highflyin250x
Active member
Figured I would start a thread to document my Suzuki Samurai build project, and I hope to bring you lots of pics. At the moment (all plans subject to change) i plan on putting a naturally aspirated 1.5 liter VW diesel engine out of a late 70's rabbit into my 1987 Suzuki Samurai convertible. A 5" lift kit, mud terrains, custom bumpers and roof rack, rear locker, new interior, high performance clutch, and maybe a transmission rebuild are all in the works for this project. All of that of course after the body is patched up and painted and the diesel motor is in. I plan on making biodiesel to run in this vehicle and that is one of the main purposes for this build.
As it goes now i have the motor tore down and am in the process of rebuilding it. I had hoped to swap a 1.6 liter motor, but the one that i purchased has cracks in the head between the valves. So i will try the 1.5. I got both motors for $50 total, from a friend of my dad. The Samurai convertible i got for my birthday last year from my parents.
The samurai as it sits.
Some rust issues.
Interior, i do not have a top for it yet
I recieved my acme adapters kit a few days ago. Shipped very quickly. This kit includes the transmision adapter, modified flywheel and pilot bearing, motor mounts, alternator mount for the samurai alternator, and instructions to do the swap including wiring the glow plug relay. From what i have heard they have very good customer service and stand by their work.
Today i started cleaning the block best i could, and ran a hone down the cylinders. The cylinders still are not as nice as i would like and the block needs more cleaning. I still need to order the re-ring kit and get a head gasket and timing belt for complete rebuilding.
If anyone has any advice on rebuilding these engines let me know, this is my first complete rebuild of an engine with multiple cylinders.
As it goes now i have the motor tore down and am in the process of rebuilding it. I had hoped to swap a 1.6 liter motor, but the one that i purchased has cracks in the head between the valves. So i will try the 1.5. I got both motors for $50 total, from a friend of my dad. The Samurai convertible i got for my birthday last year from my parents.
The samurai as it sits.
Some rust issues.
Interior, i do not have a top for it yet
I recieved my acme adapters kit a few days ago. Shipped very quickly. This kit includes the transmision adapter, modified flywheel and pilot bearing, motor mounts, alternator mount for the samurai alternator, and instructions to do the swap including wiring the glow plug relay. From what i have heard they have very good customer service and stand by their work.
Today i started cleaning the block best i could, and ran a hone down the cylinders. The cylinders still are not as nice as i would like and the block needs more cleaning. I still need to order the re-ring kit and get a head gasket and timing belt for complete rebuilding.
If anyone has any advice on rebuilding these engines let me know, this is my first complete rebuild of an engine with multiple cylinders.
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