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v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?

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v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?
« on: May 12, 2010, 08:42:09 PM »
i know its a crazy idea. and ive heard a lot of bad talk about it. but i have an old 305 from an 84' chevy scottsdale that was rolled. and i hate to see a nice engine go to waste. and the 1.3 thats in my sami now needs a lot of work. (more money than to just swap) so i was wondering if i should try it. i know i will have to cut back the firewall. and up the front suspension a bit. plus some tranny work and engine mounts. but i have 3 months before i leave for college so i figure thats plenty of time to get it done. any comments?

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Bobthebiker

Re: v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2010, 08:52:00 PM »
what you think will take 3 months, I can guarantee is gonna take longer. ANY undertaking entailing modifying stuff is like that. figure 6 months to a year for your timeline so you can do everything right.    remember, if it can go wrong, it probably will.  in fabrication work, this is especially true.

I'm sure it can be done, but you're lookin at a LOT of work, and is probably not worth it vs repairing the engine you have.  I mean you're gonna have to buy supplies to make the motor mounts, the mounts themselves,  cut and modify the firewall,  make transmission mounts,  likely a new intermediate driveshaft,  suspension.   so much work, is it REALLY worth all that vs just getting a 1.6 trackick engine that offers a lot less modification needed?

Re: v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2010, 08:58:16 PM »
well. i have a lot of time on my hands during the day. and i love doing this kindof stuff. and i kinda like thinking about the fact that i will have a suzuki samurai with a v8. its almost unheard of. and i have most of the stuff. i have my uncles shop. plus i know 3 places that sell v8 conversion kits.

so should i really just leave it, or not?

i mean it would be pretty wicked....

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Offline djlantis57

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Re: v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2010, 04:37:38 PM »
I'd say just do whatever you want and whatever you need.  

BUT, I must agree with Bob, it sure seems like a lot of work.  
Your fuel economy will suffer a bit.  
The more power up front, means the more reinforcement everywhere else.  
You'd have to find a trans that would handle the power,
and same philosophy for t-case, driveshafts, axles, all the way down to every piece of the drivetrain,
the question you will have to ask yourself is,
will you be able to eliminate (or minimize) failure of other parts of the drivetrain
due to the increased power and torque?  
Not to mention the weight...you'd probably have trouble with front springs.
A lot of options with other 4cyl engines or maybe even a V6 would be powerful for such a light vehicle.
Lots of diesel swap options.

That being said, it would be SICK,
I've seen people do V8s in other Zuks and Yotas and J**ps
and it is pretty darn cool!  
And if it is indeed something you want to do, then do it!  
Then you'll have one of the fastest ones around 8)
« Last Edit: May 13, 2010, 04:54:48 PM by djlantis57 »
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Offline Drone637

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Re: v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2010, 05:37:23 PM »
I don't know about the fastest.  The one with the V6 out of a 350Z was pretty nice, as was the one with the turbo rotary.  :D

I've seen the 4.3L conversions in the Sammy's, tight fit but look nice once it is all in place.  An old Buick/Rover aluminum block would be a nice fit.
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Re: v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2010, 05:47:11 PM »
is there any other engine suggestions you guys might have besides those then???

ohhh and thanks for the tips guys
^_^

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Offline TinCan88

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Re: v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2010, 06:50:02 AM »
Sounds to me like you already have your mind set on doing the swap. i would suggest the 1.6 bc seriously a 305 in a samurai sounds very excessive even a 4.3 imho is excessive also its going to be super front heavy (all of this might have already been said but i didnt read through all the posts. i say sell the 305 buy a 1.6 and be done in a few weeks
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Offline ack

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Re: v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2010, 07:16:33 AM »
TinCan88's post sez it all.

All the weight, power, fabbing and handling problems far outweigh the "cool factor" of a V-8.

A classic example of that was a 455 V8 in a Samurai at the '02 ZookiMelt.  The guy thought it would be cool to go on the night run with it.

He lasted about a thousand feet before it rolled violently.  Nobody was hurt, but the lil' Sammy was a wad of steel wrapped around a 455 after it was finally hauled out of the park the next morning.  Okay, maybe that is a bit of exaggeration, but it wasn't a pretty sight in the light of day.  All that work for 12 minutes of trail excitement. Well, actually more like 38 seconds...

In my opinion (which ain't worth squat - really!), a GM 4.3 is the absolute limit for a Samurai.  Even then, the magic of the nimble Samurai is ruined by the ability to apply tremendous power (& possibly break something in the process) to get past an obstacle.

I would sell that engine and get yourself a 1.6 16-valve EFI or if you really want to see your Samurai kick ass, a VW 1.9 TDI.
Ack

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Bobthebiker

Re: v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?
« Reply #8 on: May 15, 2010, 08:09:12 AM »
I never thought I'd say it, but in some cases, there actually is such a thing as TOO MUCH power.

Re: v8 suggestions for a '88 sami?
« Reply #9 on: May 15, 2010, 09:01:13 AM »
lol well thank you guys. that really help actually.
and yeah i know my mind is set on an engine swap.
the old 4 is half shot and i dont want to sink a bunch of money into something
 when i can just start of new with a swap that will cost about the same.

thanks for the suggestions everyone.
ill get to looking for an engine.

thanks