It looks like the Vitara came in AWD. Now I need to see if I can find one in Manual.
I'd need.
Sidekick front diff (my x90 is 2wd)
Vitara H27A engine (+engine harness to get the plugs. Likely a JDM engine)
Vitara 5-speed
Vitara AWD xfer case

Think I can shove 400 street horsepower through it?

Quote from: lazzer408 on November 28, 2010, 01:24:29 PM

Is there a center diff on the x90/Sidekick or Vitara? My intention is awd for street use. Suspension will will be lowered and likely 17" wheels with 45 or 50 series tires.

If the donor vehicle did not say "All Wheel Drive" (& I can't think of any Suzuki SUV model that offers AWD - certainly anything older than a XL7...), then there is no center differential or viscus coupler.  That said, driving any part-time 4WD vehicle on dry pavement is a very bad thing to do.

I'm still reading up on it but it looks like the Grand Vitara has a center diff. Two versions. One has a 2hi/4hi/4lo dash selector, one doesn't.

EDIT - Looks like it's either called single-mode (full time AWD), and 4-mode which is AWD/4hi-lock/4low-lock/neutral.

I got my x90 today! It's blue. 2wd. Very clean body but 186k miles. Slightly noisy transmission. Steering feels loose. I haven't had much time to dive into it yet. I'll update as things progress.

EDIT - What a fun little car. I think every bolt behind the dash was loose.

Somewhat amusing.  Where you able to get everything tight and fix the steering issues?

Somewhat amusing.  Where you able to get everything tight and fix the steering issues?

The steering issues are a combination of lower balljoints, loose wheel bearings, and worn struts. The steering box itself is fine. I got the dash rattles fixed. There's still some noises here and there. 2 nights ago it dumped it's coolant because some dip$hit left a bolt out of the water pump and it blew the gasket out. I fixed that. It had a new timing belt and I did the valve cover gasket as well. Pretty clean top end. Windows are slow. There's odds and ends all over that need to be taken care of but nothing major. The rear shocks were worn so I threw some Autozone replacements on it. What a mistake that was! The rear end would leave the pavement because they were so stiff going up. I took them back and put Firebird shocks on. MUCH better and only $19ea.

Once the chassis is all sorted out I can focus on the swap. I may have sourced a H27A from a friend's sister who just totaled out her Grand Vitara (rear end). I'm waiting to hear from the insurance company to see what the payout is. I did find a 5-speed and t-case but it's pricey. $333 for the case, $500 for the trans. ouch. :'(

Make sure you get the entire vehicle, otherwise you will run into a world of headaches trying to get the computers working.

Someone else just commented on the windows being slow.  I think they used motors from a Geo Prizm.

Once the chassis is all sorted out I can focus on the swap. I may have sourced a H27A from a friend's sister who just totaled out her Grand Vitara (rear end). I'm waiting to hear from the insurance company to see what the payout is. I did find a 5-speed and t-case but it's pricey. $333 for the case, $500 for the trans. ouch. :'(

Get the complete car from insurance co.  If you are stuck on using Manual Trans, get an early years XL7 with a manual trans.  As you have noticed, piecing together a swap is pricey and can be very time consuming.  As you have noted stay away from 2005 and up with the CAN system, unless you have everything to change over.
Where are you located?

Illlinois

I have to use '06-'08 because the t-case has a center diff and single-mode awd. I think <06 doesn't have a center diff in the t-case and is 4wd only. Not sure. It's hard to find anything explaining the various combinations. I'm not worried about the canbus systems. I don't have to stick with a Suzuki ECU. I'm likely going with a Honda 3.2L ECU but I haven't done much research into it yet. I'm sure there's an OBD2 6-cyl ECU out there somewhere without canbus. The biggest issue with running a different ECU is the crank/cam triggers. If I have to I can get a crank mount trigger wheel made or modify the H27A's CAS. Second issue is to use the MAF/MAP from whatever ECU I go with and use the same size injectors as that ECU. Anything else can be adjusted via AEM FIC and that's the option I'll probably go with.

I just bought a project from someone, 1994 sidekick that is getting a 2000 2.5L and auto trans out of a GV, the previous owner sent the harness and computer to trail tough to be modified for use in the tracker. The wiring that needs to be spliced is all labeled (about 20 splices) to be hooked up in various locations.

I will keep you guys updated once I get my shop cleared out and get the new drivetrain mounted and start the wiring.

Is the enigne in the Sidekick already? Pics?

Is the enigne in the Sidekick already? Pics?

not mounted in it yet, but from measuring it all up it should fit no problem. Trail Tough has done this swap before, so it does fit, I think you need a body lift or a custom hood to clear the engine, but I am goimg to try and lower the motor instead if I can get away with it.

Custom manifold? It looks like alot of the engine's height is the intake. I want to drop the car lower not up.  

And in other news...

I cut out the brace between the cab and trunk and will be mounting a 2x12" bandpass enclosure into a board that replaces the plastic cover that usually sits there. It will be carpeted and look as one piece. It's a Q-logic that used to be sold by Bestbuy. I located one new old stock and got a deal. The silver trim will be painted blue to match the car and the inside lighted with blue LEDs strips. X90 will be frosted into the glass causing the letters to glow. Pics soon. Here's the box.

Quote from: lazzer408 on December 10, 2010, 10:34:17 AM

Is the enigne in the Sidekick already? Pics?

not mounted in it yet, but from measuring it all up it should fit no problem. Trail Tough has done this swap before, so it does fit, I think you need a body lift or a custom hood to clear the engine, but I am goimg to try and lower the motor instead if I can get away with it.

There isn't any room to drop the motor lower.  I have a dropped diff, and only half inch or so clearance for the oil pan.  And yes, I am in process of custom hood.
Wish I had went with a custom wiring set up, or 2000 computers.

I have a dropped diff, and only half inch or so clearance for the oil pan.

How much is the diff dropped?

I am down about 2-2 1/2" drop on my diff.  I have make a new skid pan that will drop slightly below cross member.  When you get the v-6 setting in there you will see.
I think Muskegtracker did a 2" body lift for hood clearance.  And of course you could build a custom intake for lower profile, or modify the hood.  Eric has been putting solid axles under his conversions, which also allows you the ability to drop the motor what is required.