Dreaming: Geo/Suzuki 1.0L drivetrain in a ... Fiat X1/9

[MetroMPG]

Europeans are lucky: if they want, they can still go out and buy new subcompact "B" and even "A" segment cars with efficient, modestly powered, small displacement engines.

In North America, the last mass-market small displacement engine we could get was in the Suzuki Swift/Geo Metro fleet, which is largely rusting away to faded memories (last new one was produced 10 years ago now). We have so many fewer options.

But with more people on EcoModder sticking the Suzukiclone 1.0L / 5-speed drivetrains in various interesting host cars, it's had me thinking what I'd do if I were nuts enough to tackle such a project.

And I came up with the answer: Fiat X1/9!



From wikipedia: Fiat X1/9 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Basically it'd be like building my own Honda Beat. Well, not really. But I can pretend.

If you've never driven a tossable mid-engine car, you owe it to yourself to try one. I've driven an X1/9 years ago, and never forgotten how much fun it was going around corners. And it could be both fun and efficient with a 993cc Suzuki 3 pot behind the seats.

The car's Cd is likely horrible, but could be fixed up. I'd bet the frontal area is certainly less than the Metro's. And weight is only a bit higher, at 1940 lbs - and it's got a targa top!

No, I'm not shopping. (OK, I checked the classifieds. But I'm not shopping.)

I wonder how much a 1st gen Toyota MR-2 weighed... Woo - porker! 2,350lbs.

[Jim-Bob]

You could also put the 1.1 liter engine from a Yugo in an X1/9 too for a much easier swap. Remember that the Zastava Yugo is essentially just a Fiat 127 and uses the same engine with the exception of the displacement. In fact, using an X1/9 engine in a Yugo is considered a step up in the Yugo community. Downgrading an X1/9 to Yugo power would be just as easy. The biggest downside would be that the Fiat engine is an interference engine with a very short timing belt change interval ( I want to say 36k miles). However, the later Yugos did come with TBI, so it may be possible to rig up a reliable system using a Megasquirt/Spectre ECU with GM sensors and the throttle body from a Yugo.

[Wonderboy]

Ha, cute. I don't remember the MR-2 weighing so much. I'd expect that much pork from pontiac with the fiero (2590 from wikipedia) but not little old toyota. These were both cars I looked at for electric conversions and despite the weight would still be great candidates. You could always do an(other) electric project!

[MetroMPG]

Someone get the Raid! I have a bee in my bonnet!!



$400 asking price

"ALL PARTS R THERE NEEDS FLOORS"

The Vert needs floors too. And I'd rather drive a 1.0L powered X1/9 than the Vert...

[Piwoslaw]

I see that the convertible just ain't enough for you?

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

And weight is only a bit higher, at 1940 lbs - and it's got a targa top!

The weight can be changed easily: remove the top, the floors are already gone...
I dunno how much can really be done with X1/9's Cd, I think the MetroVert will be easier to mod.

[Wonderboy]

Billy sastard... Who wouldn't want to roll in the Don Johnson econo-pimp mobile!? the decals are irresistible. Everyone wants to put a G10 in something now.



It better be ready for the GGP 2012.

[MetroMPG]

X1/9 1.0 ggp 2019!

[Frank Lee]

Mankato State University ecomodded an X1/9 back in the '70s, including cutting out the rear wheelwells and adding really tall skinny tires and full skirts.

[MetroMPG]

Wouldn't be the first... I just remembered this:

1980 Fiat Bertone X1/9 with 28 hp Cat diesel swap

[Frank Lee]

There it is. Got to sit in it and everything.

And this is the car that I saw as a lad at a car show, that got me interested in MSU's auto program. And so I went.