The Suzuki Swift GT Wannabe

Background Info: As previously discussed, the Sprint convertible was swapped from the simple 3 cylinder automatic to a more lethal DOHC 4 banger and the matching Swift GT 5 speed manual.

If that wasn't enough, the following winter I went with a turbo kit from Jess Tremblay and TurbineTech.ca (a review of the turbo kit will be written shortly). Estimate it to be around 200ish hp. 

Twas fun until I destroyed the transmission. C'est la vie eh? I *knew* it was popping out of fifth gear before, but I gambled by rebuilding it anyway. That gamble didn't quite pan out too good obviously. I started to chase it a little and ker-whango. We are sans transmission.

Down doobie doo down down: A serious blow to the ego, to be sure. All that work, kaput. I was so sure I was going to dismantle it all, sell it on ebay, and finally get my 240Z Datsun. 

Problem is, even if I did find a Datsun, it's have to be a 2+2 in order to take the wife, kids and dog on car trips. Hard to justify fixing the vert because of this same logic as well. 

Giving it back (with interest): After sucking it up, made the decision to try to source either a) transmission or b) entire hardtop and transfer the turbo donk into it. B sounded a lot better since I could take the whole family, drive it year round, still be regisitered as a Geo for cheaper insurance, and finally, still *look* like a Geo. Whether this is for the 'sleeper' look, or something that doesn't exactly attract theivery, meh whatever.

So here we are then. Halifax friend Brian McGregor had the lead on the car, a 1992 Geo Metro, with of all things, 14" Swift GT alloys and side skirts and an interior from a turbo fly. $200.

Interestingly, the truck I borrowed to pick up the beast, has an alternator blow up during the trip. Jeez, can't wait to pick up my next project car and see what sort of adventure I have.

11/8/2006 ~ Yes, she's rough around the edges.

12/8/2006 ~ Motor and tranny is just about out now. Probably have it by the weekend. Other interesting news: Will be picking up a black 1994 rust free Swift and spare tranny. $100! Motor is blown up, but this looks to be the future home of the turbo pieces.

The yellow beater is rusted beyond all hope, but I did manage to score the interior, alloys and tranny so all is not lost with that adventure. Need a sawzall to cut up all these parts cars and dump them. :(

12/12/2006 ~ New project car is here finally. Pretty well have the yard full right now with Swifts, Geos and the convertible. I'll try to get pics soon.

12/15/2006 ~ Motor/tranny is removed from the yellow hardtop, convertible is now under the knife. Almost ready to yank the motor/tranny on it, then sneak the black hardtop into the second bay to swap the wheel hubs between them.

1/5/2007 ~ Happy New Year! Progress was made on the black hardtop. Everything is stripped out, working on transferring the vert's front shocks/struts assemblies, rear shocks, rear hatch locks, hatch cable release, etc. Have a few minor holes to fix up, notably the driver's side floor needs a patch, firewall had a 3" round hole in it, as well as a small piece along the outside of the frame where the drivers side front wheel is. For a '94, it's in really good shape.

Prep work for paint is soon underway. (Keeping with the black scheme).

1/9/2007 ~ After struggling the past 2 nights, I finally have a rolling chassis. The black swift's rear wheel bearings were in terrible condition. Front and rear wheel assemblies are swapped and I'm all set to start patching up the holes in the above pics. Before that, I'll be hauling out the vert's turbo motor and exhaust piping and dragging the hulk outside. (It's taken over my brother in law's '88 Mustang Cobra parking spot in the garage... good thing we're having a warm, rainy, snow-free winter so far!)

3/22/2007 ~ Car is getting bodywork completed now. Should be done in about a month or so. Pics to follow.