[ranrad]

Please bare with me as I outline my story.

After 200k the engine on my HF needed to be retired.(Burning lots of oil, compression,seals,not passing smog..etc..RIP) Was barely getting low 30'sMPG.

My garage guys got me a rebult 1.5l , and also a transmisson.We debated rebuilding vs. getting a refurbished trans., ended up opting to replace the old one. Turns out the tranny sent by their supplier is not an HF tranny, Revs alot higher, especially noticable in 5th. I think it might be a DX tranny. They have contacted the supplier and my old tranny is no longer "in one piece" (core exchange was part of deal), -or I was going to get it back and rebuild it.

***So now my quandry is where can I get a real 1990 HF tranny (final drive ratio 2.95) if the supplier can't come up with one?? (I live San Francisco)

Any out there? How can I verify the corect gear ratio?***

I love my CRX, when new I got over 50MPG for at least the first 8-9 years. After the rebuild I'm getting about 35MPG, not bad, but not HF level mileage. The first 17 years had been great, I want to get that mileage up over 40 again. I know the transmission is a huge part of that equation. Thanks to any and all for assistance.

 

[hcrx333]

My opinion may not be sought after, but the force is strong. I would recommend purchasing a low mile hyndai accent... or close equivalent for around 2 grand. From here you are allowing yourself to start a transformation from the innocent big Hearted and Friendly crx, to the beast that the b**** from hell could only dream up! If not, well, spank yourself and wear a diaper.... :rolleyes1:

 

[ludesrv]

My opinion may not be sought after, but the force is strong. I would recommend purchasing a low mile hyndai accent... or close equivalent for around 2 grand. From here you are allowing yourself to start a transformation from the innocent big Hearted and Friendly crx, to the beast that the b**** from hell could only dream up! If not, well, spank yourself and wear a diaper.... :rolleyes1:

That's one of the worst replies I've seen yet in this place. Go back to honda-tech.

Anyways, sounds like your in bad luck. But good news is HF trannies are no the most popular of trannies in rexs (people like the Si ) so you should be able to find one at a wrecking yard or the local used parts dealer for dirt cheap.

 

[hcrx333]

perhaps this reply will suit your taste better :cookoo: , if you want better gas milage there remains another option... as i speak words of wisdom please take notes thankyou. You could always invest in a fuel pressure regulator and run the fuel a little bit lean to cut back on consumption. You can also set the idle a little bit lower than it is, but i wouldnt set it any lower than 500 or so. Thats my second input for you.

 

[ludesrv]

perhaps this reply will suit your taste better :cookoo: , if you want better gas milage there remains another option... as i speak words of wisdom please take notes thankyou. You could always invest in a fuel pressure regulator and run the fuel a little bit lean to cut back on consumption. You can also set the idle a little bit lower than it is, but i wouldnt set it any lower than 500 or so. Thats my second input for you.

The last thing he should do is lower the fuel pressure. Too low of fuel pressure can cause alot more damage then he would wanna deal with. Also, lowering the idle is another bad choice, unless you love heavy vibrations at idle...

Idle, set it at 750RPM where honda put it from factory. Fuel, make sure everything is the old HF stuff. HF maniold, injectors, regulator. Can't go wrong there. The HF tranny, and a low revving 8 valve engine (HF) is all you need for 40mpg.

 

[mithuth]

hcrx333 - while your suggestions are possible fixes, they both suck for obvious reasons.
'nuff said. :rolleyes1:

Ok, back to the issue at hand.

My garage guys got me a rebult 1.5l , and also a transmisson

The 1.5L is out of the Dx. While it is not as "race oriented" as the Si, it's also not as fuel mileage oriented as the HF. It sounds like the garage mechanics took the "best price" they could from wherever they got the motor.

If the 35mpg (still very respectable) is bothering you that much, dig around here a bit. I'm sure you could find someone with a complete 1.6L HF motor and tranny laying around for cheap. Then take some time to rebuild it in your spare time while you still enjoy a running rex.

If replacing the engine/trans yourself isn't an option for you, I'm sure someone local would help you out.

I'm just curious, you described all motor issues, but no transmission probs. Why'd they change out the trans in the first place?

 

[downest]

The HF is also a 1.5L. The DX is 16 valve and DPFI, the HF is 8 valve MPFI.

 

[mithuth]

The HF is also a 1.5L. The DX is 16 valve and DPFI, the HF is 8 valve MPFI.

Ah, ok. I was thinking the HF was a 1.6L 8vavle MPFI. Either way, that doesn't justify the mechanic changing the transmission if nothing was wrong with it. It still sounds odd that the car went from 50mpg to 30ish mpg, then backup to only 35mpg.

If they put in another HF motor, perhaps (if stock) it needs plugs wires, air filter, fuel filter, and/or other routing maintainance to bring hte mileage up to 40+.

 

[hcrx333]

why dont you rig the dual point set up from a dx on to the hf engine? Wonder if this would yield better gas milage. Has anybody done this before or have any input... haters let me know if you like it slow.

 

[mithuth]

why dont you rig the dual point set up from a dx on to the hf engine? Wonder if this would yield better gas milage. Has anybody done this before or have any input... haters let me know if you like it slow.

DPFI + 8 valves would be a 100mpg gutless wonder... hehehe. :rolleyes1:

 

[jfrolang]

I don't believe you're reducing fuel consumption by switching to DPFI. You'd have to get a PM5 to run it, and then the tight reins on the fuel injection are gone, replaced by a pseudo carburetor.

There's a reason the HF had MPFI, while the dx had DPFI for cost savings.

 

[ranrad]

Just a follow up and clarification to earlier comments.
The engine lost mileage over years till it ended up in low 30's, long term wear-city driving. We put in a rebuilt engine ,essentially a zero mile engine using all the original stock components- manifolds etc.

As for why the tranny was swapped. We discussed rebuild vs. replace and the cost was estimated about the same. There was some noises, likely bearing wear evident. In hindsight I should have had the original fixed up, but that is now water under the bridge.
My mechanic is working with the supplier to try to get a true HF tranny. Since that is what we had "bought" but did not get. I hope they can source one relatively soon. If not ,I want to keep looking. If I find one somewhere, secure it and then work something out with the supplier.

I guess I am just one of those people who love my little CRX and want it to be just like new, especially after all the money I have invested in the fix. I would like to see it last another 10-15 yrs. And with gas prices heading continually higher, I don't see why I should settle for less than what I should be getting if I had the proper tranny in her.

Thanks to all who read this and offer comments.

 

[bobski]

My mechanic is working with the supplier to try to get a true HF tranny. Since that is what we had "bought" but did not get. I hope they can source one relatively soon. If not ,I want to keep looking. If I find one somewhere, secure it and then work something out with the supplier.

Given that they have your old transmission, I immagine they would have a rebuilt one available soon. :rolleyes1: They screwed up, not you or your mechanic, so they should fix it... Have them give your old transmission back, fully rebuilt in exchange for the one you're using now.

 

[frankzcrx]

Which shop is this? I'm in San Francisco, and I may need transmission work.

Thanks,
Frank

 

[crxter]

why dont you rig the dual point set up from a dx on to the hf engine? Wonder if this would yield better gas milage. Has anybody done this before or have any input... haters let me know if you like it slow.

OK, three post of worthless info and suggestions from you.
The DPFi is acompletely diff set up for the MPFI he alrady has. PLease do some reading, learn, then make suggestions.

To the OP. I am assuming you do a lot of highway driving. Here are some options you might want to try. If you still have the 13" steel wheels the car came with, get a taller tire. That will lower the RPM for the same speed. Basically you are changing the gear ratio at the tire, not at the transmission. This only works for mostly highway driving. Block the upper half of the radiator grill in your car, the smoother and fewer opening there are in the front bumper the less drag. go to www.gassavers.org and read through the site, some good info tere.

 

[Gophat]

i got an hf tranny in my back yard... dunno if ill ever use it.

 

[zerocool1014a]

not sure if it is any help but im in somewhat the same position i live in southern california tho so its easier to find parts there is a place about 30 miles from where i live in ventura called honda only the san fernando valley they quoted me $250 for a used HF trans and when i called them the said they had about.. 9 of them so...