ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Performance / Modify => Topic started by: ratherbehunting on November 21, 2017, 05:37:10 PM
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I have a really sweet 97 Sidekick 1.6L std which I have added a suspension system, tires & wheels, Prelude seats, rub rails, stereo system, gun holders etc etc.
Had an opportunity 2 years ago to grab a 1999 GV 2.5L V6 complete donor vehicle (running) for cheap so I did.
I've accumulated all the parts that I need to do the swap and lastly recently visited a local engine rebuilding shop to get a ballpark on parts and labour to rebuild the 2.5L V6 as I was thinking it might be best to do a rebuild before the install. I just about soiled myself when he gave me the parts pricing as I found out the better quality (not OEM) Suzuki engine parts are scarce and crazy expensive.
So this made me stop and think things over and I'm now wondering if I'm going the right direction with this project.
I have thoroughly researched this swap, I understand what is involved and I have accumulated all the parts.
I love to horsepower, building and modify stuff so an engine that has lots of aftermarket parts available would make more sense (a Honda VTech?). I would consider adding a turbo in the future as I have done that before to a vehicle.
I would rather swap the correct platform engine and build on that than do all this work and have to remove the V6 when it starts going and start all over. I really hate doing stuff twice.
I would really appreciate your thoughts and knowledge on this topic.
??? RBH
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How do you plan to use the vehicle? I see you added gun holders, so my assumption is hunting, so off road.
Off road usage tends to need low down grunt (although most Suzuki engines produce their power higher up in the rev band) - in my mind that means that most Honda engine wouldn't be a first choice, add to that, the fact that most Honda engines spin in the wrong direction, so I would say swapping in a Honda anything is going to have more challenges than normal.
Seriously though, I find it hard to believe that you would be asking these questions having "thoroughly researched the swap and understand what is involved".
The Sidekick uses a "married" transmission & transfer case so any swap will require you to either mate the existing transmission to the new engine or swap the entire drivetrain (engine, transmission & transfer case), and that I believe considerably narrows the options, and those don't include any Honda, with the possible exception of the F20C from the S2000.
I know of folks who have swapped the Suzuki V6 into the earlier Sidekicks and it's reportedly a very challenging swap, not only from the point of view of physically bolting every thing together (this was swapping the entire drive train by the way), but more so working out the electronics, which is going to be an issue with almost anything you choose, short of an old school diesel.
The most common swaps are going to be a Volkwagen diesel or a Suzuki J20, and I don't think there is much in terms of aftermarket tuning gear for either.
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Thanks for the input.
I researched what parts are required and what the process is to make the change.
You have to change out the complete wiring harness and ECU, which I have, from the 1.6L to the 2.5L.
Unfortunately I didn't research the cost of V6 engine rebuild parts.
I'm going to do a leak down test on the V6 to determine its health.
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I'd say the complete wiring harness and the ECU is just the tip of the iceberg.
Also I suggest you start your "health" assessment with wet & dry compression tests, I believe you'll get more meaningful information from those.
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master rebuild kit ebay range from 400=1000, what was mechcanic charging?
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$4,000 in parts plus $1800 labour.
I've searched the web since and have found lots of rebuild parts.
Full steam ahead.
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is that what the parts are for rebuild? I'm assuming new everything. would it not be cheaper too call Canada engines ?
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Looks like I can get a complete rebuild kit from Rock Auto for $500.00 US so I'm not sweating the parts anymore.
I did a compression test a while ago and had 185 psi on all except for 2 which were 155.
One responded with some oil (rings?) and the other didn't (valve?).
Will be doing a leak down test shortly to confirm these suspicions.