag.

[hondaworkshop]

Jan 26, 2008 - Moved front license plate down to block the grill

Its been rainy, so the car is filthy! In Texas, we're required to keep a front license plate to avoid harassment, so I decided to start by making the most of it.



You can see the two holes in the bumper where the top of the plate used to attach. Below that, from inside the grill, is a metal bracket that was originally affixed to the bottom of the plate. I did some creative bending to the bottom bracket so it would serve as a top bracket for the plate tucked inside the grill opening.

I also added a bit of 1/4" rubber tubing to the top edge of the plate just to keep it from scratching in to the bumper finish.

Future plans are to completely cover the top grill opening in a tasteful way.

[Sandy]

This is good,
your car an my 04 Civic have similar designs.
I don't have any mud flaps to remove
but I like you idea for the license plate.
I've been toying with the idea of covering the lower grill
so the moved plate is a nice start that keep most of the stock look.

[NoCO2]

I think what you're doing is going to give me a good look into what I plan on doing to my Camry. I also have a '00 accord V6 but I'm lucky if I can get 20mpg with that so I mainly drive the Camry that gets between 20 and 25 mpg depending on conditions (I live in the city, lots of stop and go). I'll keep tabs on this thread to see what all you're doing to the civic to give me some ideas for my camry, good luck with your project. Just thought I would also pass this along, it's something I just bought for my Camry, you won't find them cheaper anywhere else, usually these cost $20/each but here they are just $18 for a full set (plus $15 shipping).

http://cripedistributing.com/stainle...ces-p-391.html

the only thing other then that you would need is you will have to trade your wheels for some standard steel wheels that can probably be purchased from Honda directly or from ebay or something. Also, if your car uses 15" wheels instead of 14" wheels like my car uses, that link I posted has some 15" covers for like $30 I think.

[hondaworkshop]

Feb 1, 2008 Update:

After doing the above two mods, using my old-fashioned way of calculating mileage (using the trip-odomoeter and dividing the gallons when I fill up) I have gained another 2-3 miles per gallon from removing the mudflaps and repositioning the license plate... to say the least, I'm hooked.

Just today my Scangauge arrived in the mail! Though its mainly cosmetic, I'll post pics of the install. This weekend I'm also going to look into starting a cover for the top grill opening. Stay tuned.

[SVOboy]

Definitely a nice job with moving the license plate,

[Sandy]

Today the lower intake was covered using some foam pipe insulation
(someone else did it and is seemed simple to do)
and a bit of the top also using black duct tape.
Altho the commute home tonight is going to be a bad one
(freezing rain and snow) so I doubt I'll get any useful data on the ride home.
But between slowing down and doing a modified (for traffic) P&G I've got the mileage up from 32mpg in December, to average 37mpg in January.
My goal is 40 also.

[hondaworkshop]

Well, according to my Scangauge, I was able to easily attain 42mpg on my first commute with it. It took no time to figure out pulsing&gliding and coasting in to stops and driving sensibly up the parking garage all made a huge difference.

Can someone tell me why my mileage is so much higher than I ever expected? Maybe me tire height or my Scangauge settings? Maybe I should push for 45mpg??

[hondaworkshop]

On this morning's commute I pushed it up to 44.5mpg!!!

Now I'm beginning to think I am gaming the scangauge by pulse-gliding. Am I really able to do that well or am I tricking the device?