[lluv2run]

Anybody every thought of this idea? Well, it will be a chore, but should be fun. I am looking for suggestions and comments as to engine type, and structural support. For the motor I was thinking a supercharged fuel injected chevy 502.....?

[HemmiGremmie]

COOOOL.
My stepdad had one of them little tiny(I think) Metrapolitans? It was about 1/2 the size of a VW. I say go for it! Just make sure to send pics. I would tub a Barbie car if my wife would let me. Aint much more says BAM! Here I am than a car with fat tires. Im tubbing a Gremlin right now. 18.5 inch Mickey Thompsons and she looks great. Its sbc powered at this point, but its getting a supercharged 354ci Hemi in a year or so, if things go well. Goodluck. HG

[Halloweenking]

I've seen two or three running at the strip in my past, they are pretty cool but takes a brave person to run it, you get in a wreck and your going to be wedged between that 502 and the pavement. I've also seen the same ones in car craft magazine when they were covering drag events.

[willys36@aol.com]

Well. . . . I have a LOT of experience in running and working on Metros(emphasis on 'working on'!). There are still a lot of them on the road because they rarely ran! Front spindles will snap off on a medium bump, all windows and seals leak after a couple of years so floors are usually rusted out, unibody supports underneath (frame) are usually very rusty, rear end blows up very easily, even with the 50 hp engine, etc., etc., etc. Electrical system is total trash. On top of all that, the convertible is notorious for being very weak through the door area, to the point of breaking in half if the rust catches up.

All that being said, I think your car will be a fantastic project! I love these cars. You will need to strip it totally down, repair all the rust because it is there, and just use the body, toss the rest. There is a big, active Metropolitan Owners Club of North America that has a monthly bulletin with classified ads. You can get top dollar for all the parts you discard from your car. Plan on making a new complete frame to take all the stress off the unibody, add a Painless wiring kit, new front and rear suspension, new steering and engine/trans/very narrow rear end of your choice. There is no commercial rar end that is close to narrow enough for the car but if your are going big V8, just use the ubiquitous narrowed 9" Ford. Window and door rubber reproductions are available but they rot faster than you can install them! Part of the charm of the car.

[WoodsEdge]

Willys36, I,m also building a metro, but mine's a coupe. will be running V6- auto. Frame is no problem but what suspension and steering works best. Thanks

[willys36@aol.com]

I never modified the two I had. One was a coupe I bought in the 60s for $75 to drive @ highschool. The last one I had was also a coupe I bought in the late 80s for my kids to drive to school. On both I kept stock and rpaired things every weekend to keep them running. I did dream about making a monster engined dragster of them though. My idea was a round tube space frame, Corvair steering (reversed box), and a tube axle w/ Anglia or Willys spindles and single cross spring or coil-overs. I guess you might be able to narrow a Mustang II enough to do the job but it would take a lot of narrowing! in the rear, tub the wheels (Metro trunk is useless anyway!) and use narrowed Ford 9" w/ coil-overs. Since the body is very compact and unibody, should be quite simple to do.

[gbovaird]

Now thats a COOL project you got there. A big block would be insane in something that small. But i think a hopped up v6 turbo out of grand national may be a better choice. That big block torque will just make it crazy to drive. Dollar for dollar i bet you could build a grand national motor , upgrade the turbo or even nitrous and get close to the same power with half the weight. the torque of the big block coupled with all that wieght towards the front. A V6 will allow you to get rollin alittle before the power pours on.It would be insane to drive, it would be like a adult size go kart. Keep it real low, fat meats on all four corners ...... AWESOME ! :-)
I am sold when do we begin !!!!
Take care.

[HemmiGremmie]

Just curious.
What size tires would you run under it? Anything bigger than 10 inches on that thing would make it look tubbed Cant wait to see it. HG

[lluv2run]

well gang, i just bought a crate 502, and i newer 6 spd tranny out of wrecked camaro ss . but all the better to donate it to something like this!!! i am going to make a custom 3" roll tube chassis. have not decided on suspension. 18 inch mickey's in the back, 6 inchers in the front. some massive baer rotors and calipers. this things is going to be like riding an engine. can't wait!!! i have on order a 33 ball baring turbo from vortec. ought to do the trick eh? feel free to add ideas to my project.

[pcspat]

Originally Posted by WoodsEdge

Willys36, I,m also building a metro, but mine's a coupe. will be running V6- auto. Frame is no problem but what suspension and steering works best. Thanks

i m using a fatman fab in my v6 met

[6sally6]

Never built one but seen a few @ carshows. Not REALLY a street rod or drag car....just too short/small. But WAY cool look'in!
Did see a Nash Rambler 2dr. wagon once with big 671 GMC huff on it. The carbs and scoop were above the top of the car!
Most of the Metro's were SBC.
Hope your NOT tall!!
6sally6

[Hippie]

Fellas, this thread is 7-1/2 years old.....

[poncho62]

Old thread alert.......LOL

Bad Rat....get out here and show us a Met........

[XNTRCI-T]

[ap72]

looks... roomy...