2000 Geo Rebuild-Need Suggestions!!!

[chopsawcyclesandkustoms]

Hi all, thanks for a great site. I have a 2000 Geo Metro 3 cyl, that needs an engine rebuild, and before I start, I am curious if there are any ideas as to how I should build it? I have plans to add a HHO kit or two, and I want to maximize mileage (I don't drive it for the comfort!). For the build, I plan on using a standard rebuild kit, and doing some mild head work-porting and gasket matching. I also plan on building a long drop header for the exhaust, and adding some larger cats, and mufflers for better flow. I have heard that there is an XFI Cam that should add mileage? Are these available, or do I have to scour the wreckers?

Can I swap the final transmission gear with a final gear out of a 4 cyl? Aren't these supposed to be taller? Would this be a smart move? Or would I own the little engine that could not! I don't want to change the entire transmission, as I believe it needs the shafts and mounts, due to the trans sitting more to the left.

After the build, I hope to add a set of wheel skirts, and possibly a nose cone that will resemble the super bird. LOL. As well I plan on building a smooth belly pan, which might be tied to the super nose cone.

All suggestions are welcome! I have a morning drive that is 18Kms of 4 lane highway, and 18Kms of grid locked traffic. I am not disappointed in the mileage that it gets, but figure now is the time to work on adding a few mpg's!

Lastly, in attempts to hypermile, I hope to shut down the engine as often as possible. The only problem is that I live in northern Alberta, Canada, and it is below 0 C/30 F for 8 months of the year. I had thought of adding solar panel or two to run a heater. Any suggestions on what I need? I am not an expert on solar panels, charge controllers or heaters run off any of the afore mentioned. Any ideas?

[Ryland]

I would buy a complete xfi engine if you want to go that route, see if you can get the xfi tranny from the same salvage yard, you should be able to get them for $100-$150 each

[Wonderboy]

Here's a thread that may be of use to you. I've never rebuilt an engine before (and I'm still not done with this one), but the thread chronicles what I've done with it so far and may answer some of your questions. You can acquire the proper cam and timing gear from 3tech since you don't actually have an XFi motor. Get a tranny from a 1.3l swift if you can, but you'd have to swap the whole thing. An XFi tranny would do too, but will be equally difficult to find. I got my rebuild parts from both partsdinosaur and JIS.

Good luck and welcome!

[chopsawcyclesandkustoms]

Thanks for the responses guys. I will check into your suggestions soon, and possibly build a thread of the entire build. Reading around a little, I plan on adding a boat tail. (Much to my wife's dismay!) Wonderboy, thanks for the links.

[Johnny Mullet]

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...llet%27s+metro

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...etro-9810.html

1.0L Head Repair Guide

Bottom End Rebuild Guide

[Bicycle Bob]

Howdy, neighbor. The XFI was only built in Canada, not sold here. As well as the cam, it has a leaner mixture from the computer, 2-ring pistons and other tweaks. There are four different final drive ratios available on drop-in trannys. Only the mounting hardware and shafts are different on the 4-cyl. The XFI and the 8-valve had the tallest gears, but possibly too tall for the later body. There are several good sites dedicated to metro rebuilding. For economy, porting only matters on the exhaust side. A slick intake just means you close the throttle more, except for max HP moments. You want to avoid maximum throttle opening, because it richens the mixture.
Using the starter gives a shot of rich mix, negating any benefit from switching off for much less than a minute. Bump-starting is OK. You might want to add a small electric device for crawling traffic. To get more cabin heat, you might use an exhaust heat exchanger, or just pre-warm the car with something more efficient. A block heater is good for economy and quicker warm-ups.