The White Gnat (1999 Suzuki Swift 1.3L manual)

[wmjinman]

Hmmm, maybe I should keep looking. I'm really wanting economy more than power. If we find a 3 cylinder engine, could it bolt up to my transaxle?

[Gasoline Fumes]

The 3-cyl will bolt up to the transaxle, but there are other changes required to do the swap. You'll need the 3-cyl axles, ECU and maybe wiring harness. I'm not sure about the newer cars, but on the '89-'94 Metro/Swift, the engine mounts on the body are different too. So not a simple fix.

The 8-valve would be almost as much work. It has TBI and will require the correct wiring harness and ECU. Also the valves might not get along with the 16V pistons.

[wmjinman]

OK, thanks Gasoline Fumes,

Guess I'd better stick to the same kind that came with it. Looks like there might be a place in Oakland that has them "reconditioned". That's not too far....

[wmjinman]

Guess what my mechanic found today at a local junkyard? Out of a 2000 model with 7000 miles on it. Car was totaled, engine had been sitting there in their shed for the last 10 years. Oil was clean, no sludge, everything looks good. It was an automatic. Guess we're replacing the clutch, now. Swap begins tomorrow.



The mechanic's co-hort was in the junkyard looking for a part for his truck, whacked his shin on something, looked down, and there was EXACTLY the engine we were looking for. They wouldn't sell just the head - had to take the whole engine. But - - - - swapping my 136,000 mile bottom-end for this 7000 mile one? ...... uh, OK!!!

[wmjinman]

Mechanic is preparing "new" engine to install - new timing belt, tensioner, water pump from original engine & head repair. Did some de-greasing & cleaning of engine compartment.....



This will be nice - they're "mix-n-matching" parts depending on condition, etc. Turns out the "old" installation was missing a bunch or brackets & stuff that were on the "new" engine from the junkyard, so the car will actually be more "complete" this time around...

[wmjinman]

Picked it up from the mechanic this afternoon. Wow, feels SO different to drive!! Smooth, responsive, accelerated right up to highway speed... New axles, new clutch, and almost new engine (7000 miles, they tell me).

On the trip back home (approx. 4 or 5 miles) it averaged 41+ mpg on the ScanGauge "current trip". Backing up, turning around, several stop lights & signs plus a couple or 3 miles on the freeway at 60 MPH. Had to leave town (in another car), so can't be driving it again for a few days, but I can't wait!!!

[wmjinman]

Good news; I got my wish - my first 2-way average of 60 MPG + during my first mileage test run with the "new" engine!!

It's "preliminary" because I haven't calibrated the ScanGuage since the engine transplant, so don't know if it'll change.

The "mediocre news" is I had to drop down to 35 MPH before it registered 60 (62.4 north & 63.0 south - avg = 62.7). At 40 MPH it was just short; 2-way avg of 59.45. But it was over 50 MPG at all speeds below 50. I didn't test it at 55, but since it got 46.25 at 60, I suspect 55 would have been 50+ MPG, too.

These were all on my 4.5 mile test course.

[wmjinman]

Well, the Gnat is now up from 2nd to 6th from last place in the "Percentage over EPA" list.

Filled up today, first time since all the engine work/replacement and had 33.378 MPG on the tank. Of course, this includes the thing running terrible driving to the mechanic and all the testing he did on it while in the shop. Lots of cold starts & stuff too - - and no "mods" on it yet. So I hope mileage rises on the next tank.

Oh, there was a big "adjustment" needed on the ScanGauge, too. It took a full gallon more than the ScanGuage estimate. So my 62 MPG I thought I got the other day was probably not accurate.

[pete c]

Great news. Too bad you didn't find that new engine before dumping money into the old one. Anyhoo, looks as though them wrecking the tired engine was a blessing in disguise.

[wmjinman]

Yup, that's almost exactly what the mechanic said.... "Why couldn't we have known about this engine before we took the head off & had it rebuilt?" I think were his exact words - or close to them.