Geo Metro/Suzuki Swift + Suzuki 600cc Motorcycle Engine.

[Matt]

http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...bb34ac203a.htm
Looks like a hoot to drive.

This would be so cheap to make, not to mention a load of fun. I am thinking about making one eventually.

Discuss this, and other weird swaps here.

[chezza]

Gonna shift this over to road cars as think it would be better there...

[Matt]

Ah, ok, thanks, I wasn't sure if I was to put it here or in Parc Ferme, as this is a little Wild.

[The STIG]

Nice to see that they took it to a proper test track, free from obsticles one might find on a road such as bulldozer, and that all concerned were kitted out in the proper safety equipment...

[redshoes]

Stig, stop being such a nanny.

Didn't think it was that impressive. Sure, produced a lot of revs and made a nice noise but it didn't seem that quick. And that's before you add more weight by added back the remaining body panels, glass, etc.

[The STIG]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Stig, stop being such a nanny.

No. People doing things like that is a prime reason why I pay over the odds for car insurance for starters. Racing and testing should be kept to the track.

[redshoes]

Fair enough, but I think you need to lighten up. It's not the first time you've posted like a Health & Safety inspector.

If this had been on a normal street with pedestrians and other road traffic then I might agree with you. As it was this was clearly a closed construction site. Aside from the parked road roller (not bulldozer) the only people or vehicles in the area where those from the group testing the car.

[zac510]

Originally Posted by The STIG

No. People doing things like that is a prime reason why I pay over the odds for car insurance for starters. Racing and testing should be kept to the track.

That would not affect your insurance because there is no way in hell they would be covered by any insurance under any circumstances

[Bluebottle]

Originally Posted by zac510

That would not affect your insurance because there is no way in hell they would be covered by any insurance under any circumstances

Not in that unfinished state perhaps but insurance for a conversion really shouldn't be any more problem than for a kit car, just don't bother calling any insurers involving dogs, pachyderms, giant telephones or mice who live in mice....

[Matt]

Besides, how do you know they don't own part of that land they are on? I know its highly unlikely, but you never know.

Ok, lets get back to talking about the Geo lol.

[zac510]

Originally Posted by Bluebottle

Not in that unfinished state perhaps but insurance for a conversion really shouldn't be any more problem than for a kit car, just don't bother calling any insurers involving dogs, pachyderms, giant telephones or mice who live in mice....

Yes that is fair, but I was considering the video.
The thing is missing half of the radiator support panel which must present some difficulties for engineering/road approval. I doubt it has a reverse gear either!

[Matt]

Nope, no reverse. Here's a page with some pics of the car, and the buildup of the diff.
http://www.psiman.net/geo1.htm

[Bluebottle]

there's quite a few bike engined kit cars around, many of them use an additional reverse box. I don't know much about them but I understand they don't make very good everyday use road cars

[The STIG]

Some of them have electric motors to reverse, although I do belive Quaife make a reversing box in favour to some builders.

Bike engine conversions for hot hatches are getting more popular, but the norm seems to be to put the engine in the space where the rear seats go - Z Cars did this with their mini conversion, and there's another company who are doing the same with cars like puntos, Fiestas etc.

The problem with doing that - is you lose the boot space, so they're not too practical!

[Bluebottle]

Not practical at all but what you do get is a car for track days that is also road legal (Well it will be when they finish it )

I recall reading somewhere that one of the problems with bike engines is lots of power but not a huge amount of tourque which makes them difficult in traffic.