Quote:
Originally Posted by Insightful Trekker
IIRC there have been 0 posts reguarding such. I doubt you'll see the improvement your seeking by going to the trouble.
|
I'm just suspecting that stepper motor is mostly the last barrier, after removing the fuse of course, between me and perfectly interference-free steering feel. There is, granted, a bit of built-in flex, which when measured is used to determine power to the stepper motor. That of course cannot realistically be removed, and removing the power steering would dramatically increase that flexing.
I've spent the last 18 years driving cars that didn't have and didn't need power steering, and it just seems maybe a bit unfortunate that the Insight gets so close... and then puts power steering in the way of perfect steering feel. Whatever made them add power windows probably also made them add power steering ("It's not a penalty box" marketing I'll assume).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Insightful Trekker
LOL
CRX HF reincarnation!
LOL
I own(ed) both. Put 240,000 on the old HF, 130,000 and counting on my Insight. Maybe reincarnated as a cousin thrice removed.
IMO their close only in the concept of target market segment.
|
I didn't say clone, I said reincarnation. Maybe I should have said _modern_ incarnation, as in very much a 21st century CRX HF (or maybe DX, depending on battery SOC). Honda put all the fuel-saving engineering they could think up into the CRX HF; did they not do the same with the Insight? If you turn off the IMA, does it not remind you at least somewhat of your old CRX HF? They're both 5spd Lean Burn (unless your Insight is a CVT). They're both unique in having unusually high-tech HVAC (pushbutton for CRX, innumerable digitally-selected options for the Insight). They both use flyweight aluminum-cased rear drums. Ads from the time pointed out how unusually light and aerodynamic the car was, which compared to other cars of the time was quite true. Does that not sound familiar? My first CRX was an '85 DX, and there's a fair amount of that car's basic character in the Insight... the heritage is present.
The Insight is light-years more advanced, with 21st century engineering vs. 1970s CVCC carbureted engineering, the dashboard never vibrates at idle (not just because there usually is no idle), there's minimal hobby-horsing under braking and acceleration, you won't burn out a clutch starting up a steep hill with a cold engine (CVCC only, _not_ Si), it doesn't lean some 20+ degrees in hard turns, it doesn't easily bottom out the front suspension, there's no real need to lower it (which also helps with the previous point), and of course it doesn't have an autorust self-annihilating function with self-ventilating floorpan corners and rear wheelwell seams. (Are you starting to see why I switched to an Insight?...)
I do have to say though that with an '86 Integra mill, my '86 Civic Si lunges itself down back roads like it's possessed, with go-kart -like steering; an '86-tech S2000 with a rear seat and a real roof. The Insight takes a different approach. I am looking forward to driving the Insight with the 14x6 wheels and performance rubber currently on the Civic. I'm wondering if it can corner like the Civic, but without needing the mass of suspension mods the Civic has. It's hard to beat a floating tube suspension in corners though; high unsprung weight but never any camber errors. The Insight's passive rear steer could make it handle like a CRX with added rear-only anti-sway... maybe, don't know yet.
Regards,
Roger
EPS motor removal benefits?
