Geo Metro convertible / Kubota diesel engine conversion (driving!)

[tasdrouille]

The new 2009 are common rail. Before that they were pump deuse starting 2004 for the sedan and 2003 for the wagon. 1996-2003 TDIs have bosch ve rotary pumps which can be converted to mechanical injection so you can do without the ECU.

I don't know about the price. On ebay, the cheapest TDI engine is $1700. But I would be happy to sell my current TDI with a perfectly working powertrain for $1500. There are quite a few of rusted through 1997-1999 TDIs around here with very solid powertrains.

[kimer6]

Good post!. Knowledge IS power! The TDI's are pretty rare here in the self help wrecking yards. Otherwise I would have had dimensions to answer Jason and my questions. $1500 is a deal! But cost from Quebec to California or Nevada??? Ouch!....Kim

[metromizer]

Not wanting highjack your thread, but I came across an air cooled beetle with an air cooled Lambordini 23HP (12 LD 477-2) twin cylinder diesel conversion for sale on Craig's List today (with decent pictures)

1977 Volkswagon Diesel Beetle---Custom Build

[JQmile]

Hey there....cool project!

I work for Diesel Power Magazine, so I'd hate to see ya give up on the little diesel just yet. If you do turbocharge it, make sure not to run too much boost unless you know what your compression ratio is. If it's 21:1 like my diesel chevette, you may be in trouble. Only about 6-8psi. You could also inject propane for more power, but it would suck to have to use it all the time. I think your goal should be to get some black smoke out of it, then clean it up with more air.

[99metro]

Originally Posted by JQmile

Hey there....cool project!

I work for Diesel Power Magazine, so I'd hate to see ya give up on the little diesel just yet. If you do turbocharge it, make sure not to run too much boost unless you know what your compression ratio is. If it's 21:1 like my diesel chevette, you may be in trouble. Only about 6-8psi. You could also inject propane for more power, but it would suck to have to use it all the time. I think your goal should be to get some black smoke out of it, then clean it up with more air.

I read that article on the diesel Chevette in your magazine. I guess I should just save some money and subscribe! hmmm - wonder if that little diesel in the Chevette would fit in the Metro... nah.

[kimer6]

Yup, I'll stick with the diesel project. The little turbo has internal waste gate attached. I will eyeball the pressure for sure. Right now ma is having medical problems so the turbo is once again on hold while I take care of her. She still remembers the guys hand cranking cars to start them. At 83 she drives a Buick Century, so named because in the hands of the right senior citizen it can mow down 100 people before you hit the brakes....

[BigBluemotors]

Ya beat me to the punch! Wanting to convert my 95 to diesel with a Daihatsu/Briggs, but I've got to finish up with the 90 cherokee conversion first. May want to invest in a pyrometer to monitor the tempurature, so you don't burn up the engine I know first hand takin care of Mom's. She comes first and that why my projects are takin longer Good luck and keep us up-to-date.

Chris
AKA: BigBlue

[dremd]

Sorry, I wish I knew more about TDI stuff. I am almost 99% sure the TDI is a common rail engine [/QUOTE]

I am far more certain that an 01tdi is not a common rail.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by 99metro

I read that article on the diesel Chevette in your magazine. I guess I should just save some money and subscribe! hmmm - wonder if that little diesel in the Chevette would fit in the Metro... nah.

Not to hijack but this thread has got me thinking about what I wanted to do, put a Chevette Isuzu diesel into my old Yugo.

Anyway the Chevette diesel engines are cheap because the body would always fall off before the motor was broken in, they are 50+hp and a much more sensible alternative for the metro (aka power wise) the really unaerodynamic chevettes could get over 50mpg with a manual tranny, I see no reason why 70mpg wouldn't be possible in the lighter Geo Metro chassis.

I hope this Kubota works out great and one thing I might add, your diesel probably does NOT like 3k+ RPMs, you probably need to gear your tranny up a bit to make it workable.

That Kubota would probably work perfectly in my Subaru 360, too bad the tranny and motor are integrated

Cheers
Ryan

[Daveedo]

If you need more gearing than tranny swapping will do alone...then maybe look into if there is a slightly taller but skinnier tire that will fit the metro.

I thought I spotted a turbo in on of the earlier pics. When you get around to putting it on it should help out by shoving more air into the motor to compensate for the imbalance between air and fuel right now (black smoke). An external adjustable wastegate will help keep you from overboosting. DSM and honda dudes use them frequently. You may need to put head studs in the thing to keep the head gasket in place if it was not designed for a turbo to begin with.

Cool project, keep us updated when you can.