Ecomodding my winter beater: a unicorn no-rust (*) 2000 Chevrolet Metro 1.0 5-spd

[MetroMPG]

Good point!

Though despite what my little diagram shows, I actually measured from the contact patch up to the fender arch. That would make it a little bit more accurate.

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The bad news that came from today's effort: I can no longer call the car a "no-rust unicorn". I discovered a HUGE rust hole in the driver's side rear wheel well, hidden behind (and made worse by) the factory rubberized undercoating. I'll post pics tomorrow.

[gone-ot]

FWIW the factory Service Manual for my '70 Cuda specified "road height" adjustments be made from surface to center of wheel-lip molding when making torsion-bar adjustments.

[jcp123]

I've wondered about a drop...I'd do a good set of coilovers, though, and I'd have camber issues, bcuz Honda.

I like the idea of a drop for the look and the efficiency.

Make sure to drop some pics of the look along with the darn rust!

[MetroMPG]

Not the best comparison because of different angles, but you can see it when you look at the front wheel arch/tire clearance:

I like the idea of a drop for the look and the efficiency.

Do it! It's a win-win-win situation: efficiency, appearance, handling.

[MetroMPG]

I have to patch this before the next rain/snow or the inside of the car will be soaked.

What you see inside the hole is just the back of the interior plastic wheel arch trim.

[MetroMPG]

I just drove the car again. If I didn't know, I wouldn't say the ride is unusual at all. Zero harshness.

I think another 1/4 coil could come off easily (though you have to be careful you don't shorten the spring to the point they're loose at full extension -- that's one benefit of dedicated lowering springs).

Maybe next year.

[Frank Lee]

The rear springs on my 'Coupe are just a smidge loose at full extension but it has never been an issue either when jacking up the car or when catching air.

If this is your winter car you will notice, upon lowering it enough, that it bottoms out on snow vs unlowered, possibly leading to stuckness.

[MetroMPG]

But the coming-soon snow plow... I mean air dam ... will ensure the way is clear!

It'll be lower than the belly.

[Frank Lee]

I suspect that car has been repainted; with a hole that size in the wheelwell you'd expect some zits on the rockers.

[MetroMPG]

You are partially correct, sir: The rockers themselves have been repainted. The previous owner said they were repaired due to damage a tow truck driver inflicted on the car when it was picked up after breaking a ball joint.

It's plausible, only because the rest of the paint is original (certain of that). And the most vulnerable parts of the car are mint:





It was oil sprayed multiple years. They just failed to get all the weak spots, apparently.

I actually discovered the Flea has rust starting in the same location (rear wheel well) for probably the same reason: the rubberized undercoating cracks, and then water gets trapped behind it.