[Eryk]

Hi, I currently own a honda prelude 1993 and I've put about 4k worth of repairs into the engine etc. to get it to a good state it's in now, anyway I know I wouldn't get more than 3.5k - 4k if I was to put it up on gumtree because of interior tlc. aircon, breaks need doing soon etc. anyway getting to the point of my post, I am really interested in this 1994 1.6L Vitara JX 3door on gumtree up for swaps, only downside is its carby and as I do a driving job (dominos delivery) I wouldn't swear by it (I'm no expert but I know fuel injection is the way to go especially for daily onroad).
Basically I would still be interested in the swap I spoke with the guy and he said he would be happy to even throw some cash my way (keeping in mind we still haven't met up and seen each other's cars in person) but even if not straight away I would definitely want to do a swap to the G16B engine down the track (few months after assuming its costly) I've done a fair bit of research through this forum and few others and most topics are on the sierra swaps etc. Now I have a few things I really need cleared up, I've seen I could pick up a Baleno with G16B for fairly cheap (guessing I have to go with manual because of different ECU for auto), what other expenses am I looking at, I've read I will need efi vitara extractors or wildcat extractors? or is this only for sierras? also modify the sump? or could I swap it over? also what parts from the baleno would need to be swapped, I've read the air intake, MAP etc. need to be swapped over to get rid of the distributor all together, also I would need a vitara efi tank with the fuel pump inside to avoid a messy fuel line set up going under the car, the efi vitara VVS? or does the baleno have it too? Also does the thermostat still need to be modded? Basically I would need a baleno donor manual 1.6l (I do want the coil pack version, do they start at 2000 or earlier?) Also would I need to go wreckers and pick up the Vitara efi dash cluster, the extractors and the fuel tank with pump? Would picking up the efi thermostat housing make things easier? Keeping in mind I've had no experience with zooks and the most I do with cars is keep up maintanance like oils, oil filter and air filter and whatever I can find a video tutorial for as long as it looks the exact same or requires basic logic. I am however really keen on this car as it's an opportunity, I've wanted to get a sierra for ages but the no aircon has been putting me off as I drive in heat alot, this vit has aircon, larger engine for on road, just something I would be interested in keeping and going offroad.

If someone could please read my entire post and tell me whether I am right about any of these things and what I need to get exactly for this swap I'd really appreciate it.
I am trying to see how much $$ I have to save up and if I can source all the parts easily rather than turning it into a year long project, I want to keep it as stock looking as possible (no lines under car) and don't mind spending an extra $100 or 200 to get the proper part and make it more reliable in the long run as I have no fabrication experience.
Also along with the parts I need to get, does anyone know a place in Perth that could do the work for me, preferably really experienced and not too expensive.
Also is it all worth it? if I swap with $500 my way am I gonna spend another 2-3k to just get it converted? would it be easier to lowball my car for 2.5-3k and just get an efi one when it pops up? most i see are autos tho :/
Thanks in advance, and glad to be a part of this forum, the more I learn the more I'll share.

[jdk81]

Yes, it can be done.
Yes you'll need various solutions
sump mod
vit efi extractors
vit efi fuel tank
vit efi manifolds and get the baleno stuff on them, or get a jimny manifolds
the efi air filter box
possibly throttle cable swap
loom swapping/mods
mods to cluster
and different brackets for the aircon and powersteer, as the carby ones wont allow the correct pulley alignment

Suzistore in Midland WA should be able to give you a drive in, drive out price.

It's most likely not worth it

You will probably spend an extra 2-3k if you cant DIY and source it all yourself very cheaply

[Eryk]

jdk81 wrote:

Yes, it can be done.
Yes you'll need various solutions
sump mod
vit efi extractors
vit efi fuel tank
vit efi manifolds and get the baleno stuff on them, or get a jimny manifolds
the efi air filter box
possibly throttle cable swap
loom swapping/mods
mods to cluster
and different brackets for the aircon and powersteer, as the carby ones wont allow the correct pulley alignment

Suzistore in Midland WA should be able to give you a drive in, drive out price.

It's most likely not worth it

You will probably spend an extra 2-3k if you cant DIY and source it all yourself very cheaply

Thanks for the quick reply, considering the price of a fuel injected vitara = what I'd be spending on the conversion and the prelude is the only car of value I own I decided to wait it out, sell the prelude and then get an efi vitara
that + the owner not even willing to throw $500 my way was a definite deciding factor, appreciate the info

[ZUZUKI]

WA might make the wait a little longer, but what you are after is not that rare. If you don't mind a wagon, then something should pop up in your budget of 3.5 - 4k, with another tip in of $500 to fix the odd bit.
Definitely not worth starting with a carby car & converting it to EFI, just to end up with a car Suzuki already built.
Rgs, Michael

[Eryk]

Anyone know what year they stopped making the carby vitaras and changed to EFI? Also are the 8v efi and 16v multipoint efi from the same year cars just depends what you get?
Also I am definitely looking for a 3 door coupe vit not a wagon as that would help with fuel economy and generally prefer a smaller car for weight, don't need back seats etc.

[Qthefun]

Love my auto but maybe that's just me!

[ZUZUKI]

The 8 valve efi was a single point injection & not released in Aust - although there are some grey imports around from NZ. Would n't advise buying one though, there is a bit of stuff engine wise that is unique to that set up, so might be hard to find bits for.

The early cars (1988-1991) are more likely to be carby than efi - especially in SWB. (easy pick on an early car, is the indicator repeater on the front guard is up the front by the headlight). Carby 8valve is G16A engine no. prefix
The 1992 - 1995 cars are almost all efi (indicator repeater on the front guard is behind the wheel, mid distance up the guard)
The JLX trim grade was (nearly?) always efi - + P/S + A/C + elec windows + power mirrors. 16V multi-point efi is G16b eng. no prefix.
Some of the last cars (1996 - 1998 - easy pick, the dash is a moulded curve over the instruments, not a 'stuck on' binical & the grill is flush, not recessed) were available with the J20 - 2.0litre 4cyl efi (in SWB, the LWB was available with the H20 - 2.0litre quad cam V6). Easy pick on a 2.0litre car is most had the wheelarch & sill body cladding / moulds.
These 2.0litre cars go hard, both run timing chains (not a belt, like the G16 engines) which can stretch & break, they also tolerate skipping oil changes less that the G16s which are fairly bullet proof.

The Grand Vitara was also available in SWB hard top & soft top - comparatively rare & going to be hard to find at 3.5-4k. These also used the G16B, started 1998 to 2004, with an interior up-grade in 2002ish.
Good luck with your search.
Rgs, Michael