Has anybody found a reliable power adder for the Civic Hybrid?

[DanLexani]

Originally Posted by DanLexani

try a k&n drop in filter and maybe si catback or hpf exhaust. should do something not much at all thou.

this should add some mpg as well i think

[Tommyboy]

My '06 Civic Hybrid has 113,000 miles on it. Still gets 40+ mpg. If you start messing with the exhaust in intake to get more speed you will violate CA smog laws and probably mess up the computer control. If that happens you might as well chuck it in the scrap yard because there is no upper limit on costs to bring it back to OEM.
I have no problem with getting the car up to speed, but I don't try to exceed 72 mph even in the carpool lane (it is not a "faster than the speed limit lane").

your car (and mine) are the first year of the 2nd generation model Civic Hybrid. I am guessing you have replaced your tires and unless you used low rolling resistance tires (like the OEM) you will notice a slightly more sluggish response across all speeds.

Don't be to quick to think the Prius is the holy grail of hybrids - they have their issues as well (and not just the quirky brake transition when going from gas to electric mode).

I personally cannot see going back to a car that gets 20 mpg after having one that consistenly gets 40, carpool lane sticker or not.

[DanLexani]

i see what your saying thats why i only recommended a drop in k&n filter and a stock si catback exhaust. neither of these 2 item should do anything bad to the vehicle or irreversible. nor are they a violation of any emissions laws.

[Tommyboy]

Mine has the K&N filter. I did not notice any difference, good or bad (except that I have not had to buy any air filters in a long time!).

[smmmurf]

I got the latest software updates installed and the car holds the CVT RPM much higher. The car is much more responsive and as a side effect the brake feel is markedly better. Perhaps the reflash and recalibration of the ECU, CVT, and hybrid battery will be all that this car needs.

If you guys haven't already, I highly recommend the 09-058 TSB update.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by Tommyboy

My '06 Civic Hybrid has 113,000 miles on it. Still gets 40+ mpg. If you start messing with the exhaust in intake to get more speed you will violate CA smog laws and probably mess up the computer control. If that happens you might as well chuck it in the scrap yard because there is no upper limit on costs to bring it back to OEM.
I have no problem with getting the car up to speed, but I don't try to exceed 72 mph even in the carpool lane (it is not a "faster than the speed limit lane").

your car (and mine) are the first year of the 2nd generation model Civic Hybrid. I am guessing you have replaced your tires and unless you used low rolling resistance tires (like the OEM) you will notice a slightly more sluggish response across all speeds.

Don't be to quick to think the Prius is the holy grail of hybrids - they have their issues as well (and not just the quirky brake transition when going from gas to electric mode).

I personally cannot see going back to a car that gets 20 mpg after having one that consistenly gets 40, carpool lane sticker or not.

The car was sluggish on the OEM tires and also on the current Michelin Primacy MXV4's that are on it. The Michelins provide much better grip and are worth the 2 mpg tradeoff in my opinion.

My mom has a second-generation Prius. I've driven it for maybe 30,000 miles. Comparing the two cars back to back, I think the Prius has a much more robust hybrid system than the one on my current Civic. I know exactly what you are talking about with the traction control/VSC cutting braking and also power. That said, our Prius has 97,000 miles on it and it's still driving like new. It doesn't feel underpowered compared to my my Civic Hybrid which is still quite a bit slower.

[xvoltm2]

energizer batteries

[DanLexani]

Originally Posted by xvoltm2

energizer batteries

[smmmurf]

Wow! The TSB update has increased low-end torque and also improved my mileage by about 2.5 miles per gallon. Also, it has made my brakes stop better. It seems like the threshold of engaging the friction brakes is now higher. The electric brakes seem to be doing more of the work resulting in more regeneration and less pedal effort.

If you haven't gotten the latest updates from Honda, go and get them. It drives a lot better. The transmission clunks from switching into S mode when cold are gone, too.

[packratko]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

I got the latest software updates installed and the car holds the CVT RPM much higher. The car is much more responsive and as a side effect the brake feel is markedly better. Perhaps the reflash and recalibration of the ECU, CVT, and hybrid battery will be all that this car needs.

If you guys haven't already, I highly recommend the 09-058 TSB update.

sorry guys im new to hyrbid scene. I recently purchase my o6 in dec. So would i assume that this has already been done? and is there a cost to have this done?

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by packratko

sorry guys im new to hyrbid scene. I recently purchase my o6 in dec. So would i assume that this has already been done? and is there a cost to have this done?

Probably not, it's by customer complaint and dealer discretion. If you are out of warranty, then it will probably cost money. I got it done under CA emissions warranty.

Read this thread to find out all you need to know:

Tsb 09-058 - GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars

[GoHuskies]

A word of warning.

If you attempt to get the update for free by bringing the car in for IMA complaints you run the risk of the $100 diagnosis charge.

[nayilsi]

Originally Posted by DanLexani

try a k&n drop in filter and maybe si catback or hpf exhaust. should do something not much at all thou.

it's like ur giving him hopes and taking them away at the same time...

[civicracer32]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

I'm sorry, I don't get this reasoning. Since it's the slowest Civic that Honda sells, it is the one in greatest need of more power. It's almost more of a necessity to mod this thing to have 15 more horsepower than it is to try to add the same to an Si which is already plenty adequate.

I'm not out to race anyone. I just want to keep up with traffic when I merge. 0-60 in 13+ seconds is frustrating and dangerous when trying to match speed with cars going 75+. I drive something much more powerful when there isn't any traffic. The only reason I own this car is because it has solo carpool access in the state of CA until the end of 2010.

Yeah, I had an '07 civic hybrid. It was high 12's 0-60 with full battery charge, 14.5 secs or so with a half charge battery pack according to magazine test back then. Not only that, but starting from a stop on a steep hill was sooo slow, that occasionally I had people honking at me to get going. It took forever! I traded it in for my '08 Si after owning the hybrid for 9 months. Sold my '07 ex civic for a 2000 honda insight manual trans which is resonable for accel compared to the civic hybrid.