Lean and Mean - 1998 Honda Civic HX Project Log

[cbaber]

A potential fix for lean burn
One of my O2 sensor/lean burn theories is that by moving my O2 sensor downstream about 2-3 feet beyond the factory postion, I have created a delay in the sampling that causes a performance problem when the HX tries to engage lean burn. If you didn't already know, my car hesitates and stumbles when lean burn engages and immediately kicks out. Runs normal otherwise.

I bought this on eBay today. This will be a bolt on part, and the O2 sensor in this manifold is located near where the factory one is, right after all 4 exhaust ports merge. Will this solve my issue? I hope. The good news is that my current exhaust manifold/downpipe is worth more than I bought this for, so I can actually make money by swapping them.

Red Circle: O2 sensor on new manifold
Yellow circle: Where the O2 sensor is on my current manifold



A couple bad tanks...
For whatever reason my car has not been performing well the last couple of tanks. My Scangauge is calibrated, but I've had to offset the fuel usage by a lot the last 2 tanks. I can't really explain it yet, as I haven't noticed any changes in how it runs or drives. The only thing that happened between a recent 48 MPG tank and the lower tanks is an oil change and tire rotation. The weather has not changed significantly. Could be a fluke, or possibly the O2 sensor. It's a cheap Delphi unit that I bought nearly 2 years ago. It already doesn't work with lean burn, so maybe it's giving up under normal A/F ratios as well.

VX/CX transmission swap...
I'm very close to installing the new transmission. I just need cooler weather to not sweat to death in my garage!

Alternator delete... I'm cheap OK!
All I need is a deep cycle battery and this project is complete. I just can't seem to go out and buy a battery. The starting battery I have now is fine, and I am having trouble spending $75 on a battery I don't really need. It will eventually happen, I promise!

HX wheels...
I'm going to have Wal Mart take the old tires off this weekend so I can prep them for paint. I'll be painting them a color close to the factory silver. These will look brand new when I am done! A lowered suspension will accompany the new wheels when I buy new tires in about a year.

[cbaber]

Power Steering Delete

I removed the power steering today by:
1.) Removing the alternator belt
2.) Draining all power steering fluid

You don't have to drain the fluid, but I've read that it makes turning the wheel much easier since you don't have to force fluid through the lines. I've also read that the fluid does not act as a lubricant, which is one concern I had.

I don't plan on doing any testing to measure results. It's one of those things that will increase efficiency by reducing parasitic drag on the motor, and it's not important to me how much it increases FE. It's easy enough to live without for me since I drive 90% highway.


VX/CX Transmission Update

Update: Finally installed! Details here

Today I painted the new transmission, to match my new looking engine. I sanded it down with 400 grit, used brake cleaner to clean the surface, sprayed on 1 coat of primer, and then 2 coats of engine paint. Looks a lot better. There are some runs and it's far from perfect, but once installed in the car it will look nice. Way better than before!

BEFORE:


AFTER:

[jedi_sol]

Nice progress. Removing the power steering on my del sol gave me a solid 3mpg increase.

[cbaber]

Thanks. I hope I can achieve the same result as you. I just took it for a little test drive, and unless I am trying to turn below 5 mph I cannot really even tell the difference in turning effort.

Before, I would let the car roll from my driveway parking spot with the engine off until I reached the street. That process requires a tight turn. I can report that removing the fluid from the system made it much easier to turn the wheel compared to just removing the belt.

[jedi_sol]

Yeah without ps I avoid parallel parking at all costs.

[California98Civic]

Nice cleanup work on the transmission. BTW, I still parallel. It reminds me of the older cars I drove. And a little exercise never hurt the arms either.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by cbaber

Before, I would let the car roll from my driveway parking spot with the engine off until I reached the street. That process requires a tight turn. I can report that removing the fluid from the system made it much easier to turn the wheel compared to just removing the belt.

Heh. I think that Bacon is heavier than your Hondas. I just drove my sister home from the dealership and let my car roll out of her driveway before turning on the engine.

I was not going to try making that turn with the engine off!

[cbaber]

First tank with the power steering removed = 52 MPG

Thats my best tank yet. It might be a little high because my ScanGauge indicated more fuel used than I pumped into the tank, so we shall find out in the next couple fills.

If I can stay in the 50's while it's still warm I will be one happy camper!

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by cbaber

First tank with the power steering removed = 52 MPG

+1

[jedi_sol]

NICE! Power steering delete also helped my del sol break the 50mpg barrier.