8th Generation Honda Civic Forum - View Single Post

Osager · 08-06-2008, 01:03 AM

I think you would see very little difference in performance or fuel economy, and I do not think it is a good use of your money.

This engine is hardly starved for air, except at the upper limit. If you spend a lot of time taching up the CVT in your HCH, it's just my opinion and I mean no offense, but I think you bought a car that does not suit you. The very smart engineers at Honda designed this powertrain to maximize fuel economy. It's a very slow car. Don't try to make it faster. Keep the tach under 2500 rpm for maximum fuel economy.

I don't think that trying to get more air into the engine will warm it up faster. The engine gets warm because it's burning gasoline. If it's warm outside, the engine will be at optimal temperature (~70 F) right away. My HCH will autostop within sixty seconds from a "cold" start this time of year. If it's a cold winter day, it will take longer for the engine to warm up, but a short ram intake is not going to accelerate that process. Although an engine block heater might...but that is hardly an exciting modification, is it?

If you really want to mod it somehow, and I do understand the itch, consider lowering it a little. It will look cool, and it may improve your fuel economy. Or replace the hood with carbon fiber to make the car lighter. Or get some lighter aftermarket rims (actually, there are not many rims that are lighter than the OEM pie plates).

I wish you good luck and, whatever you do, let us know how it turned out!

08-06-2008, 01:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Osager Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 37	My $0.02? not worth it I think you would see very little difference in performance or fuel economy, and I do not think it is a good use of your money. This engine is hardly starved for air, except at the upper limit. If you spend a lot of time taching up the CVT in your HCH, it's just my opinion and I mean no offense, but I think you bought a car that does not suit you. The very smart engineers at Honda designed this powertrain to maximize fuel economy. It's a very slow car. Don't try to make it faster. Keep the tach under 2500 rpm for maximum fuel economy. I don't think that trying to get more air into the engine will warm it up faster. The engine gets warm because it's burning gasoline. If it's warm outside, the engine will be at optimal temperature (~70 F) right away. My HCH will autostop within sixty seconds from a "cold" start this time of year. If it's a cold winter day, it will take longer for the engine to warm up, but a short ram intake is not going to accelerate that process. Although an engine block heater might...but that is hardly an exciting modification, is it? If you really want to mod it somehow, and I do understand the itch, consider lowering it a little. It will look cool, and it may improve your fuel economy. Or replace the hood with carbon fiber to make the car lighter. Or get some lighter aftermarket rims (actually, there are not many rims that are lighter than the OEM pie plates). I wish you good luck and, whatever you do, let us know how it turned out!