A first-generation Honda Insight has been rebuilt around a small Kubota diesel, with an Arduino Uno Rev3 handling a narrow but important set of engine-control tasks. The conversion is an unusual maker project—not a documented, ready-to-copy swap—and its widely reported fuel-economy figures come from a test run by the builder, not an EPA rating.
What was swapped into the Honda Insight?
The project uses a first-generation ZE1 Honda Insight, whose original gasoline-hybrid engine was replaced with a Kubota diesel. Hackster’s earlier account describes a 719cc Kubota and a Saturn transmission chosen for its gear ratios. Arduino’s 2024 description calls the engine a 700cc Kubota. Later 2025 coverage identifies the installed engine as a Kubota D722, rated at 20 horsepower in that account, paired with a five-speed manual transmission, an automotive clutch and an RHB31 turbo. These descriptions come from different coverage and do not provide a complete build specification.
The combination is notable because it puts a compact industrial diesel into a small hybrid hatchback, but the available descriptions are project coverage rather than a workshop manual. They do not provide a full parts list or a complete, reproducible installation and calibration procedure.
What does the Arduino ECU control?
In Arduino’s June 18, 2024 description, an Arduino Uno Rev3 reads the throttle-position sensor. Stepper motors, driven through stepper-driver modules, physically adjust the turbo boost valve and fuel-rack limiter. An LCD displays current positions, while potentiometer knobs let the driver set those values manually.
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- TURN CODE INTO REAL-WORLD RESULTS — Follow 22+ guided lessons to make LEDs blink, read temperature and distance, move servo and stepper motors, control an LCD and respond to joystick or IR input; ideal for a family weekend build, homeschool unit, coding club or STEM classroom
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That is a specific control setup, not evidence that the Uno runs every function in the car or replaces a complete automotive ECU. The 2024 account presents automatic adjustment based on throttle position as a development goal; it does not establish that a finished autonomous calibration strategy was implemented. Hackster likewise describes manual controls alongside a hoped-for control algorithm.
The board itself is a general-purpose development board. Arduino’s product page lists the Uno Rev3’s ATmega328P, 14 digital I/O pins, six analog inputs and 16 MHz clock. Those specifications identify the board reported in the project, not a validated automotive installation or a complete engine-management system. Arduino Uno Rev3 product specifications
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What fuel economy did the diesel Insight report?
Equipment World reported that Robot Cantina compared the diesel conversion with the stock Insight on a 60-mile rural Kansas route under identical conditions. The builder-reported figures were 70.1 mpg for the Kubota-powered car and 62.7 mpg for the stock Insight. The Drive describes the builder weighing the diesel before and after the drive and reports the same two results.
These are results attributed to a particular builder-run test, not EPA ratings or an independently replicated controlled comparison. The figures should not be treated as a general prediction for other Insight conversions. The Drive also reports 78.6 mpg for an earlier supercharged diesel Insight build; that is a separate project result, not an additional measurement of the D722 conversion.
Rank #3
- ❃❃Dynamic current: 3-5mA
- ❃❃Note： not included battery (you can use the CR2025 )
- ❃❃Product detailed size: remote control 85 x 40mm line length about 175mm
- ❃❃Effective life: 20,000 times
- ❃❃ for Arduino suite by ultrathin Mini infrared wireless remote control infrared remote control and 38 KHZ infrared receiving module.
Is this a complete swap guide or proof of roadworthiness?
No. The project articles explain the broad swap and the Arduino control arrangement, but they do not document every component, fabrication step, calibration value or safety validation needed to reproduce it. The reported road test does not establish current road legality, emissions compliance, long-term durability or independent engineering validation. Those questions require vehicle- and jurisdiction-specific evidence beyond the published project descriptions.
For context, the maker-project and reporting coverage is available from Arduino’s project description, Hackster, Equipment World and The Drive.
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- Learn, Modify and Create: Follow 35+ guided lessons with example code, then adjust sensor thresholds, timing, display text, motor behavior and control logic to turn structured exercises into access systems, monitors, alarms and interactive projects
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