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Max wrote:Sup everybody. Yes, i'm a newbie , just got my zuk 2 months ago. 1998 vitara softop, 1.6 16v EFI with a performance air filter and exhaust . Front wheel travel is not so good but the rear end makes me happy. Still searching for places to test how far can the stock suspension can take me. Any cheap mods or info about my ride are welcome.
Lots we can do with the back of it - not so much with the front....
The rear shocks are a big limitation - ditch them.
Have a look for some threads Antt and I have put up on what's been done to our Vit's and you're off to a good start.
You really wanna get a car that pretty scratched off road?
Thanks guys! Just a pair of quick questions:
I feel that the ride is harsh and hard, too hard for that type of vehicle . The vehicle feels more like a sports car than a 4x4. How will it feel and handle if i remove the rear shocks? What about bumps and holes? And 2nd: How many amps does the stock alternator generates? I installed 2x100w light bulbs replacing the stock ones and then installed 2x100w offroad lights. When i turn on all of them, i lose 150-200rpm . I also have a 210w stereo and i'm planning to install a 400w amp. My friends recomend me to change the alternator. What do the experts at OuterLimits 4x4 say?
I'm by no means an expert buddy, but i'm sure that Suzuki Viagra meant to replace the shockies with some longer travel units
About the alternator....don't know its output, but if your zook is running above idle speed and you have the spotties on, there should be no problems. When the car is idling, the alternator doesn't charge at capacity rate, so you will get a drop in rpm due to the drain on the system. Spotties aren't really for use at traffic lights anyway
If you are still concerned about the charge system, perhaps the purchase of a deep cycle battery would help. Such as an Optima, or Odyssey??
As for the stereo, I had 2x 15" subs (dual voice coils) and 2 Alpine V12 1507's running them, with a Mrv-F405 V12 amp running the front stage. All I had was a odyssey 1000CCA Battery.......and bleeding ears
Ahhh, thanks for the interpretation. English is not my native language and when SuzukiViagra said "ditch them", the first thing that came to my mind was "wow, running shockless is gonna be interesting"
Dont worry about me "ricing" the car too much. My true hobby is offroading anywhere i can. I bought a used zuk and then did the paintjob, bought a new softtop and installed the air filter, but think the previous owner did some engine mods that i dont know about. When i first got my vehicle, a friend of mine came in his VW golf 1.6 and started revving at me, and well, speed is in everyones blood... I pulled 1.5 cars ahead of him until 120kmh, then he passed me . It's the only time i've really pushed the engine to the max. I dont like to rev it much to keep it running smooth, but i was very happy to see that my little zuk can outrun the little german. Both cars are 5speed manual.
So, what shocks do you reccomend? Should i change the springs too?
Max wrote:Ahhh, thanks for the interpretation. English is not my native language and when SuzukiViagra said "ditch them", the first thing that came to my mind was "wow, running shockless is gonna be interesting"
Dont worry about me "ricing" the car too much. My true hobby is offroading anywhere i can. I bought a used zuk and then did the paintjob, bought a new softtop and installed the air filter, but think the previous owner did some engine mods that i dont know about. When i first got my vehicle, a friend of mine came in his VW golf 1.6 and started revving at me, and well, speed is in everyones blood... I pulled 1.5 cars ahead of him until 120kmh, then he passed me . It's the only time i've really pushed the engine to the max. I dont like to rev it much to keep it running smooth, but i was very happy to see that my little zuk can outrun the little german. Both cars are 5speed manual.
So, what shocks do you reccomend? Should i change the springs too?
BTW, NICE sound setup
If I were you I'd be getting some 2" longer coils, with some matching shocks. I'm sure that the vitara owners on this forum will chime in with some suggestions.
Max wrote:Thanks guys! Just a pair of quick questions: I feel that the ride is harsh and hard, too hard for that type of vehicle . The vehicle feels more like a sports car than a 4x4. How will it feel and handle if i remove the rear shocks? What about bumps and holes? And 2nd: How many amps does the stock alternator generates? I installed 2x100w light bulbs replacing the stock ones and then installed 2x100w offroad lights. When i turn on all of them, i lose 150-200rpm . I also have a 210w stereo and i'm planning to install a 400w amp. My friends recomend me to change the alternator. What do the experts at OuterLimits 4x4 say?
Hey dude, as practically everyone's said, "nice paint-job"!
As for the shockers, my guess is they aren't the stock ones. Probably some "performance" upgrade at one stage. The standards are typically very soft.
What I did with my Grand Vitara (also a 1.6... the SWB soft-top GV) was I went down to Pedders, they measured how far the springs could go without falling off and I got longer "Gas Sports Ryder" shocks (unlike some people here, I didn't go to the extent of getting longer springs).
Significantly harder than the standard ones which had a much faster rebound. On road the handling is a lot tidier but it's not as easy to get the tail out (such is life) while off-road traction's a lot better.
For the front the suggestions I've received have gone in the direction of removing the sway-bar or getting sway-bar disconnectors...
Cheers and welcome on-board... by the way what brand filter are you running?
Max wrote:Ahhh, thanks for the interpretation. English is not my native language and when SuzukiViagra said "ditch them", the first thing that came to my mind was "wow, running shockless is gonna be interesting"
Dont worry about me "ricing" the car too much. My true hobby is offroading anywhere i can. I bought a used zuk and then did the paintjob, bought a new softtop and installed the air filter, but think the previous owner did some engine mods that i dont know about. When i first got my vehicle, a friend of mine came in his VW golf 1.6 and started revving at me, and well, speed is in everyones blood... I pulled 1.5 cars ahead of him until 120kmh, then he passed me . It's the only time i've really pushed the engine to the max.
If I were you I'd be getting some 2" longer coils, with some matching shocks. I'm sure that the vitara owners on this forum will chime in with some suggestions.
The Vitaras are certainly no slug in stock form. With 31"s it IS a slug, although still heaps quicker than most Cruisers anyway
I meant put something better in not no shocks - but you worked that out now haven't you.
I have tried a few different types - HQ shocks, Celica, Cressida and Landcruiser Shocks on the back and I prefer the Cressida ones overall, but they are way too long for your needs. Maybe HQ Holden shocks sound like they will suit your needs - a few inches more droop. Most of the aftermarket offroad stuff is too stiff on such a light car without major mods like laying the shocks down on an angle.
Without a doubt changing the rear shocks was the most effective "bang for buck" mod I have ever made on this car - even than the welded rear diff.
Thanks for the input guys. As soon as i get the money, i'll change my shocks and remove the front sway-bar.
The air filter? Just a "Performance Air Filter" Generic Brand, No-brand. In my country they are very popular and cheap. Below are a few pics of the engine with the filter. The filters are cheap, but the power increase was noticeable in any revs. The engines revs faster, has more hp and just the sound it gives once it passes 2500rpm is worth the $$.
BTW, what does the "Canister" actualy do? That black bottle on the left of the engine? I heard it's supposed to recirculate little parts of nitrogen produced by the combustion and inject it again in the next cycle to lower the combustion temperature a bit. I disconnected it once and saw no difference in speed or powerband, didnt get any CheckEngineSoon light, but did get a light smell of uncombusted gas comming from the losen hose. It's back there as you see in the pic. Will it cause any problems if i remove it? I could use the free space for other useful things....
That would be the Carbon canister if I'm not mistaken. It is for Emissions control. Thats all I know about it. Don't think it has much to do with the operation of the engine, or its temp.
WaveCult wrote:Significantly harder than the standard ones which had a much faster rebound. On road the handling is a lot tidier but it's not as easy to get the tail out (such is life) while off-road traction's a lot better.
For the front the suggestions I've received have gone in the direction of removing the sway-bar or getting sway-bar disconnectors...
Cheers and welcome on-board... by the way what brand filter are you running?
No swaybar here.... think power to weight mods - ditch it if you dont need it.
Seriously with aftermarket springs (even 4wd ones) the suspension is stiffer anyway so no real need. If I get some custom springs made up then maybe I will put it back in with some quick disconnects..... But I doubt it.
TAZZ wrote:Thought i'd post some pics of my brothers suzi.
MORE PICS!
that thing looks awesome, what are the specs on it?
Sorry for the delay in replying. It has Hilux gear. 2.4dsl, 5sp, Marlin crawler twin tranies, hilux diffs, 3 link coil over rear, leaf front, revolver style shackles, 38" swampers, air lockers & 5.29 diffs.
BTW, what does the "Canister" actualy do? That black bottle on the left of the engine? I heard it's supposed to recirculate little parts of nitrogen produced by the combustion and inject it again in the next cycle to lower the combustion temperature a bit. I disconnected it once and saw no difference in speed or powerband, didnt get any CheckEngineSoon light, but did get a light smell of uncombusted gas comming from the losen hose. It's back there as you see in the pic. Will it cause any problems if i remove it? I could use the free space for other useful things....
Oh my... your engine... it's... it's spotless!!! Shouldn't it have mud and stuff?
As for the "canister" thingy... I've no idea what it's for. I don't actually recall seeing one on my engine but I haven't looked in there too much recently (actually last time I looked in there was to figure out why the air-conditioning stopped working).
I was considering getting an "original equipment" style K&N filter for the GV that just substitutes the original filter in the air-box... where it's reasonably protected from the elements. Don't expect a huge improvement in breathability but it should last longer.
, just got my zuk 2 months ago. 1998 vitara softop, 1.6 16v EFI with a performance air filter and exhaust
. Front wheel travel is not so good but the rear end makes me happy. Still searching for places to test how far can the stock suspension can take me. Any cheap mods or info about my ride are welcome.
. The vehicle feels more like a sports car than a 4x4. How will it feel and handle if i remove the rear shocks? What about bumps and holes? 
. I also have a 210w stereo and i'm planning to install a 400w amp. My friends recomend me to change the alternator. What do the experts at OuterLimits 4x4 say?
. It's the only time i've really pushed the engine to the max. I dont like to rev it much to keep it running smooth, but i was very happy to see that my little zuk can outrun the little german. Both cars are 5speed manual.
NICE 
