[Hanu]

Hello all, i have just purchased a 85 Sierra Soft top with a Swift 1.3l turbo. It is my first Suzuki, i have owned a GQ Patrol 4.2 Diesel and a 76 Series Landcruiser.
I have a few questions 1. Is there a good mechanic who knows Zooks in or around Adelaide. i will try to do most repairs myself but it has a Haltech ? computer onboard and that is out of my ability.

2. Tyre size. With the car comes a set of Highway tyres which im guessing are standard and a set of 33 12.5 muddies. There is a 2 inch lift but im doubtful that the 33s will fit and not scrub. Has anyone had experience with this type of set up. or what have people found as the best set up for economy and clearance.

3. Fuel economy. I did some research before purchasing but the figures were between 7ltrs p 100 up to 14ltrs p 100 so it would be appreciated to hear from folks who have the Swift GTI conversion.

4. Do members here organise trips together?

Thanks

[Gwagensteve]

You’re dealing with two different things. I’d be surprised if there’s a suzuki 4wd proficient mechanic who is also across Haltech setup/tuning.

What sort of 2” lift? Suspension lift doesn’t have anything to do with fitting tyres but a body lift will help substantially. However, a 1985 model is narrow track and its a fair struggle to clear 33’s with a narrow track. Lots of people have run 33’s on sierras, but without knowing more about your car (if it’s been widetrack converted, transfer case and/or diff gearing, whether any guard work has been done etc it’s hard to give more advice. Do you know whether the car has been driven on the 33’s by a previous owner?

The best setup for economy will be stock gearing and tyres. The best setup for clearance is the biggest diameter tyre available. Sierras are extremely capable even when mildly modified and you’re in a state with little difficult terrain- the compromises required to run 33’s probably aren’t worth it for you.

Fuel economy is going to be down to how your car is tuned, turbo choice, gearing and use. It’s unlikely to be very economical because a tuner won’t normally let it go very lean for safety.

[Hanu]

2in suspension lift, no other mods that im aware of. The previous owner just drove with the standard size tyres but threw in the 33s and spare wheels.
As for economy im expecting 10 to 11 ltrs per 100 on the standard tyres, because i will have a second set of wheels ill use the road tyres for everyday use and probably an aggressive all terrain for trips.

[vet 180]

Sounds like an interesting build.

I personally am not a fan of the whole “highway tire and road tire” thing. You want to have versatility to jump on your car and go for a quick wheel. You are always running a compromised rig in terms of gearing and set up on either tire.

In terms of economy, the heavier, wider and taller the tire generally the more fuel you will use. The more lifted your car is the more fuel you will use.

What track do you normally run and what is your intended use for the vehicle on and off road


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[bumstein]

Hi Hanu!! Welcome!! Congrats on getting into Suzuki and starting the Sierra life

Start here:

viewtopic.php?p=893398#p893398

This will start to answer some of your questions.

Gwagen is quite correct, it’s difficult to give meaningful advice without some extra info however assuming your car is fairly standard (ie NT axles, 2” suspension lift and no body lift with standard gearing) we can speculate on likely answers.

Stock tyres are 205/75R15 and in my opinion tyres shouldn’t exceed 235/75R15 without considering other modifications. When thinking about tyres larger than that you’ll start to require gearing to keep it working efficiently. However, this might not be necessary with the motor/turbo setup you have although this is difficult for us to speculate on with any reasonable accuracy. Also, Any larger than those will likely require cutting guards or some such to avoid scrubbing but there’s plenty of info here to search for to help there. Personally I think 33s are a bad idea unless you’re building your car for a specific reason, terrain or use.

Fuel economy will be a difficult one to comment on because it depends on so many factors. I think there’s a fuel economy thread here somewhere? Might find helpful info with the search so I won’t get into it here.

Yep, people organise trips on here. There’s a section for it but I reckon it’s been quiet for a while now. Pop some posts up and see what interest you can generate!! Facebook (as much as I hate to say it) groups might help with this too.

[Gwagensteve]

I’d agree- 235 75 is the absolute maximum without further modifications. Additionally, the torque your turbo GTi should me making will mean bigger tyres just result in breakage

I think the 33’s are a red herring. If the car wasn’t built for them forget they exist- you’re a lot of effort and $ away from running them and I doubt they’re required for your application.

There is a SA suzuki club- I’m not sure how active they are or whether they’re the right fit for you, but it’s a possible starting point.

Swapping tyres is fine so long as there’s minimal difference in diameter, but the gearing implications of a big diameter swap (like stock 33’s) will hopelessly compromise the car.

[vet 180]

Although there is not much difference I personally think 30x9.5’s are great compromise tire for road and off-road. Something light like a Km2 or the like. You will want to gear it, but tbh you will want that with 235/75 anyway and geared it should work better and give you a larger choice of tyres to choose from. Because you have the turbo you could put in a cheap second hand set, see if the the diameter is fine for your wheeling then order gears to suit.

As you are more familiar with patrols I would say a well set up Sierra on 30’s should go most places a patrol on 35’s will go.


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[Hanu]

I will have to on sell the tyres then, put the money towards 30 or 31s.
Did I read somewhere that the Ford f100 rims would for the Sierra? I just saw near new rims and tires (235s) on marketplace $600 for the 5.

[vet 180]

Hanu wrote:

I will have to on sell the tyres then, put the money towards 30 or 31s.
Did I read somewhere that the Ford f100 rims would for the Sierra? I just saw near new rims and tires (235s) on marketplace $600 for the 5.

That’s not a bad deal and a good size to start with depending on tyre and condition. Sell off the 33’s and use them

The F100 offset should work perfect with that size tire also. The PCD fits the Sierra, but Sometimes you need to bore the center hole to clear the hub, but most sets seem to be fine. If your worried just measure the center hole.




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[303zuke]

Just be aware that F100 wheels will have the correct stud pattern for a Suzuki (5 on 5 1/2", or 139mm), but that the F100 2wd has a small centre hole that will not fit the Suzuki hub. The F100 4wd wheels will be OK. If they are aftermarket "Sunraysia" types, they should be OK.

[britvit]

BoostinOz at Gepps Cross will be able to help you out with the Haltech.

[Gwagensteve]

out if interest, what needs attention in relation to the haltech?

[Hanu]

It's running rich and won't idle well. When I've done all the usual maintenance ( plugs, leads, filters) I wanted to get someone to tune it to make sure it's running the best it can.
I missed out on the F100 rims.
For now I bought some second hand tires 205s, the ones on it are ancient and not the safest.
I tried Just Jap in Holden Hill to have a look and they are useless avoid them at all cost.

[Hanu]

Thanks britvit I'll look them up

[vet 180]

Hanu wrote:

It's running rich and won't idle well. When I've done all the usual maintenance ( plugs, leads, filters) I wanted to get someone to tune it to make sure it's running the best it can.
I missed out on the F100 rims.
For now I bought some second hand tires 205s, the ones on it are ancient and not the safest.
I tried Just Jap in Holden Hill to have a look and they are useless avoid them at all cost.

Before taking it into a shop plug a laptop in and make sure all sensors are operating as they should, and check all parameters. Just be sure there isn’t a core issue. Most tuners will just end up running around an issue especially if it’s a car/engine they having done 100 times before. Doing any diagnostic work yourself first will save you a lot of coin.


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[britvit]

Hanu wrote:

Thanks britvit I'll look them up

No worries, do everything that Henno said & also check all your vac lines for leaks.
BoostinOz built my g16b turbo. They also recently put a swift gti motor with an after market ecu in a sierra. They know their stuff.

X2 on the Just Jap fookwit.

[Hanu]

The guy I bought it off gave me the software so I can at least have a look. Thanks for all the info guys.