[SacroSanctusSableoninus]

Hello everyone! I just bought an 06 MT 1st Gen and will eventually HAI it but I wanted to take a "roll call" of sorts of those of you who have one.

List:
1. What type HAI do you have (link to your build type if available) since there are many ways to make one?
2. What MPG Gains (or losses) have you experienced?
3. Where do you live/what weather conditions are you using your HAI in?

 

[Eli]

By far the biggest impact on MPG is the nut behind the steering wheel. To realize the best fuel economy in the MT Insight, you must make extensive use of lean burn. This does not come naturally, especially after a lifetime of driving "regular" ICE cars and the huge pedal movements you're used to. It takes practice to master. There is a lot of nuance involved; mere millimeters of pedal travel in the Insight can be the difference between 120mpg, 80mpg and getting kicked out of lean burn all together.

Highly suggest you get some good practice in and get a baseline before you start on any modifications to improve fuel economy. You will likely continuously improve your numbers over the course of 1-3+ months, if you are focused on doing so. Once your numbers level off, you'll be able to see what the modifications are actually doing for you. Recommend keeping a detailed log of your numbers, because they will change through the seasons.

Sorry I can't answer your actual questions. I never did do any hot air intake mods. The closest I came was installing a block heater when I lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico. That was amazing; it was like summer even in the dead of winter. I went from ~45MPG to ~65MPG on my 2 mile commute to work.

 

[Ecky]

I currently have a different engine in my car, but both my stock and new engine get a HAI in winter.

Warmup is critical to fuel economy in our cars, and probably in most cars. I live in Vermont, and the difference in economy between a cold car and a fully warmed up car on a day where it's 10 below zero can be 50% (under 50mpg vs nearly 100mpg). Warm air intakes help with warmup.

I'm sure there are also some minor improvements from air density, but in my case they're secondary.

 

[mjspiess]

This was my setup. I sold my Insight, so you I can ship you my setup if you're interested.

 

[ticenthe]

I'm not familiar with HAI's, though. I've only heard of cold air intakes.

 

[olrowdy01]

In South Fla we don't need to heat the intake air once the engine is warmed up. In Winter we think 40° F is cold. My car seems to run a little better when the ambient air is near 80°.

Right now it's ~11 AM and the temperature is already 91°. (It's now 11:12 AM and the temperature is 92°.)

As eli posted, there are so many variations to get good/better mpg that heated air in normal air temperatures isn't going to make that much difference. And getting a good base line is something to do first.

I measured the intake air with my OBDIIc&c at 80° ambient, and the intake temp was 115°. IIRC people on the forum who were running a heated intake in Winter said that 115° intake temp was what they were shooting for.

 

[olrowdy01]

I'm not familiar with HAI's, though. I've only heard of cold air intakes.

Welcome to the strange world of Honda Insights where if we are only getting 75 mpg we check which way the breeze is blowing before thinking of what could be wrong with the car !

Where an 1/8" change in throttle kicks you out of lean burn and you are only getting 75 mpg. Where getting in the draft along side of a semi truck gives you 120 mpg at 72 mph!!

 

[jime]

Back in ancient time, before smart phones and the new platform - which has succeeded in breaking the old links, there was a member who actually measured MPG vs. intake air temp(IAT). He concluded that the optimum IAT was up at something like 150F iirc. I remember being amazed it was so high.

So, yes elevated IAT helps MPG. Wish I could find the link. I had one in place when I set the New England meet record (hilly, some stops, some towns, etc.). See signature.

Of course MPG competition isn't real, but it does point the way to improvements. Car also had 90% block of grill opening and other aero mods. That can be done 3 seasons of the year in VA if the coolant temp is very carefully monitored with an accurate temp gauge like the OBDII C&C.

Great memories

 

[NathanC]

I use hot air intake year-round.I also have grill block three fourths of the year 100%. 50% in the summertime. I also keep my speed between 35 and 50 miles an hour. O2 sensor is a big deal. Needs to be the right one made by the right company. For a 2000 car NTK. Unless you have one of those dreaded citrus yellow cars.

if you have one of those you need to be careful where you park it. Because if the keys are left in it I’m gonna drive it home😎

I also try to never drive at night if I can keep from it never use air-conditioning power steering is unplugged took the Windshield wipers off took out the passenger seat. Along with some other really technical stuff. I even heat the gasoline into a hot vapor and it goes through the injectors. So far no Kaboom.
I love the smell of aluminum in the morning

 

[ticenthe]

Where an 1/8" change in throttle kicks you out of lean burn and you are only getting 75 mpg. Where getting in the draft along side of a semi truck gives you 120 mpg at 72 mph!!

The world of Honda Insight is strange but exciting, though.