so as you know i run in mud,  so  normally high RPM's are how i run.  1st gear, stock drivetrain(including gears), 34in swampers.  so your saying i could put in the VW, try mabey some higher gears(know where some are) and the torque from the diesel would give me enough wheel speed to get though the mud?

stu

Yep, torque can turn higher gears and
make higher wheel speeds with less
engine RPM, Cool Huh  

hum, have to talk to the father about this.  might just be crazy enough to work.  this would mean i might be able to drive it on the street with out going to 5500 up hills!

stu

  4000 RPM'S geared right can get you down the road pretty good!Like Wild said 2000RPM'S in a big truck will move 80'000 LBS at an impressive speed! Torque and gearing,between the two you can find a good compromise. Theres a Thermo King dealer across from our terminal and one day while having some repair work done I studied the possibilities of an engine swap with one of the little diesels(fly wheels,starters,bellhousings,tranny adapters) it was all starting to come together.Then I realized I was straying from my intended project goals of building a capable Zuk with parts on hand or custom frabicated ones.Maybe the next one will be blowing diesel smoke!  M.Z.

Now that's what I'm talkin about  

  Another idea from over there on diesel power   M.Z. http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modules/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=31967

When I was in the junk yard a couple of days ago getting the auto hub I did'nt need , I noticed a 90's toyota shortbox 4x4 pickup. Aluminum v6, tranny, T-case. I'm thinki'n theres alot of possibilities there!

I have a VW TURBO DIESEL SETTTING ON THE ENGINE STAND IN THE SHOP!  so Wild what do you think?  how high can yyou rev a diesel?

stu

www.acmeadapters.com

The website isn't the best and requires a flash plugin but they have a conversion kit to mount the VW engines in Samurai, Sidekick, and Toytas.

Their site rates the 1.6 turbo diesel at 68hp and 98 ft# torque and the 1.9 td at 75hp and 107 ft#.  Of course, being diesel, these numbers occur at lower rpms than the gas zuk motors we are used to.
I drove their 1.9td Samurai Tintop (33s with stock gearing transmission back).  It was incredible.  I drove a 6% hill at 60mph in 5th gear.

I just finished installing a 1.6 NA in my Samurai and it feels like the stock 1.3 but I'm runnung 31s with stock gearing.  I'm considering 33s and Trail Tough's 4:1 t-case gear set.  I haven't got enough miles on it to know econoy

Someone on here also mentioned the Aerio engine...it's a pretty badass 4 banger for a Suzuki motor:

Engine:  2.3 Litre, DOHC, 16 valve
Horse-power:  155 |removethispart|@ 5,400 rpm
Torque:  152 lb ft |removethispart|@3 ,000 rpm

Isn't that the same block and head as the 2.0 in the 1999 and up Track/vitaras?   If it is......Hmmmmm.......

Another great benifit of a diesel is that a diesel will run in any position.  Straight up and down, upside down...

As long as there is diesel coming out of the tank the engine will run.

EFI will also, as long as it's got fuel,
but water, that's the spot where Diesel
has no problems.

  2 stroke air cooled engine is about the only engine that will run in any position indefinitaly,with a diaphragm type carburator or similar fuel delivery system.Its lubricant is in its fuel,turn any thing with a sump lubricating system over and leave it running and before long it will self destruct.Suzuki oddly enough started out with a 2 stroke engine in there vehicles!  M.Z.

i think an rx7 engine would be awesome, lots of them around, lots of aftermarket parts, set up for rwd, and it loves high revs...
Andrew

i think an rx7 engine would be awesome, lots of them around, lots of aftermarket parts, set up for rwd, and it loves high revs...
Andrew

And lasts a whopping 50k miles before major work is needed and have no low-end torque