Could TopGear's "Project Sipster" Work on Other Cars
 

Since TopGear announced their "Project Sipster", I started wondering if a 1.9 liter diesel engine could be installed into another car, besides a VW Rabbit.
So far, the closet thing that I was able to find was on YouTube, where somebody installed a Kubota tractor engine into a Geo Metro. Some how, I didn't find that to be very practical.

Instead, I was wondering what it would take to get a 1.9 liter or smaller diesel engine to function properly into a Geo. Oh heck, let's go out on a limb here and ask if it could work in a CRX, VX or whatever. In fact would it be possible to even get close to the 70mpg mark on any similar car as being approach on TopGear...preferably, one that looks better than a VW Rabbit.

There are a couple of youtubes on a CRX with a VW diesel in it as well.
Diesel CRX videos

Thanks TomO for providing me the link. As a byproduct, that led me to another forum known as TDI club, where a man going by the name of MiamiMike, had considered to doing similar swap; but with a newer crx.
https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread...=215111&page=2

However, due to the technical difficulties that would potentially be involved in trying to install a TDI engine in a second generation crx, I thought maybe a Geo Metro XFI would perhaps be a bit more practical.

From there, he provide everyone with a link from Ebay Germany, where VW Lupo engine, transmmission, ECU's & wiring harnesses are well in abundance.
https://cgi.ebay.de/Automatik-Tiptron...1%7C240%3A1318

For those of you whose German is a little rusty, Google Language tools has a site for translating webpages. https://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en

Now with a considerable amount of reserch, while provided that I'm able to get my hands on one of these babies, I'm thinking about dropping in a 1.2 litre TDI drivetrain within a Geo Metro XFI. In the meantime, I'd like to hear everyones thoughts on the subject.

I once saw a 92-95 Civic hatch on the interstate that had a "diesel" decal on the back where the "Civic" decal normally resides. I'm guessing he had a VW diesel in it.

anythings possible with a sawsall and a welder :P

But why?
A stock 96~97 Passat TDI does what they want except for the 7 second 0~60 mph. A $400 chip tune will get that.
Under $7k? Check. $6500 in 2002 for a 96sedan, $6,000 in 2004 for a 96wagon, $4200 in 2006 for a 97 wagon.
70+ MPG? When driven appropriately, Check. 83 mpg on biodiesel in 2003 in the Tour de Sol (250 mile course), 78 mpg on biodiesel in 2005 in that year's Tour de Sol (500 mile course).
7 seconds? This is the one I haven't cracked yet. Personal best is 9.19 in the 3500 lb sedan, stock tune, stock tires, 250k miles on it, about 80 hp at the wheels when dynoed shortly thereafter. Chipped to stage 3, bigger injectors and a fresher variable vane turbo will garner closer to 130~150 wheel hp and 300 lb*ft of torque.

A similar vintage Jetta TDI, same engine, smaller frontal area, several hundred pounds lighter, would not require as many, or as aggressive, power boost modifications to break the 7 second mark. And they're cheaper by a grand than the Passats so more money remains available for clutch and tires to deal with the power.

Interesting, where can everyone infortamation regarding the 96-96 Passat's MPG rating?

I would look to www.fueleconomy.gov for economy ratings.