[BigRay]

I've done a few searches on the forum and I am very interested in putting an M13 engine in my Jimny. At the moment the G13bb engine and gearbox is out and as they are both stuffed and I'm exploring my options while I have the chance.

I know that I at least need the engine, gearbox and wiring loom but is there anything else I'll need or that I should know?
Are there any restrictions in what I can do, would a 2010 - 2014 engine work or should I stick to a non-vvt engine?

I want a manual transmission too btw

Thanks,
Ray

[MrRocky]

U can just bolt in a g16b for a power increase with only minor work and no wiring changes neccessary, all your manifolds ect... bolt up you just need the adaptor kit from ben-T of here or on ebay.

[MrRocky]

And the m13 are slugs compared to g16b i actually think they have a less powerful feel to them than the g13 you would be replacing

[watermouse]

You'll need the ECU and a good wiring diagram. If I was in your position and dead set on the M series then I would be looking at the M15 M16 or M18 upgrade. You could also pull the loom and ECU from the swift/liana that they came from. Must mention the ecu immobilser hassles too so you really need the ignition barrels and keys from the donor car. All this = major headfuck unless you were starting with the M13 Jimny in the first place.

If you can find a replacement or reco your current gearbox then the g16b is the better and far easier job and is a worthwhile upgrade for your Jimny.

I disagree with MrRocky on the G13bb v M13a comparison. The M is smoother/quieter and feels a tad torquier. (well at least the non vvt one I drove straight after mine) But, yes, the g16b is a step above both. They pull hard in 2nd through to 5th.,

[BigRay]

Thanks guys! I am a P-Plater in Victoria so a G16b, M15a, M16a and M18a are not an option for me because I will be increasing the power of the car with a non factory option. As the M13 is the same displacement and is an engine used in Jimnys I can use it. I was going to get a reco G13 engine and gearbox but was scared off buy the prices, so my plan is to find a low km engine from a newer Jimny. Will the M13 gearbox have different ratios than the G13? Can I use the same transfer case and diffs?

Thanks,
Ray

[Gwagensteve]

Before you commence a complex and fiddly conversion, I'd really, really check you don't need engineering approval (and you can legally drive) an M13 converted Jimny. Whilst this engine was factory fitted to a Jimny, it wasn't factory fitted in 1999, so in the eyes of the law, it's not a replacement engine, it's a conversion.

If you have it 100% confirmed then it's all good, but I don't think you can assume it's all fine because the engine is the same capacity.

Personally, I don't think the conversion is worth it. It's going to be really fraught - have a look into immobiliser issues as an example of the little detail stuff that causes headaches. These are two very different engines and the ECU is much more sophisticated. I expect you'll want the whole wiring loom from the donor car, including the steering column, keys, and instrument cluster, along with the gearbox, jackshaft, air box, radiator(?)

All up it would be cheaper to put a running G13BB in your car and sell it, and buy an M13 jimny. By the time you convert, the finished car won't be worth any more than your car with a G13BB in it, it won't go much better, and you will have dropped many hours and tonnes of money into it to build something you can buy from the factory. I don't think that makes any sense.

Steve.

[alien]

my sierra runs the g13bb head, g16 injectors and bottom end... could be an option for you? Send your current head out to be restored, buy a 1.6 bottom end, injectors and conversion kit, bolt it all back together and away you go (sort of).

[BigRay]

Thanks Steve, I understand it's a big job and will speak to vicroads etc. At the moment my dilemma is spend less money and commit more time (M13 conversion) or spend more money and commit less time (reco G13bb engine and gearbox). I have done a lot to my Jimny and have spent too much time on it to sell it and I love it too much anyway. Selling it might be the economical decision but it is in many pieces at the moment and I would have to find another one again anyway, so not so economical in the end.
I'm looking at roughly $4500 for the reco engine and gearbox plus the other bits I'll need.

I've thought about a 1.6 bottom end but would still not work with the P-Plater laws. Crazy as any Jimny will never go as hard as a V6 Commodore that P-Platers can drive...

[BigRay]

I'm also not concerned about resale value, just want the benefits. Doesn't matter how much money you sink into your car because you will likely never see it again!!

[alien]

Do you think anyone would even notice there was a 1.6 bottom end on it?

When i first did my 1.6 conversion i just put in the paperwork for an engine number change - they verbally asked me "is it the same motor" and i said "yeh" and all good. 6 or so years later when i engineered it, i put the 1.6 down on the paperwork and it was immediately approved - they barely looked at it during the inspection too.

You and i know that G13 / G16 etc designates capacity - but the people at transport just see numbers and letters.

[MrRocky]

2nd hand g13bb box $500-700
Recon 1.3 $2000

Cheapest option imho

[BigRay]

From what I've heard and from past experience they are pretty sharp down at Vicroads.

If I was to do the M13 conversion I should only need:

Engine
Gearbox
Clutch
Wiring loom
Dash
Ignition barrel
Jackshaft

Yes?
Anything I should know or need?

[BigRay]

Anything else*

[BigRay]

Any other opinions? Has anyone done this conversion?

[atari4x4]

this guy did it... viewtopic.php?t=43068

Quote:

So about 30 hours later, she's all done.
It was pretty straight forward really, with only a few little snags along the way.

My advice to anyone going to attempt the conversion would be get a half cut. The motor was pretty much plug and play but just be wary that powersteer and a.c. hoses are ever so slightly different. The a.c. bracket/tensioner is also different depending on whether the car has p/steer or not.

The m13 gearbox also sits about 25mm further back than the g13 auto and as such the holes for the mount don't line up, but it's nothing a quick re-drill won't fix.

The holes in the tunnels for the shifters differ as well, with the manual shifter needing a much bigger hole to fit through and the threaded holes for the boots are also differently spaced.

Chop out the footrest or you'll clip it with the side of your foot. (The pedal box physically fits with it in there, though).

The cluster is plug and play, the engine mounts are the same, just drop the steering to pull the pedal box there's no need to disconnect it and appart from that it's probably one of the easiest motor swaps I've come across in ten years in the trade.

shoot him a PM as i don't think he get on here much more, just after he did the swap it got stolen & torched.