I know i have seen this topic here before.  And as some of u know i blew up my current engine.  So i was thinking about doing the 1.6 turbo diesel swap. One reason im having problems finding an engine in my area.  So i am just wondering what u guys think about it.

I also did find an 8valve complete at a junk yard.  But they want 500 bucks for it.  IS that a good price because i do see alot of them on here for 250-350.

Oh ya if it help i have a 94 suzuki sidekick.

... as some of u know i blew up my current engine.  So i was thinking about doing the 1.6 turbo diesel swap. One reason im having problems finding an engine in my area.  So i am just wondering what u guys think about it.

Oh ya if it help i have a 94 suzuki sidekick.

I just bought a '82 Vanagon diesel for 50 bucks. It is a rusty piece of crap but it started right up and I drove it home (40 miles). I am planning on pulling the motor and putting it in a Trackick also. My '96 only has 70k on it so I dont want to mess with it's motor yet so I am looking for a SWB to put it into.  THe motor is just a 1600 NA (I wish it was a 1900 TD) but I think it will push a Trackick around ok. I had that vanagon up to 65 down the highway with low tires, a dragging e-brake and loaded with all the $#!+ that came along with the van. I think it outweighs a tracker by 1500 pounds empty. I am also going to look into adding a turbo to it just for the extra power.

Ya' know... I've been musing this idea in my not-so-subconscious for months, now. I have a 1.6 TD rebuilt engine, w/o the TD. I removed it from my Quantum, and installed it in my Golf, and she runs, and runs, and runs, and the mpg is approx. 45 mpg. I also have a naturally aspirated 1.6 D w/ about 115K on it that I was going to install into and then sell the Golf, and keep the TD engine for a swap just as this. Possible veggie oil conversion, too. I read somewhere that the swap to a Trackick was somewhat compromised because of the oilpan, but some place sells a pan for the Kick. I only want this for my DD, and for economy reasons. I have a grudge with Big Oil, and the other complicit industries. So... I like to "defect in place" as it were. It'd be really neat if you could document and post your progress with this coonversion; that could inspire the less confident of us. Thanks, Rick

Rick sent me this PM and i thought i would use it to bump this topic. Hope you don't mind Rick. I finally found a clean SWB TracKick (from Georgia) and brought it home last week. I am pulling the 8v out of it and it will get a 1.6 VW diesel that is waiting in my garage. As I do the swap I will document everything involved and steps taken. Like Rick I have a grudge with the oil companies and would like to also have the peace of mind while wheeling that my "vegi fueled" TracKick isn't polluting the fresh air I went wheeling to get out into in the first place.

Now that I have both the engine and the rig I hope to start this project soon. Just have to get the parts car/R&D platform out of the garage first. I've been working on some long travel suspension designs while it was in there. I'll keep you all posted as the project gets underway.

BTW Rick if you did a diff drop then there is clearance for the stock oil pan. Another option if you have a bodylift is to use raised engine/tranny mounts to get the clearance. Or you can always use a custom oilpan made for this swap.

What if you imported a peugeot 1.9 diesel that went into the European sidekick, or the 2.0 liter Mazda diesel that went into the Australian one. It might be a bolt in affair without any adapter plates. It is worth looking into, because North America was the only place to not get the diesel model. Also search for the ones where the cut off the front half of the vehicle, and it comes with the engine, transmission, front axle, and other stuff associated with the front half of the vehicle.

A zuk nut I know is a Frenchman,
he was importing the Peugeot 1.9 diesel
but he never told me if they bolted in or
needed an adapter

I would be interested in doing that myself. I just can't seem to find a supplier through any searches i have done. If you know of any please post them or PM me with the details. Thanks.

A recent post in the sidekicksandtrackers yahoo group.  Judging by his handle, it seems there's a guy in Michigan you may want to get in touch with..



From: "97 Geo 1.6L Turbo Diesel" <rx_7gsl_se|removethispart|@...>
Date: Mon Mar 6, 2006  12:23 pm
Subject: 1997 Geo Tracker 1.6L 16V Motor, Transmission, Transfer Case FOR SALE  rx_7gsl_se

I have a 1997 geo tracker 1.6L 16V motor, 5 speed tranney and transfer
case for sale. All Exellent shape and working conditon. All together
$600 for it all. Great deal. Motor has new head, water pump, pistons,
everything. Has less then 10000 miles on rebuild. I live in Sheridan,
MI and can setup some type of delivery for extra $$$ thanks.

 

I would say thats a missprint! There was no 1.6 16V diesel that I know of. For $600 that would be a true steal! Hell thats a deal for a gasser!

 Hey SidekickMN, Were you out at Apple Valley farms last summer?   What went on your engine.  I may be able to find you parts and or a engine.

If it were me, I'd go with the 1.6 turbo diesel, using and ACME conversion kit.

ACME has an adapter kit for mounting a VW engine to a Samurai, Trackick, or Toy transmission (3 different kits).

I curently have a 1.6NA in my Samurai and get 29 mpg with 31s.  It lacks the top end though so I will either regear the t-case or install the 1.6TD sitting in my shop.  I wouldn't consider going NA in a Tracker.

I have heard of people using Isuzu engines in Samurais.  The trick is getting a north-south motor with a transmission or adapting the engine to your existing transmission.  The rest is just motor mounts, cross members, exhaust, radiator (get a big one), assorted brackets, and so on.

Hey Beercheck and Chet, The guy in Michigan is actually putting a VW diesel in his tracker and is just selling the tranny, t case and 16 valve that were in his '97. I thought he was selling his Tracker too and sent him an email asking for pics. Then I found out it was the engine, drivetrain. 

Jonald, I really want a 1.9 VW (IDI not TDI) for mine but cannot find one. So I am stuck with a 1.6 N/A for now. It is just going in a local road/trail rig so I think It will be ok for most stuff. Wish I could even find a 1.6 TD that I can afford. I will be ordering my ACME kit in the next few days. 

They are out there, I just ordered a new 1.9 TD from my local VW dealer. It was $3500 shipped with a 12 month warantee.

What about the 2 litre mazda diesel? I believe that the mazda engine came in more things than the sidekick. I think it came in the truck along with a few cars. Im sure it wouldnt be too hard to import one of those from new zealand or australia.

I will admit i would like to have the a diesel engine and run on veggie but the NA version does not like the cold too start and then the veggie is even worse.....my work parking will see -40 with the windchill factor....no starting at that point so that really screws me unless i go TDI and then my truck has one really expensive motor in it and that is about it......

A zuk nut I know is a Frenchman,
he was importing the Peugeot 1.9 diesel
but he never told me if they bolted in or
needed an adapter

how exactly did you go about turboing your zuk anyhow? just wondering, i think it's freaking awesome