Just starting out (looking to build a highway MPG machine - '88-91 honda CRX?)

[BBrown7888]

Hey everyone, I just joined today and have a few questions. I will be building an eco car for my monthly trips from NC to NJ and also what ever other long drives I find myself taking. Right now I do them in my CTS-V which gets about 20 MPG on premium and costs $130-$150 to go to NJ and back which sucks when you do it constantly.

Please feel free to chime in and tell me I'm wrong or if there is a better/cheaper way... but here is my plan

I'm think about starting with an '88-91 honda CRX (I dont have my heart set on this so if there is a better choice let me know)

Completely gutting the car to reduce the weight as much as possible.
replace the front bumper and side skirts with flat plastic.
Fabricate flat hub caps
fabricate rear wheel covers
Lower the ride height
"Boat Tail"
Skid Plate
Skinny, taller tires
Seal all seams
Remove power steering

Over time I am also thinking about adding a hydrogen kit. I know it won't increase the MPG's by to much but it will reduce my cost per mile which is the main goal.

Like I said before, any and all advise will be appreciated.

Thank you,

Brian

[Frank Lee]

Looks good except for the hydrogen B.S.

Check out the driving and mod tips at the top of the page.

[BBrown7888]

Why do you say the hydrogen kits are BS?

[Frank Lee]

O M G. Search it here. Look in the Unicorn Corral too (that should be linked at the top of the page too).

[euromodder]

Welcome to ecomodder.

Originally Posted by BBrown7888

Right now I do them in my CTS-V which gets about 20 MPG on premium

Does your car require premium fuel ?

If not, try regular and see how much less MPG you get.
It probably won't be worth the price.

I'm think about starting with an '88-91 honda CRX (I dont have my heart set on this so if there is a better choice let me know)

It's a good car as a base for a high-MPG vehicle.

Another one is the original Honda Insight, though they are relatively expensive to buy.

Completely gutting the car to reduce the weight as much as possible.
replace the front bumper and side skirts with flat plastic.
Fabricate flat hub caps
fabricate rear wheel covers
Lower the ride height
"Boat Tail"
Skid Plate
Skinny, taller tires
Seal all seams
Remove power steering

Sounds like an AeroCRX in the making, along the lines of the Aerocivic - Honda Civic modifications for maximum gas mileage - aerocivic.com

If they ever had a lean-burn CRX, try to grab one, or swap the engine for a lean burn Honda engine

Over time I am also thinking about adding a hydrogen kit.

We're very skeptical about those around here ...

While you do get a benefit due to better combustion when adding hydrogen to the fuel mixture, making that hydrogen on board is a very, very inefficient process, powered by a very inefficient power source - your engine.

[Flakbadger]

Welcome to the forums!
Just so you know, you don't have to get super fancy with a car to get better mileage. That is to say, driving technique has a lot to do with it. Aero mods are going to help you, sure, but a responsible eco driver in a stock car could probably surpass an irresponsible driver with an aeromodded car in MPGs.

It all depends on what you want out of your vehicle, what your price range is, and what your level of mechanical inclination is. I don't have the time or money to invest into something that needs TLC. I needed something dependable and economic, and so bought the Yaris. Older cars aren't going to have airbags, CD players with MP3 hookups or electric steering (no power steering pump). They also will need a lot of miscellaneous service and are more at risk for needing head gasket or other pain-in-the-*** repair.

Would I say "don't do the things on your laundry list?"
Absolutely not. I would just say, keep these things in mind. For example, I haven't had the time to start aeromodding yet and I'm still satisfied with my improvement in MPGs from my old vehicle.

Hydrogen is definitely exaggerated, by the way. I won't say that the members of this forum are perfect, but I highly doubt you will find a more realistic bunch. If you read up on it in this forum, you'll probably come to realize that seeing a "20% improvement in MPGs" is utter horse****.

Anyway, good luck and again, welcome!

EDIT: As for vehicle suggestions, everyone is in love with the Metro on here, and I can't say it's a bad vehicle for MPGs, but I personally don't trust them in crashes. Anything Toyota or Honda is going to treat you right, and if you get a Honda Civic from the 90s with Lean Burn, you are going to be hitting 40 MPG without much effort.

[Frank Lee]

I prefer crashing motorcycles, myself.

[Flakbadger]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I prefer crashing motorcycles, myself.

Oh you.

[BBrown7888]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Welcome to ecomodder.


Does your car require premium fuel ?

Yes - It has an LS6 Corvette engine.

Originally Posted by euromodder

If not, try regular and see how much less MPG you get.
It probably won't be worth the price.

In theory by switching to regular my MPG's would go up since premium has more additives in it to keep the engine cleaner that means there is less physical gasoline per gallon of fuel.

Originally Posted by euromodder

It's a good car as a base for a high-MPG vehicle.

Another one is the original Honda Insight, though they are relatively expensive to buy.

I'm looking to spend less than $2,000 on a car and go from there.

Originally Posted by euromodder

If they ever had a lean-burn CRX, try to grab one, or swap the engine for a lean burn Honda engine

Is there an engine code for these? (B18, D16, ETc...)

[BBrown7888]

Originally Posted by Flakbadger

It all depends on what you want out of your vehicle, what your price range is, and what your level of mechanical inclination is. I don't have the time or money to invest into something that needs TLC. I needed something dependable and economic, and so bought the Yaris. Older cars aren't going to have airbags, CD players with MP3 hookups or electric steering (no power steering pump). They also will need a lot of miscellaneous service and are more at risk for needing head gasket or other pain-in-the-*** repair.

I want a no comprimise car built strictly for max MPG's.
price range on a car is less than $2,000.
I'm mechanically inclined so I'll be doing all the work my self. What ever I buy I actually plan on doing the head gasket on day 1, that way I can see the internals and make sure everything looks strong and clean the valves, valve seats and manifolds to ensure good air flow.

Originally Posted by Flakbadger

Would I say "don't do the things on your laundry list?"
Absolutely not. I would just say, keep these things in mind. For example, I haven't had the time to start aeromodding yet and I'm still satisfied with my improvement in MPGs from my old vehicle..

I'll give it a week or two to make sure I bought the right car and to see it an electrical or suspensoin issues pop up before I start cutting and fabricating body panels.

Originally Posted by Flakbadger

Hydrogen is definitely exaggerated, by the way. I won't say that the members of this forum are perfect, but I highly doubt you will find a more realistic bunch. If you read up on it in this forum, you'll probably come to realize that seeing a "20% improvement in MPGs" is utter horse****.

I know I'm not going to see a 20% increase in MPG's but how I see it is if my car runs off of 20% hydrogen that means 1 out of every 5 gallons of gas if free.

Anyway, good luck and again, welcome!

Originally Posted by Flakbadger

EDIT: As for vehicle suggestions, everyone is in love with the Metro on here, and I can't say it's a bad vehicle for MPGs, but I personally don't trust them in crashes. Anything Toyota or Honda is going to treat you right, and if you get a Honda Civic from the 90s with Lean Burn, you are going to be hitting 40 MPG without much effort.

Would a metro be a better start than a CRX?