[Heideisadog]

I have been looking around, researching and talking to heaps of people about doing an engine conversion to my 96 Sierra. And it's come down to two options.

First is a Swift GTI engine and second a Vitara 1.6l

I have been offered a really good deal on a swift gti mk3 engine with basically everything I need for the swap but I have heard I may need to cut into the firewall to fit it all in? Is this true?

And where would I go abouts finding a Vitara 1.6 engine for sale, looked heaps but I could be blind?

I would just like your opinions on which you think I should go for, though I'm leaning toward the swift engine as the deal I have to quite good.

But yeah, opinions and chuck your information at me.

Much apriciated.

[want33s]

I wouldn't use a MK3 GTi engine if it were free.

Go the Vit/Baleno 1.6 (G16B).

Keep your eye on the for sale section they pop up from time to time...... alternatively you could buy a car with a 16B already fitted and put the engine in yours then sell off the rest of it.

[Heideisadog]

Thanks heaps!

That's what I wanted to do in the first place so ill just keep looking

Do you know roughly what a vit 1.6 goes for? $$$

-if anyone has some info as to where I can purchase one please let me know!

[droverdave]

I dunno where you live, but there are a few complete suzuki Balenos in qld for like $600, offer them $450...

Buy car, remove engine, scrap rest of car.

[azzas15]

Just keep an eye out on gumtree. Check a couple of times a day as the cheap ones get snapped up real quick.

I picked up a whole Baleno last week with a G16B for $300. Just need to be quick. Ill get my money back selling the good parts and scraping the rest.

[Heideisadog]

I'm in ACT, and what models did you guys get? Does it really matter?
Ill do that though, thankyou.

[jono165]

There's a pickles auctions in Fyshwick isn't there? I bought my donor from pickles in Melbourne. LWB Vitara with lowish km G16B and AW4 auto was $800 by the time I paid to get it home, hammer price was $650. I was able to sell a few things off the vitara and trade a couple of other bits so it worked out really well and ended up not costing a whole lot.

[azzas15]

Not sure on the model but its a 98. If you go for a Baleno make sure it has coil packs just makes installation easier from what I have been reading
These little things

[Heideisadog]

coil packs... got it! Thanks. Ill post on here when I find one and you guys could let me know if its an alright one yeah? haha thanks all!

[pezz]

Heideisadog wrote:

I have been looking around, researching and talking to heaps of people about doing an engine conversion to my 96 Sierra. And it's come down to two options.

First is a Swift GTI engine and second a Vitara 1.6l

i'd like to know why you have ruled out the following motors

m13,15,16,18
g13bb
j20
mazda fe dohc
ca18
sr20


personally i'd aim at a mazda fe with a aw4
cheap as shyte and should shoehorn into a sierra

[Heideisadog]

totally not ruling anything out.

All info is great, im really not in a rush at all... So now I have 9 more things to look into hahaha Just wanted to see what people recomend and it seems the the G16B from a Baleno is what im now leaning too...

but like I said all information and opinions is great!

[jono165]

I've looked into the FE dohc, its doable but I'm getting my new build engineered and its just too heavy. The FE dohc block is cast iron and it all weighs quite a bit more than a g16b. Physically it looked like it would fit and kia sportages are worth nothing.

A j20 would be the best option over a g16b I reckon. Problem is they are harder to come by. Donor vitaras and baleno's are very cheap. Personally I think the g13bb isn't all that worthwhile and I'm pretty sure the M motors all require a jimny gearbox

[Heideisadog]

Thanks heaps! I'm doing my research on balenos... They are everywhere! It's great haha

[jonno_racing]

if you can get the GTI cheep go that!
having done the conversion a few times its nowhere near as hard as the G16 and a MUCH more fun motor to drive.
just my 2c

[Heideisadog]

Actually?
That's the total opposite of what they were all telling me :')

Ahhh great hahaha

I thought the G16B conversion is the easiest and with the gti ill have to cut into my firewall or do some body work to make it fit??