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4-door sedan with a 3 cylinder, 5 speed manual????
Topic Started: Jul 16 2011, 05:51 AM (3,569 Views)
1986ChevySprint
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Hi all,

I'm trying to find out if the 3 cylinder 1.0 engine and 5 speed manual transmission was available in a 4-door sedan with AC. It seems as though when I find a 4 door sedan, it always has the 4 cylinder 1.3 ltr engine, and most of the time it is mated with the auto transmission. I would like to find a four door model, 3 cylinder, 5 speed, with AC, but don't want to be limited to the 89-94 hatchback model years. Anyone got any information on this. I'm in the USA
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dayle1960
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Fastest Hampster EVER

Wow, your asking a lot of the little G10 engine. Maybe you can find the combination you want in a sedan, but it will be a long search. The manufacturer threw a G13 into the sedans because of the weight of the car. When a G10 is put into a sedan it has no speed. Then throw in a few people and it is severly underpowered. The best combination you will find will be a G13 paired with a 5spd tranny. Sorry but that's the way it is. Unless you want to swap a G13 for a G10, then you will have some wiring issues to contend with.
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Woodie
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The G10 is barely up to the task of powering the hatchback, that's why it cannot be had in a four door, or with an automatic transmission. The weight and size of the newer cars is just a bit much for 55 hp. I've had two 3 cylinders and two 4 cylinders, the fours get 40 mpg, the threes get 43 mpg and are quite sluggish.
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Iski
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My 1994 4 door hatch came with AC, it is a $798 dealer option. You could feel it rob power when it was on. I would say that it would drop me to about 40 mpg, but I only used it when moving fast on the highway, and would turn it off going up hills in town, then back on.

I cut it out and threw the parts away to get better gas mileage. I should have just removed the belt;) I am buying a 98 3/5 which also has AC. I will keep it this time to see what the best mileage I can get with it is.

I really only want it when it is raining hard on an 80 deg C day as it will remove the interior steam without me using the heater to defrost the windshield.
Fifty years ago cars used to have a flapper in the front with window screening, that would directly run air from the outside to your legs. It was a direct vent and moved lots of air. When moving it worked and kept one cool. Also forget the fan and outside vent most cars come with, get a real 12V high output fan and mount it to the dash. This works wonders when the car is moving or stopped. A strong fan will stop you from sweating almost as well as AC, without robbing power.

The last note is to park in the shade;)
Edited by Iski, Jul 16 2011, 06:42 AM.
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1986ChevySprint
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Thanks for everyones thoughts so far. I guess I'm basing my wants on what I used to have. In 1986 I purchased a brand new Chevy Sprint Plus, 4-door, hatchback, 5-speed manual tranny, 3 cylinder 1.0 ltr engine, with factory AC. I had that car about ten years and really don't remember there being an issue with low power or having to turn off the AC to get up hills ect. My other car at the time was a 1984 VW Jetta standard diesel. Lots of people complained about the sluggishness of the diesel, but it never bothered me. I just learned to adjust my driving habits. Thats what they make hwy entrance ramps for, right? Get your speed up and then merge into traffic. We still have lots of people around here who have no idea why entrance ramps were made. They might as well just be turning left or right onto a freeway. Getting back to the sluggishness of a 3 cylinder in a 4-door with AC, I live in the Piedmont area of NC and it is somewhat hilly, but like I said, I really don't remember a huge issue with being underpowered. Maybe it was the Jetta that taught me what sluggishness was.

I suppose I'll just have to settle for the 89-94 hatchback if I want a 3 cylinder with a 5-speed manual and AC.

As a sidenote, I've spoken with two mechanics recently, and both of them were surprised that I was looking for a 3 cylinder with AC. Both of them said they had never seen that combination and I told them I have come across a lot of them....the owners just don't want to sell, or I'd be the proud owner of one.

Thanks for everyones thoughts......this is a great place.
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Iski
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On the power loss, I am the forth owner of a car that currently enjoys 235,000 miles. The engine when I purchased it was lacking horsepower, and using the AC took away a noticeable part of what it had left when hill climbing. So I think your most likely correct that an engine in good condition would be another story.
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Coche Blanco
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The 4 door Chevy Sprint isn't nearly as heavy as the 4 door Chevy Metro.
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1986ChevySprint
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Coche Blanco,

You are right about the weight of the Sprint. I considered that after I clicked send. Also, I was a lot younger, and thinner then too. I guess every pound counts. Maybe this will be the incentive I need to start going to the YMCA and getting something out of that monthly fee that I pay but don't use.
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bogs
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Iski
Jul 16 2011, 07:37 AM
On the power loss, I am the forth owner of a car that currently enjoys 235,000 miles. The engine when I purchased it was lacking horsepower, and using the AC took away a noticeable part of what it had left when hill climbing. So I think your most likely correct that an engine in good condition would be another story.
Actually no, you can still feel the impact even on a healthy 4 cyl. engine. Mine just hit its 80k range, I got it with 57k, I'm quite sure it has all 74 hp going for it, but switching to a/c or stopping it produces a very noticeable difference.

Thankfully, it wouldn't stop the car from ascending a hill, but many times I've cut the a/c going up a hill and it feels somewhat akin to having a small nitrous shot effect.

Aside from that, though, I see no reason why a 3 cyl engine couldn't power this car since I would suspect gearing could make up for a large part of the power loss. Myself, I prefer the 4 cyl though, and will sacrifice a few mpg for it.
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Coche Blanco
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After just driving mine bogs, I have to agree. The 4 cylinder is nice.
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Shinrin
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Woodie
Jul 16 2011, 06:24 AM
The G10 is barely up to the task of powering the hatchback, that's why it cannot be had in a four door, or with an automatic transmission. The weight and size of the newer cars is just a bit much for 55 hp. I've had two 3 cylinders and two 4 cylinders, the fours get 40 mpg, the threes get 43 mpg and are quite sluggish.
I have a four door 3 cylinder with an automatic transmission! Why did no one tell me this car didn't exist before!
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Coche Blanco
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It's not a sedan though.
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Shinrin
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Don't ruin my dreams of having a one of a kind car.
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1986ChevySprint
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I met a lady today who lives about ten minutes from me. She has a 1994 Metro, 4-door, hatchback, with an automatic tranny and a 3 cylinder 1.0 ltr engine. The car has 65,000 miles on it. She bought it in 1995 when it had a little less than 10,000 miles on it. I just wish it had a 5 speed tranny. Oh yea, and I wish it was for sale.
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1986ChevySprint
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And I forgot to mention, it has factory AC. She said she has not problem with the 3 cylinder, in fact, she didn't even know it was three cylinders until I showed her. I was expecting to find a 4 cylinder though.
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