Discussion
Had this car just over a year, got it last year totally standard with a 1.4 8v SPi engine fitted due to it being a GTa model. Spent the last 12 months doing different bits and pieces to the car to improve handling, braking, interior and general bits and pieces to the car. Last year I fitted a 1.4 16v engine to the car which had been slightly fettled by the previous owner to give the car a bit of poke and get me used to the speed before I went any bigger engine-wise.
This is how it looked in early July:
Roll on until end of July and I get a phone call from a mate, he had stuffed his metro into some dozy woman who cut across him on a roundabout, asking if I was interested in his engine for a bargin £200. I couldn't say yes quick enough! Picked it up, 1.8 VVC engine, converted loom, ECU/immobilizer and a low milage gearbox were mine and loaded into the back of my mates car.
Once I got it home I started work on the loom as it had shorted itself at the accident so needed rewiring with a new crank sensor and 0v+ feed from the ECU to the TPS, ITS, CTS and two plugs for the VVC unit. Spent a week or so doing the waterpump, cambelt/tensioner etc so it would be ready to drop into the car.
Couple of weeks ago got an engine crane from HSS, put the kettle on and a friend I conscripted into helping had the old engine out and new one fitted in 6 hours. Still had some issues with the wiring so spend a few days sorting that until finally I have sorted it and got it running spot on.
Spec is:
Engine:
1.8 VVC 143
R65u gearbox with short ratios
Enclosed induction kit
2" straight through exhaust with decat
Metro MPi fuel pump(higher flow rate compared to standard)
Exterior:
Lowered and individualised hydrolastic suspention
Polybushed Metro GTi ARB's
Vented Metro GTi Brakes with Mintex 1144 or 1166 pads(I can't remember)
Metro GTi MPi wheels with yoko a539 tyres
Rear Strut Brace
Rust
Interior:
Red Leather BRM steering Wheel
Metro GTi SE Half Leather seats
Metro GTi Red seatbelts
Infinity Front Comp speakers
Kenwood rear speakers
Skully(skull on parcel shelf who's eyes light up when I brake)
Thats it really, all the work has been done by myself to the car including any wiring that has been needed. I have enjoyed working on the car(most of the time) and as it is my daily driver I have learned how to manage my time a lot better when approaching jobs on the car!
Some pics of it over the past 12 months and then some taken a few days ago:
First got it:
Getting some new wheels and interior:
My old ground clearance:
Random pic:
As it stands:
Comments are welcome, I think the car is PH enough to be put in here now
This is how it looked in early July:
Roll on until end of July and I get a phone call from a mate, he had stuffed his metro into some dozy woman who cut across him on a roundabout, asking if I was interested in his engine for a bargin £200. I couldn't say yes quick enough! Picked it up, 1.8 VVC engine, converted loom, ECU/immobilizer and a low milage gearbox were mine and loaded into the back of my mates car.
Once I got it home I started work on the loom as it had shorted itself at the accident so needed rewiring with a new crank sensor and 0v+ feed from the ECU to the TPS, ITS, CTS and two plugs for the VVC unit. Spent a week or so doing the waterpump, cambelt/tensioner etc so it would be ready to drop into the car.
Couple of weeks ago got an engine crane from HSS, put the kettle on and a friend I conscripted into helping had the old engine out and new one fitted in 6 hours. Still had some issues with the wiring so spend a few days sorting that until finally I have sorted it and got it running spot on.
Spec is:
Engine:
1.8 VVC 143
R65u gearbox with short ratios
Enclosed induction kit
2" straight through exhaust with decat
Metro MPi fuel pump(higher flow rate compared to standard)
Exterior:
Lowered and individualised hydrolastic suspention
Polybushed Metro GTi ARB's
Vented Metro GTi Brakes with Mintex 1144 or 1166 pads(I can't remember)
Metro GTi MPi wheels with yoko a539 tyres
Rear Strut Brace
Rust
Interior:
Red Leather BRM steering Wheel
Metro GTi SE Half Leather seats
Metro GTi Red seatbelts
Infinity Front Comp speakers
Kenwood rear speakers
Skully(skull on parcel shelf who's eyes light up when I brake)
Thats it really, all the work has been done by myself to the car including any wiring that has been needed. I have enjoyed working on the car(most of the time) and as it is my daily driver I have learned how to manage my time a lot better when approaching jobs on the car!
Some pics of it over the past 12 months and then some taken a few days ago:
First got it:
Getting some new wheels and interior:
My old ground clearance:
Random pic:
As it stands:
Comments are welcome, I think the car is PH enough to be put in here now
Edited by SlowStig on Thursday 21st February 22:15
TVR Sagaris said:
I've been thinking about doing this conversion a lot recently; it seems like a very easy way to get a very fast sleeper.
I hadn't considered wiring problems, can you not adapt the MGF wiring into the Metro loom?
There is guys who convert looms for you for a set price, depending on what engine and what car you start with. Usually an MGF loom is best as its very similar to a R100 loom so doesn't need as much converting but if you get a metro and not a Rover 100, there is the addition of an immobilizer which needs fitting called the 5as as the older cars(GTi shape) used 3as immobilizers which didn't really do much to immobilize. With 5as, if the ecu isn't paired with the 5as box and fob then it will never run.I hadn't considered wiring problems, can you not adapt the MGF wiring into the Metro loom?
If you ever want to pop over to southport and have a look/ride in it then drop me a PM and I will be more than happy to show you it!
These are quick little motors with the VVC, a guy at Castle Combe had a 170bhp VVC and an LSD ...... it wasn't far off the Mini cup car that was testing there on the day !
But after driving like he stole it for to long his luck ran out....... when you crash them they really don't stand upto much ....
Looking good though ..... very low !
But after driving like he stole it for to long his luck ran out....... when you crash them they really don't stand upto much ....
Looking good though ..... very low !
Whats wrong with skully? He does look awesome when lit up at night!
The car isn't that low any more, local lotus specialist was chatting to me and advised a good setup on the suspension and ARB's which have made it handle tons better which I am quite impressed with. Oh and I have stuffed a couple of metros, this is the results of one rolling:
That slowed me down and made me drive a lot more sensible as well as much more responsibly when others are in the car or others are on the same road.
The car isn't that low any more, local lotus specialist was chatting to me and advised a good setup on the suspension and ARB's which have made it handle tons better which I am quite impressed with. Oh and I have stuffed a couple of metros, this is the results of one rolling:
That slowed me down and made me drive a lot more sensible as well as much more responsibly when others are in the car or others are on the same road.
it would be a very dull place if everyone here got frothy over MX5s 
I'd take that metro over an MX5 any day 
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