SMCC Montreal Economy Run - June 9th, 2012 - Page 8 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

nerdboy · 06-01-2012, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Question: if I compete with the hybrid features disabled, is the car still considered a hybrid for scoring/class purposes? Or would it be competing in the non-hybrid class?

If you can fully disable the hybrid features, as organizer I have no problem scoring the Insight in the gasoline class. I'm sure this will raise some eyebrows, so if there's a very convincing way to show that you can't just re-enable the hybrid features with a flip of a switch right after the start, that would be helpful.

Looking forward to see if the Insight stands a chance against the super-chin-spoilered Levin in the gas-class!

blownb310 · 06-02-2012, 12:09 AM

Ken, I saw your updated pics in your boat tail thread. Man you're working hard on it for sure. It just ocurred to me that you might be delayed a bit at the border crossing. I can't imagine they'll let you go right through with out taking a closer look at your car. I hope I'm wrong though!

Mike

JethroBodine · 06-02-2012, 09:53 AM

Mike- I'm expecting to be delayed at the border, which is why I am going up early Friday. I don't want to be anxious about waiting, so I'm leaving myself plenty of time to get there. I've dealt with borders and crossings before, so, I'll answer their questions and wait patiently for them to satisfy themselves that I'm just the usual car nut going to a rally in Montreal, and nothing more. Kinda' like being in the military. Say, "Yes Sir/Mam" and don't act like they, doing their job, are annoying you. It does make me sad, though, because we used to be able to take drives into Canada on the weekends without any hassle

. Times change.

More tail work later today, will update tonight

.

blownb310 · 06-03-2012, 12:23 PM

It is a well known weak area of any year Geo Metro that the front frame horns rot out. This is the area where the tie rods come through and the front suspension mounts. This is what a good one should look like.

...and here's what mine looked like before I peeled back the undercoating.

...and after a bit more poking.....

This is a view from the back side of that same frame horn. Look how little metal was left supporting the lower control arm!

Patterns were cut from card stock [cereal boxes] and transferred to new steel.

After lots of grinding and no less than 6 hand cut pieces of steel were fitted and welded in.

Just before smoothing and priming.

Today I'm sanding bondo and might possibly have time to buff out what's left of the white paint.

blownb310 · 06-03-2012, 12:26 PM

Yeah I wish I was spending my time ecomodding the car, but I was worried about the front suspension collapsing on the rougher sections of the rally. And I rather think it would have!

I don't feel like taking the train home.