Any tips on G13 into LJ?

[ricky1970]

Was origionaly planing to fit a G10 into the little LJ50, but getting a donor car at the right price is proving a little harder than expected, so now looking at a G13/5 speed swap.

Any tips on doing this?

Due to changed circumstances, this car may well end up a everyday driver (100k round trip to work every day) so any tips on sensible mods would be handy. Particualy would like info on replacement steering box/mods and brakes.

Already plan LJ80 diffs, front discs (may do rear to), guessing a small bodylift will be needed for motor transplant, and mix/match LJ50/80 diff and transfers with tyre sizes to get best compramise between offroad/onroad.

By no means after a offroad weapon, just a reliable little jigger with reasonable preformance thats a bit differant fron the norm.

Rick

[Santos]

they might be as little old but have you considered the f10a and gearbox option? from what i understand its a fairly bolt in option

the lj is nearly 100kg lighter than a sj410, a little freshining up of the motor, maybe a mild cam and be keeping up with stock heavier 1.3l sierras(you'd be saving yourself a lot of trouble as externally it would look like an lj80 motor to the authorities)

there are other smalll things like a single motorcycle CV carb, modified spark plugs that may bag you the extra pony and not require much work (other than the usual exhaust and air filter mods)

go on, do it, you know you want to

[Podge]

As Santos said an F10A conversion would be the easiest. It does essentially bolt up to the existing gearbox, it would be a matter of reworking the engine mounts and a few other things such working out which clutch to use etc. I'd be pretty sure that a search of the net would provide some more precise answers. I've seen a twin SU set up on an F10A engine that added some potency and wasn't too bad offroad.

Having said all of that Al Duncan aka "Kermit", did carry out a G13B (Swift GTi) with Sierra 5sp box conversion into his LJ80-so a G13A/BA/B/BB isn't impossible. Al is a wealth of knowledge on this subject and is approachable. I hear from him once or twice a year but don't have his contact details at hand. He lives at Booral (south of Stround on the Bucketts Way) just down from the 10 story house that is smack in the middle of the bush.

Pagie

[Jock]

F10a is much easier.

It will NOT bolt up to the LJ50 gearbox but will bolt up to the LJ80 box.

Bolts straight in to engine mounts, radiator fits on stock mounts, no need to modify the steering if you use a sump from a LJ80 that had a F8A or F10A, tailshafts fit,

You will need a different bonnet (either way you go).

Also the stock gearing of an LJ50 with 1.714 high range and 4.875 diffs doesn't really lend itself to being a daily driver. You can change out the diff centres for 1 litre gearing of 4.11 and get a LJ80 transfer case with 1.5 high range.

Steering mods are VERY difficult in a LJ as you have to completly change the steering box for a different tyoe. This isn't just a slap in job. This is a huge job and depending on which state you are in can be nearly impossible.

So personally for ease I would go a F10A with increased compression, better carb and maybe some 4.1 1 litre diff gears

[ricky1970]

Really want to use a 5 speed for road speed, so thinking that pretty much rules out the F10.

Re the 4.11 diffs. Are the 1L centres a straight swap into LJ housings or do you just use the R&P in LJ carrier?

The engineer that come around here is apparently ok with steer box swaps, if its done right obviously.

On the front disc conversion, do i need 1L gear, or is 1.3 stuff still suitable?

Cheers
Rick

[Rotazuk]

On the list of mods to the LJ81 I have is a steering box out of a 413 but a l/h drive one . This will then sit outside the frame frame rail , on the lj80's there is a small panel on the outside of the frame that I will remove and bolt up the box there . This will give a straight run to the end of the steering shaft and will hopefully get the pitman arm close to a standard 413 draglink length . We will see when the box gets here . Has to be a good thing for a daily driver to get all those links chucked in the bin .

Also will be doing the g10 swap , I have two G10 turbo engines in the shed

Chris

[Santos]

you know inever really have used the 5th gear with my stock 1.3l has i have to`shift to maintain speeds at 80-100km anyway on the slightest slope

there are a `couple of threads on getting the 5th speed for the 1l

a quick google a showed quite a few brand spanking new engines made frrom chinese manufacturers in rwd config! i only mentioning them cause i was chasing 9.5 pistons that other models cars have (some bolt on efi stuff too)

again the lj80 engine components/mounts, the narrow turansmission tunnel, the extra spacee for freely working on the engine under the hood all point to the f10a being more practical,

(but i know gut psycology takes over, 5 intead of 4, 1.3 instead of 1, 64 instead of 55)

overall i i think getting christovers 1.3l in a 1l thread will help you get an idea

[mrRocky]

u can mix and match the gears from a suzuki carryvan with the 1ltr 4spd box and build yourself a 5spd that fits in the 4sp bellhousing. I have not done this mod but i know there is a shop in w.a. that has done a few.
In saying that 1ltr motors dont like to rev over 4500-5000 rpm and i would much prefer the 1.3 if i was in your position i have had a few 1ltrs and hate them immensly when compared to the 1.3

[ricky1970]

Rotazuk
Keeping links, joints and pivots to a minimum was also my theory behind wanting to do a steer box swap.

Santos
I realise the G13/5 speed will leave working room to a premium, sorta used to that after working on forklifts, bobcats and the like.

[Jock]

Really want to use a 5 speed for road speed, so thinking that pretty much rules out the F10.

Re the 4.11 diffs. Are the 1L centres a straight swap into LJ housings or do you just use the R&P in LJ carrier?

You have to use the gears only cause the LJ50 and early LJ80's had smaller axles so the side gears are wrong.

The engineer that come around here is apparently ok with steer box swaps, if its done right obviously.

IN the LJ50 the diff is very narrow, you can use the 1 litre/ NT draglink ( the one between the two wheels) if you have a LJ80 diff only. So steering may be a real pain in the arse for you to modify completly. All custom stuff or just get some LJ80 diffs under it.

On the front disc conversion, do i need 1L gear, or is 1.3 stuff still suitable?

1 litre and all 1.3 nt and wt outer parts are the same. You have to use 1 litre cvs fitted to your axles, for this conversion, so getting a 1 litre front diff is usually the easist. also helps if you get the steering gear too.

So basically what you are looking at is fitting all sierra stuff into a LJ body.
This goes against the suzuki code of being a tight arse, so have you just looked at getting a 1 litre sierra?

Lj's are small tiny cars, very very cool yes, but not really set up for long distant stuff without tons of work.

Please don't butcher and kill the LJ and give up halfway through. I love LJs ( have many) and see too many getting killed and then forgotten.

[Santos]

amen

[ricky1970]

[quote="Jock
IN the LJ50 the diff is very narrow, you can use the 1 litre/ NT draglink ( the one between the two wheels) if you have a LJ80 diff only. So steering may be a real pain in the arse for you to modify completly. All custom stuff or just get some LJ80 diffs under it.
[/quote]

Will have 80 diffs under it.

Don't plan on butchering it and giving up half way Trying to con a good stocker LJ50 of a mate atm, before it will be butchered, would make a very good restorer.