How to spend $5k on a $2k econobox = NOT SWIFT (Geo Metro restoration & mods)

[StudeChamp]

We scored an extra hatch at Pick n Pull (well, if $130 counts as "scored,") and thus felt free in taking a welder to the hatch on the car to create the Kammback. After debating materials, Johnny decided to weld one up out of metal. This has its pluses and minuses, but certainly scores some points in the durability department.

Essentially, he built a ladder frame and then skinned it. The biggest downside of what he did, other than time, is that the frame material does tend to warp under the heat of the MIG welder, so it was not easy keeping straight -- there are definite waves to the finished product, and we couldn't fill and straighten in paint because body filler would pop loose from the shaking. On the other hand, having a metal kamm painted out body color does look extremely clean and consistent, and the material wins in the durability department. All in all I am tickled pink with the result. Total cost was probably $500 between materials, labor, paint and finish, not counting the welder or the second hatch.

Here are the pics of the frame going up.

[StudeChamp]

Here's the skin going on.

[StudeChamp]

Here's the skin on and done - before paint and body, of course.

We set the slope of the Kamm based on threads off this site -- thank you, Ecomodders, for sharing!

[tvbd56]

I would think that your vision out the back would be much worse, nice going

[StudeChamp]

Visibility isn't great, but it's still better than what it was in my 1972 Mustang fastback I had in high school! The loss of the RH mirror is more disconcerting, to be honest. Still, the glasshouse in the Geo is pretty good for visibility.

[OG VX]

Nice bro. What kind of looks do people give you on the roadways? Car well-received?

[StudeChamp]

The tranny is a 3.51 gear ratio (or at least should be!) out of a Pick n Pull Suzuki (stock is 4.11). Based on the fact that I have to downshift to maintain speed while going uphill, I am pretty tempted to think that that's the gearing. Is there any labeling on the tranny that would confirm? I guess I could pull a plug at TDC and check wheel rotations, the old-fashioned way.

[StudeChamp]

OG VX, I don't get that many double-takes, surprisingly -- I think that with the new paint and no badging, people don't know what it is. And they see the Kammback going, not coming :-) I try to salute other Geo drivers, but don't get much of a response...

[StudeChamp]

'Nuff said.

[StudeChamp]

Check out those tolerances. We got an xfi brain box, cam and pulley, but have stock pistons. We got a rebuild kit on eBay for $126 or so... For such a beater car, I was shocked by how good the original engine was, in tolerances, rings looked good, normal carbon. There was some bearing wear/scratching, of course.

Check out the clearances on the rebuilt block.