When Good Hybrids Go Bad, A 2000 Honda Insight With K20 Swap

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo) 03/15/2016 at 13:53 • Filed to: Daily Turismo, Blog, Honda, Insight, Swap, K20

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The first generation Honda Insight is an early Japanese gas-electric hybrid that features the strange combination of lean-burn engine, a 5-speed manual transmission, extruded aluminum monocoque construction and a sub-1900 lb curb weight — but is it fun? Yes, albeit with moderate acceleration due to the combined 73 horsepower and pizza cutter tires. However, a K-series Honda engine will fit under the hood. Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $6,500 in Hartford, CT via craigslist. Tip from Cory.

The Insight was shockingly equipped with a 5-speed manual from the factory, a strange appearance of a clutch pedal in the market segment dominated by slushbox equipped tubs of wallpaper paste. Unfortunately this is likely the reason the Insight did so poorly compared to the Prius which welcomed mass transit lovers by the boatload with its decidedly A-to-B business approach to driving. It was remarkable how many people who were not car enthusiasts by the farthest stretch of the imagination came out of the woodwork talking about how great their new Prius was when they first exploded into the market.

The original inline-3 with electric assist (not a bad setup at all) has been removed and this one is now powered by a 2.0 liter K20 4-banger that came from a 2000 era Civic Type R or RSX Type S. The original 200 horsepower and 142 ft-lbs of torque should make the sub 2000 lb Insight body quite the little screamer.

See another K-powered aluminum can? email us here: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally posted as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Image credits, craigslist, honda.

CalzoneGolem > DailyTurismo 03/15/2016 at 13:56

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I’m interested in how the mpgs have changed in this setup.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > DailyTurismo 03/15/2016 at 14:00

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If you squint a bit, it’s what the CRZ should’ve been: a small hatchback with a small, but hot engine.

E92M3 > CalzoneGolem 03/15/2016 at 14:03

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I’m interested in what it would do with a modern hybrid battery/motor setup. This seems like it would be the ultimate pizza delivery vehicle in stock configuration .

Party-vi > DailyTurismo 03/15/2016 at 14:05

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“The Insight was shockingly equipped with a 5-speed manual from the factory,”

Not really that shocking. At the time, manual transmissions gave better mileage figures than automatics, and manual transmissions are lighter than contemporary automatic transmissions. Plus Honda never really learned how to build an automatic transmission so it’s just as well this had a 3rd pedal.

Funktheduck > DailyTurismo 03/15/2016 at 14:14

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Neighbor had a green one growing up. To us he was the weird hippy guy that had an overgrown yard that was deemed a nature preserve or something. There was a sign and it was registered with some official government group.

But, today, he'd just be your average whole foods shopper. Funny how times change perspective.

Steve in Manhattan > DailyTurismo 03/15/2016 at 14:18

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Sat in one, never drove one. Tiny, not a great bet in an accident. Still, pretty audacious.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > DailyTurismo 03/15/2016 at 14:36

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I wonder what mileage it gets...

gawdzillla > DailyTurismo 03/15/2016 at 14:38

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will totally buy it if i have 6k spare change

DailyTurismo > gawdzillla 03/15/2016 at 16:44

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$6k spare change is something any decent 1-percenter keeps in his center console.

uofime-2 > DailyTurismo 03/15/2016 at 16:44

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Saw one on studded tires at an ice race I was in this winter, it was fast!

DailyTurismo > CalzoneGolem 03/15/2016 at 16:45

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Will certainly be worse when you flog it...

DailyTurismo > gin-san - shitpost specialist 03/15/2016 at 16:46

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^^This

mrbwa1 > DailyTurismo 03/15/2016 at 17:57

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I would imagine that swap turns it from an Insight to Outta Sight pretty quickly if the driver floors it.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > DailyTurismo 03/15/2016 at 23:48

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I’m not a Honda guy, but I would totally DD one of these... but I want the K24 and 6 speed out of, say, a TSX. Same/similar hp to this K20, but a lower redline and correspondingly more torque. I think it would be a fun, efficient, daily bomber.

DailyTurismo > mrbwa1 03/15/2016 at 23:50

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Badum - psssshhh!!

CalzoneGolem > DailyTurismo 03/16/2016 at 06:31

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Will certainly be worth it when you flog it

FTFY