Geo Metro convertible / Kubota diesel engine conversion (driving!)

[Frank Lee]

Nothing more fun than that first test drive!

[99metro]

Dang, I'm at work so I can't see the video (censorship!). Maybe tonight.

That is way cool that you have her running on the road. Lots of pictures would be nice!

[kimer6]

Originally Posted by kimer6

Got it on the road today for the first time. Took it to 55mph and it ran fine. Smokes a little but not like an old Mercedes. Need to shim up the front springs as the engine is heavier and the front end sags. The Kubota iol pan is also 4" from the ground so I limited my fun drive to 25 miles. It got me home OK...Kim

video loads horrible slow the first time. Good for spotting the details, though.

I don't know why the link to youtube failed. Search Diesel Metro or Kimmer6 and it will come up.

[MetroMPG]

The YouTube link worked for me.

Congrats on the first drive, and for seeing it through! "Diesel Metro" is one of those topics that comes up regularly (like "making my car into a hybrid") but nobody ever seems to seriously tackle, or see through to completion.

What's left to do until it's legal? Can't wait to read your fuel economy numbers.

[MetroMPG]

Hey everyone: I've moved the posts relating to Kimer6's Kubota/Metro conversion into this new thread. This project definitely deserves the higher profile of a dedicated thread.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by kimer6

It should be noted that the 1.3 liter 4 cylinder engine has the transaxle moved about 4inches toward the driver's side. Maybe I will move everything later but the 4 cylinder axles need to be used as they are different lengths than the 3 cylinder uses. Too late to start now.

If you do this, you'll also need the 4-cyl shifter mechanism/stabilizer bar and transaxle mounts too (one is different; the other needs to be repositioned on the frame rail).

We discovered the same thing when preparing to install the electric motor in the ForkenSwift Metro. Fortunately we had the 1.3L parts car so we were able to swap all the 4-cyl tranny parts into the Metro to make room for the electric motor that was slightly longer than the 1.0L engine.

[kimer6]

Thank you for your help, MetroMPG. I am a little ham fisted on the computer and still think "threads" are what holds a nut on a bolt. Maybe my posting skills will improve! Cheers...Kim

[kimer6]

I also post on Teamswift.net If you like the Metro convertible removable hard top with sun roof.....you gotta go out and build one!

TeamSwift • View topic - Convertible hard top...probably.

Cheers...Kim

[Johnny Mullet]

Man, you beat me to it. I have been wanting to drop in a 2 cylinder diesel engine that is equipped on a Rig Master unit into a Metro.

Great job on the car.

[whokilledthejams]

Nice work!