92/96 Geo Metro Engine Swap ponderings
 

My dad has 2 Geo Metros. One a 92 and the other is a 96. The 92 has the smaller engine and gets him 45-50mpg using absolutely zero hypermiling techniques. He does drive rather efficiently, however (mostly referring to his coasting into stops/towns). The 96 has the 1.3liter engine and gets between 38-45mpg. I'm in the process of trying some medium level hypermiling on the 96 at the moment. Haven't filled it yet and am still waiting for the average tank mpg.

Anyway, my question. I've heard alot about the lean-burn systems in Honda Civics. Would it be a good idea to swap a D15Z1 engine into the 96? I have no experience with mechanical workings, but my dad has a ton so he'd be able to handle swapping no problem. Is it even possible to put a D15Z1 into a Metro?

Good/bad idea? I've seen a few D15Z1 for around $300-1000 from tuners who throw them out.

EDIT:
My dad would probably give me one, if I really wanted. I currently have a 98 v6 mustang auto that gets 30mpg from moderately hypermiling it. Before, I was only getting 20-21mpg without hypermiling. I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of the Stang completely and going with just a Metro.

If I remember correctly the metro engine turns the other way then a Honda engine, Honda engine the tranny is on the passenger side.
Personally I would look for a Metro XFI engine, I don't remember the numbers off the top of my head but the mileage was in the high 50's and low 60's from the EPA and the engine will bolt right in.

I put a 3 cylinder metro engine in a 95 Metro that came with a 4 cylinder. Everything bolted in except the front transmission mount hole in the body was missing. I drilled through the frame rail and used a long bolt and nut. I purchased a wrecked 3 cylinder car for parts, axles, mounts and brackets clutch cable, speedo cable were all different lengths. Your 96 is OBD2 also so you have a crank sensor and a second oxygen sensor that I did not have to deal with. After the swap 50 mpg was a reality with the 3.79 ratio trans that came with the 4 cylinder. Also a economy cam and +10 degree cam gear from Superf1y really helps with the tall gears. Good luck

I don't think a swap would pay for itself as anything but education and family time. There's not much difference to be had. If I had a 4 cyl '96, I'd consider a milder cam or a 3-cyl conversion, depending on what needed fixing.

If the Honda engine is larger, you are completely hosed. If it turns out that it rotates in the opposite direction, I wouldn't be willing to take on that challenge either. I have the 1.3L 5MT in my Suzuki Swift (a 1994). It is pretty tight when you are trying to do anything that requires work on the passenger's side of the engine (alternator, timing belt, etc). I had to cut off the extra auxiliary pulley to change my timing belt earlier this year (believe me, not what I had in mind), and working on the alternator wound up being tight quarters too. I figured that if at some point I need to swap the engine, I would do so for an xfi engine (if one can be had) or for a 3 cylinder anyhow. It would just be so much easier to work on things, and my MPG would probably go up also :).

Nope. Engine spins the wrong way, you're look at a lot of fab work, which IMO isn't worth it.