PS: I get 32-33mpg in the city with the AC on and while burning 87 octane. I'm not light on the gas pedal, either. I spend a lot of time on the WOT fuel map. I haven't yet taken this thing out of town since I put it back together, but I'm expecting to get in excess of 43mpg out of it since the highway's speed limit is under 2k rpms. It's crazy, who knows. I'm probably taking it to the beach next weekend, so we'll see.

I can't post whether or not it's any better or worse than what the CX engine would do with it because the cx engine I replaced was worn out really bad. I get about 5mpg more than I used to, and my car is much faster (2 seconds in the 1/4). Most of that, I'd attribute to having a 0-mile engine with 8 extra valves vs. the 100k old oil-burning no-compression-having D15B8 that was in it. It's only been swapped like this for about 1500 miles, though. Barely broken in.

The torque curve is so different that (you're right) it is really wierd. A CX makes all it's power down low, a DX makes it up high. I'm sure the hx/dx tranny deal is the same on your car. Slightly over-do it and you'll blow the tires off. Barely under-rev it, and you bog. It can be a dog off the line unless you feather the clutch just right, and it's really touchy. 3rd always bogs because the torque curve of a D15B7 begins higher than the revs where you shift into it. suxors. 1&2 are evil, though. :rick:

And I'm 31... I beat the hell out of cars. Worse now than when I was 20. :driving: