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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: explosivo on June 06, 2005, 11:08:10 AM

Title: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 06, 2005, 11:08:10 AM
Okay, now that I am in the beginning stages of my SAS swap, I'm already thinking of bigger and better engines. Not particularly thinking of a different four cyl, but something with a little more 'oomph', like a V6 or V8. Problem is, I don't want it to be extraordinarily heavy, so engines like the 350 sbc are probably out, due to weight. Now what I'm thinking is Aluminum V6's that came in 2wd configuration, so I could use the original trans and put a Sammy t-case behind it (I'd assume that most stock V6's won't be too hard on a Sammy case.

So, let's make up a list of 2wd (or 4wd with pass. side front output and fixed yokes) aluminum V6's or other plausable Trackick engine swaps :)
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: DaddyDave on June 06, 2005, 11:20:36 AM
4.3L Vortech...why not take the guesswork out and talk to Al |removethispart|@ Suzuki Lightning.   His work is second to none.
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: zaggy on June 06, 2005, 11:23:37 AM
     I've always liked the Nissan VG30 (SOHC) that came in the pick ups and the 300ZX.......they both came with RWD 5spd's.  300ZX also came with turbo's.


Zag
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 06, 2005, 11:28:39 AM
Quote
4.3L Vortech...why not take the guesswork out and talk to Al |removethispart|@ Suzuki Lightning.   His work is second to none.

4.3 might be an option, since it's readily available. Anyone know what side the output is on, or if it has slip yokes or fixed yokes?

I've heard nothing but negative things when it comes to people's opinions on Lightning's work, plus I prefer to do the work myself. I find the work more fun than the resulting vehicle, anyway :P

Nissans are few and far between on the roads up here, so I'd assume that they'll be pretty rare in the salvage yards, too :-/
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: jzap on June 06, 2005, 11:46:44 AM
If you don't have to worry about emission testing...

GM made a 215 cid (what's that, about 3.6 litres?) aluminum V-8 and a 198 cid aluminum V-6 that it put in the early '60's Buicks.  

Hard to find, but I think it might be worth a look (unless you are put off by the fact that J**p used the buick V-6 in the late '60's).
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: DaddyDave on June 06, 2005, 11:59:51 AM
Quote

I've heard nothing but negative things when it comes to people's opinions on Lightning's work, plus I prefer to do the work myself. I find the work more fun than the resulting vehicle, anyway :P


were these people actually customers of his who paid good money to have the work done, or were they guys were tried to pick his brain for free while they built all the parts at home and then got pissed when he didn't give them all the secrets?!  Keep that in mind also.  As far as his work is concerned, I have seen many of them in person and they look cleaner than factory.  Hell, he even paints the firewall to match.
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: Chief on June 06, 2005, 12:12:05 PM
I've been dreaming of either the 2.3 outta a ford (which is about double the HP and trq of the 8v), or a 4.0 V6 outta a Ford. 160hp and 220 lb ft of trq qould be PLENTY. Should be able to just idle most everything! Just pull one of those 2 out of a 2wd Ranger/explorer, get the wiring harness, ECU, etc, and you're off to the races!!  ;D
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: mesjr2004 on June 06, 2005, 12:19:34 PM
if i had the cash id gow with a vw v6 . stock hp is around 180. and it is a verry narrow motor . it only has 1 head .and the motor is verry realiable . i had one in my getta glx vr6 . that thing would run 150 mph . and is verry tourkey
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: ack on June 06, 2005, 01:04:38 PM
Quote
I've been dreaming of either the 2.3 outta a ford (which is about double the HP and trq of the 8v)...


This has been done, but the whole package (block & trannie) is very long and requires a lot of shoehorning.

Mmmmm, Turbo.....

Quote
... or a 4.0 V6 outta a Ford. 160hp and 220 lb ft of trq qould be PLENTY. Should be able to just idle most everything! Just pull one of those 2 out of a 2wd Ranger/explorer, get the wiring harness, ECU, etc, and you're off to the races!!  ;D


Someone over at ORC recently did this install.  Here's a URL:

http://bbs.off-road.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=offroadsuzuki&Number=1417968&Searchpage=2&Main=1417968&Words=4.0+swap&topic=&Search=true#Post1417968


Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: zaggy on June 06, 2005, 03:44:40 PM
Ah come on guys
    2.3 Pinto/Mustang, the Suzuki 2.0L has more horse power and torque...........lets get physco.....Talon 2.0l turbo with intercooler, chip and uprated boost control. Should bolt up to the RWD trans from the Dodge D-50 or old Plymouth Challenger.....drove a freinds that we did some work for...250hp in an all wheel drive...but not cheap.

    On the slightly less insane....how about a low boost 2.0L/Multi point injection...should get around 175hp and stay all Suzuki...What do you think Wildgoody?

Zag
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: 92Sidekick4x4 on June 06, 2005, 06:25:29 PM
if i had the money/skills i think i would liek to keep the 1.6L 8 vAlve, totally rebuild it new pistons cam etc. and put some NOS in it for fun, and eveyrthing else re built etc.
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 06, 2005, 11:05:27 PM
Quote
were these people actually customers of his who paid good money to have the work done, or were they guys were tried to pick his brain for free while they built all the parts at home and then got pissed when he didn't give them all the secrets?!  Keep that in mind also.  As far as his work is concerned, I have seen many of them in person and they look cleaner than factory.  Hell, he even paints the firewall to match.

Just comments about different people's impressions of the quality of workmanship that's come out of that shop. I have no experience with them personally, nor do I know anyone who does, but like I said earlier, I like to do my own work :)

And a reminder, the original intent of the thread is looking for V6's and V8's that don't weigh a shit-ton. Not 4cyls. If I wanted a 4cyl, I'd use the Nissan Z engine I have sitting in my garage ;)

Something that I thought about at work: a 4.3 (Vortec or not) mated to a SM420 or 465 (whatever the fourspeed transmission in 80's GM trucks was called) with the transfercase that came in the truck (as long as it has fixed yokes). Does anyone know if the 4.3 has the same bellhouse pattern as other SBCs? Are teh clutches/pressure plates/flywheels interchangable?
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: 1bigtracker on June 06, 2005, 11:34:33 PM
Quote
Ah come on guys
    2.3 Pinto/Mustang, the Suzuki 2.0L has more horse power and torque...........lets get physco.....Talon 2.0l turbo with intercooler, chip and uprated boost control. Should bolt up to the RWD trans from the Dodge D-50 or old Plymouth Challenger.....drove a freinds that we did some work for...250hp in an all wheel drive...but not cheap.

i've already looked into it. you would need to mod the oil pan. Bushur Racing makes a plate to bolt it to a chevy auto trans ;)
http://www.buschurracing.com/cgi-bin/ez-catalog/cat_display.cgi?31X376545


stu
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: ebewley on June 07, 2005, 01:42:59 AM
Quote



And a reminder, the original intent of the thread is looking for V6's and V8's that don't weigh a shit-ton. Not 4cyls. If I wanted a 4cyl, I'd use the Nissan Z engine I have sitting in my garage ;)


Why not stay Suzuki? ;) The 2.7 liter engine with 185 hp motivates a Sidekick just fine and it is possible to use all Suzuki drivetrain with out any adapters or other BS. Of course there's the 4.3 blah blah blah but other than a vortec version it is actually down on power to the 2.7 and weighs a whole lot more. Especially if one detunes it by changin to a carburator.  ;D  

For a comparison of weight there is a certain Sidekick from an owner here on the board that is running 35 inch krawlers, Calmini armor, and a 1.6 16valve w/5speed whilst I am running 33 inch MTRs, Calmini armor, and a 2.7 V6 w/auto the difference in weight between the two vehicles is less than 75 pounds!

FWIW: Stick with Suzuki drivetrain it is worth it. :)

-Eric
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: chet on June 07, 2005, 04:43:33 AM
the 4.3 has the same bellhousing bolt pattern as SBC's the pre'87 use the early flywheels and the '87 later use the new style crank seal so the flywheel is different (not hard to find though) they are not that light of an engine.

As for the tranny. I think for weight wise the NV3500 from a s10 with the 4.3 would be the best bet. the sm465/420 are huge and really heavy!! They are meant for 1 ton trucks!

As for tcases if you use a 2wd tranny it will be really long. you can get adapters to mate the chev tranny to a toyota tcase and you can also get adapters to mate the chev bellhousing to a toyota tranny and tcase.

If you use chev tcase you have a few choices.
NP205=heavy and bad low range of 1.9:1
np203=even heavier and HUGE!
Dana 300 is prob a good bet.
np235 from a s series. drivers side drop though. Also they have skip yoke rear outputs.
np241/5 from 1 ton chevs have drivers drop and fixed yokes.

for weight comparison I had a toyota with 4.3/sm465/np205 and toyota axles and 37" tires and it was almost 5000 lbs!!! some of that was the heavy box I had on it so call it 4500 lbs.!

I figured by swapping to a nv3500 I could get 5th gear and mate it to a dana 300 this would have given lower low range (after changing diff gears) and saved me 250 lbs.
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 07, 2005, 07:51:47 AM
Quote


Why not stay Suzuki? ;) The 2.7 liter engine with 185 hp motivates a Sidekick just fine and it is possible to use all Suzuki drivetrain with out any adapters or other BS. Of course there's the 4.3 blah blah blah but other than a vortec version it is actually down on power to the 2.7 and weighs a whole lot more. Especially if one detunes it by changin to a carburator.  ;D  

For a comparison of weight there is a certain Sidekick from an owner here on the board that is running 35 inch krawlers, Calmini armor, and a 1.6 16valve w/5speed whilst I am running 33 inch MTRs, Calmini armor, and a 2.7 V6 w/auto the difference in weight between the two vehicles is less than 75 pounds!

FWIW: Stick with Suzuki drivetrain it is worth it. :)

-Eric

A 2.7 V6 would definately be a cool swap, but I'd still have to deal with the issues of slip yokes and actually finding one around here. This is the land of the Chebbies :(
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 07, 2005, 07:53:13 AM
Quote
the 4.3 has the same bellhousing bolt pattern as SBC's the pre'87 use the early flywheels and the '87 later use the new style crank seal so the flywheel is different (not hard to find though) they are not that light of an engine.

As for the tranny. I think for weight wise the NV3500 from a s10 with the 4.3 would be the best bet. the sm465/420 are huge and really heavy!! They are meant for 1 ton trucks!

As for tcases if you use a 2wd tranny it will be really long. you can get adapters to mate the chev tranny to a toyota tcase and you can also get adapters to mate the chev bellhousing to a toyota tranny and tcase.

If you use chev tcase you have a few choices.
NP205=heavy and bad low range of 1.9:1
np203=even heavier and HUGE!
Dana 300 is prob a good bet.
np235 from a s series. drivers side drop though. Also they have skip yoke rear outputs.
np241/5 from 1 ton chevs have drivers drop and fixed yokes.

for weight comparison I had a toyota with 4.3/sm465/np205 and toyota axles and 37" tires and it was almost 5000 lbs!!! some of that was the heavy box I had on it so call it 4500 lbs.!

I figured by swapping to a nv3500 I could get 5th gear and mate it to a dana 300 this would have given lower low range (after changing diff gears) and saved me 250 lbs.

Damn... seems like anything involving an SBC swap is going to be HEAVY. :(
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 07, 2005, 08:00:25 AM
Another option I was thinking about is a Ford 5.0L from a Mustang mated to a Toyota Trans and Tcase. Just not sure how heavy an FI 5.0 is.

http://www.northwestoffroad.com/parts/engineswap.html
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: Cwkick on June 07, 2005, 09:13:01 AM
How about a 302 (5.0L) out of, let's say, a Bronco?   ;D


Cwkick
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: Natebert on June 07, 2005, 10:00:38 AM
Quote


Why not stay Suzuki? ;) The 2.7 liter engine with 185 hp motivates a Sidekick just fine and it is possible to use all Suzuki drivetrain with out any adapters or other BS. Of course there's the 4.3 blah blah blah but other than a vortec version it is actually down on power to the 2.7 and weighs a whole lot more. Especially if one detunes it by changin to a carburator.  ;D  

For a comparison of weight there is a certain Sidekick from an owner here on the board that is running 35 inch krawlers, Calmini armor, and a 1.6 16valve w/5speed whilst I am running 33 inch MTRs, Calmini armor, and a 2.7 V6 w/auto the difference in weight between the two vehicles is less than 75 pounds!

FWIW: Stick with Suzuki drivetrain it is worth it. :)

-Eric



I'd second this!
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: Utah_Tracker on June 07, 2005, 10:12:54 AM
Just anouther note, the 4.3 chev is only 250 lbs lighter than the 350. However as you noted earlier most anything you do with a domestic engine will result in dramatic weight changes.  It will also hurt you more in were the weight will sit on your vehicle rather than how much it is.  The dynamics change dramaitcally.
 With that said, the 4.6 L ford V-8 from a surplus Crown Vic (COP CAR) there usually cheep well mantianed, driven hard, and all alloy blocks, heads and such.


Just more food for thoughts.
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: 1bigtracker on June 07, 2005, 10:39:06 AM
Quote
Another option I was thinking about is a Ford 5.0L from a Mustang mated to a Toyota Trans and Tcase. Just not sure how heavy an FI 5.0 is.

[url]http://www.northwestoffroad.com/parts/engineswap.html[/url]

i think i have an adaptor at the shop for a Ford C4 to a Yota case :D

stu
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 07, 2005, 10:56:57 AM
Quote

i think i have an adaptor at the shop for a Ford C4 to a Yota case :D

stu

Gimme! (as long as a 5.0 will bolt up to a C4 without an expensive adapter)
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 07, 2005, 10:58:37 AM
Quote
Just anouther note, the 4.3 chev is only 250 lbs lighter than the 350. However as you noted earlier most anything you do with a domestic engine will result in dramatic weight changes.  It will also hurt you more in were the weight will sit on your vehicle rather than how much it is.  The dynamics change dramaitcally.
 With that said, the 4.6 L ford V-8 from a surplus Crown Vic (COP CAR) there usually cheep well mantianed, driven hard, and all alloy blocks, heads and such.


Just more food for thoughts.

I like the 4.6 in my truck, but I don't know how it would do in this setup (a ton of abuse every time it's driven)
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 07, 2005, 11:00:05 AM
On the XL7 2.7L, what axle ratios did the automatic version and the manual version have? Also, how similar is the tcase to the older Trackick design? Will a 2.7L bolt up to the 5spd I have in my Tracker? That could be a deal breaker right there, since I have the trans already in the Tracker, and two spares sitting in parts trucks out back ;)

Also, how much did you guys (ebewly and 95xl7 and others who've done the swap) payed for your engines and where did you get them from?
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: Uncivilized on June 08, 2005, 03:01:45 AM
I wonder, does anyone know of using a Toyota 3.4L ? Maybe the whole Takoma setup, 3.4L, Trans, and t-case.... My friend has a 98 TRD, and it hauls, it would be insane in a kick...
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: zaggy on June 08, 2005, 04:18:29 AM
FWIW

    It's all about power to weight and what you want to do with the unit.
    The thread started with a bigger engine going to a stock Suki tranny and sammy t/case.
    Any of the North American v-6/V-8 combo" is going to upset the balance of the unit in a major way and there is no way that the stock tranny-T/case will live.....
    The Suk V-6 is probly the best of the V-6 options as it is not as heavy and has good power but looking overe the ones in my shop it's a engine trans t/case shafts etc swap....
    The 2.0L Suk will mate to the stock tranny with a custom flywheel and not destroy the driveline. Good hd clutches are available. You're up to 127 to 135 hp right off the start.
    Add a mega squirt/turbo/ intercooler system like "Wildgoody's" and you're going to be into the 165-175 hp range at the minimum....less weight, better balnce, easier swap....I'd almost bet that this combo would out perform the 4.3 at very likely less cost

Zag
   
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: toolman21 on June 08, 2005, 04:56:10 AM
I looked at doing the 5.0 swap into mine awhile back....mainly because I have a 5.0/AOD out of a mustang sitting around.  The main problem I found was that the ford transfer case was on the wrong side, you can get an adapter to mate it to a toyota case or a chevy transmission, but those adapters are EXPENSIVE...from what I remember it was like 700-800 more or something, it would have been cheaper to just buy something that fit.  The only valid option I came up with as was recomended by someone here was to use the AOD and put a sammy case behind it and build driveshafts to fit it all.  Sounded interesting, but haven't explored it much since I started building other stuff and just needed to drive the sidekick.  But all in all, I think it would work...might be heavy...but it would be amusing as H|removethispart|@ll.  ;D
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: SnoFalls on June 08, 2005, 04:59:44 AM
I've given thought to an engine swap for more HP and ...

I figure it has to be an all AU engine to keep weight in check. The AU v8's are way to much money, and the v6 options are limited (suzuki v6, mazda v6?, ...)

I've also thought a diesel swap would make a nice change (e.g. VW tdi), but complex.

I thinkin now to just take the old 8v out, add a cam, bore it, probably port it, and hope to get near 100hp when done. It's getting by today, but just tired, so this winter I'll rebuild and toss in some upgrades.
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: chet on June 08, 2005, 06:43:03 AM
I know its not a v6 but what about a toyota 22re? Parts are everywhere and with a header and cam are around 120-130 HP. Good solid engine too!
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: safarikick on June 08, 2005, 06:56:45 AM
http://www.daczone.com/suzuki.htm
(http://www.daczone.com/zuki/jun2002_2.jpg)
i think this was nice
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: ksa421 on June 08, 2005, 07:53:54 AM
What about a non TDI VW TD swap.... There is not computer to worry about frying and they can be tuned to put out 200hp out of the 1.9l T.... It is a pretty simple install i heard



Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: chet on June 08, 2005, 09:22:03 AM
www.acmeadpaters.com for that one! Do you have a website that lists how to get 200HP from a 1.9TD?  ???

Quote
What about a non TDI VW TD swap.... There is not computer to worry about frying and they can be tuned to put out 200hp out of the 1.9l T.... It is a pretty simple install i heard




Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: ksa421 on June 08, 2005, 09:39:48 AM
I heard it word of mouth..... I found a few website that talk about tuning the VW TD.  
There si also a huge thread on Pirates that talks about doing the diesel swap in samis...but the tuning info would be the same.

http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=579

http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/index.shtml#EngineSpecs


Actually Acme Adapters is in the process of rebuilding me a 1.6l VW TD that they are gonna swap into to my 2door Kick ;D ;D
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 08, 2005, 09:51:26 AM
The rotary swap looks cool, but I like low end torque, which is why I was looking for a V6 or V8 ;)

Now if I can't locate a decent XL7 V6, I might have to start looking for a VW diesel engine for a swap ;D
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: 95xl7 on June 08, 2005, 10:56:35 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33615&item=7979686801&rd=1
Title: Re: Engine choices for swap
Post by: explosivo on June 08, 2005, 11:49:20 AM
Quote
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33615&item=7979686801&rd=1[/url]

$400 shipping :(