Thanks jeremiah.

I'm quite fond of my little tracker....and I have some thoughts I might like to share with you all.

I believe there's a point at which it would be a HUGE waste to spend any more money on it...because it is after all...just a 91 Geo.  AND, I think I'm quite near that now or beyond it.  I'll never get the money back that I put into it.

However....

IF I could modify it or change a few things about it...I can make it drive and feel like a totally different vehicle, and make spending all my money on it slightly more worth it.

Example..  motor swap...  complete suspension upgrade... 

Just a couple ways I can make my Geo....less of a Geo.   I think down the road if I keep it...spend even more money on it...upgrade and modify it, I can transform it into a nicer, more respectable set of wheels.  And maybe even a proper off-roader.


This is why I bring up these somewhat radical ideas.   

a HUGE waste to spend any more money on it...because it is after all...just a 91 Geo.

Just keep telling yourself it's actually a suzuki, That'll make you feel better.

Then, get the kit, drop in a nicely built 2.0, bored out with a ported and polished head and you got twice the HP! That seems simpler than the v6 swap.

I think thats what I wanna do to mine, only with a water cooled turbo, intercooler under the hood like the wrx, forged bottom end and a 1 piece forged main cradle(possibly even custom drilled block for four bolt mains like a bowtie block). My ricer friends seem to think we can get 400 hp out of a 2.0 as long as I can keep the bottom end together. 250-300 with no fear of blowin up! And still lighter than some other swaps too(chevy v6)  How's that for changin the way it drives?   

Then, get the kit, drop in a nicely built 2.0, bored out with a ported and polished head and you got twice the HP!

I'd like to see the dyno numbers to back this up. The 2.0L is about 130 HP & Torque stock. I have a hard time believing a port, polish & bored out pistons are going to give it 70 HP.

My ricer friends seem to think we can get 400 hp out of a 2.0 as long as I can keep the bottom end together.

Sure. If you don't mind a lot of turbo lag, or short engine lifespan, it can be done. I'd say over 1/2 of the "upgrades" drag racers do will KILL the 4x4 usability. In off road (with the exception of mud & sand dunes), it's low RPM torque we're interested in, not high RPM peak HP numbers. Turbos are good. A turbo on a 2.0L would be uber-sweet. But you want a SMALL turbo running MILD (~7PSI) boost, and screw the water-cooled gizzy. You won't need it for mild boost.

A 2.0 with a turbo would so frickin sweeeet!!!

What kind of cars can I jack this 2.0 from?  Same question for turbo.  And how many dollars do I need to make this happen?   I'll need more ponies for what I plan on doing.

Turbo & Engine:
Easiest 2.0L would be from a Tracker. I believe they first became available in 1998 models, and became standard in 2000 (do NOT quote me on this, but I think it's accurate). For a turbo, you want something smaller than most Garret T3's (very few / rare T3's will have the trim level you need for low-lag applications in a 2.0L). A Garrett T25 / T28, or IHI RHB5 is a good place to start looking. Check out TeamSwift.net for more info on turbo selection - just keep in mind those guys are (mostly) only interested in a very narrow high-RPM high-HP power band (for some form of racing or another). So, look for turbos they consider "small" or "low power" if you want little-to-no turbo lag. Even 7 PSI of boost should easily give you 30% more power - especially with a high-flow intake / exhaust system.

I spent a bunch of time making a list w/ prices for a turbo setup. To make a long story short, expect to spend $1,500 - $3,500 depending on how wild & bling factor you are. A couple helpful links:
http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,85570.0.html
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=315025
I can't find the build bentparts did, but I think you can find it if you do a search here & pirate.

One more link...
http://www.jgstools.com/turbo/thk.html

The 2.0L is about 130 HP & Torque stock

Isn't that about twice what an 8 valve has,   sorry for not dynoin' every engine zuki makes.  Next time I'll be sure to keep my cool ideas to myself!  Oh yeah, I'll tell my ricer friends they're nuts, especially the one with the 800 hp 1.8L integra.  Oh and BTW the "water cooled" turbo from a late model volvo or saab spools at only  about 1500 RPM.

Slow your roll there. No one's asking you to keep your ideas to yourself: this is a discussion forum where people will have varying ideas on builds. Sometimes those ideas will be different from yours. I'm typing all this out so people can make informed decisions about their own builds - not trying to kick you in the nutz.

* 1.6L 8V = 80HP (~60% shy of the 2.0L)
* 1.6L 16V = 95 HP (~30% shy of the 2.0L)
* Your ricer friends aren't nutz. But, if they're squeezing 800 HP out of a 1.8L, his power band is going to be very narrow, and I guarantee he's got turbo lag. This isn't something you're worried about in a race, as you only need a very narrow (500-1000 RPM) power band, it's okay if it's the last few RPM on the tach, and a blown motor won't leave you stranded 100 miles from anything resembling a parts store. In 4 wheeling, we generally have opposing power & reliability needs (we want the power quick, early, and across a broader RPM range). If you want a mustang-eating sidekick, more power to you. But to make the suggestion to build a high HP Turbo monster to someone else, one should also mention the draw backs.
* It's my understanding Volvo tends to turbo larger (2.4Lish) engines (I believe SAAB does the same with mid-2L engines using Mitsubishi TD04 turbos), which pump more exhaust fumes and therefore can spool turbos much more quickly than a 1.6L or 2.0L. BUT, to get the kind of HP you're talking about, a larger turbo is needed - which will spool less quickly (read: turbo lag). Volvo also uses forged bits in their tubo blocks, so they last longer - not sure about SAAB, but I'm sure they beef up their internals too.

Other turbos donors to look for if you're going the junk yard route: Subaru, small industrial diesel engines, Mutsubishi Eclipse & Tallons, some Ford T-birds...


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Sidekick
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_B21_engine#B23_Turbo

Sweet...precious information!   Thanks a ton guys.  I appreciate your wealth of knowledge.   

Jeremiah, sorry for jumpin on you, I get a little defensive(read: pissy) when I throw an idea out there that is still in it's own research stages,  and have the very next reply be "back it up".  I was only implying  that with a nicely built 2.0, bored out with a ported and polished head, that you can get twice the HP over the 8 valve.  Not a super long shot if a 2.0's 130hp and a 8v is only 80. I was only suggesting the 2.0 swap, not really the "high HP Turbo monster" that I'm planning to do to mine.   Again I do apologize for jumpin on you though.  

Matt

No worries man - welcome to the addiction 

cause it is after all...just a 91 Geo

Can u say that on here wait till the mods see this hahah

haha.   I've said that a few times already in a couple threads and I am still alive...soooo ya I suppose you can say it.  All just a matter of opinion anyhow.   

To be honest...I love my little geo.  It's utterly useless to almost anyone but me and a few of you crazy nutjobs....but it gets me places, and it's a blast to drive in the bush. sooo..       However, it IS for sale if anyone is interested.  Takers?? 

im the same with my kick. i get odd looks wherever i take it wheelin... everyone goes and thinks it cant get anywhere cause its stock... then it goes past them through the mud or up the trail. and i get the odd questions of what did i do to it...

what other vehicle can do that...