What would you do to all-out modify (ecomod) a Honda Insight (gen 1)?

[Chuck.]

Originally Posted by jjackstone

As opposed to Frank, I would chuck anything having to do with gasoline and add more batteries and a larger electric motor. Toss on flush mount solar panels to help with HVAC duties.
JJ

You would have to replace the entire engine on the Insight

[Silveredwings]

Electric drive, full boat-tail, and solid rubber tires.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Just how all-out do you want to get?

Well the horses are already out of the barn (and halfway across the neighbour's fields), but I should have said: keeping the Honda drivetrain in there. Modding the hybrid drivetrain seems reasonable, and has been done before (plug-in boost pack, MIMA, assist/regen disable switch, etc.)

For those wanting to delete the hybrid components, you can effectively do that with a switch.

Extreme body mods (as opposed to add-ons) are theoretically interesting, but how realistic?

(I know, I know, I didn't say anything about "realistic" in the first post, but I meant this to be a "what would you actually do to your Insight if you had one" kind of list.)

[vinny1989]

Replace the engine with a small diesel (1.3 multijet?)
A 6 speed manual gearbox
Double up on the battery pack

[ithinkidontknow]

solid rubber tires? While that may improve the rolling resistance slightly, that is so much more weight for the engine to have to move. I dont think that is going to help fuel economy the slightest. The moment of inertia on solid rubber tires would be ridiculous.

[Silveredwings]

Originally Posted by ithinkidontknow

solid rubber tires? While that may improve the rolling resistance slightly, that is so much more weight for the engine to have to move. I dont think that is going to help fuel economy the slightest. The moment of inertia on solid rubber tires would be ridiculous.

22" diameter wheels 1" wide made of graphite with Kevlar spokes. Lightweight composite rubber tyres. 80% Less weight, rolling resistance and wind resistance.

[ithinkidontknow]

sounds much better, only problem is little friction between the wheels and the road and a 2000 pound car. Also, I would be surprised if those wheels could hold up 2000+ pounds without running into some sort of failure.

[Silveredwings]

Need to loose some weight on that thing! Remake that entire body and frame out of carbon fiber. LiIon batteries, aluminum core AC hub motors. No tranny. Lexan windows, lightweight fabric seat(s). No sound system, AC, or heater. No bumpers or airbags. Don't think about hitting anything.

(Darin, is that far enough off the rails for ya?)

[ithinkidontknow]

Now its not an insight anymore :P

[Silveredwings]

Originally Posted by ithinkidontknow

Now its not a Prius anymore :P

Wow, when were we talking about a Prius?