Since I am new, and all the discussions are dated, I thought I would ask again advice.  I seem to think that a DOHC swap into my 87 Samurai would be the best way to go.   or ,maybe not? What is the HP of the DOHC.engine ? Does the DOHC head fit any other block ?   Any current info would help as I am ready to start this winter, shortly and be ready for spring. I have a real nice stock Samurai. The local salvage dealer say's he can get a DOHC engine delivered with 60,000 miles for 1,000.

We're discussing vehicles and engines that have been out of production for over a decade, it doesn't matter how dated the discussion is, the information contained is probably still valid, unless it pertains to availability, in which case - parts are harder to come by, and some suppliers may have gone out of business.

The DOHC engine puts out 100 to 113 HP, depending on which one you get - yes - there are more than one.

The DOHC head will fit any four cylinder "G-series block" - G13, G15, G16 - however there may not be pistons for all of these blocks that are suitable for use with the DOHC head.

Now - if I might touch on "best way to go" - the G13B DOHC engine is not considered the "best" way to go by all - many prefer to swap in a G16 - the DOHC will present challenges with the intake, exhaust & cooling system plumbing, the distributor location and the EFI system.  It also produces it's power at a higher rpm.  The G16 on the other hand, produces virtually the same power as the G13 DOHC but at a lower rpm - it is a well documented swap, and kits can be purchased making it almost a "bolt-in"

"Best" really depends on what you plan to use the vehicle for and if off road use is in your plans, the G16 might be a better fit.

Thanks for your comments. I guess you are talking about a DOHC 1.3 head , mated up to a 1.6 short block ? Is the 16 valve the best block, or they are all the same.? I have not founding anything or anybody in the last 8 years who has done this on the Net, or this forum.  From what I have found so far is a DOHC 1.8 motor as a stock instal ,so maybe there were other DOHC heads used besides the 1.3 set up. Found no Ref. to a 1.6 DOHC as used in any Suzuki vehicle from the factory, including the GM models.  It seems to me that my best bet is to find a donor car with the 16 V SOHC for all the extra parts needed including the electronics. I do need to know what I am looking for, with part or serial numbers in order to search for the correct parts?. At lest thats how I used to do with US made vehicles I have modified over the last 30 years. Still a little confused...I want to get things right from the start, I hate doing things over the second time, and looking like a dunce .

Me again , I just now reread your post, and I think what you were saying was to forget about it ! Just find a 16V engine SOHC and order wiring kit etc. from one of the vendors. Will get more low end power and at lower RPMs , right ?
 I still wonder what a 1.8 DOHC Esteem model engine J18A would do, or maybe just too much work for any gains. yes I bought this vehicle for its narrow track to use on ATV trails in the woods , ( UP Mi.) we got lots of them. Would be nice to be able to drive 30-40 mi on county road as well to get there. I have a FJ Cruiser for long distance, but its wife's car and gets a lot of scratches when off road cause its so wide. Then for trips out of town, I fire up the Dodge/Cummins 350 hp 4 x 4 mega cab. so, with the Suzuki it fits in my two stall garage quite well alongside my JD excavator ( Telehandler)..... I know, more than you wanted to hear....sorry.

Yup - if you're looking to use the Samurai off road, swapping an 8v 1.6 engine in will be the easiest, most bang for the buck swap - the kits are just wiring - there is an adapter plate to mate the transmission and new engine mounts.

As for the Esteem J18 swap - I'd say forget about it - unless you're a glutton for punishment - trying to swap the engine from a transverse engined vehicle into a longitudinal engined one just adds to the challenge - consider a J20 from a Vitara or Tracker instead - that way you should be able to reuse intake & exhaust manifolds, etc.  Either way, be prepared to deal with the tasks of splicing the wiring, as both engines are MPI with distributorless ignition.  The J18 is also not that common, so parts will be hard(er) to find.