OK, so I got a new hood on Sunday, thanks to 90Metro for helping out there. The new hood looks like this:



I like the white in there, its a nice color.

Now my question is, should it stay white? paint it all red? I'm thinking something a little different, like this:



(Yes, I colored that myself. Sorry, I don't do Photoshop  )

Got my headlight doors installed. Thanks to Scooby for sending them my way.

Got the muffler fixed today. Ended up costing $100, I sure hope it was worth it.....






They also had to weld up a straight section where I had to cut out the cat. Looks like a good job, but its hard to see under there.... 

Time for an update.

I have gotten more of the interior finished, as you can see:





That nice looking piece of wood was inspired by Coche and Metrofiend's excellent floor builds. Its just a little one, but it is strong. Should keep the car smelling 'fresh' for a while, anyhow. 

 - 

The carpet is nearly done, and will be finished in time for Palooza.

I am getting the muffler replaced Friday, and one of our members is sending some headlight doors, so I can soon finish up the front end as well.

Smart vs. Metro comparison

 VS

............Metro retail price: $6,710
Smart-for-two retail price: $11,990

Engineering:

Engine Type: In-Line 3-Cylinder
same

Engine Block/Cylinder Head: Aluminum-Alloy
same

Displacement (l): 1.0
same

Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net, Rev 8/04): 70 HP @ 5,800 rpm
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net, Rev 8/04): 55 HP @ 5,700 rpm

Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): 68 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): 58 lb.-ft. @ 3,300 rpm

Bore and Stroke (in): 2.83 x 3.22
Bore and Stroke (in): 2.91 x 3.03

Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1

Valve train: 4-valve per cyl. - SOHC
Valve train: 2-valve per cyl. - SOHC

Electronic Multi-Point Fuel Injection
Electronic Throttle Body Injection

Rear-wheel Drive
Front-wheel Drive

CARB Emissions Rating: ULEV-2
N/A

Federal Emissions: Tier II/Bin5
N/A

Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer
Electronic ignition, has distributor

Transmissions: 5-Speed Automated Manual
Transmissions: 5-Speed Manual


Gear Ratios: 1st: 3.308 2nd: 1.913 3rd: 1.258 4th: 0.943 5th: 0.707 Final Drive: 4.529
Gear Ratios: 1st: 3.416 2nd: 1.894 3rd: 1.280 4th: 0.914 5th: 0.757 Final Drive: (see below)
*1st: 3.583 1998+ 1.3L/4 cylinder

Final Drives:
4.389 (1995+ & Convertible 1.0L/3 cylinder)
4.105 (GT/GTi & 1989-1994 1.0L/3 cylinder)
3.789 (1995+ 1298cc & XFI/1.0L/3 cylinder)
3.524 (pre-1995 SOHC 1.3L/4 cylinder)


Body/Suspension/Chassis:

Unit-Body Construction
Same
MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
?
DeDion axle Rear Suspension Stabilizer Bar (mm, front): TBD mm/none
N/A

Rack-and-Pinion Steering: Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft.): 28.7
Rack-and-Pinion Steering: Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft.): 30.2

Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc Brakes (in.): 11/8
Power-Assisted - - - Solid Front Disc/Solid Rear Drum Brakes (in.): ?

Wheels: All-Season Tires: 155/60 R15 Front/175/55 R15 Rear
Wheels: All-Season Tires: 155/80 R13 Front/155/80 R13 Rear*
*Older models used 155/80 R12


Interior Measurements:

Headroom (in.): 39.7
Headroom (in.): 37.8

Legroom (in.): 41.2
Legroom (in.): 42.5

Shoulder Room (in.): 48
Shoulder Room (in.): N/A

Hip-room (in.): 45.4
Hip-room (in.): N/A

Cargo Volume (cu. ft.): 12.0
Cargo Volume (cu. ft.): 29.1

Passenger Volume (cu. ft.): 45.4
Passenger Volume (cu. ft.): N/A

Seating Capacity: 2
Seating Capacity: 4

Exterior Measurements:

Wheelbase (in.): 73.5
Wheelbase (in.): 89.2

Length (in.): 106.1
Length (in.): 147.0

Height (in.): 60.71
Height (in.): 53.10

Width (in.): 61.38
Width (in.): 62.00

Track (in., front/rear): 50.51/54.53
Track (in., front/rear): coming soon

Coefficient of Drag: 0.34
Coefficient of Drag: coming soon

Curb Weight (lbs.): 1,808
Curb Weight (lbs.): 1,650


2008/1991 EPA Mileage:
5-Speed AutoManual (City/Highway): 34 / 40
5-Speed . . . .Manual (City/Highway): 37 / 45

(Crankcase (qt.): 3.5 incl. oil filter
(Crankcase (qt.): 3.5 incl. oil filter (same?)

Required Fuel: Premium Unleaded recommended
Required Fuel: Regular Unleaded


Coolant System (qt.): 4.5.
Coolant System (qt.): coming soon.

Fuel Tank: 10.0 gallon = 8.7 with 1.3 gal. Reserve
Fuel Tank: 10.6 gallon = 10.6 with no gal. Reserve

Cyclone Engines

One of my many interests has always been steam power. When I was little, I loved to see old steam locomotives operate, and more recently I have read a lot about the use of steam engines in cars. In fact, there is currently an automotive steam engine ready for market, from the Cyclone Power company.

A bit of history.....In 1900, there was equal competition between steam cars, gasoline and electric cars. There were a lot of technical advances made, and the most advanced car (the Doble Model E) could start from cold in 30 seconds, had a top speed of 90mph, and at 70mph there was no vibration, since the engine turned at 900rpm. That was accomplished in 1924.

There are still a lot of people who would like to see the steam car back on the road (myself included). Cars physically have not changed much, retrofitting a steam engine in an existing car is a very attractive option. Fitting it all in a small light package is the issue.

Enter the Cyclone Power company. They claim to have created a self contained steam engine and boiler packaged in roughly the same space as a standard trans-axle ICE. They are mainly going to launch a 100HP automotive engine, aimed at the performance market, the Mark V.

I am more interested in the smaller, 20HP model, the Mark II. This one is targeted at generators/steady speed operation. But if it could be made to fit a small car, the benefits would be numerous:

simpler than ICE (no transmission, clutch, radiator, alternator, etc)
lower horsepower = better MPG
better low end torque
runs on any liquid fuel
extremely low emissions

I will be emailing the company and try to get their take on this idea.