FML I Bought a Ricer - Will Be Hypermiler

[PAFirefighter11]

I have a 63 mile round trip commute. My Jeep averages around 12 MPG and my one Trans Am around 20-22. Both take 91+ Octane. I needed something that was going to provide me with higher MPG and be all weather capable. Something my bike really isn't. So, I sold my bike.

I was on the hunt for a 92-95 Civic VX & Jetta TDI as their highway MPG is up in the high 40's to low 50's (Or higher depending on how you drive it). I found a few but they were either completely riced out and asking ridiculous amounts of cash, or had tons of rust and beat to heck. Eventually I decided to expand my model horizon and started looking into Honda Civic HX models, 95+. Dave from FAST in West Chester found one for me on a Honda group on Facebook. I looked at it a few days ago and pulled the trigger as I needed something ASAP.

So, here she is (Pardon the crappy cell phone photos)... 1997 Honda Civic HX coupe, 5 speed, lean burn, 153k miles, SI? trans (being swapped back to the OE trans that the prior owner gave me as well). It's lowered on brand new coil overs. Just added new tires, front pads/rotors, had an alignment done, new wiper blades and inspection/emissions:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-mTP9pKd/0/L/529153_10151714372871080_309103622_n-L.jpg

As you can see it ha(d) a fart pipe:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-pZshp7C/0/L/1461172_10151712389461080_400187223_n-L.jpg

'Til I broke out the sawz-all:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-Ckz7qfn/0/L/1452050_10151715274266080_1479221462_n-L.jpg

And gave the tip to my buddy to put on his Jeep lol:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-8nPX8DR/0/L/1000364_10151715278126080_52000998_n-L.jpg

My plans are for some aerodynamic improvements. Thankfully being lowered and having the front lip will help quite a bit with reducing drag. I'll be swapping the trans back to the stock HX model trans as it has a better ratio for higher MPG result. I may do headlights just so I can see at night. Most of you who know me know I do this with every vehicle I own. I'll update this more as I have time.

[jpalamar]

Its gonna get stolen. Don't dump any money into it.

[PAFirefighter11]

Its gonna get stolen. Don't dump any money into it.

I put a GPS car tracker on it already. Plus some.. uhm.. fun for anyone who attempts to steal it ;)

[Got Insulin?]

Flat underbody panels are one of the best ways to gain MPGs. There's also a bit of science to go behind the angles of the srtrakes at the diffused for maximum drag/lift coefficients.

[saxon]

nice pick up, these can easily get 40+ mpg

good tires high tire pressure a warm air intake and cat delete and you're good to go

[PAFirefighter11]

Thanks guys. I'm on some of the hypermiling forums and learning a lot. I'm excited to get it running even better.

[DPancoast]

Flat underbody panels are one of the best ways to gain MPGs. There's also a bit of science to go behind the angles of the srtrakes at the diffused for maximum drag/lift coefficients.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/11/zysy2udu.jpg

Nice pickup man. It'll treat you good.

[Steve-Oh]

( . Y . )'s! Pretty sweet but why oh why did you buy black!!!

[schaffer]

I want headlights.

[PAFirefighter11]

Thanks again guys. Stevenson, I wasn't being color-specific. I didn't buy it to be pretty, only for good MPG. You know this! We should plastidip the whole thing! haha.

[Big_Jim]

Thanks again guys. Stevenson, I wasn't being color-specific. I didn't buy it to be pretty, only for good MPG. You know this! We should plastidip the whole thing! haha.

rough surface of plastidip may create more drag. haha.

[PAFirefighter11]

rough surface of plastidip may create more drag. haha.

True! Maybe I should just sand off the finished, polish the metal, and then clear it?! The Eco guys actually recommend dishes... let me find a photo.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-christofoo-albums-aero-hitch-box-picture5146-ahb-civic-hail-scofield.jpg

Weird tails and stuff too like you see.

[Steve-Oh]

PLEASE do that!! I would be so proud.

[PAFirefighter11]

PLEASE do that!! I would be so proud.

Haha, what, the tail and wheel covers? Or the polishing of the OE wheels metal?

[Big_Jim]

True! Maybe I should just sand off the finished, polish the metal, and then clear it?! The Eco guys actually recommend dishes... let me find a photo.

]http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-christofoo-albums-aero-hitch-box-picture5146-ahb-civic-hail-scofield.jpg

Weird tails and stuff too like you see.

I'm not surprised. There's guys hypermiling the first gen xB's and averaging 45-50 mpg.

[Steve-Oh]

Haha, what, the tail and wheel covers? Or the polishing of the OE wheels metal?

The wheel covers and "tail-fin"... Eff polishing the wheels, this isn't a show car. Sand them down and paint them or plati-dip them.

[Steve-Oh]

I used the word "them" in the last post repeatedly for effect.

[PAFirefighter11]

I'm not surprised. There's guys hypermiling the first gen xB's and averaging 45-50 mpg.

It's pretty cool to see what some inexpensive mods & minor driving habit changes can do to increase MPG.


The wheel covers and "tail-fin"... Eff polishing the wheels, this isn't a show car. Sand them down and paint them or plati-dip them.

Haha that **** I can't do myself. But since you're an expert at sheet metal, I think we may be able to get something here. Ideas? You should stop by on Saturday.

[Steve-Oh]

Ok let me put my engineering hat on and get to work! I'll message you.

[PAFirefighter11]

Ok let me put my engineering hat on and get to work! I'll message you.

Sounds good. Sarah works Sat & Sun during the day so I have free time both days. Just can't be gone too long with the pup at home.

[PAFirefighter11]

Almost 200 miles on 6 gallons so far. 33ish mpg without changing my driving habits and with the high revving trans. Can't wait to get the stock trans back in there.

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1453453_10151722420026080_1934995858_n.jpg

[grimm]

i imagine it currently is around 3000+ rpms when cruising at like 65mph? with a stock trans i imagine you will cut that to 2500-2000 rpms.

[PAFirefighter11]

i imagine it currently is around 3000+ rpms when cruising at like 65mph? with a stock trans i imagine you will cut that to 2500-2000 rpms.

It may even be higher than that right now. It's obnoxiously high. I'll note it on my drive home. Can't wait to get better MPG with the stock trans.

[grimm]

I had an Si trans on a GSR in a civic many moons ago. I was surprised at how high it would run at normal cruising speed.

[TROLL]

I hit about 44 mpg in my 97 Civic hatch at best which was all highway miles. Regularly saw 38 mpg with normal mixed driving. I loved the crap out of that car, it was great to be able to drive for so cheap and not worry about the car or keeping it nice.

[BlueEyedSuicide4]

MPG's, what's that?

Grats on the purchase, other Rick. Looking to buy a winter turd as well, I start a new job on the 25th!

[PAFirefighter11]

Thanks guys! Here's the latest with the turd, all crappy cell phone photos:

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-QkprGns/0/XL/CA_11161319545939-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-j47PNcQ/0/XL/CA_11161318461676-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-gPWH6KN/0/XL/CA_11161318461263-XL.jpg

The wheels as I got 'em - nasty! Pitted, chipped, bubbling, plasti-dip vandalized, just overall horrible:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-bRJvVBq/0/XL/CA_11161318460784-XL.jpg

I started with both 320 grit (wet) and also a drill w/ a wire brush:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-zhf5xCQ/0/XL/CA_11161318460441-XL.jpg

I was going to do just a basic silver, exactly how they were. But, the color we grabbed was a crazy metallic which you can see on the right wheel in this photo):
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-Hd3RdJh/0/XL/CA_11161318460048-XL.jpg

It looked fake so we decided to change it up. My buddy whose house I was at is a fellow Jeep owner. He had a bunch of OD and similar green paint laying around. So, after some discussion we decided to give that a shot:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-VMKX2W7/0/XL/CA_11161318455695-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-NHzKqS2/0/XL/CA_11161318455362-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-NDQ9M7T/0/XL/CA_11161318454873-XL.jpg

I'll post some on car photos when I get some free time.

[cmr076]

and here i am happy as hell when i get 15mpg in my s4 haha. maybe i need some dish wheels and a huge wing, lowering it didn't help

[PAFirefighter11]

Haha, you gotta take it easy on the gas too. There's a reason I'm not making my Trans Am or Jeep a Hypermiler ;)

Some more photos of the wheels:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-SNCdWPf/0/XL/BCM_9195-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-sFbqZFW/0/XL/BCM_9189-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-mXhKvtr/0/XL/BCM_9188-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-RXtb4ch/0/XL/BCM_9187-XL.jpg

[Steve-Oh]

Lol, not surprised you went with that color! came out real good, i like it.

[PAFirefighter11]

Thank's Broc! Some more photos from today in a few...

[futuredsmowner]

What hypermiling forums are you referencing? I'd like to look into that.

[lownslow95]

Was ready to not like the color, but looks good on the car. :thumbup:

[PAFirefighter11]

Forums:
http://www.cleanmpg.com
http://www.metrompg.com
http://www.gassavers.org
http://www.ecomodder.com

And others.

Thanks man! I hate the color of the wheels lol. I want silver. When time and temp allows I'll be redoing them in silver. Or I may sell these off or trad them for stock finished HX wheels.

[BlueEyedSuicide4]

Have those guys said anything about staying away from ethanol blended gasoline such as E10 like Wawa sells?

[PAFirefighter11]

Yep, whenever possible go with non-Ethanol.

[Big_Jim]

Do you guys know of any non-ethanol gas stations around philly, or a tool to find them?

edit:

quick google search found me this: http://pure-gas.org/

[schaffer]

Now I want a civic and start hyper miling it. Having a 12 mile round trip to work isn't so bad.

[grimm]

I have an hour commute all highway. This is something i should think about.

[BlueEyedSuicide4]

Do you guys know of any non-ethanol gas stations around philly, or a tool to find them?

edit:

quick google search found me this: http://pure-gas.org/

The Gulf in Frazer across from Wawa sells it, that is what I have been using in my car for the past month.

[PAFirefighter11]

Yah guys I seriously recommend looking for something like this if you want to try Hypermiling. The cars to look for are...

Honda:
Late 80's/Early 90's CRX HF model hatch (45-55 MPG) - Primitive , not real safe in a crash
92-95 Honda Civic VX model hatch (45-55 MPG) - HARD to find, usually expensive if it good shape
95+ Honda Civic HX model coupe (35-50 MPG) - Easier to find, lower mileage in most cases
96+ Honda Civic CX model hatch (30-40 MPG) - Newest style

They all take 87 octane!

VW:
Any TDI or diesel you can find in good condition should get 40-60 MPG

They all run diesel of course.

Obviously you want them in manual trans 'cause they will be better on gas, especially on the highway.

Chris, I drive approx. 16,380 miles a year just for my commute. This was my thought process and the reason I went with the HX:

Car - MPG Average on MY Commute - Octane Rating - $/gallon - Gallons used - Total Gas Costs/Year

TA: 20 MPG - 93 -$3.69 - 819 gal - $3022.11 / year
Jeep: 13 MPG - 93 - $3.69 - 1260 gal - $4649.40 / year
Honda: 45 MPG - 87 - $3.35 - 364 gal - $1219.40 / year

The Honda figure is WITH the stock trans back in there. The Honda pays for itself within months in my case!


The Gulf in Frazer across from Wawa sells it, that is what I have been using in my car for the past month.

What octane do they have with pure gas?

[saxon]

This is why i drive a prius, difference with the s4 pays for the prius every month and keeps the miles off the audi

[BlueEyedSuicide4]

What octane do they have with pure gas?

I honestly haven't looked at anything but 93 lol

[schaffer]

I started looking at the Diesel vw's but they are either pricey or super high mileage(300k). The civics are all fairly pricey or riced to hell.

[PAFirefighter11]

Rick, I'll check it out tomorrow when I need to gas up. I love going 300-400 miles on 1 tank of gas. Even the Jeep, with a 20 gallon tank, only gets me about 200-250 miles.

[BlueEyedSuicide4]

Rick, I'll check it out tomorrow when I need to gas up. I love going 300-400 miles on 1 tank of gas. Even the Jeep, with a 20 gallon tank, only gets me about 200-250 miles.

Nice nice man, I love the sound of the T/A too much to drive it I care about MPG's! :D haha

[PAFirefighter11]

Filled up this morning. They had normal grades. 87, 91, 93 if I recall correctly. No info about containing ethanol, but didn't see any signs saying pure gas.

[PAFirefighter11]

Finally got the stock trans back in today at my buddies shop in Delco. Not a lot of photos, but instead of revving at 3500 RPM @ 75 MPH it revs at 2900 RPM. It's also setup better than the SI trans was.

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-ZMwx46f/0/XL/CA_11241317065321-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-F4ghr6D/0/XL/CA_11241317070788-XL.jpg

[ricky2i5]

on the hunt got a coupe like this also for DD duty. My Outlander, though 4 cylinder and CVT KILLS me on gas (about a 60 mile commute a day) Sorry if i missed the post but if u dont mind how much did you pick this up for? im working with around 2500, just looking something where i dont need too much maintenance done, harder than it sounds

[PAFirefighter11]

on the hunt got a coupe like this also for DD duty. My Outlander, though 4 cylinder and CVT KILLS me on gas (about a 60 mile commute a day) Sorry if i missed the post but if u dont mind how much did you pick this up for? im working with around 2500, just looking something where i dont need too much maintenance done, harder than it sounds

No problem. I picked it up for $500 and have put over $1500 of work into it to get it back into good DD shape (I knew what I was getting into when I picked it up). $2500 can easily find you a Civic HX in much better condition than mine. Here are the ones I quickly found under $3000 in the general area (Some slightly riced out):
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/4210798476.html (Kennett Square)
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/4140640562.html (Levittown)
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/4211432917.html (Jersey)
http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/4121318519.html (Jersey)
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/4191632787.html (North Jersey
http://annapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4202466061.html (MD)

Not sure if you saw what I listed earlier but these are the Honda's you want to look for:
Late 80's/Early 90's CRX HF model hatch (45-55 MPG) - Primitive , not real safe in a crash
92-95 Honda Civic VX model hatch (45-55 MPG) - HARD to find, usually expensive if it good shape
95+ Honda Civic HX model coupe (35-50 MPG) - Easier to find, lower mileage in most cases
96+ Honda Civic CX model hatch (30-40 MPG) - Newest style

You have to get manual for the higher MPG figures! You also need the OE intake, or at least find one after purchase. A Cold Air Intake actually reduces the MPG on these cars.

[SovXietday]

My "drag" car started out at a 96 CX hatch. When it was bone stock (years and years ago) it would get 35-40 around town, no problem.

Was slow as **** though, lol.

[cmr076]

My "drag" car started out at a 96 CX hatch. When it was bone stock (years and years ago) it would get 35-40 around town, no problem.

Was slow as **** though, lol.

now let me guess... 1320feet per gallon?

[PAFirefighter11]

Driving the same way I have been the "new" stock trans saw a huge jump in MPG:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-BQnbfH2/0/XL/CA_12181312063136-XL.jpg

Damn SI trans was taching way too high!

[schaffer]

Are you still trying to sell this?

[PAFirefighter11]

Are you still trying to sell this?

If the price is right, yes. It has some clutch chatter at the moment, but the clutch has maybe 2000 miles on it? I assume the PO did not change the flywheel, just did a clutch. Lame.

[DPancoast]

My turbo integra was getting 30-40mpg on a previous setup haha

[schaffer]

If the price is right, yes. It has some clutch chatter at the moment, but the clutch has maybe 2000 miles on it? I assume the PO did not change the flywheel, just did a clutch. Lame.

ill shoot you a text or email sometime this week.


My truck gets between 12-15 mpg so driving this for a year or so will easily make up for the cost of buying it with the amount i drive.

[PAFirefighter11]

ill shoot you a text or email sometime this week.


My truck gets between 12-15 mpg so driving this for a year or so will easily make up for the cost of buying it with the amount i drive.

Sounds good. BTW: From research this isn't clutch chatter. It's just the engagement of the clutch. I'm used to slipping it, but this requires a clean, solid engagement. No chatter at that point.

[PAFirefighter11]

Just got around to doing a grille block. I found some black duct tape that is a near match to the OE black on my HX. Not that I care since this car is purely my commuter, and I'm not trying to make a cheap car look good!

Here are the POS cell photos:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-SqFGQmM/0/XL/CA_01131416105482-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/Automotive/1997-Honda-Civic-HX/i-vMFkCXb/0/XL/CA_01131416092178-XL.jpg

I'll grab some better quality shots when free time arises.

[Shipman]

Jesus, and is this the same 500 car that you were trying to sell for like 4 grand....

[schaffer]

Jesus, and is this the same 500 car that you were trying to sell for like 4 grand....

hey he has 1500 into it.....i was gonna offer him 2200 on it.

[PAFirefighter11]

hey he has 1500 into it.....i was gonna offer him 2200 on it.

Yah I listed it at $4000 'cause I didn't want to sell it, but wanted to see who was interested. It's not worth $4000 lol.

If you don't buy it I'll have a new trans soon that's geared and better. 2000 RPM at 65 MPH. With that and the front grille setups I should be in the upper 40's to low 50's in MPG :eek:

And this is "ideal":
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/ajohnmeyer/CXfront.jpg

[Steve-Oh]

Rick is there any negative impact on cooling?! And "lmao" at the fact that we could of totally fabbed something way better then duct tape.


Sent from Space

[Shipman]

Im well aware its not worth 4k. I also like how you edited both of those posts. Nice touch. I remember when I first joined this forum there was someone whos signature was a quote that said "I hate all of PAfirefighter11's posts". For some reason I have to agree.

[PAFirefighter11]

Rick is there any negative impact on cooling?! And "lmao" at the fact that we could of totally fabbed something way better then duct tape.


Sent from Space

Steve, that's exactly the point! This is not only an aero mod, but is to help the engine heat up quicker and keep that operating temp in cooler and warmer weather. A warm engine at operating temp is going to produce better FE than a cold one. Cold engines produce better power. You know this!

On my Trans Ams and Jeep I have cold air intakes or Ram Air. On the Honda I'll be doing a warm air intake. The duct tape is a test. If it works to the level I want we'll be doing some plastic welding or fiberglass :D



Im well aware its not worth 4k. I also like how you edited both of those posts. Nice touch. I remember when I first joined this forum there was someone whos signature was a quote that said "I hate all of PAfirefighter11's posts". For some reason I have to agree.

Welcome to the bandwagon! I hope you enjoy your stay. :finga:

[schaffer]

Sell this and buy a tdi already. Or an insight. Like a real man.

[PAFirefighter11]

Sell this and buy a tdi already. Or an insight. Like a real man.

Hah. I have a buddy who is trying to sell me his TDI. This is still for sale. If the offer is right I'll let it go! You still want it?

[schaffer]

Hah. I have a buddy who is trying to sell me his TDI. This is still for sale. If the offer is right I'll let it go! You still want it?

for the right price.....i might buy a miata though.

[PAFirefighter11]

Sale pending.