[JohnHeller]

Has anyone sucessfully transplanted the entire Civic IMA drivetrain, (engine, motor, electrics, battery, etc.) into an Insight?

Thanks,
-John

 

[JohnHeller]

Partially it was idle day dreaming; we've had our used 2000 for about three weeks now and I'm enjoying it so much (bought it for the wife) that I'm looking to buy a second one for myself. You've probably seen the red one for sale on eBay this past week with a hole in its block... ;-)

-John

 

[JohnHeller]

Well no one knows the engineering involved better than you.

I've been looking at wrecks on-line, while there are a few Insights around, there seem to be lots of Civic Hybrids. I'm guessing they are an easy total in the insurance company's eyes, too expensive relative to other Civics to fix. Looks like $1200-1300 would get an entire Civic Hybrid (1st generation) in drivable but salvage condition. Not a bad price for the hybrid motor and IMA system w/battery. (and still have lots of left over Civic parts to sell)

Any chance the engineers at Honda made the 2nd generation IMA plug compatible with the Insight's IMA? Thus one could connect the Civic powerplant to the Insight's IMA. (realizing that the software might not send the right upshift light info, but the basics, auto-stop and battery charge might work out-of-the-box?)

-John

 

[JohnHeller]

I wish somewhere in the Honda parts bin there was a "parallel" hybrid set-up, I've never been a fan of Chevy powered Fords.

But I do like your thinking on the plug-in Insight never-the-less.

-John