MetroMPG

FYI, there's an ongoing open source DIY project at EcoModder. Members have developed a fuel economy computer called "MPGuino" (based on Arduino platform) that works on pre-OBD2 vehicles - actually, any fuel injected vehicle with a VSS. You get them them pre-built, or buy the components and make it yourself from the instructions posted. There has been talk about adapting a version for carbureted cars, but I don't know if anyone's done it yet. Here's the subforum discussing the development of the DIY instruments: OpenGauge / MPGuino fuel economy computer

No argument there! The builder fully admits that "craftsmanship" wasn't high on his to-do list for this project. I'd settle for a videotaped side-by-side coastdown test between a Prius and this car from 75 mph. A real "drag race".

FYI, the owner now has a web site about the car: http://www.Aerocivic.com

That's hilarious! Ron's a great guy from all accounts. I interviewed him last winter about the SG, and enjoyed talking with him. And talk about enthusiastic? He clearly enjoys what he's doing.

(Sorry, don't know you and can't tell if you're being sarcastic... ) It's a SuperMID (translated) that he added to the car to monitor fuel efficiency - a custom built unit that displays realtime & averaged fuel consumption. It was originally built & used by Prius modders (because the on-board display maxes out at 99 MPG, and many owners have figured out how to far exceed that with driving techniques in certain conditions). The SuperMID has the side benefit that it can also be installed in pre-OBD-II vehicles (like basjoos' Civic) which are too old to use the efficiency enthusiast's instrumentation of choice: a ScanGauge. That said, I do know someone using a Megasquirt to tune for max efficiency in an old Metro.

Then you won't be surprised to learn where the builder lived for several years, and (if it's not obvious from his photo gallery) caught the bug, so to speak.

Hi guys - Name's Darin. I'm one of the admins at Ecomodder, where the Aerocivic thread is posted. I just had to register to say this: of the couple of dozen "enthusiast" auto forums that have picked up the Aerocivic for discussion, you guys take the cake - I'm genuinely impressed by the quality of the comments here. You guys "get it". The majority of the other enthusiast forums can't get past sniping about the workmanship & aesthetics to get to the salient points. I tell you, if I were into Z's, this is the forum I'd pick. (Last time I was in one was for several instructional & track days at the now defunct Nissan School of Performance driving in Shannonville, Ont.) Cheers!