Looking to do a Zuki GTi swap

Hello everyone! I am very interested in doing this Swift GTi swap but was wondering what all is needed to do this and how realiable will it b? Also how good is gas mileage? I also don't have a lot of time on the computer so any help is appreciated.


Thanks,
Derek

No one?

[miniswift]

Hi,

OK, I'm doing same mod and I will tell you from what I can see.
This engine is relatively rare compare to Honda in your end.
Engine is small and light.
You will not need to have longer front end like Honda conversion.
Economy wise, it is very good some ppl say that it is good for 50mpg.
I'm not sure myself.
There are 2 ppl I know drives SSgti engine mini with front wheel drive setup.
One is Con from good Ol Ozland.
The other, Sean from NewZeland.
I have been too busy with baby to do anything with my car so far.
So I haven't touched anything with my car yet but I will shortly.

If you can get it, try to get hold of mk1 Gtis than mk2 onwards.
Gearbox is stronger and smaler than mk2.
Also, it has cross pin dif rather than single pin.
Mk1 uses mechanical advance as well so you can use carbs instead of ECU controlled injection.

I hope above helped you in any way.

Cheers
Atchi

Thanks. Dang 50mpg. What do the minis get regularly?Also the Mk1 tip helps as well. They still have the DOHC setup right? Also do I need a new front subframe to support it? And Congratz with the baby. boy or a girl?

Thanks,
Derek

[evolotion]

you wil need to modify or custom build your own frame to mount the engine.. and id say 50mpg would be easy pickings from a modern 16v engine in a light car like a mini. my old a-series could get close to that.

[miniswift]

Hi Derek,

Thanks, it's a girl and she is 6 months old now.

You will need to make/mod subframe.
I am doing exactly that at this moment.
My subframe is 90% non original, bit I'm using are front mount point, top arm and rear body mount point.
I even made new smaller tower which is made fron 50mm square and slimmer than original.
If you cut original tower, it goes very floppy so I made new one.
It also help to create space for the alternator, too.

The engine wise, it is 16v and it's called G13b.
The crank in mk1 is better material than mk2 G13b.
Only bad point of mk1 engine is that it uses narrower than mk2 belts.
As long as you change in correct schedule, it will be ok.

There are so many tuning godds you can buy from Canada.
You can buy, under drive pulley, adustable cam drive, ECU chip and induction kits.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to use aftermarket ex-manifold(header).

I hope you can make it.
I think you should join teamswift.net and see what mod they are doing to it.

Cheers
Atchi

:shock: hey miniswift im new and ive been searching for a newzealander to talk about mini conversions pricing difficulty withhout all the exchange rubbish and to see how he sources could you please give me "seans" email address please cheers isaac :shock:

[miniswift]

If you see other post by Sean, you can pm him.
You will see it under his post.

Also, if you look at memberlist on top right hand side, you will get that info, too.

Good luck.

Cheers
Atchi

Hmm alright. I don't plan on modding it. My first thing to do is put a stage 1 kit on the a series engine. get use to that then when I want morep ower sterp up to a swift engine.

[FatKev]

Stage 1 :? I've never noticed much when a stage 1 kit has been applied personally. I've noticed more power when my exhaust fell off once... or maybe it was just noise...

Go the full A series hog and get a 1380 engine :D Or at least a good cylinder head. Actually, just realised you're in the US and a 1300 A costs a fair bit (doesn't it?), nevermind a 1380 :!:

I think you should do the zuki conversion - might take a while, but it'll be well worth it. Even more worth it than a hot (and epenssive) A series that'll probably go "bang" sooner than later.

Just my right winged, narrow minded opinion :D

Kev

[miniswift]

I agree with Kev myself.
I was costing up before I decided to do this conversion.
If you want relaible power with 5 speed gear box.
It will cost you at least £3000.
If you get 16v head for A/A+ then costing more like £7000.

Then I lookded at Zuki engine.
I found one for £150 with gearbox, ECU, wiring, drive shafts and so on (basically all you need for the conversion).
It only cost me time and my time is free :wink: .

So there, I have save sooo much money and I can spend on tuning bits like LSD, Yamaha R1 carbs, CAMs, Vernier cam drive kit and so on.
So far, this conversion cost me about £1000 that including car as well.

I hope you change your mind about staying 998 with stage 1.

Good luck mate, whatever you do!

Cheers
Atchi

[FatKev]

Well I suppose if you've got the skill and\or time to make a subby and fabricate and cram the zuki engine in then its well worth it, as miniswift says. However, if you're a bit more of a simple spanner monkey (raises his hand), then its not really an option :(

As things stand my project before I embark on 16v power, is a lightweight 1380 MED powered Mini. The engine is in quite a high state of tune and is over 100hp. I know i'll probably blow the thing up. That, for me anyhow, is the biggest selling point for these valvers - reliability compared to tuned A's.

If someone made a 'zuki frame avaiable for purchase I would probably opt for that over my MED A series.

Kevin

[Smurfy]

Hi I have just built a 1330 for my 1275gt clubby. (goes like stink :) )

If you are considering a 1380 have you looked at morspeed, I have heard great things about them :wink: .

I am also putting a suzuki engine in my roundnose mini aswell :D . Im hopeing to get it done for the summer. I can't wait.

[sean]

hi,
my mini is now owned by my dad which is no big loss as its still parked in the same garage :D . If you want to contact him email address is sajones@clear.net.nz he should be able to help you a fair bit as he was the one who did the work (helped by me :lol: ). Which included fully rebuilding the subframe from the towers forward except for the caster arm mounts, new brake setup using swift components, relocated alternator etc etc.
sean

Hmm. I do want reliability and a fair amount of hp with MPGage. I was thinking about liek a Hayabusa or R1 motorcycle engine. Super light good 130ish hp(plenty for me) reliability?, and should get good mileage. Should be easier than a Zuki as well aye? I'm taking a welding class the next school year so should be fun :D. Let me know what you think. I mean yes this is a 24v club. But if a friend of mine can have a bike engine in her swift why not a mini and it would be faster :D

Derek


EDIT: lol I'm not a purist in any way. I think the only things that are going to be original on my mini are like the shell rear seat(will be recovered) and rear drums. I heard the A series need a good bit of work so a swap was my number one thought.

[miniswift]

Hi Derek,

Are you going for R1 bike engine?
They are good engine but I thought they won't have enough torque.
You have to remember that bike engine is design to move 180-200Kg, not 800kg.
You can buy kit to fit Bike engine in the front of mini and be able to do things easier than making subframe yourself, I'm sure.

I have been told that by slight mod, you can get 130bhp from Suzuki engine and as well as that you can buy bolt on turbo kit, too.
If you visit teamswift, you will see a lot of topic about it.

By fitting modern engine, you will save so much weight more than anything.

Gti engine is about 90kg with everything on it and gearbox is about 27kg.
So you are talking about les than 120kg in total.
But for normal mini engines, your are already 120kg or so by engine alone.

I think all this talk about which engine is all depends on how big is your bank and what are you going to use it for, end of the day.

Cheers
Atchi

Yeah I'm trying to do it as cheap as possible. They have R1 engined minis all over. Z cars does a swap but they are rear mounted and RWD. The other problem with buying a kit is that I'd have to order it from the UK and then ship it over here which is going to be a biotch. I know they can do it. They've also done some good twin bike AWD cars as well. My question though is if I go Zuki. How much reinforcing do I have to do? I don't want to have to tare my baby down that much. 50mpg would be insanely well though. I can pick up a complete swift GTi for like 2500 so like 1200 pounds. I'd have to make custom mounts. How is the wiring going to work? A pain? That's my main concern is the wiring. I also wanted to do A/C and don't know if there will be room to fit the A/C in as well? I figure the bike engine is hella small so it will fit in nicely with an A/C... but then will it support A/C. Dang.

[miniswift]

Hi Derek,

I myself had a worry about wiring.
So I went a head and bought Yamaha R1 carbs.
This way, I would not need to run ECU and so on to have my car running.
It is like mini's setup then.
If you are getting Swift, get yourself a mk1 rather than mk2.
Mk1 uses vacume advance and mk2 uses ECU controlled dizzy.
It will be better of buying mk1 for sure.
I don't think you will need to reinforcing to be carried out.
A/C wise, there is alread pulley for it.
All you need to do is try to figure out how you are going to do this in little limited space you have.
If you are worried about space and so on.
Why don't you fit firefly or mk1 trubo?
They are 1000cc and runs on 3 cylinder instead of 4 so it will be narrower and lighter but keeps the power you want.

Cheers
Atchi

Bike engine with a/c..... I don't think there was any fitting place.
I have spare R1 cylinder head and yes it does look very small and narrow.

firefly? mk1 turbo? ummmm cars not sold in the states? HAven't heard of the firefly.

The Mk1 Swifts. What year is that? 91? Bangin 91 GT for sale on ebay hella cheap. I probably will do the swift cause I need A/C. I'll find a way to fit it in ;) It's bloody hot in Mississippi.

[miniswift]

Hi Derek,

http://www.teamswift.net/

There, you will see so many of USA and Canada people.
Mk1 is 85-88, I think it was.
Try this web site and you will see what is possible with SSGti baby.
I'm member there too and I'm miniswift.

Cheers
Atchi

[Whitestriped63]

If you're considering a bike motor conversion there will be just as much fabrication involved.

My thoughts:

Last time I owned a bike it didn't have a reverse gear. Think they solve this by connecting a starter motor up. But still, something you will need to fabricate.

Gear change mechanism,, you will need to fabricate.

Bike clutches just aren't designed to take the loads/weights of a car.

My 2c.

JC

I'm a member of teamswift as well. Guess my s/n. :-P I go check every so often. Got me mum convinced to buy a swift motor. mmmmmmm Latez

EDIT: haha good tag. But you'll have to change it after I get one
:-P "She will be mine. Oh yes. She will be mine." extra points to whoever names the movie it came from.

[S Alexander]

in the USA that 3 cylinder comes in the 85 to 88 Chevy Sprint and the later Geo Metro and the Suzuki Samurai too I think. It is SOHC and It would be a great choice for limited power builds. The clutchs were weak and had problems though. My Sprint got a best of 62 MPG on a trip to Bonneville one time and averaged about 55 MPG. Some models had Turbos but are very rare. The clutches didn't handle it well. My Geo got about 45 MPG with similar size 1 litre 3 cylinder that evolved out of the earlier Sprint design but with a re-designed head. Same crappy clutch though.