[Zook2510]

Hi,

So we've not long purchased our first Jimny (2002) and yesterday the head gasket blew, so now bringing our engine conversion plans forward. Trying to decide between an M15A (non-VVT), M16A (non-VVT) or M18A VVT swap.

Price wise it looks like the M15A would be the cheapest, but of course the M18A is always going to be attractive. We have done engine conversions before and have family who are mechanics and can help out with the wiring etc of the M18A ECU and so forth.

Just wondering what people's thoughts are...With a bit of mechanical know-how and help, is the 1.8 fairly straight-forward? Is it worth the extra hassle compared to the M15A? And how does the 1.5 compare in performance to the 1.6? Can't seem to find any specs.

Any advice would be great, cheers!

[Jezza86]

They made non vvt m15's?

[Zook2510]

Yeh mate apparently Holden cruzes have them

[watermouse]

It's all been done but it really depends on what kind of car you want. I you want a part-time weapon put the 1.8 in it but better stock up on gearboxes and diffs. Yours being the pre VVT Jimny it will have the stronger gearbox (unless it is an auto)

IMO I would use the 1.6 not vvt if you can find one.

Paul W has some good info on his rig page about the 1.5. The gain in power is minimal over the 1.3 but he has done some interesting things to the engine to make it breathe better.

http://www.auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39370

[Zook2510]

Ok thanks for the info

Looks like the non-VVT 1.6s are a bit hard to track down so might just stick with the 1.5 I think!

[Zook2510]

Actually, on second thoughts, has anyone fitted a Swift Sports m16a VVT to a Jimny?

[greenzook89]

Im pretty sure GT_Tony is in the process of fitting one.

[Zook2510]

Ok cheers. Was just a passing thought really tbh, might just stay with the slightly cheaper/easier m15...need to draw the line somewhere!

[zukenutter]

The 1.5 will be a very basic swap, easy to find and cheap. The 1.8 VVT is much more expensive, will be much more involved.

That said, the 1.8 is lots of fun

[Bugsta]

The only M18 ECU, from a Liana, does not know about 4WD, among a couple of other things.

[cal213]

Bullet sprintex supercharged 1.3!!! If you had the cash haha

[Zook2510]

Yeah would love a 1.8 but looking at an easier fix for the time being. Found a Cruze m15a with only 25xxx on it so pretty chuffed...hopefully here by the weekend!

Can't seem to find a tech thread for a non-VVT m15a conversion...does anyone know of one? Or someone that's done this swap?

Also just wanting to double check that the original m13a engine mounts will do the trick. Cheers

[5uzuki]

If you are willing to get one shipped from a wrecker in a different state you should be able to get the 1.8 for a reasonable price. If you are going to all that effort you might as well go that little bit further and drop in a 1.8. I didn't think there were that many guys with transfer cases and gear boxes shitting themselves. I suspect that many of them drive their Jimny's a bit more over enthusiastically than the average punter. Even if you did want to hammer it to the max then you will be far more satisfied with the 1.8 anyway. The ECU change over will more than double the amount of effort than the straight swap and risk a never ending cascade of electrical problems.