hi guys, i have a '97 vitara jlx with G16b 16V 1.6 EFI engine.
I want to change my engine to a diesel one. what do you think is the best/economic diesel engine that I can put in with the least modification. i use my rig mostly on pavement with occasional off-roading. TIA

I would think you could get a 1.9 VW diesel in there and have pretty decent performance, it would be kind of expensive and a bit tricky though. I'm really too familiar with how closely the drivetrain resembles that of one of the vehicles that an acme kit can do, but that is where I would start, by calling up acme. They really know their stuff and are super helpful.

http://www.acmeadapters.com/store.php

Try here.

thanks  guys. appreciate it. 

You don't give a location. If you're in Europe then the easiest swap is to use the 1.9TD out of the commercial Vitara or the later Santanas.

i live in the philippines. i've heard vitaras with diesel engine, we don't have it here.