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Sidekick V8

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Offline BigMo

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Sidekick V8
« on: January 22, 2018, 02:19:55 PM »
 ??? Anyone have any real info on installing a ford 302 in a 1989 sidekick?  Like what body mods are needed to put the 29 inch long motor in a 27 inch hole. Width and height is ok but length is a problem,  I have done 2 v8 S10s, a Isuzu rodeo V8, and a VW
super Beatle V8 so I am very familiar things not fitting. I have read don't do it, Can't do it and should not do it but nothing about
how to do it. I have a 4X4  that I will convert to 2 WD raise the body 2 inches and Try to install a 302 ford with a T5 WC transmission. I was hoping someone had knowledge that would stop me from the doing the 2 forward and 3 back routine

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Offline ebewley

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Re: Sidekick V8
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2018, 01:45:24 PM »
The reason you are probably not getting a lot of positive suggestions as this swap isn't really the kind of swap most people are interested in. You're taking away a lot of the things that make a Sidekick great (light weight, fuel efficient, easy) and adding complexity, hacking away body parts, adding a body lift, probably stuffing a radiator in the back, and so on.. .

Good luck with your journey.

-Eric
Eric L. Bewley                               
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Offline BigMo

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Re: Sidekick V8
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2018, 08:07:59 AM »
It does seem no one is doing this type mod. I was thinking about doing it but I would not be willing to cut up a great
but weak car. I purchased this one, had the seats re done, new top, new carpet and several new parts to make the motor
run great,  then found it had a freeze cracked motor, bad half shafts and a and a cracked front axle. I am not into rock
climbing or mud bogging and the huge tires makes a great looking little car strange looking. Whatever I do will not involve
cutting it up in any way that changes it looks. I think it is a thing of beauty with it new paint job.

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Online fordem

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Re: Sidekick V8
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2018, 05:59:44 PM »
Search the forum - you should find at least one "V8 powered Sidekick" - if I recall correctly it was rear wheel drive and LS1 powered - not quite my cup of tea.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Offline BigMo

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Re: Sidekick V8
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2018, 10:39:29 PM »
I have seen several v8 Suzuki on the net but the only one that showed any mods was one with the firewall totally cut to heck.
I would like to keep it real looking and complete in case I find a donor wreck. I,ve looked for 2.0 and the zuk v6 but here there
don't seem to be any around here. The 302 idea was because I have one totally complete wiring computer and all. The Essex
v6 I think would work because it is about 11 inches shorter than the 302. The only one with a carb was the 1983 in the LTD and
Mustang. I am an old man single and retired with nothing else to do but build hot rods. and that is the only way I can go fast.

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Online fordem

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Re: Sidekick V8
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2018, 09:25:04 AM »
Since you're asking about the Sidekick, I'm going to assume you're in the USA.

The Sidekick is what is commonly referred to as first generation or SE series - it was only available with 1.3 & 1.6 litre four cylinder engines, and the 1.3 was only offered in 1989 - there was also a Sidekick Sport offered from 96~98 with a 1.8 litre four cylinder , but, although this looks very similar to the smaller engine Sidekick, the resemblance is in the bodywork, the underpinnings are different - this is the SV series.

Outside of the US, where the Sidekick was sold as the Vitara, the SV series was offered with 2.0 litre four cylinder & V6 motors, but the US never got these models - the 2.0 four cylinder is essentially the same motor that was fitted to the US market Vitaras & Trackers from 99~03, and should be readily available - I believe this is a relatively easy swap, and a couple of the Suzuki specialist vendors at one time offered kits to do it.

Moving on (or up) there were also 2.5 & 2.7 litre V6s offered in the Grand Vitara and XL-7, and I have seen those dropped into the SE series chassis, but, there is apparently a lot of work in sorting out the electronics, especially as it relates to the 2.7 engine.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Offline olija

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Re: Sidekick V8
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2018, 10:25:23 PM »
There is also the 2.3L 4-cyl from the Aerio car, and the 2.4L 4-cyl from the 3rd gen Grand Vitara. Those would probably both be pretty good swaps and not impossible to do. Or if you want to get really crazy you should just ditch the whole powertrain and put a Toyota 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 with a TRD supercharger to make around 250 horse, 5 speed manual tranny, as many transfer cases as you feel is necessary, and axles from an 80 Series Land Cruiser with factory e-lockers.
97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: Sidekick V8
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2018, 07:01:07 AM »
Since EFI, most all swaps involve wiring modifications, even when going to a "one wire harness".  So brush up on reading wiring diagrams.
The 2.3 Aerio swap is probably the best power gain for the least modifications.  When you have all the correct parts, it is almost a bolt in swap, but still requires wiring modifications.  The BIG advantage of this swap is that it bolts to stock transmission, so modifying the running gear is not mecessary.
The 2.5 & 2.7 swap requires fitment, fitment and fine tuning the fitment, and then wiring modifications or complete wiring change and the modifying the new wiring.  It also requires changing transmission/TC, drive line, radiator, cooling fan replacements to have an awesome ride.  It is running 100 hp over stock, so if you are going to hammer it, count of shorter CV lives.


Every modification begets another modification.
93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.

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Offline hwyman

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Re: Sidekick V8
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2018, 10:04:22 AM »
There is also the 4.3 L vortech swap from a chevy.  There used to be a company that offered the kits to do it and one of the powernation tv shows did a 4.3 l swap a couple years ago.   
1994 Geo Tracker  2dr 4wd 1.6l 8v Manual Trans

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Offline RJkick

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Re: Sidekick V8
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2018, 10:18:41 AM »
92 Sidekick 1.6L 16v Calmini\OME 4.5" lift 3" Body Lift OME962 springs in front w\.75" spacers OME955 in rear w\1.75" spacers Extreme Duty Strut Eliminator kit and rear ProComp MX6 Shocks 31X10.50 Nexen M\T   Thorley Header   2" exhaust  Calmini front truss bar and stabilizer and skids   Custom Bumpers and Rock Rails  Limit Straps

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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: Sidekick V8
« Reply #10 on: March 12, 2018, 06:46:29 AM »
http://www2.zukiworld.com/feature_suzuki-sidekick-build-up/


Eric did an excellent job on this rig.  I haven't seen it in person, but my experience with stuffing the 2.7L and managing the wiring just increases my appreciation for what he accomplished.  He also designed a SAS that would be able to run on 37's with the grill still in place, that is streetable and will go offroad.  This is a good example of what is possible, and what is required.
93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.