Project: The Red Baron

[HydroJim]

Before I get into the project, I'm gonna start with some other information.

I'm no longer one of the only 16 year olds in the world interested in ecomodding. I'm now one of the only 17 year olds in the world interested in ecomodding. I've recently entered my senior year of high school and my number one college choice at this point is the United States Military Academy at West Point. The application process for West Point is very long and tedious so it has been consuming most of my time. All that along with my rigorous schedule at school means little time is left for anything else. My summer project was the restoration and slight customization of my 1993 Geo Metro. I sort of went against the ways of the forum and I did not focus on fuel economy. I'm still getting 45 MPG and now I have what most people would consider a "cool" looking car. Don't worry, fuel economy is still in my heart.

Here are some pics of the car:















I'm happy with the car but I'm all out of money. So, I'm currently looking for a job. I have an interview tomorrow with panera bread so hopefully I land the job. Once I'm on more solid financial ground, I'll either sell my focus now, or drive it through the winter(no salt for the geo) and sell it in the spring. I'm opting towards selling it in the spring at the moment.

Either way, I'm going to have the ecomodding bug on the geo. That's what this new thread is for. I won't be doing anything for at least a month but grille block and air dam will probably be first on the list and I'm thinking transmission during Christmas break.

My plan is to install a rebuilt XFi transmission
Grille Block
possibly a coolant heater or oil pan heater
Air Dam
Side Skirts

I'm trying to keep it looking sharp for the ladies so no boat tails. I'm thinking I want to lower it an install some body braces because right now the body roll is pretty bad.

My current life plan is to graduate from West Point, spend 2 years getting a masters, serve my military time and then decide if I want to stay in or if I want to leave the military. If I leave, I'll start a family and buy a house with my savings. As soon as I settle in I'll start my dream of starting my own car company. Or I will go to work for Tesla, Edison2, or whoever else is leading the pack in the future.

Crazy? yes
Ambitious? yes
Impossible? no

I hope everyone else is having a great life!

[Xist]

Meanwhile, I keep forgetting how to student... is that how the kids say it nowadays?

I really do not know what you did with the Metro, but it looks good, and your plans are even better!

I am a Soldier, but I hardly know anything about academies. You can earn a Master's before fulfilling your commission?

Keep at it!

[Jasen]

looks good.

Might do something with those headlights, there like mine, a couple of 5 gal buckets catching the wind. Fortunately I can do a grill swap from sealed beam to composite, just have to find a good one at the pick n pull.

[MetroMPG]

Did you get the job? Is that red car the former teal/green car?? (What kind of driving are you doing, man? 45 MPG is low for an XFi!)

I do applaud your focus in life at your age. (I also applaud your Focus.)

I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up!

[Xist]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Did you get the job? Is that red car the former teal/green car?? (What kind of driving are you doing, man? 45 MPG is low for an XFi!)

I do applaud your focus in life at your age. (I also applaud your Focus.)

I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up!

I know what I wish that I had done years ago...

Don't get old! You will just get grumpy!

[HydroJim]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Did you get the job? Is that red car the former teal/green car?? (What kind of driving are you doing, man? 45 MPG is low for an XFi!)

I do applaud your focus in life at your age. (I also applaud your Focus.)

I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up!

Just got out of the interview. I think I got the job cause she started talking about training and stuff. She's supposed to call me tonight to let me know and my orientation is at 9 am. since she told me about orientation I assume I got the job.

*On a side note, I don't get how people can complain about the economy and jobs. While only minimum wage jobs, both jobs that I have ever applied to I got the job. First one at McDonalds I got hired on the spot and at panera it seems I have also gotten that job. I really don't understand how you could not have at least some kind of job. I think people are just lazy.*

Back to topic, yes the formerly teal car is now red. It was my first paint job and came out decent. dust was a problem since I don't have a paint booth

I rebuilt the engine, all new axles, control arms, struts, brakes, windshield

G13 flywheel upgrade (lighter flywheel and greater friction surface)
convertible brake upgrade. (12mm studs and vented brake rotors)

It was a huge undertaking to do it all in 4 weeks but I got it done just in time to drive 535 from tennessee to cleveland. HELL of a test drive. every little noise and bump in the road made me but it made it!

[HydroJim]

Originally Posted by Jasen

looks good.

Might do something with those headlights, there like mine, a couple of 5 gal buckets catching the wind. Fortunately I can do a grill swap from sealed beam to composite, just have to find a good one at the pick n pull.

not quite sure what I want to do with them just yet. I like the bucket style for the versatility and inexpensive replacements, but the composite look so much better and should help with aero a bit.

[HydroJim]

Originally Posted by Xist

Meanwhile, I keep forgetting how to student... is that how the kids say it nowadays?

I really do not know what you did with the Metro, but it looks good, and your plans are even better!

I am a Soldier, but I hardly know anything about academies. You can earn a Master's before fulfilling your commission?

Keep at it!

From the way I have read it, you can pursue further education at the cost of the military before fulfilling your commission. Not sure what all is involved but it seems like something I'd want to do. Nowadays everyone seems to have a bachelors but a masters would at least set you apart. I never saw myself as a doctorate kinda guy but maybe after 6 years of college I'll see another 3 as no big deal. either way it's good

[HydroJim]

Originally Posted by Xist

I know what I wish that I had done years ago...

Don't get old! You will just get grumpy!

Weird how when you're a kid you want nothing except to be an adult and when you're an adult you want nothing except to be a kid again.

[UltArc]

Happy belated birthday!

Nice work, I hope for the best with all of your projects! I look forward to that Focus going on sale, too. (I probably won't be in the market, but I would like to see what it goes for.)