engine and tranny ID - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

arollinstone · 06-25-2009, 04:42 PM

Hey Guys, I just bought a 98 Metro. I took the engine and tranny out that was cobbled together from a earlier Metro. I put in a engine that I knew that ran good and everything is fine except the updates i want to do such as a cam swap and other fun stuff for good fuel milage. Just for ****s and giggles a n d because i like to tear things apart, I found out that the engine i took out is a xfi because of the 2 ring pistons GREAT! right? But how can i be sure i have an xfi cam even though it looks like the head was never removed. Are there any ID numbers stamped on the head or block to confirm what it is? Also since this car was a mishmash when i got it, Im not sure what tranny was put in or left out. Is there a way to ID the tranny short of tearing it apart to find out what the final drive ratio is? THANKS! By the way, I already have THE HOLY GRAIL, a 94 xfi modified with the great ideas i've learned from you guys and a few of my own. Wish i could make it to that meet in July, I'd supply the music (i do the DJ thing)

MetroMPG · 06-25-2009, 11:07 PM

You could measure the cam lobes. The factory service manual describes the difference between garden variety & XFi:

Quote:

XFI Model
Standard camshaft lobe height is 39.628 to 39.788 mm
(1.5602 to 1.5665 inches).
Wear limit 39.528 (1.5562 inches).

Base and LSI Models
Standard camshaft lobe height is 40.415 to 40.575 mm
(1.5911 to 1.5974 inches).
Wear limit 40.315 mm (1.5872 inches)

As for identifying the transmission final drive, I'm not sure about stamped ID's but one option is to simply turn the input shaft (or engine) and do the math. The gear ratios are out there somewhere.

arollinstone · 06-26-2009, 04:02 AM

Thank You for taking the time! I could'nt wait so i took out both cams and measured them. Wala! one was the xfi - I saved myself 90 bucks. I got it running late tonight and took it for a test drive. would'nt have taken so long but i decided to drill the cam sprocket to advance it and fabricate a underdrive pully since i had it apart. It's still not as sparky as my 94 Metro but I'll have all day tomorrow to mess with it. As far as the tranny, Duh - Why did'nt I think of that. Thanks again.