[Bush Pig]

Hi all,
I am thinking of upgrading 92 SWB Vitara to a 2001 SWB Grand Vitara(2L petrol) as I need more power with the 31's on. I want to put most of the parts over on the new one. Can I expect the same vehicle with a lot more power ? Any major differences ? I would like to chip the motor as for some more power so any suggestions would also be welcome.

Cheers

[henno]

Chip the motor? I'd love a link to this chip you speak of.

I have a SWB GV and the car will be a lot better with the J20 but gearing will suck with 31s. I'm on tyres just under 30's and that is annoying enough. They have 4.8's in the diff standard so moving up to 5.12s will only net you 10% reduction which is perfect for 30's and just slightly not enough for 31's but probably bearable.

[Bush Pig]

Hi Henno,
Can i just do a reduction gear for the transfer box(low range only) or would you recommend changing the diff gearing ?
In saying that I have the 31's on my SWB Vitara with the 1.6 carby motor and that is bearable for me, so the J20 should be heaps better I suppose ?
Thanx for the info.
Cheers

[henno]

It will be better but it will still suck.
Transfer gears will not help you out in high range, which will still suck.
I recommend diff gears for 31s for sure. Transfer gears if you do rock crawling, not so much if you do beach runs and the like.

[henno]

You will also want to make sure your 31's (if 15") fit over the front brake calipers.

[Bush Pig]

Hi Henno,
I am going to put in a diff lock ad well. Can i correct the gearing at the same time ?
Cheers

[henno]

The gearing of the diffs is in the crownwheel and pinion, not the (locked) centre. So yes.

In fact, if you are planning on putting a locker in I would recommend doing the diff gears at the same time.

[Bush Pig]

Hi Henno,
What ratio would you recommend ?
Cheers

[henno]

I don't mean to sound rude, but you keep asking questions for answers I've already given. Maybe just slow down a bit, read a bit, and do a bit of searching if need be. There's a tonne of info on this site.

Anyway, 5.12 diffs are what you want as that is as hard as you can go without going aftermarket.

[Mullett86]

I wanted to upgrade from my 1994 1.6 wagon. I drove a bunch of cars (Disco2, 80 series, etc) and settled on an SQ625 (2000 model LWB Grand Vitara with 2.5V6). I highly recommend the upgrade, especially if you do highway kms etc with it: it's a totally different car to drive to the earlier model. Everything is nicer: better interior, better steering (rack and pinion), less rattles...etc.

I have ~30s on mine, and it's perfectly OK with the factory gearing, even towing my race car on the trailer. That said, I've just swapped in the 2.7 from the XL7, and that is even better.

All of that said, if you're handy with the spanners and you have modified your current Vitara extensively, maybe an engine conversion is on the cards? If it's carby, an EFI conversion is very straightforward (I did one to my old-old SWB) and will give you a healthy gain.

[ZUZUKI]

Going from a 1992 G16 1.6litre to a J20 2.0litre will be a nice, noticeable increase in power, however, like Mullett86 says, it's a totally different car - and that means your intention of putting "most of the parts over on the new one" really won't work - there is not much in common.
The aftermarket support for the GV is not as extensive as it is for the earlier Vitara & late cars can have ABS brakes & airbags, not bad things, except when you start to look at bullbar options, body lifts etc & want to stay legal & insurable.
They are a bit heavier than your existing 1992 Vitara SWB - I assume you are looking for a SWB GV?, in which case the J20 is the engine to go for (there were also some G16 engined SWB GVs), but if you go for a 5 door wagon, the 2.5litre H25 is better again.
Good luck with your search.
Rgs, Michael

[Mullett86]

How about a H25 or H27 conversion? Would be lots of work, but a serious ball-tearer of a car afterwards!