I am starting off with a base MPG of 20.5 I assume I can only go up from here. Nothing was done to the car prior to the first fill up so the 20.5 is where the car had settled to from the two previous owners. 103xxx, miles on the car.
I am starting off with a base MPG of 20.5 I assume I can only go up from here. Nothing was done to the car prior to the first fill up so the 20.5 is where the car had settled to from the two previous owners. 103xxx, miles on the car.
1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
The first thing I'm trying is BG 44k into a fresh tank of 100% gas. (no ethanol) Also, I took the advice of another poster and inflated the tires 5lbs over recommendation. I checked the air cleaner and it was practically new.
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1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
Next, a tune up.
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1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
Check this out! Original wires and plugs from 1985! The plug's node was worn way down! Actually the wires are from 1984!
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This alone should improve things greatly.
1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
man i was in ur same spot looking for a tune up and better mpg. I was running 89 octane from speedway NKG plugs and off brand wires. Then i decided to run E3 plugs 8mm wires 89 octane Shell gas and add a short ram intake. Lets just say for a 89 accord with 303xxx miles i went from 25 mpg to an easy 38 mpg but with my heavy right foot its getting around 32 mpg. So im getting roughly 400 to 450 miles a tank.
If it sounds like a pissed off bubble bee and its not black and yellow. Its probably a 3geez passing your sorry non JDM ass.
do you have to get smog tested in your state; if not a hollowed cat or a straight pipe in its place will help. anything that will help unrestrict your engines breathing will net you better mpg. you could get headers and full exhaust but it would kind of delete the purpose of saving money
If it sounds like a pissed off bubble bee and its not black and yellow. Its probably a 3geez passing your sorry non JDM ass.
If it sounds like a pissed off bubble bee and its not black and yellow. Its probably a 3geez passing your sorry non JDM ass.
Ok, so now you're my hero. Oklahoma doesn't have smog testing, so a straight pipe or internal catechtomy are soon to follow. I have plans for the short ram, but I don't want to actually alter anything in the original intake system. I want to be able to put it away for keeps. (nostalgia I guess) Is there a thread for these SE-i's in the CAI catagory? I haven't been able to find one. I've seen pics, but I'm hoping for a step by step procedure. (I'm new at all this)
1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
if you look at my profile pic you will see that i have the filter right on the intake (Orange Filter) and another filter on the hose going to the Valve Cover (Blue Filter)... As for the exhaust its been on for about a week now and all the glass has almost burnt out and sounding really nice i just had a db test on it and i was at 78 db's and the max here in my town is 79 db. Im thinking about pulling the motor and trans doing complete rebulds and boring 30 over cam it and get some nice headers and a dc exhaust. for now it was just a quick fix cause my cuz is a cop here in town and said the lxi was wayyyyyy to loud. Good luck on ur car man let me know how it goes...
If it sounds like a pissed off bubble bee and its not black and yellow. Its probably a 3geez passing your sorry non JDM ass.
When putting on the new set of plug wires I realized they wouldn't reach. I ordered another pair and they were even shorter! So after further inspection, and some consultation from the NAPA guy, I've decided to continue using the original wires. There is no cracking, therefore no arcing, and the seal around each elbow is still good. New plugs, rotor, cap, but old wires. What do guys think about 26 year old wires that are in excellent shape?
Last edited by soonerck; 03-04-2011 at 03:23 PM. Reason: Grammar
1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
custom make your wires...i bought a set off 2ndgenguy he bought a v8 kit that you can cut to size
1989 Honda Accord LX-i
B18c1 swap since 7/2011
175whp and 132tq
Redzone tuned
Soonerck i personally dont like dealing with NAPA im an advance type of guy... if you have to go to jegs or summit racing . com to get some new wires. Advance always carries everything for my car and if i cant get it from them ill get it off ebay or craigslist....
If it sounds like a pissed off bubble bee and its not black and yellow. Its probably a 3geez passing your sorry non JDM ass.
1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
well we have advance autozone and napa around here... there about 2 weeks ago i was going into advance for 3 weeks straight everyday. they ended up giving me like a 25% discount on anything else i buy in there cause if they dont have it ill drive to the nearest advance around. so fyi if you keep going back to them they will hook ur ass up with no problem lol..
If it sounds like a pissed off bubble bee and its not black and yellow. Its probably a 3geez passing your sorry non JDM ass.
Update: I'm half way through the 2nd tank and it looks like I'm getting about 25-26 miles to the gallon on average. Good, but not great. Since this tank contains the BG I'm hoping that as it continues to run through it will finish cleaning things out and improve mileage even more. However, to get to 30 or even 35 mpg's, it looks like more tweaking and modding is in order. Next up: removing the CAT. Then perhaps a CAI. If that doesnt do the trick I might need to start looking internally, or at the brake system (which needs replacing soon anyway). Probably both.
Question: Am I being realistic to expect 35 mpg's out of this thing?
Last edited by soonerck; 03-08-2011 at 11:45 AM.
1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
Sometimes (rarely) the brake caliper doesn't fully release from the rotor (or springs worn in the drum) and you get a continued pinch or rub, thereby working against forward momentum. I have planned all along to replace calipers, rotors, and pads. Eventually I'd like to mod the rear to disk as well. I doubt this is a cause of poor mpg's, but since it's a 26 year old car I'll just chalk it up as routine maintenance.
1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
Dr_Snooz
"I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis
1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap
Shop manual downloads available here: CLICK TO VIEW
If it sounds like a pissed off bubble bee and its not black and yellow. Its probably a 3geez passing your sorry non JDM ass.
1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
Ok, so here's my dilemma... I happened upon this fantastic find (my 85 SE-i). I recognize now how very rare they are, especially in this condition. However, this wasn't really what I was looking for. I was hoping for a 1st or 2nd gen, carbureted Accord Sedan that gets 30-35 mpg's. I assumed that meant a 5 speed, but now I am learning that my expectations might not be realistic. I need a sedan, so the CRX hf is out of the question, but a civic sedan would work. What are my options? Which of the first 3 generations of Hondas (Accord or Civic) fit the criteria? I love my SE-i except for the 22 mpgs. I don't want to do a lot of modding to it for fear of ruining it's value as a neatly preserved rare specimen. Should I sell it, or keep it and live with less than stellar mileage. Any thoughts out there?
1985 Honda Accord SE-i
AKA: Brown Betty
1981 Accord Hatch
Long gone (sister totaled)
1996 Accord
Long gone (sold to sister-in-law, then totaled)
Put it on dubs.
Dr_Snooz
"I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis
1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap
Shop manual downloads available here: CLICK TO VIEW
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