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The Red Baron; Restoration of a 1993 Geo Metro XFi
Topic Started: Feb 8 2013, 05:45 PM (19,093 Views)
Hydrojim
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yiffzer- The passenger side wheel bearings and brakes will be done at a later date. My family is in the middle of a move down to Tennessee and I just need the driver's side done because I don't feel safe driving 500 miles on a worn bearing. The passenger side is fine until I get down there to replace it along with the rear brakes.

Stude-yota- It has held up to the elements well but I would say the paint is "soft" as in it chips easily. I'm not sure if this is just all DIY paintjobs or because it was rattle can. If I could redo it I would probably go for a more professional paint job with a spray gun but when it comes down to it, we're talking about Geo Metros, not luxury cars.
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Hydrojim
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Done:
-H&R Lowering Springs
-Front and Rear Strut Tower Braces
-Rear Wheel Bearings (Courtesy of Johnny)
-Patched hole in muffler

To Do:
-Passenger Interior Door Handle
-Rear Brakes
-Turbine Tech Underbody Brace (need to pull frame together about 1/4")
-Find and Fix water leak that lets water into car.

Long Term To Do:
-High Quality Engine Rebuild
-Transmission Rebuild
-Rebuilt Distributor
-New Exhaust

Wish List:
-95+ front seat belts
-Side Skirts
-Front and Rear Sway Bars

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I'm down in Tennessee right now. Full shop capabilities are back in my hand! I hit 160,000 miles on my odometer on my way down so I snapped a few pics. I filled up 365 miles into the trip and it calculated out at 47.5 MPG. I still don't think my engine is perfect and I still have my surging idle issue that occurs any time I come off highway, but you can't argue with that MPG at the speeds I was going. Maybe i need to do a compression test to get better insight into the health of my engine. The top end was done but the bottom end (now with 190,000 miles) has never (to my knowledge) had any work done to it.

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*On a side note. I've been trying to figure out exactly what is making my car run strange. Idle seems slow to go down, Idle surges coming off the highway and does not stop until engine restarts, intermittent check engine lights, lots of black soot in exhaust system, rich? smelling exhaust, carbon buildup inside engine (seen during head gasket replacement), and I'm sure there are some other weird quirks. I think I'll just go through all the sensors very thoroughly when I rebuild my engine. I'm sure something is off.
Edited by Hydrojim, Jun 9 2014, 06:58 PM.
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Coche Blanco
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Troll Certified

What is your gear ratio?
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Hydrojim
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I have the 4.10 trans in my car and my tires are 155/70R13
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unplugged5150
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BTW Jim, gotta say the Strut Tower Bars look really good. Do they make a big difference in handling?
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Hydrojim
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I tried it out a little bit but my suspension wasn't fully torqued so I didn't go for a normal drive so not much to say. I will report more tomorrow.
Edited by Hydrojim, Jun 9 2014, 08:32 PM.
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ZXTjato
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bass heads

346 miles and still gas in the tank....impressive. By 346 miles I'd be hoofin it :lol
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Hydrojim
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Got the Frame Brace installed. I had to drill out the holes a little bigger because the frame wasn't pulling together and I felt uncomfortable cranking on it anymore.

It came out well:
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Then, I checked out the new stance:
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Finished it up with an alignment to bring things back into spec:
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I'm loving the new found handling. The ride doesn't seem any more harsh and I can now take turns without feeling like I'm going to fly out of my seat. Definitely worth the effort!

I think I'm done with the upgrades for now but as always, more is on the way.
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Hydrojim
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spent some time over labor day weekend to install side skirts and a spoiler.

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ZXTjato
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bass heads

Why aren't your windows tinted all the way around? Just the back 3? Those skirts look good dude, your car and my car look nearly the same. Your paint is less faded tho so it's shiny and red.
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Hydrojim
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Up in Ohio they had tint laws limited the front to whatever percentage so I didn't get the fronts done but now that it's registered in TN, I'm going to get the fronts tinted the same as the backs.
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unplugged5150
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Looking good Jim. I really need to get my brace installed. Been sitting on the shelf since I have to get exhaust chopped...
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Hydrojim
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1 more final left for the semester. Getting ready to do Geo stuff :drool

Winter Break To Do List:

-Carwash
-Inspection (take note of any upcoming maintenance intervals)
-Change Oil and Filter
-Install Front and Rear Sway Bars
-Go Find 95+ front seat belts and install them

Long Term To-Do List:

-Rebuild spare 3.79 transmission and replace 4.10 trans in vehicle
-Tint Front Windows
-Rebuild engine really nicely?
-Get new car? lol
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ZXTjato
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bass heads

You don't have sway bars yet!? Oh man...... :x
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Hydrojim
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I have the sway bars just need to get them installed. I think my bars need New rod ends and I'll have to drill holes in the spare tire well.
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