final drive ratios

I have a '95 metro 1.0, 5 spd. 2 dr. cpe. The final drive ratio on this thing is a lot lower than I would like. (100 miles per day @ 65-75 mph.) Do the transmissions from the 4 cyl. metros have a better ratio (& will they bolt up)? if not, any other suggestions are welcome. Car has about 110,000 miles & runs very strong, no oil usage or noises. I'd like to improve on my appx. 40 mpg. (my '91 got 56 mpg making the same trip) I have advanced the timing to 8 BTDC, I'm not sure how safe it would be to advance beyond this point. All ignition parts are new within 6 mos. With gas prices the way they are, I am looking for MAX mileage. Thanks.

:smokin:The problem isn't just the gear ratio, i'm not sure exactly what the gear ratio is for that year but I do know one thing. When they went to the MK4 body style in 1995 they also set stricter emission standards. The emmisions on the 95 and up cars is much less than the older cars.

According to http://www.fueleconomy.gov (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/) The 95 geo 2dr 5speed is rated between 44 and 49 mpg. The 1991 is rated at 53city 58 mpg highway. The 1991 was the best year for fuel economy. It was the lightest year. The 1991 had a lot less frills which means a lot let weight.

My friend has a 1998 2dr metro with the 5spd 3cyl and the best he ever got out of his was 42mpg average. So I wouldn't expect more than 45mpg. i was going to buy a later model until i found out about these miliage probs.

Hope this helps.

:iceslolan

OK..I had heard that the emissions req"s changed...I still have the '91 in my garage. (minus the trans) Its an XFI. Other than A/C on the '95, both cars have the same options. What could I use from the '91 (ECM, injector body, etc.) on the '95 to improve my milage? I live in the sticks, so I don't have to pass the smog check. I'd also like to get a better final drive ratio just to reduce engine RPM at highway speeds. (I don't have to climb any major hills, so I'm sure it'll have enough power to pull it). I REALLY would like to send as little money as possible to Osamas' pals. Mabe geozuki could take a shot at this....Thanks

That's not a very good idea. The 95 up cars have a crank angle sensor which the computer needs to pick up on in order to work. You would have to take the whole motor out of the xfi and the ecm+wiring harness from the xfi. My suggestion is to put another transmission in the xfi.

Is the motor in the xfi still good? If it is then that is what i would do.
Trying to get more than 45mpg out of the 95 up cars just isn't worth it.

If I am wrong on any of this Geozukigti will correct me. But I am pretty sure I am right.




IF IT JAMS, FORCE IT, IF IT BREAKS IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT ANYWAY.

Yes, you're correct. The only thing the 91' motor will do is bolt into your 95' Electronics, and everything are different. And yes, the crank angle sensor is the #1 problem which makes the swap just about useless. The wiring harnesses from then 91' and 95' for the interior, ECU, and tail end will not line up. Different plugs, different wire colors, different wire configurations, everything. If you really wanted to, you could swap over every wire and such from your 91, but then it wouldn't really be worth it. I'd get a 98-2001 metro trans. They have a 3.83:1 final drive. The highest final drive that came in a metro. You'll need to do some downshifting when going uphill on the freeway with that tho. It was designed for the torque of a 4 cylinder. Oh, and any metro/swift trans will work from any year, and any engine.

OK, fellas, you've convinced me that I'm stuck with the '95 electronics. If my '91 had A/C, I'd have fixed the tranny (& control arms) a long time ago...still might some day. Thanks alot on the trans info...I wasn't sure about the bolt-ups, so I'll start looking for the 3.83 trans. Will my clutch be OK, or will I need the one that's with the new trans? The downshifting on the highway won't be an issue...I get'er up to 65-70 & cruise...It'll be nice to hear the engine "not screaming". Glad to hear from geozuki...I've been reading the posts for a while now, & I can tell that you guys know your s#%t. Thanks ....Doug7x

just from past experience,if you have your engine and trans out and haven't replaced the clutch go the nike way and just do it.I reringed my engine and reworked my head and didnt and now 15000 miles later I need to replace the clutch. Should have spent the money then and done it ,now I have to pull the whole works again.

OK..I'm looking for a trans.(for spring). Is there any way to re-program the ECM? (re-map the mixture) I know this can be done on other chevys, & a metro is (technically) (ok...WAY technically) another chevy.

Because your car is a 95, and still OBD-I, you can't re-program the ECU. It's a ROM. But, if you think it's worth it, you can get a piggyback computer for it. You can mess with everything then, but they're quite expensive. $400-$600.