Should I just get a new 1.6 16v engine for my 97 4 door kick or should I just save up and get the v6 swap done at liberty overland??? I'm running 29"s and its slow, I want mine on 31"s to 33"s. Should I get a new engine with less miles or the v6?

Not going to turn 33s without gears or more torque, a new 16V engine
won't be much better than what you have now

My 16v has 187,XXX miles and you can tell its starting to tire, so I'm really debating if I should just save up and do the v6 to make it drive easier, but I'm 20 and that's a big chunk of change, lol. What about the vw tdi conversion, anyone have success in there sidekick?

Paying for the V6 conversion makes it a lot easier.  Having dropped another 16v in my Tracker I will admit that I constantly wish I had put a V6 in when I had the chance.

Which would be better, v6 or a 1.9tdi out of a vw? It has to be able to do daily driving but also be able and play in the mountains =) I live in portland so acme adapters isn't far from me but liberty overland is just an hour south to do the v6........so hard to choose. Anyone like the tdi?

Hahahahaha, ACME quoted me 12k if I were to drop off my truck and they do the conversion, I'm probably gonna do the v6 then, I don't have the time or tools to swap out engines and wire it all up, lol. 6k sounds much better

I can't believe I didn't post this the first time, but a 16V is prime
to add a turbo, and that will pull 33s and not cost nearly as much
as either engine swap.

Sounds like I need to start manufacturing turbo headers and related goodies

Wild

Will an auto 4 speed hold the power or get ripped to shreds? That's my only issue, if I had a 5 speed I wouldn't hessitate at all, but if you build I will buy, but I need to know if an auto tranny will hold up to the added stress. Transmission cooler would be a must but.........any thoughts on that?

I'm not sure of the torque ratings of the 4 speed trans, I know the
3 speed is rated at about 250 ft lbs, but the 4 speed is a Toyota corp
made trans, and I have not heard of power related issues, most issues
are service (or lack of) issues but total failures are not common.

A trans cooler is a good idea, as is a high quality ATF and regular service
at about every 50K miles, so adding a drain plug and a spin on filter would
be a smart idea, most people don't change the ATF  because it's simply a
pain to do, ATF in your arm pits etc 

Wild

 So, Wild, about this making the turbo manifold thing..........     Just "might" convince me to do something other than the TD swap...   

You should definately hook me up with a prototype for the auto transmission I would love to have it be a turbo'd mud beast

v6, hands down!!

I can't believe I didn't post this the first time, but a 16V is prime
to add a turbo, and that will pull 33s and not cost nearly as much
as either engine swap.

Sounds like I need to start manufacturing turbo headers and related goodies

Wild

I too would be interested in said turbo!! please keep me updated as to "IF" you are willing to make and a price of course.

So dificult to choose, I like turbos, but a v6 sounds soooo much more fortified of an engine. Ok, I've also been looking at stuff to build up my sidekick, anyone like the rear mini spool from trail tuff? Its only $109 and this thing is my daily driver, does it work good? I'm on 29"s now but plan to run 31"s down the road, does their mini spool hold up well?

Turbo??? i'm in how much