Comments on: Old Hatchback Modifications

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:35:04 +0000

Moving the cam gear a tooth is 18 degrees. It is way to much and you would be lucky to get it to run good enough to actually move under it’s own power. Half a tooth is what is ideal. anywhere from 5-10 degrees advanced is perfect for the stock cam.

By: Harry

Harry — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:19:38 +0000

When advancing the cam, wouldn’t it be Ok to just move it a tooth or two?

By: Steve T

Steve T — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:54:54 +0000

This is more of a maintenance related question. Have you had any luck keeping a new serp belt from melting down? The three rib belt on my ’91 LSI kept going away using either Gates or Dayco belts. I have a Bando belt on it now, that came with the used Jap engine I put in. That seems to hold up well, but it is old and I have’t been able to find a source for bando belts.
Also do you have any info on the Japanese engine I bought. It’s a G-10 carbureted version ( fuel injected now, of course) currently averiging 52 mph driving on hilly winding roads. the only mod i’ve done is set the initial timing to 12 btdc from 5.

By: Christian

Christian — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:17:28 +0000

Thanx Rick, am I to assume that the engine compartment is virtually the same? Only ignition and valve cam pretty much distinguish the xfi?

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:17:05 +0000

The transmission can be swapped or just the final drive gears can be swapped. Either way works since all the Metro/Swift transmissions are basically the same. Look on teamswift for a lot more information on the swap.

And the 12″ moon hubcaps I had on my car were home made so other than what other people have said I have no idea where to get them. I made mine cheap but they didn’t look as good close up as they did from a bit of distance

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:14:19 +0000

no a/c for them but you could dig all the parts for a/c from a junkyard and add it to the car without a lot of trouble.

By: Christian

Christian — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:06:55 +0000

Rick, did the XFI have an option for A/C? If not can I add A/C as if it were a base model Metro?

By: Andrew Mills

Andrew Mills — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:02:28 +0000

As for the moon alum. wheel discs. I found some 14″ Ansens, on Ebay for $35 for 4. Which fit 13″ wheels, but with a set of dividers and some pin router time on a high speed motor. The extra 1/2″ could be removed pretty quickly. These were still available last week. If U they’re gone off Ebay, I will sell U 2 of mine. Just let Me know. He had 20 more sets, last wed. Happy Metro Miles!! Andrew

By: David Parham

David Parham — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:01:49 +0000

Rick – Can you give me the name of the company where you got your full moon wheel covers. I can’t seem to find any 12″ caps like those anywhere. Thanks for all the great ideas. I’ve been slowly incorporating them into my ’91 Geo Metro, and I’ve been getting better gas mileage week by week. Averaging above 50mpg in a standard Metro. Hope to be above 60 in next 3 months.

One more question. Can you install the higher XFI fifth gear in a standard Metro five speed, or do you have to swap out the whole transmission?

Thanks, David Parham

By: Andrew Mills

Andrew Mills — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:47:22 +0000

Great ideas!
But why not use the earlier and lighter 1989 body/doors?
Also did you ever find a header, for the little 3 banger?
And what is your mpg, after all your latest mods? I have a 1989 Geo Metro myself! And am in the process of also making a Aero/Metro 3 wheeled car, ( 1 wheel in front, 2 in rear)using the 1.0 and 5 spd. and a full tube frame. Less frontal area, less rolling weight and less tire friction, should bump up the mpg to near 65 maybe?? Ever thought of the Suzuki Alto 660cc engine, used in Japan? Still researching the swap…
Hope to hear from you soon! Andrew