OG's VX Build: HyperMile Driving with some JDM Styling

[OG VX]

Hello all,
I've been around Honda's for years. I've built up plenty of them for looks/performance solely, but now that I'm a bit older, I've found my taste and priorities have changed. I have a 80 mile round trip to work in Charlotte each day, and I wanted to buy a Honda with the best mileage possible. Last week, after some google research on EPA mileage ratings, I narrowed down my list to either the 84-85 CRX HF or a 92-95 Civic VX. It was about this time that I stumbled upon the term "Hypermiling". I thought that the estimated EPA ratings for the VX were already amazing, but after seeing some more extreme stats from postings on this forum and others, the possibilities for driving and modding a car for higher FE really began to intrigued me. The VX was the obvious choice for me over the CRX, since I have two young children and would need a back seat for them when they (very) occasionally ride along with me. I've also always wanted an EG Civic, as I love the looks of these cars. Lastly, I've already completed an '86 CRX SI build in the past, and just finding un-cracked door/nose/fender/rocker plastics was a continual nightmare with those cars. I quickly found a very clean VX in South Carolina on my local CL. That was on Wednesday two weeks ago. The previous owner/seller was a great guy all-around, and I had the car back in my garage the following Saturday.

I'm really excited about this "build", as it will be geared with a different set of performance goals from that of any projects I've done in the past. The learning curve will be high for me since I know little about driving/modding for extreme mileage. A primary goal is that my work on this car should actually put money BACK in my pocket. I'm also hoping this will keep my wife a good bit happier than she has been while enduring past projects

Project Goal: Eventually hit 65-mpg average, stout/healthy/reliable motor, on-board FE monitoring electronics, decent comfort, moderate FE aero modifications but w/ a hint of JDM styling throughout the build.

Really excited to be here. Some GREAT info. and contributors on this forum. I'll be back tomorrow with all of the pics and my first modifications.

[vrmouseyd15b]

nice!

[Baltothewolf]

I can't wait! It's nice to see someone who can see the fun in both styles of driving. I can't wait to see some pics of the car, also post some background, how many miles, condition of underbelly, overall condition.

Last but not least, welcome to ecomodder forums!

[vrmouseyd15b]

Maybe I'm not the only one with a 3" exhaust then? Sweet.
Just lowered today 4" slam! 4 inch coil over kit. New apx sensen shocks, front and rear camber kits, rear lower control arms, about 4 broken bolts and lots of cussing later (I'll post pics soon)

Can't wait to see what other part time go fast ecomodders are doing!

This is a pretty good before profile:



parts installed:







End result:



4 inches of drop. Going in for an alignment tomorrow. Can't wait to see what this does for my mileage!

If you're curious about the ride, I'd say: because racecar! It makes me want to go out and get a " no fat chicks my car will scrape " sticker!

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by vrmouseyd15b

Maybe I'm not the only one with a 3" exhaust then? Sweet.
Just lowered today 4" slam! 4 inch coil over kit. New apx sensen shocks, front and rear camber kits, rear lower control arms, about 4 broken bolts and lots of cussing later (I'll post pics soon)

Can't wait to see what other part time go fast ecomodders are doing!


End result:



4 inches of drop. Going in for an alignment tomorrow. Can't wait to see what this does for my mileage!

If you're curious about the ride, I'd say: because racecar! It makes me want to go out and get a " no fat chicks my car will scrape " sticker!

Do your wheels bow out ridiculously like all the other ricer kids cars do? Because that honestly looks so ugly.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

Do your wheels bow out ridiculously like all the other ricer kids cars do? Because that honestly looks so ugly.

Its called camber and most of the children who lower any car do not understand suspension geometry at all.
Too much camber will cause all of the vehicles load to be carried on the tires inside shoulder, wearing them out in a fraction of the normal time, it will also increase stopping distances and ruin handling.

If the alignment place cant bring your camber back to normal then there is no point in lowering it that much for "fuel economy" because its just going to eat up tires.

[Xist]

How much traction would excessively-cambered tires have?

Does not sound fast or smart.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Xist

How much traction would excessively-cambered tires have?

Does not sound fast or smart.

This one kid at the mechanic my dad takes his car to has excessive camber, he goes through 45k rated tires in 5k miles or less. I didn't ask him about traction but because they are technically driving on the sidewall, probably not much.

[vrmouseyd15b]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

Do your wheels bow out ridiculously like all the other ricer kids cars do? Because that honestly looks so ugly.

Absolutely not. I'm in it for the mileage. Notice the camber adjustment parts for the front and rear? My stock rears were starting to eat tires, so I went and did it right. First I'll get under the wind, then I'll talk about panning the underside.

I'm sure I mentioned the alignment. It's had to be put off til tomorrow actually because I'm too low to get on any alignment racks near me.

I promise the settings will be all zeros. Camber and toe.

[vrmouseyd15b]

The turnbuckle looking ones in the left are for the rear. Cheaters will put washers behind the stock mounts to regain lost camber due to worn bushings.

The ones on the right straddle the front coil overs, and you can adjust front camber where the stock upper ball joint is.

I replaced the lower control arms because you just about have to cut the bushings apart to get them out, and the pretty blue ones were cheaper than stock.


If you want to cheat and line up your rear tires, it usually takes 2 washers behind each bolt (4 total) and most cars will sit pretty again. Since I've got a slave wage mechanic (me), this is only about a $350 mod, including the alignment, all new shocks/struts, Springs and coil overs, and lower control arms, and full front and rear camber kit!



just took this pic for you, Baltothewolf! The top of my front actually looks like it's leaning out right now (really hard to dial in on the driveway), but the rears are pretty straight up and down. Tomorrow all four will sit right.