[alien]

So it looks like i've done a head gasket (or in the early stages of) - which is the second in about 1.5 years. There's gotta be something wrong with my block (head's been checked many times).

As i see it i've got a few options that keep the power i'm used to, all varying in cost:

1) Fix the gasket and hope it doesnt happen again..again
2) Drop in a reco'd 1.6 bottom end
3) Do away with the ageing G-series platform and go for an M15 conversion

Unless there's another option?

Keep in mind my sierra in engineered for a 1.6L engine, so I do need to keep the capacity about the same. VSB14 means you can't chuck a 1.8 in without brake tests and all that junk so that's out of the question.

...Go!

[MrRocky]

Chuck a low km baleno motor in

[MrRocky]

Id rather suzuki built with 100,000+ kms on it than a recon

[Zook_Fan]

Given that yours is all engineered I'd agree with a Baleno engine

[alien]

Out of curiosity - why opt for a g16 over an m15?

[Zook_Fan]

Compatibility to everything you already have? You can just drop another long block in there and drive away in a weekend.

[Gwagensteve]

M15 would be a nightmare by comparison - new loom, ECU, immobiliser (?) 1/2 a Jimny manual, tailshaft housing swap, source Jimny sump, oil pickup, engine mounts, extractors, and a million other little things.

Just find a low KM baleno.

[alien]

Sourcing parts is easy and Suzistore would be doing the swap. They have stock of low km wrecks to pull parts from.

I'm coming entirely from the point of view of reliability and driveability - putting cost aside, how would the m15 compare to the baleno assuming both are from low-km wrecks?

I've not driven an M15'd sierra so i don't know the difference i'd FEEL - but given m15 are going to be far more common that g16's and newer, surely by doing that work up front would result in a more future-proof engine setup that's going to have less issues than the ageing G16?

[vet 180]

alien wrote:

Sourcing parts is easy and Suzistore would be doing the swap. They have stock of low km wrecks to pull parts from.

I'm coming entirely from the point of view of reliability and driveability - putting cost aside, how would the m15 compare to the baleno assuming both are from low-km wrecks?

I've not driven an M15'd sierra so i don't know the difference i'd FEEL - but given m15 are going to be far more common that g16's and newer, surely by doing that work up front would result in a more future-proof engine setup that's going to have less issues than the ageing G16?

I doubt it. From a cost perspective the g16 will be the more reliable of the two.

[vet 180]

Just get your block decked and call it a day

[christover1]

If cost is not a problem, newer can be a good thing.
If somebody else is doing the work and maintenance, their way could be best?
But my choice would leave well enough alone in todays legal nightmare.
G16 low K imported engines are cheap, reliable and have a fair warrantee.
Paying to fix a gasket properly ain't cheap, and would be unwise without freshening up the bottom end.
When my Vit donk carked it, I fitted an import Baleno/swift efi G16A,
using the bits from the dead donk to convert to rear drive/North South.
It has been going well for years and many trips, including towing on beach and outback trips.

G16's out of east west cars can be 5 years or so newer than Vit donks.

PS I'm not a mechanic, don't have experiences at everything, so is just my opinions.

[Gwagensteve]

vet 180 wrote:

Just get your block decked and call it a day

I'm yet to see a G motor that's been apart last.
I don't know if it's a result of poor rebuilds or that these motors just aren't designed to be rebuilt, but it's what I've observed over the years.

[MrRocky]

Having recently driven an m15 sierra (possibly the only one in wa)
And plenty of g16 sierras i like the feel of the g16 its a bit crisper on delivery.
Considering the price of a low km baleno motor even though m15sare cheap as well id still go the g16. Ive done over 60,000kms of unfriendly driving on mine taking it up to about 250xxx on the motor and had not one issue, same as the last one i had which id done 90xxx + kms on.
I can possibly tee up a test drive of the m15 sierra for you to compare
Flick us a msg 0437154527

[alien]

Thanks guys, more and more keeping g16 is seeming appealing.

Mick - bit of looking around online and the feel might be due to g16 hitting peak torque about 1000rpm sooner than m15?

[MrRocky]

Yeah and when they have lots of gearing at extended higher rpm my mates one goes into limp mode and u have to tape the key in the m15 ignition and shove it under the dash cause u cant bypass it.
I remember sean trying to do it for ages on my mates one that suzistore built

[alien]

hahaah yeah i remember him pulling his hair out over it too =)

[shep]

j20 and auto, Lowrange have engine mounts and after the vitara transfer has been tossed away it's easy enough
to mod a jack shaft to keep the sierra transfer.

[alien]

j20 would require brake upgrades, engineering etc, so is a no go.

[BlueSuzy]

Why not M16a?
Swift sports 100kw? or the new 'Vitara' has them although detuned, unsure why, Maybe for fuel economy

The Jim i wrecked out years ago ws a smoooooth motor but a slug with auto. M13a.

There's heaps of cheap Balenos out there. Find a smashed 98+ model and bobs your aunty for <$500

[alien]

I didn't realise the m16 was available outside the swift sport so suggested the m15 due to being more common, plus the 15's power output matches the g16.

Fair idea though!

[ZUZUKI]

The APV van thing still runs a version of G16 - North / South configuration (although bound to be lots of bits that will have to come from a donor Vit eng, as it's on a bit of an angle in the APV I belive) & still made new - that's where I'd look for a replacement for your current eng. Rgs, Michael

[MrRocky]

Not jap built though i believe ?

[alien]

Made in indonesia, well, assembled.. not sure if the castings are done in indonesia?

[MrRocky]

Low km baleno block from the dizzy models are cheap as chips
Factory built is best

[pezz]

Id just run a coil pack baleno.. simple and cheap

[Gwagensteve]

With a jimny inlet manifold to retain the water neck.

[Jezza86]

electric 20kw motor with lithium batteries, if moolah wasn't a issue.

[seabiscuit]

G16B in my Sierra coily was wonderful to drive. All professionally installed by a mechanic (previous owner), it looked like it belonged in there. Servicing it was a breeze!

[MrRocky]

Hes already got that stuff on current setup
Just needs bottom end essentially

[alien]

Correct.

Mines got a jimny head on it though.