[aerohead]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

Hello, let me introduce my MPG project, a '71 MG Midget, getting a Geo Metro 3-cyl engine (Suzuki G10).

The MG folks like a restoration, the Suzuki engine guys want more power,
so I've come here to show my project.

I'm trying to achieve a pretty high MPG with this little car.
I stripped out a Metro quite a while back for its trans and suspension for another EV project, and have had this engine collecting dust for a while.
Thought I might just use it for a backup generator, or maybe an air compressor, but I acquired a '71 MG Midget unfinished project at a great price and have decided to put the G10 motor in it, and build it for super high MPG. The Midget is a very small and light car, stock it is only 1500lbs.
The G10 engine is about 100lbs lighter than the iron 4-cyl that was stock.
And its has some pretty heavy sheet metal, so I think I can get its weight down to maybe 1200lbs.

I just got the engine running on a stand, going through all the wiring to strip out just what is needed to run the engine.

I'm trying to figure out how much time I should spend modifying the engine before I put it in the car. Been thinking I should just throw it in and get it running, but I really want to modify the G10 motor to make it lighter and get better MPG.

I want to replace the TBI fuel injection with my own system, convert it to port injection and distributerless ignition (coil on plug). Raise the compression significantly, and use water injection. Then tune it to maximize efficiency at around 2,000 rpm for 65mph cruising.

Make it hybrid -- removing the starter and alternator, and add a more powerful electric motor that will spin it as an assist, with a small
battery pack that can recharged from a socket (Plugin Hybrid).

Any comments or suggestions?

Jack Murray
Nimble Motorsports

First an apology for finding your thread so late.And for not reading the entire thread.
The drag coefficient for the MG is on the order of twice that of the Metro,and even with its smaller frontal area and light weight it will have a higher overall road load horsepower demand than the Metro at highway speed.
You're looking at major streamlining just to catch back up to the Metro.Which would entail a very streamlined roof.
And I don't think your windshield will make it.A-pillars and header are the issue.Just not enough radius.Leaning the windshield might help with the header issue,but you'd have to narrow the glass to allow for the A-pillars otherwise the roof would be wider than the car's body.
I'd consider losing the windshield altogether,do a hard tonneau for the passenger side and try 'n locate a windshield from a Corbin Sparrow and do a 'solo' roof just wide enough for you as we've seen on one of the Metro mod projects or Bug Wing Beetle.
If anyone has already mentioned these things,I apologize for the redundancy.