Well I made the crutial decision of scrapping my EF hatch for a CRX. But instead of throwing all my hard work away (OBD1 conversion, B series swap, lots of new parts, full interior swap and what not) I decided to keep the civic as the horrible rusty winter beater she is.

But I need parts to swap the B into the new car, so the civic has to go back to a D series. I was thinking of making it a MPG car.

Current plans are:

D15Z1 VTEC-E engine
HF tranny
Re-installing factory exhaust
Removing lowering springs (winter mode all year round)
VX rims with high efficiency tires, steelies with winters for winter

Is there anything else I should do to help the MPG. I'm aiming for 50 mpg (currently getting 30 on my B swap with YS1 tranny). The car will be used all year round, but will not see much of summer itself. I'm fixing the body, ghetto styles and painting it black, ghetto styles again.

 

I think an ebay intake might gain a mpg or 2????? Will the factory exhaust get better MPG than moded exhaust? I thought that wider tubing got better MPG because the exhaust could leave faster because of the larger tubing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by george34 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I think an ebay intake might gain a mpg or 2????? Will the factory exhaust get better MPG than moded exhaust? I thought that wider tubing got better MPG because the exhaust could leave faster because of the larger tubing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I common thought but no. A D15Z1 displaces alot less air, and from what I've read having a stock exhaust will actually promote fuel economy. I will be using a high flow cat tho because it's currently equipped with it, and a stock cat is 120$ I don't wanna spend.

I also cannot lighten the car. I need the heat and interior to stay warm in winter.

 

Well I am getting 38.25 mpg in my 91 STD with out trying. Not sure if 50 is obtainable, but good luck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda Tool &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well I am getting 38.25 mpg in my 91 STD with out trying. Not sure if 50 is obtainable, but good luck.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Your 91 STD is missing the HF tranny, you have a DX tranny, very different and adds alot of MPG to the thing. Plus a VTEC-E mpfi engine is alot more economical then a DPFI D15B2.

 

That would almost be dangeous d15z1 with a HF tranny. anything hooked up to an HF tranny would be a bad idea for merging onto a freeway. Have to sit in 1st or 2nd to merge without getting ran over. Just kidding. Sounds like a killer setup though. With gas prices the way they are it's absurd... GL!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dephtone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That would almost be dangeous d15z1 with a HF tranny. anything hooked up to an HF tranny would be a bad idea for merging onto a freeway. Have to sit in 1st or 2nd to merge without getting ran over. Just kidding. Sounds like a killer setup though. With gas prices the way they are it's absurd... GL!</TD></TR></TABLE>

You think you have it bad? It's almost double the cost in Canada.

 

Another option is the JDM D15B with the 3 Stage VTEC, it puts out a 130 hp but
cruisin around under 3800 rpm your in VTEC-E mode.....getting 50+MPG...

http://asia.vtec.net/article/d15b/

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ludesrv &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Your 91 STD is missing the HF tranny, you have a DX tranny, very different and adds alot of MPG to the thing. Plus a VTEC-E mpfi engine is alot more economical then a DPFI D15B2.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I might be mistaken but i think the 91 std. has a 4spd not a Dx transmission. HAHAHA

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by whiteknightef &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I might be mistaken but i think the 91 std. has a 4spd not a Dx transmission. HAHAHA</TD></TR></TABLE>

Its called a swap dingus.

 

Hey Seb sounds like a good idea. I contemplated using the HF tranny for all out economy in my beater as well. As you know it is a obd1 D16z6 now with an Si tranny. With the 90 DX tranny it had I got 44mpg highway all day long. Not sure now with the new Si trans. I run 14" HX wheels too as u know. Light at 11.9lbs. I dunno about the HF trans it will kill any attempts at ever having fun in the car. I just went to the Si trans to get a little more fun out of it. I mean honestly if you are getting around 40mpg and still having a little fun, I think that is awesome. Oh some other specs I run 45psi fuel pressure, a 99-00Si AEM CAI, and 2.25" exhaust.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRXBart &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey Seb sounds like a good idea. I contemplated using the HF tranny for all out economy in my beater as well. As you know it is a obd1 D16z6 now with an Si tranny. With the 90 DX tranny it had I got 44mpg highway all day long. Not sure now with the new Si trans. I run 14" HX wheels too as u know. Light at 11.9lbs. I dunno about the HF trans it will kill any attempts at ever having fun in the car. I just went to the Si trans to get a little more fun out of it. I mean honestly if you are getting around 40mpg and still having a little fun, I think that is awesome. Oh some other specs I run 45psi fuel pressure, a 99-00Si AEM CAI, and 2.25" exhaust. </TD></TR></TABLE>

When I drove your beater it got good gas mileage. Ya so the seat sucked ***** and I thought I was gonna die in it, it still got decent gas mileage.

And to whiteknight. I'm from Canada, most of our STD (what my civic is) came with a 5spd, I beleive the 4 spd was a cheap out you had to request.

To craigie, D15Z1 are about 250$, D15B are about 400-500$. I don't wanna spend more then 300$ doing the whole thing lol.

Bart, think you can find me an HF tranny that runs? I wanna do the MPG thing like asap. The LS that's in there now goes thru 5-10 liters of oil every 6 weeks lol. Every time the oil light comes on I go to the Canadian tire, pick up a 4 liter jug of autolab and dump it all in. Oh how it's fun to have an engine you don't have to care about lol.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ludesrv &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Bart, think you can find me an HF tranny that runs? I wanna do the MPG thing like asap. The LS that's in there now goes thru 5-10 liters of oil every 6 weeks lol. Every time the oil light comes on I go to the Canadian tire, pick up a 4 liter jug of autolab and dump it all in. Oh how it's fun to have an engine you don't have to care about lol.</TD></TR></TABLE>


I just called my buddy and left a message. He has a HF full swap I am pretty sure. I'll see how much he wants for it, if he still has it. It is a 88 too so it will have the smaller lighter clutch. Also if I was you I would cut out the side impact beams, remove the bumper supports, cut all the hood webbing, cut 8 3" holes in your rear bumper, construct your exhaust from aluminum, get some kirky 5lb seats, run helium in your tires, get a light battery, remove all sway bars, remove rear brakes, remove all glass, and cut your out custom lexan from 1/8" lexan, since you have a/c no need for rolling down the windows, so remove the regulators, and solid mount the door lexan. You could spool the tranny, and remove one axle for to save more weight. In theory we can get your car to 1500lbs, with A/C and Heat. I'll let you know about the tranny, and if you need anything else just ask.

Jim Lahey is a drunk bastard and always will be!

 

It is a 4 speed. Wasn't saying it is not possible. Do you actually commute enough to make it worth it? I would never drive any car slower that my std on the highway period it is scary at times.

 

HF tranny $75 when do you want it?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ludesrv &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I wanna do the MPG thing like asap. The LS that's in there now goes thru 5-10 liters of oil every 6 weeks lol. Every time the oil light comes on I go to the Canadian tire, pick up a 4 liter jug of autolab and dump it all in. Oh how it's fun to have an engine you don't have to care about lol.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Reminds me of my old d16a6 -- Nugold FTW! Good luck with the project.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRXBart &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just called my buddy and left a message. He has a HF full swap I am pretty sure. I'll see how much he wants for it, if he still has it. It is a 88 too so it will have the smaller lighter clutch. Also if I was you I would cut out the side impact beams, remove the bumper supports, cut all the hood webbing, cut 8 3" holes in your rear bumper, construct your exhaust from aluminum, get some kirky 5lb seats, run helium in your tires, get a light battery, remove all sway bars, remove rear brakes, remove all glass, and cut your out custom lexan from 1/8" lexan, since you have a/c no need for rolling down the windows, so remove the regulators, and solid mount the door lexan. You could spool the tranny, and remove one axle for to save more weight. In theory we can get your car to 1500lbs, with A/C and Heat. I'll let you know about the tranny, and if you need anything else just ask.

Jim Lahey is a drunk bastard and always will be!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll take the tranny in a few weeks, make a weekend ohio trip I guess. Does it include the clutch? I only have 90-91 clutches kicking around. I would use a used clutch if it still had a good bit of life left.

I could cut the side impact beams out, that's like 50 lbs right there. Bumper support, well I'll leave those in since in both are rotted to **** and fall out piece by peice by themselves lol.

I dunno if I should cut my webbing...my hood is about 25% rust so...might be that for strength. I'd like my car to weight 2000lbs with me in it, that's good enough for what I'll use it for. I don't wanna lose driveability.

Thanks for the info guys. This is will be moderate project. One that will involve alot of bondo to make the body not look like the car is rotted to ****, even tho it is and is way beyond fixing. I'll post up pics soon enough.

 

i put a hf motor/tranny in my civic std for a commuter car and i get 44-49mpg completely stock. i just made a 2000 mile round trip going between 75-80m/h fully loaded up and i still got 44mpg 89 technology they need to bring that motor back ! ive been tinking how to get more mpg as well im thinking putting 165-70-13 instead of 175's and maybe get a air intake

BTW: engine has 200k and doesnt burn or leak oil hondas


Modified by HT Chaplain at 8:06 AM 4/5/2007

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ludesrv &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
VX rims with high efficiency tires, steelies with winters for winter

.</TD></TR></TABLE>

are those rims lighter that the oem 13"s ? and what are effeciency tires?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HT Chaplain &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

are those rims lighter that the oem 13"s ? and what are effeciency tires?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Alot lighter actually. VX rims are factory honda 13" rims which are under 9lbs a rim. With a tire, they weigh around 30lbs. A effeciency tire is a low resistance tire, once that offers great gas mileage but reduces grip. They are not made for heavy rain, snow, or any terrible weather. I will use them as summer rims only.

 

What about some Insight rims. Those things are way light. Then if you put Insight drums on there your reducing some lbs.

 

Sounds good what your doing. I am doing something similar but with a d15b1(std engine) into a 88 crx dx. keeping the dx trans. should get some good gas mileage.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Toad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What about some Insight rims. Those things are way light. Then if you put Insight drums on there your reducing some lbs.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good point. Although I already owned (bought 2 years ago) VX rims. Right now they are slicked, but once the slick is worn I'm putting low resistance tires on them.

I won't touch the brakes, they are brand new since 50XXXkms ago (rear).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ludesrv &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I won't touch the brakes, they are brand new since 50XXXkms ago (rear).</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good point you don't need them either. Just down shift to slow down. The braking system has to be 100lbs.

 

I want to do something like this also. I still have my complete 89 hf taht got 45-50 mpg. I am looking for a shell to do that swap to. But I have to get rid of atleast one of the crx's I have now.