My Sami is an 86 with < 90k original miles. It's completely stock but I'm ready to build it. I also have a great running 2000 Tracker with a 2.0 in it. I want to eventually lift my Sami and run 32 or 33's. I do mostly highway driving with occasional off-road. My question: The 1.3 is so weak it's almost dangerous on the highway. Should I rebuild it w/ more power or swap the 2.0 in the Tracker? Not saying cost is not a factor, but I plan on keeping the Sami forever and want to do it right the first time. Thanks.

Ideally, the best swap is a engine and tranny from a 2wd donor vehicle so you can still run your original Samurai transfer case. This is advantageous because of the high-range reduction all Samurai t-cases have, as well as more and lower options for low-range gearing. If you were to use a tranny from a 4wd tracker then it's much more complicated because the tracker uses a "married" tranny/t-case combo. A 2.0L Samurai would probably drive exceptionally well. I used to drive a 2.0L Vitara which probably weighed a good 600 lbs more than a Samurai and it was pretty zippy.

Wouldn’t that leave the tracker in need of an engine though?  seems like the 2.0 engine is “good” but if going that route lots of people just use the aerio 2.3 engine which  similar but that much bigger and with same economy and hp, more torque though.  Of course if you REALLY want to do it right, get one of the 2.8 Cummins turbo diesel crate kits in there......

But he already owns the 2.0 and knows it's in good running condition. Aerios seem to be less common than Trackers so finding a good running 2.3L may be harder. And realistically, in a Samurai, do you really need much more than 127 horse? Lots of people used to swap 1.6's from Sidekicks into them and say it was a good upgrade, now we're talking light years of improvement instead!