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Suggestions Wanted/Geo Metro Rebuild Project
Topic Started: Feb 2 2013, 01:50 PM (1,515 Views)
Davo53209
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Hello Everyone:

I've just recently found a 1990 Geo Metro Lsi shell for $250, whereas I'm getting ready to build the metro of my dreams. Now just like everyone else, I'm hoping to achieve 50+ mpg or more; but without utilizing any areo-mods that radically effect the appearance of the vehicle. (i.e. no offense to anyone who's done this).

Instead, I'm primarily focusing upon engines modification that will effectively help me to achieve the gas mileage of an XFI, while as a secondary, choosing other modifications that influence the effects of rolling resistance. Now before anyone mentions it, I'm aware that there are numerous threads that deal with this topic; yet the information is a bit scattered throughout various websites and the vast numbers threads.

Now some of these suggestion may appear to be a bit radical. So bearing that in mind I'd like everyone's help to sift through all of that. What I'm hoping to get is a consensus of the best possible combination of engine modification that will work in the real world, from the list of suggestion that I've acquired from this site and other sites like it. Ultimately, what I am willing to do is to combine these suggestions in my rebuild project and post the results. So for all of you engine builders, certified techs, hobbyist, & Geo enthusiasts, please help me to pick the best combination...Thank you.

-An economy head from 3-tech performance.
-Port and polish head to mirror finish.
-An economy cam from 3-tech performance.
-Utilizing Flat head pistons from an 88 Suzuki Samurai.
-XFI cam advanced 4-5 degrees
-Advanced timing sprocket (8 degrees)
-1 compression ring instead of two.
-Cryo-treating the cylinder head, piston heads, wrist pins, camshaft, engine bearings, engine (i.e. basically the whole engine)
-Ceramic treatment of whole engine & trans with a dry film lubricant (e.g. Swain Tech)
-Tearing out sound deadening material from under carpet.
-Convert to a 4 wire Oxygen Sensor or
-Converted to an Innovate LC-1 wideband Oxygen Sensor
-MSD 6AL Ignition Module and Accel Supercoil
-XFI ECU or
-Megasquirt ECU.
-Finding an XFI transmission.
-Synthetic Dextron III ATFGear oil in trans
-K&N filter.
-Cold air intake.
-2″ exhaust with free flowing muffler.
-High output catalytic converter.
-Synthetic 0w20 oil.
-13 inch or 14inch tires to drop the rpms
-Light weight rims
-Rolling Resistant tires that are as narrow as possible.
-Belly Pan.
-Grill block.
-Lowering the car 2 inches.

Anything else I may not have mentioned.

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clarkdw


Edit: Welcome to the forum. :cheers
My 94 hatch is consistently getting over 50mpg U.S.with a best tank average of 63 mpg U.S. Doing this is actually fairly easy.
Many of the things on your list will have an incredibly long payback time. Some of the things listed are no longer available or will require custom parts at very high cost. The two ring pistons and their rings for example must be custom made.

-An economy head from 3-tech performance. Nice addition but not necessary for 50mpg
-Port and polish head to mirror finish. See above
-An economy cam from 3-tech performance. Definitely worthwhile.
-Utilizing Flat head pistons from an 88 Suzuki Samurai. Too much custom machining. New stock pistons fitted properly to a bored block.
-XFI cam advanced 4-5 degrees Unless you find a cheap one and measure it for wear. No advance required. It is in the cam.
-Advanced timing sprocket (8 degrees) With the 3-Tech econo cam
-1 compression ring instead of two. can't be had unless custom made. Not worth much improvement anyway.
-Cryo-treating the cylinder head, piston heads, wrist pins, camshaft, engine bearings, engine (i.e. basically the whole engine) Way too much money for little or no benefit.
-Ceramic treatment of whole engine & trans with a dry film lubricant (e.g. Swain Tech) See above
-Tearing out sound deadening material from under carpet. Unless all your driving is city, weight removal is not very usefull and makes for a very unpleasant driver.
-Convert to a 4 wire Oxygen Sensor or Not necessary
-Converted to an Innovate LC-1 wideband Oxygen Sensor Unless you are doing the electronics of installing Megasquirt
-MSD 6AL Ignition Module and Accel Supercoil No benefit
-XFI ECU or Need to use XFI harness. Not a simple plug-in.
-Megasquirt ECU. Too much money and especially if you need someone to program it for you.
-Finding an XFI transmission. For sure
-Synthetic Dextron III ATFGear oil in trans Synchromesh fluid.
-K&N filter. No gain in mileage. OK if you just want a lifetime filter but even stock ones can be reused. There is a thread here on cleaning them.
-Cold air intake. Has one from the factory. Many guys convert to hot air for mileage.
-2″ exhaust with free flowing muffler. If you want performance yes but for economy the point is to flow as little as possible. Stock system works fine
-High output catalytic converter. See above.
-Synthetic 0w20 oil. Search for oil there are many, many possibilties. I use 0W-20 synthetic.
-13 inch or 14inch tires to drop the rpms Definitely worth the change.
-Light weight rims Unless you do all city there is not much benefit. If they are free or very cheap, why not?
-Rolling Resistant tires that are as narrow as possible. Do not go too narrow. Handling suffers. I would not go less than 175 width.
-Belly Pan. Yes
-Grill block. Big gains for no investment. My kind of mod.
-Lowering the car 2 inches. Yes, for handling as much as anything.

And the #1 thing you can do for mpg's? SLOW DOWN, get an mpguino and a vacuum gauge and let them teach you how to drive economically.
Edited by clarkdw, Feb 2 2013, 03:14 PM.
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idmetro
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clarkdw
Feb 2 2013, 03:13 PM
And the #1 thing you can do for mpg's? SLOW DOWN, get an mpguino and a vacuum gauge and let them teach you how to drive economically.
:gp

By staying under 65 and driving gently I could consistently get 50mpg in my completely stock 92 3/5 convertible.
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

Rebuild it and redo all the brakes and bearings for rolling resistance, drop in an XFi tranny or upgrade to 13" wheels and that's all you need.
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Davo53209
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Thanks Johnny:

Adding the 13 inch rims seems to be a common theme throughout all the websites that I've visited. I was wondering if you could further summarize how this trick works. Also, would having an actual xfi transmission be better or just as good with the 13 inch rims.

-
Edited by Davo53209, Feb 2 2013, 07:30 PM.
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Davo53209
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Excellent, you've helped me to narrow down the list. This is just what I was hoping to achieve. Thank you Clarkdw!

Edited by Davo53209, Feb 2 2013, 07:34 PM.
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Davo53209
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Thank you Idmetro:

I agree that driving habits are key, in conjunction to having gauges that tell you how to drive. Through this thread, what I'm attempting to do is to sift through the various engine mods that I've found within the past year. I'm looking for both and engine & rolling resistance mods that provide actual real world improvements in MPG, over those that are too theoretical or take too long to get your investment back.
Edited by Davo53209, Feb 2 2013, 07:27 PM.
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Davo53209
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Let's see if we can get more people to chime in.
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dayle1960
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Fastest Hampster EVER

Tranny fluid = synchromesh from Pennzoil. Nothing else will come close.

Johnny Mullet's suggestions are very good. Your list is nice, but remember, you are not going to put $10,000 in parts and accessories in a METRO to gain what Johnny Mullet's suggestions can be has for less than a grand. Your mpg gains will ne negligible compared to what the GMF regulars have experienced through trial and error.

Only a couple of members have cracked the 60mpg nut. mjspies and blackfly have done it through aero mods. Slow down!!! Any speed over 60mph will kill mpg.
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Davo53209
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dayle1960
Feb 2 2013, 07:32 PM
Tranny fluid = synchromesh from Pennzoil. Nothing else will come close.

Johnny Mullet's suggestions are very good. Your list is nice, but remember, you are not going to put $10,000 in parts and accessories in a METRO to gain what Johnny Mullet's suggestions can be has for less than a grand. Your mpg gains will ne negligible compared to what the GMF regulars have experienced through trial and error.

Only a couple of members have cracked the 60mpg nut. mjspies and blackfly have done it through aero mods. Slow down!!! Any speed over 60mph will kill mpg.
Great stuff! I definitely agree that I can benefit from the trial & error of the GMF regulars. Ultimately, this is what I'm hoping to do.
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dayle1960
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Fastest Hampster EVER

Davo, it would help us if you would mention what type and year metro you have.
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Davo53209
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dayle1960
Feb 2 2013, 07:47 PM
Davo, it would help us if you would mention what type and year metro you have.
1990 Geo Metro LSI.
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dayle1960
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Fastest Hampster EVER

2dr 4dr? Auto or stick? 1.0L or 1.3L?
Edited by dayle1960, Feb 2 2013, 07:59 PM.
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Davo53209
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A two door 1990 Geo Metro Lsi which used to have 1.0 liter engine and manual transmission. All it is right now is the shell....sorry for not being more specific.
Edited by Davo53209, Feb 2 2013, 08:09 PM.
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dayle1960
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Fastest Hampster EVER

How are the horn frames? Now would be a good time to tap them with a screwdriver and see if they are solid or rotted out.

Pull the seats and carpet out and check the floor panels for rust. Repair as necessary.
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