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Old 01-04-2013, 01:06 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Thumbs up Stubby79's 1992 Geo Metro Convertible

Greeting all. I'm a long time lurker who just recently picked up a Geo Metro to add to my collection of vehicles. I thought it time to introduce her, and subsequently, myself. I decided to name her "Topoff", since I'm not going to be shy about taking her top off in public.

I had been looking for another Metro for under $300 since not long after I was stupid enough to trade away the last one, which I got for $200. I found this one on Craigslist a few days ago and just happened to be the first one to reply to the ad. I had an adventure going out to a farm miles out of town where I ended up saving her from rotting in a field. A jump start, a couple of gallons of gas, several hours of my day and $250 later, she was mine.

I wanted one because I find them fun to drive and because I wanted something I wouldn't hesitate to modify(read: make uglier or slower) to get rediculous gas milage out of, also meaning it had to start off with a tiny engine and low curb weight. I was looking for a '92 or newer for the interior change they did that year as I wasn't a fan of the old style, of course with the 1.0l engine and a 5 speed transmission. I wasn't expecting to find a convertible in my price range, and one wasn't worth more than $300 to me since I have a number of other vehicles already, which all get pretty decent gas milage. My only complaint about the convertible is the weight being about 100lbs heavier than the hatchback. My wife's main complaint is that it's another two-seater and we have a daughter. She says I can't keep it, but the heck with that. I'll just get rid of one of my other vehicles.

My work so far and for a couple of weeks yet is getting it running in tip top shape, and sealing out the elements. It got pretty musty inside from sitting out in the rain for 2 months with a slightly leaky roof. Half of my work so far has been cleaning that up. The other half has been getting it to run better and try and unstick the rings on two cylinders. I'll re-ring it if I have to. The check engine light flickers, indicating either an ignition issue or a ground problem, and the exhaust needs patching, both of which I hope to remidy this week. Then I can get a baseline on MPG before doing anything to it.

I plan on going "MPG Crazy" with it. I'd like to start with an MPGuino to measure my MPGs as I mod it and adjust my driving habits. Aero mods are next, like blocking the front grill, lowering, wheel covers and rear skirts, possibly a belly pan, tilted back wishdshield and a lowered, streamlined roof. Engine mods will probably consist of advancing the timing, warm air intake, altenator delete and maybe more. Of course it'll go through a thorough weight reduction plan. And if I get all that done and am satisfied, then I might turn it into a hybrid with the equipment I've already collected for making a small EV. Plan B, should I blow the engine apart, would be to make it 100% electric. I'd prefer it to not have a limited range if possible, though.

Yeah, that's a lot. Expect it to take me a couple of years or more to get through it all. I'll keep ya'll posted with build threads elsewhere on the forum.

Later!

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Old 01-04-2013, 01:42 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Welcome to the site Stubby79. Sounds like you got quite the project there. I look forward to hearing and seeing more about it!

Its not real clear from the post, did you get the rings unstuck and is it running?

Also, congrats on the new car!
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Old 01-04-2013, 01:53 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Smile

Thanks for the greeting!

It's running. I drove it home on the highway dispite everything. I won't know for sure if my efforts have freed up the rings for a while. I've got to keep an eye on the oil level and check the spark plugs to see if it still is, as it doesn't burn enough oil to be visible from the exhaust. We'll see!
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Old 01-04-2013, 05:29 PM   #4 (permalink)
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I picked up one of these as well. Though I'm sure my Ontario 1991 example is quite a bit rustier underneath than your west coast car.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...geo-12660.html

Haven't done anything with mine yet aside from pick up a few parts (got the lowest numerical final drive from a SOHC Swift 1.3 - the convertibles have the worst gearing for highway fuel economy).

Mine's parked indoors now, so at least it's not getting much/any worse. Too many projects! I'll get around to it in a year or five.

Welcome to the forum.
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Old 01-04-2013, 11:19 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Thanks, Metro.

It's true they have the worst ratio, but supposidly it's to make up for the slightly larger diameter stock tires, meaning it should end up running about the same RPM. It has a tach, which is nice, and I find myself doing right on 3K rpm at 900km/hr. I'd not mind it being lower - or having a 6th gear to shift into! - but it's nice not having to downshift on hills at highway speeds.

I will do more drivertrain mods if I find the parts cheap on craigslist, but I'm not going to throw hundreds of dollars at it to gain a few dollars. It's all about what I can do to it with little out of pocket. That's why I'm trying to find a MPGuino for under $50 shipped!

Last edited by Stubby79; 01-05-2013 at 09:28 AM..
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Old 01-06-2013, 02:58 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Smile

I have patched the muffler and fixed the flickering check engine light. All I did was clean the connection of the main ground strap where it bolts to the transmission. Problem solved. A better ground should help it run better all around. It was idling smoother. Whether thats all ground connection related or some of it's from having normal backpressure again, I can't be sure. Doesn't matter at this point!
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Old 01-07-2013, 11:03 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Firefly EV - '98 Pontiac Firefly EV
90 day: 107.65 mpg (US)

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90 day: 33.35 mpg (US)

BlueZ - '19 Nissan 370Z Sport
90 day: 17.19 mpg (US)
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40 MPG first fillup! Mixed driving, short trips mostly (13km). No modifications yet, just maintenance.
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Old 01-07-2013, 11:47 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Not bad at all considering the in process, and still to be done maintenance. Good job.
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Old 01-28-2013, 08:31 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Firefly EV - '98 Pontiac Firefly EV
90 day: 107.65 mpg (US)

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90 day: 33.35 mpg (US)

BlueZ - '19 Nissan 370Z Sport
90 day: 17.19 mpg (US)
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Took it out for a late-night highway cruise to the next town over. 60kms each way over a mountain pass, 8% gradient at times, averaging a bit over 80km/hr (50mph), from a cold start and just a couple of degrees over freezing...Did it on 5.4L of gas, which works out to 22km/L or 52MPG.

Only eco modding done so far is the passenger mirror delete (since it didn't come with one), the cold air snorkle removed and tires @40psi. Had the lights on and the heater blower on #2. Only type of hypermiling was using the engine compression downhills (switching off the injector). Some hills required real braking too to keep my speed down around corners.

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