Ben Nelson's Electro-Metro Build thread

[Christ]

Ever neatly coiled up a 30ft cord, then came back to it a year later and its a rats nest?

Ok, that really has nothing to do with this.. Seems like space its going to start being a limiting factor soon? Is there any room under/behind the dash, or under the pass/driver seat for the controller?

Iirc, you've got some juice boxes in the trunk/back seat as well?

If you intend to keep upgrading, I think packaging will soon rival cost for number one interference.

[bennelson]

The other 5 batteries are under the back seat.

I still have the engine/generator in the cargo area from the plug-in hybrid experiment.

One thing I have noticed is that the nose of the car is low.

Way back when, I boosted the rear suspension to make it better handle a bunch of batteries in the back. However, I ended up moving the batteries forward a bit (to where the gas tank was) and NOT have any in the cargo/trunk area. And NOW I have 4 batteries in the front, where I used to only have one!

It looks like the car is always driving down-hill, so that must make it more efficient, right?

I might want to see about boosting the front suspension sometime, although I have no idea how to do that. This car has "McPherson Struts". Anyone know an easy way to boost those?

[peppp]

the answer is almost always the same : uprated springs (a uprated spring with the same length won't be as low as a regular one) make sure the shock absorbers are decent before you change the springs, tho.

just made a quick google search and could only find lower springs for the metro ... maybe find a shop that custom builds those?

btw try googling "suzuki swift higher uprated springs" .. its kinda depressing, lol


EDIT: maybe "higher" coilovers would do the trick.. but you need to check with some performance specialist to get the right ones. They are usually pricey and will make your car hard as a rock.

[jackbauer]

I used these when i ran lead acid. Still have a set if they'd be any use?
Mad Suspension Systems - A unique range of suspension up-grades from a single source

[Christ]

Basically, find a spring from a heavier car with approximately the same height/diameter. If you find progressively wound springs, chose something a little talker than the metro oe springs.

A god day of junk yarding will get you what you need for cheap.

[bennelson]

That was the joy of the rear suspension - I found out that that front Ford Ranger springs matched up pretty well with Geo Metro rear springs - I just went to the junk yard and picked up a pair!

[Christ]

I remembered that. You might find joy in a set of front springs from an Escort, Omni, etc... Possibly a Golf/Jetta from 85-92, even. If I think about it when I get my car home, I'll measure the width of the front springs. Iirc, they're about 4.5" outside, and for sure theyre larger than the Civic springs I have.

[nubie]

Maybe the fronts from a 6 cyl BMW? Like a late 80's 325i (I have a spare set, but I am in CA). They can handle the heavy motor, so might work for batteries. Also I think they are fairly tall.

I don't remember if you have a spring compressor, I got one from harbor freight for $10-$15, but I think Kragen or Autozone will rent them for free. They charge you as though you bought it, then refund you when you bring it back.


You can also go to Kragen and get a rubber doughnut that you can work into the springs. They are around $10 apiece and you find them near the lift kits and leaf spring blocks for trucks. They look like this: Rubber Coil Spring Spacer - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

I needed them in the rear of my 95 and 96 Jettas, without them it would just about scrape on the ground when loaded.

[Christ]

Oh yeah, a NHL puck placed above the spring might also do the trick.

P.S. Ben, if you want a set of OE springs from a '89 Civic DX 4 door, they're yours for the cost of shipping.

[bennelson]

I'm really liking the Metro at 108V!

The "sweet-spot" of acceleration is very ooofy.

There were a couple of documentary film-makers out at my place today. I wore my Open ReVolt t-shirt and took them out for a ride in the car.

They all really liked the ride. I also showed off my Elec-Trak, electric motorcycle, and a couple other projects.

The newish Die Hard Platinums handle high amps WAY better than my used AGMs. The extra juice they provide really helps. I may have to consider using my Craftsman/Instructables prize to buy some batteries.