Isn't the Insight a bolt-on electric motor design, as opposed to the Prius' integrated design? If so, you might be able to put a bigger VTEC in there while retaining the electric low-end boost. A match made in heaven!
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March 19, 2009 12:06 p.m. kreb Dork
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March 19, 2009 12:36 p.m. Strizzo Dork
the original insight was, not sure about the new one. it was also the only hybrid available with a manual transmission
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March 19, 2009 10:33 p.m. 924guy HalfDork
poopshovel wrote:
924guy: Completely irrelevant and off-topic, but Port St. Lousy is my home town.
been here about 4.5 years (and in fl for 8 this time around), i actually like it.... its allot like Long island, but with better weather and with most of the same people, oddly enough....
Isn't the Insight a bolt-on electric motor design, as opposed to the Prius' integrated design? If so, you might be able to put a bigger VTEC in there while retaining the electric low-end boost. A match made in heaven!
from what i can tell, yes.. the honda set up uses the electric motor to supplement the gas motor, most others seem to do it the other way around. the thought occurred to me that maybe now, after a few years development, there might be a more powerful electric motor that can fit in the same footprint as the insights original one, boosting out put that way. so thats another thought, no idea if its doable though.
and im definitely talking about the series 1 insights, not the new 4 door.
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March 19, 2009 11:10 p.m. skierd Dork
Strizzo wrote:
the original insight was, not sure about the new one. it was also the only hybrid available with a manual transmission
Except for the civic hybrid, which used basically the same powertrain. Honda's system was a gas motor with an electric assist, compared to Toyota's electric motor with gas assist.
I think an Insight with the batteries removed and a B16/B18/K20/etc swapped in would be a ton of fun for a commuter, or a street mod sleeper.
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March 19, 2009 11:37 p.m. Strizzo Dork
i didn't think that the civic hybrid was available with a manual, but yes, it was also only a "piggyback" hybrid
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March 20, 2009 1:02 p.m. neon4891 SuperDork
Strizzo wrote:
i didn't think that the civic hybrid was available with a manual, but yes, it was also only a "piggyback" hybrid
I didn't think it was either, but I recall seeing on at school with a manual, I did a double take ever time I walked past it in the parking lot
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March 20, 2009 1:18 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork
makes a tempting commuter car.
but then I think an electric 7 would be a lot of fun too
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March 20, 2009 1:55 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork
been here about 4.5 years (and in fl for 8 this time around), i actually like it.... its allot like Long island, but with better weather and with most of the same people, oddly enough....
I miss fishing in the lagoon and the Hurricane Grill ($1 drafts and 25 cent wings all the time.)
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March 26, 2009 8:48 a.m. 924guy HalfDork
I bought the G/F a Kayak for Xmas..which means i have to rent until I find myself one, but the river(parks/boat ramps) is less than a mile away in two directions. It also makes it easy to entertain when company visits , @ $25 for three hours canoe rental, you can spend the afternoon on the water and usually find an alligor or bunch of turtles to show off, I'm still waiting to see some manatee though..pic above is me paddling mom around.. its a good place to live.
As for the insight, im still casually looking..but I think that will be the next commuter car if i can find one for the right price. been reading up and it seems to be very well put together, with enough weird factor to satisfy my odd ball car tastes..
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March 26, 2009 1:48 p.m. 2002maniac New Reader
I wonder what the curb weight would be with all the hybrid junk ripped out and a B16 installed.
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March 26, 2009 2:07 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork
2002maniac wrote:
I wonder what the curb weight would be with all the hybrid junk ripped out and a B16 installed.
Not too incredibly much less. 150-300lbs i would guess. They did a pretty good job of keeping everything light.
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March 26, 2009 2:09 p.m. 93celicaGT2 Dork
Needs at least an LS Vtec to move something like that...
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March 26, 2009 8:56 p.m. CarKid1989 Reader
How about dropping in the 1.5L from the FIT. I think that would be fun enough no? Just do your basic N/A mods and maybe some porting and polishing.
It would be a hoot!
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March 26, 2009 11:33 p.m. 924guy HalfDork
only need to move 1975 lbs... heres an interesting conversion link, k20a swap into insight..
but i still wonder what 4psi of boostwould make that little 1.0 do..
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June 21, 2009 5:38 p.m. 924guy HalfDork
I finally got around to test driving a 2000 insight the other day, manual tranny. I was pleasantly surprised. It was by no means a fast car, but had a bit of zip to it, handled fairly flat, but not bad at all. I can say i liked the feel of it allot better then my 98 civic sedan.
If they havent sold it by my next day off, i may take it in for a pre purchase inspection at the local honda dealer. it seemed to have just a bit of valve noise and i dont know enough about the electrics on it to make any sort of educated decision. but if the stars align properly i may be talking turkey with the owner soon over price, we shall see...
I looked at the 2010 insights as well, didnt drive one though, it is ALLOT different than the prius, not so much in pictures, but when you look at in person, you can easily see the dis-similarities.. i thought it was a neat car, despite the four doors it sports (plus the hatch, but hatcheds are good!) , and i didnt gag like i do when i see a prius, so it cant be all bad.. but i dont think i can toss away 24k on a new car right now, i can only toss away about a third of that over at least four years at the moment..
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June 21, 2009 6:47 p.m. DirtyBird222 Dork
The new insight is built on the same chassis as the new Fit, same 1.5L as the new fit just with the batteries and electric nonsense. Of course it's a different "body" in reality you could throw a new Fit front end on one of those or vice versa and be uber cool.
I've seen the red K20 Insight here in Florida before, pretty clean car. I still don't think I'd be caught dead in one as I absolutely refuse to work on them when they come in as well. Partly because the smells emitting from the interiors of 95% of the old insights we get in make you want to vomit instantly.
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June 21, 2009 7:51 p.m. 924guy HalfDork
DirtyBird222 wrote:
Partly because the smells emitting from the interiors of 95% of the old insights we get in make you want to vomit instantly.
hmmm, so the car I drove did not smell bad at all, and it hadnt been detailed or anything.. is this smell you speak of a human slob result, or some sort of flaw?
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June 22, 2009 9:20 a.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork
It's from the smug owners smelling their own farts.
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June 22, 2009 4:51 p.m. Jensenman SuperDork
Of course Insights and Prii emit large clouds of smug.
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June 22, 2009 5:23 p.m. wherethefmi Dork
The civic hybrid used to come with a manual, driven one it was my aunts.
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June 22, 2009 7:25 p.m. 924guy HalfDork
i suppose if i decide to get one, i could make up a decal of a tree being cut down for the rear glass...
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June 22, 2009 7:57 p.m. Fit_Is_Slo New Reader
mw wrote:
I'd be looking for one with a bad motor or battery. Then swap in what ever 4cyl honda engine you want and that would probably get you 90% of the fuel econonmy without the hassle of dealing with a hybrid. I think in the insight a lot of the fuel effiency comes from the low drag body and rock hard skinny tires.
I saw one two years ago with a k20 and 6 speed out of a rsx type s, it was pretty bad ass!
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June 22, 2009 11:44 p.m. cxhb Reader
im pretty sure they all have noisy motors. i doubt the one you test drove had any problems. and yes. most of them do emit a fair amount of smug, or just the scent of reeking old hippies.
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June 22, 2009 11:45 p.m. cxhb Reader
btw has anyone ever felt how light the wheels are on those? its crazy
