So i found a swift gti motor with low miles around 62k, and i am in need of a new crank for a samurai 1.3 i am trying to rebuild. I have heard that the cranks are interchangeable but am not sure. If not i still can get a heck of a deal on a swift gti motor is there anything i can use it for with a samurai?

I think they will interchange, but may have to be the same year.

The GTI is a dual cam 16v 1.3, I would try and swap the entire motor.

You can get reground cranks for a couple hundred.

The GTI should have a forged crank in it.....not sure on the interchange though.
I have heard that the complete GTI engine swap into a samurai is sweet.....be a nice route to go, if you wanted.
On interchange parts, I believe the block should interchange with a samurai.  That's probably about it though, since it has a different type of head and such.

the swift gti motor is a hot little motor. it would make your sammy go like a bad dog

The GTI is a dual cam 16v 1.3, I would try and swap the entire motor.

x2

It's VERY close to the same power as the 1.6L - just not quite as much torque in the lower RPM range. Pretty sure those DOHC heads take boost pretty well if you're so inclined 

Just wondering if you did swap the crank from the swift into your sammy?

For what it's worth - there were two 1.3 engines used in the Samurais a 1324cc and a 1298cc - the Swift only used the 1298cc engine, and yes the cranks can be interchanged between the 1298cc engines.

exactly what year GTI are we talking about? and where do you get an adapter plate for it? or does it bolt right in? can't be that simple is it?

exactly what year GTI are we talking about? and where do you get an adapter plate for it? or does it bolt right in? can't be that simple is it?

It doesn't matter what year GTi it is, no adapter plate is required, it's as close to a bolt in as you'll get, and no it's not that simple - there are quite a few gotchas.

Let's start with the distributor - on a GTi it sticks straight out over the bellhousing and will strike the firewall in the Samurai, the cooling system connections are at what will now be the back of the engine, if you're going to use EFI you'll need to re-engineer the Samurai fuel system and do a cut & splice job on the harness.

If you are going to switch to carbs it might be easier to use one a distributor from one of the early GTis (pre '89), as these were self contained, later years run the ignition through the ECU.

Quote from: blknight87 on March 30, 2010, 04:07:40 PM

exactly what year GTI are we talking about? and where do you get an adapter plate for it? or does it bolt right in? can't be that simple is it?

It doesn't matter what year GTi it is, no adapter plate is required, it's as close to a bolt in as you'll get, and no it's not that simple - there are quite a few gotchas.

Let's start with the distributor - on a GTi it sticks straight out over the bellhousing and will strike the firewall in the Samurai, the cooling system connections are at what will now be the back of the engine, if you're going to use EFI you'll need to re-engineer the Samurai fuel system and do a cut & splice job on the harness.

If you are going to switch to carbs it might be easier to use one a distributor from one of the early GTis (pre '89), as these were self contained, later years run the ignition through the ECU.

Is there any way to overcome the dissy problem? and what exactly is a cut and splice job?

Suzisport in Australia used to sell a right angle adapter for the dizzy, not sure if they still make it or sell it though,  cut an splice means you'll have to rearange the sammy wiring to fire the Multiport EFI. Hope that helps...Matt

Is there any way to overcome the dissy problem? and what exactly is a cut and splice job?

First - this is a topic that has been beaten to death on the internet - start searching, the answers are out there.

Personally I have not put a GTi engine into a Samurai, so I can tell you what works and what doesn't - I am on the other hand quite familiar with the different versions of the 1298cc G13B engine, so I do know that the crank can swap (I've done it), and that the transmission will bolt right up without an adapter plate (the Swift & Samurai engines use the same block).

I've heard of people beating a dent - sorry reshaping the firewall to clear the distributor, and using a Mazda (I think) distributor cap, right angled drives exist or you could switch to a direct fire distributor less ignition.

You've never heard the term "cut & splice"?  It refers to the work required to modify the wiring harness(es) to make them work.  The original Samurai wiring will have all the connectors for the lights etc., but none of the connectors for the electronic fuel injection system - so you (or someone else) has to disassemble the two harnesses, and make them one - removing wires that aren't necessary, cutting wirings that are too long, extending wires (by splicing in another section) that are too short .  If you're not familiar with the wiring of the vehicle before you start, you will be - very - familiar with it by the time you're done, and no it's not difficult, but it is also not for the inexperienced.

this motor pulls like crazy....it's like a CBR600.....small motor and when it gets to high rev then the small motor gets big power...and I mean 7500 rpm and more.

The block is the same from the head gasket down...1298cc motor is a prefect match. The DOHC has a craddle bolted on the bottom that holds the thing together at high revs.

IF you're going to swap in the DOHC then go all the way....they also love extra air...turbo or blower. We put a turbo on a 200k motor and it took it no problem. Sat there in 2nd gear, 4low and when the tach hit 7500 we dumped the clutch, when the tires stopped burning we slammed it in 3rd and dumped it again...all 4 tires burnt again.

We did this twice and lost the clutch...heavy clutch will take this about 10 times....trust...we tried it and counted.

There is a Mazda pice that will turn t he dist.

The GTI Crank has a shorter throw, not a lot tho, but you will have reduced
compression ratio, perfect for a turbo motor, but not a huge torquer it's all
HP and RPM so offroad ability could suffer if geared wrong

Wild