Outer Limits 4x4 Board

gday guys just wondering if anyone has had any experience with the 1.6L EFI vitara engine, mainly, how many k's before you wouldnt want to pick one up second hand

cheers, cam

Life expectancy varies greatly depending on how theyre treated, but try at least for under a coupla hundred thosand.

if u can afford it look at the importers.

range from 800-1500 for low k import engine.

well mine has 210,000 bought it with 165,000. It's in really good condition all round, i don't think it has any issues with the engine. Did a compression test the other day - all were almost spot on 150psi. not sure if that is good or not, but since they are all the same, i can't see it being an issue.

I have seen 200,000 kms ones that well and truely were stuffed though. comes down to how it was treated.

mines got 360000 k's still going strong!!!

just doing the head atm... should be back on the road by the weekend:)

danssurf82 wrote:mines got 360000 k's still going strong!!!

just doing the head atm... should be back on the road by the weekend:)

320 000 for me

nicbeer wrote:if u can afford it look at the importers.

range from 800-1500 for low k import engine.

any particular importers to go through?

Edge (p4x4) is looking at same one i got my front cut through (justjap) in sydney. but a few will bring them in or jeep an eye out for balenos

Mine's got 310,000 and still going strong.


I was told by someone that the engines that come from Japan as imports aren't built to the same standards as the australian versions. Something to do with the fact that people discard their cars far more frequently so their not as worried about longevity

not sure how acurate that is, but just food for thought

I'd disagree with that. In my experience the Japs look after their cars really well.

I use to use a Skyline for drifitng which I used an importer to get from the auctions in Japan, if the cars have any major scratches they reject them from auctions appararntly. Mine was in really bad condition according to the auctioneer report. It had massive scratches all over the car, stains on the seats and ceiling etc etc. When I actually got the car, I had to look very closely to even see the scratches!

So while a Skyline is totally different to an engine that came from a wreck, it's my understanding they look after their cars really well.

The downside may be that with imported whole cars, they sit on the dock for however long. So they are right next to salt etc, so they can go downhill quick once recieved here, if engines are the same, I guess that would happen too?

Just my opinion/experience, happy to admit I am wrong if people know otherwise

true, i'm sure they take good care of their cars

i was reffering to the construction of the vehicles not the care taken.


i know for instance that many of the grey imported toyota surf's and 4runners had problems with an intercooler that was not suitable for the hot australian conditions.

Construction is same or better that the AU cars.

the only difference is possibly some components are not suited to AU temps or conditions. normal for a engine/component coming from abroard.

cheers guys, will have a look around

picked up a written off baleno at auction today for 600, engine has done 137xxxks fingers crossed she is all sweet