GV j20a engine conversion or upgrade

[Stef88]

Hi everyone.
I have just bought myself a 2001 suzuki grand vitara with the 4cyl engine, which i think is the j20a engine?? It has a fair bit of work done to it. It has a 3 inch susp lift, 2 inch body lift, 32 inch mud tyres, front and rear lockers, compressor, winch, custom bull bar and rock sliders.
The problem i having is it seems that the engine seems to be struggling (i think due to all the extra weight and the larger tyres) and fuel economy is shocking. I am pretty new to suzukis so i was thinking to converting to a v6 h25a engine or is there something you can do to the j20a engine to give it that more power. I am also swapping it from auto to manual. Cant stand 4x4ing in auto... I am wanting to use the car as an everyday car (so i want it to be ok on fuel) but also a weekend 4x4 car. What are your thoughts??

Thanks

Stef.

[fordem]

Given the change in tire size (from 27" to 32"), your problem is more gearing than weight - and I know of only one place that offers a lower ratio final drive set, I'll post a link to their website as soon as I locate it.

Swapping in a V6 is possible but you're going to need to swap the engine, transmission, transfercase, ECU, wiring loom and front springs (the V6 is a couple of hundered pounds heavier), so unless you can pickup a donor vehicle with rear end damage, it might be easier to buy a GV and swap your stuff over.

You could also try asking your question over at the ZukiWorld forum, it seems the folks there are more into modifications than here.

..:: 4xfourart.com ::..

[Stef88]

I think the guy i bought it off had also done the gearing aswell to suit the larger tires.
Ive never driven the v6, but is there a big difference between the two engines?? Would it be even worth it given that it quite heavier and only 10kw more power?? Are there easy mods you can do to the 4cyl like exhaust or an easy bolt on turbo?

[fordem]

One question for you - let's assume you're right and the previous owner did "re-gear" to suit the tires - why are you having the problems you're having? Struggling to accelerate & shocking fuel economy?

Remember - I'm going off the information you're providing - your first post does not mention gearing, but it does list a series of mods - how much extra weight do you think has been added - winch, compressor, bull bar & rock sliders? 200lbs? 300lbs? 400lbs?

If you had an unmodified Grand Vitara and you put five passengers in it (driver + four), how much weight would you have added - maybe 600~800lbs? I drive a 2.0 Grand Vitara and I can tell you adding four passengers does not cause it to struggle, so I'm pretty certain it's not the additional weight that's causing your problem.