I've been following this thread very closely, as I have a 99 GV with very noisy chains.
After investing a lot of time and money into modifications, I've decided to fix the noisy timing chain. I recently witnessed the tear down of a 2.5 that had granuals of chain guides throughout the block and heads, requiring a total overhaul.
Two days ago, I was at a local shop that had a wrecked 2.7 GV 4x4 sitting out back that they are making me a great deal on. I was able to start it up and the engine is very quiet. I have to go back and get the vin# to get more serious about the possibilities of a swap. After reading this thread and the 2005 thread from stuntpilot, I have a few questions:
Does anyone on this forum have first hand experience performing the "long block swap" (option 1) that Eric mentioned?
If so, what did they do for the MAF sensor? (change intake? or, rewire new MAF sensor?
Any other mods required to do this option?
Currently am leaning towards doing the wiring changes (option 3), since I have a running donor vehicle that is 4x4 with all the wiring, but I don't want to dive in and find it is too fiddly. Any info would be appreciated very much.
Thanks!
Meach4x4
1999 Grand Vitara- Auto, 265/70/16 Duratracs, Stock Alloys,OME springs, 1" spacers, Bilstein rear shocks, 1 1/2" Strut spacers, steel front diff and carrier, 5.12 gears, de-plasticized, cut fenders, beat wheel wells, Pioneer super tuner, 10m stryker, custom steel bumpers, thrasher timing chain, squealer drive belts...