Long time lurker - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Jim-Bob · 12-16-2010, 03:46 AM

I figured I would introduce myself. I am a long time car geek and a mileage enthusiast for several years now. I deliver pizza for a living and as such need to control costs wherever possible. My current project is a 1992 Geo Metro coupe 1.0/automatic with hopes of converting it to a manual as soon as I can find the parts to do so. Right now I am rebuilding the engine with an eye towards economy and reliability.

My best ever tank was in an old 1995 Sentra that I had partially rebuilt from a wreck and managed to see 55 mpg from. I managed to come close a few more times on long trips too. This was with an overdrive automatic and left me wanting a 5 speed! I am hoping this new project will far out do that car and see me in the 60-65 mpg range without major aero mods.

MetroMPG · 12-16-2010, 04:32 PM

Congrats on the successful de-lurking, Jim-Bob.

Hope you'll start a thread & keep us posted on your progress. I can see how your job would keep you interested in MPG.

Lucky you that you live where the Metros of that vintage haven't rotted away!

Jim-Bob · 12-17-2010, 01:45 AM

I might just do that. I already have a build thread on Geometroforum.com but I guess I could do more than one! Right now the car is a gutted mess, but it is 99.999% rust free. I have only found one hole about the diameter of a pen inside the wheel well on one of the structural panels. The rest is all surface rust under some failed seam sealer that I have started getting rid of using a wire wheel and an acidic rust removal gel. I made sure to check the shell over VERY carefully for rust before purchase. A burnt valve and a wasted transmission controller are easy to fix. Welding in new metal and eliminating rust properly is not. I can't afford to paint it right now but I am cleaning out all the nooks and crannys and adding fresh rust proofing to preserve the body as best I can. The best part of the car though was the price. $350 for a clean, all original paint 1992 Metro with no dents and only 4 small dings. I'd post a pic or link, but my post count is not yet high enough.

MetroMPG · 12-17-2010, 10:52 AM

I'll fix that.

OK, post count is now high enough. Feel free to ad pics if you wish.

Jim-Bob · 12-18-2010, 04:40 AM

Thanks! Anyways, here are a few pics of the Metro.

Here's the Metro the day I got it. I wasted no time getting to work cleaning the grease pit engine, which is why it's on ramps.

Here's how it sits today. I am awaiting my new head from 3 Tech with the economy package to build the engine. While I am waiting, I am attending to all the little crap that is wrong with a 116k mile Metro that only cost $350. The fenders are off to clean out the body drains and fix some surface rust and caulk.

At any rate, I will go ahead and start a build thread here in the next day or so.