so?
how hard?  I'm sure it's possible....but is it realistic?  I have the oppurtunity to score a dead '88 tintop and i want to trick it all out.  My buddy says just do the 1.6 8v swap and it will be more than enough trail and highway power.

but I love my sisters Limited V6....so i thought it would be pretty cool to put that in a Sammy.  But everyone seems to tell me it's not only cheaper but also ALOT easier and much better than i think to just drop in the 1.6.

Lastly I have a 1995 16V Trackick and i like it....but i felt like my 94 8V had more grunt in the low end. So which is the better motor for the sammy if i DID end up going that direction?

so?
how hard?  I'm sure it's possible....but is it realistic?  I have the oppurtunity to score a dead '88 tintop and i want to trick it all out.  My buddy says just do the 1.6 8v swap and it will be more than enough trail and highway power.

but I love my sisters Limited V6....so i thought it would be pretty cool to put that in a Sammy.  But everyone seems to tell me it's not only cheaper but also ALOT easier and much better than i think to just drop in the 1.6.

Lastly I have a 1995 16V Trackick and i like it....but i felt like my 94 8V had more grunt in the low end. So which is the better motor for the sammy if i DID end up going that direction?

Most folks do the GM 4.3 V-6 swap as it is better-documented.  However, it involves a LOT of modding among other things.

The 1.6 swap is very easy to do.  There are kits available and fabrication skills are minimal.

Either the 1.6 8-valve or the 1.6 16-valve will easily swap as the block for both are identical.  Things get complicated with the intake systems and electrics though.

If you use the engine harness that goes with the engine that you choose, you have to "splice" it into the existing Samurai wiring system.  There are vendors that can sell you a kit or you can research the topic on many of the forums. 

For best offroading performance, most folks agree that the Fuel Injection system is the best choice for the 1.6 16-valve.

For the tightwads among us (I'm right there...) the simplicity of a reverse-mounted Weber DGAV 32/36 carburetor on a 1.3 head atop a 1.6 block is the way to go.  Even the tighter tightwads go for a Hyundai Pony or Toyota Corolla carb.

Again, if you are new to motorheading, the 1.6 swap is very easy compared to just about anything else.  The engine is more powerful, it weighs nearly the same and it easily fits onto the existing transmission.

Hope this helps!

Have a look at this thread on Pirate about fitting a Zuk V6.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=492637

For the tightwads among us (I'm right there...) the simplicity of a reverse-mounted Weber DGAV 32/36 carburetor on a 1.3 head atop a 1.6 block is the way to go.  Even the tighter tightwads go for a Hyundai Pony or Toyota Corolla carb.

Lol, I must be really[/] tight then, I will be using the stock 413 carb and manifolds. It is a temporary measure though, I need to get the pick up up and running. I bought a 1.6 with no ancillaries (cheap!), its a carb model but will be converted to TBI next year.

So the info that the 1.6 is plenty of power to push the sammy around trails and highways is correct then?  I just remember those hairy drives on the highway through the desert in my 86 1.3 bone stock sammy back in the day.  Friggin scary to try and get up to 55mph in an almost redlined 4th gear.  If I go 1.6 will i be able to keep up with freeway speeds and actually use 5th gear?

that's the number one concern.  I live in california and i have to drive to good trails....and it's those long highway drives that are taxing in a 1.3 sammy.

The 1.6 8V has around 30% more power than a 1.3 (80/63bhp). It also makes a lot more torque and makes it around 1000rpm lower down the rev range so it a lot more gruntier. Freeway speeds won't be a problem with the right gearing.