1.8T 20v swap

Hey gents, I’m pretty set on upgrading my 88 samurai to a 1.8T from a 2004 Audi.

following that I will end up swapping one in to my 1998 JA22 Jimny. 

they make adapter plates for keeping the Samuria/tracker/sidekick trans or Toyota. Pretty set on the Toyota as it seems to be a stronger choice with the married T case. 

anyone have experience with this? Need to know how much I’m in for as for modding the donor harness. 

the K6A in my Jimny struggles to do 70 and gets 16 mpg even trying. So looking forward to getting the Samuria done as a learner and then be able to make the Jimny easier work since I’ll have the experience. 

Most of the documented swaps on here are of similar series suzuki engines in bigger displacement. They are essentially long block swaps done because they are easy and don't need different mounting options and alternate gearboxes. Also those of us who want significantly more power than a suzuki engine can deliver are very much a minority. I am however really looking forward to seeing how you get on with your swapping though so please please keep us updated.

Sounds like a fun project! I'm in the early stages of wrangling a CAT 3126 into a 1984 Chevy pickup. 

One thing that does occur to me.. and I've got the same problem on my project, is the Audi engine is an iron block whereas the m13 is aluminum. 

From basic googling it looks like about 50% heavier? (Roughly 100kg compared to 150kg) that is quite a lot of weight to add directly over the front axle on a fairly light vehicle to begin with. 

Also, a toyota gearbox and transfer case is also considerably heavier than a Jimny, - assuming you are using the H55 5 speed? once again, Iron vs Ali. I know this from experience having removed and fitted the gearboxes of both my Jimny and my brothers land cruiser. Jimny gearbox you can just about throw over your shoulder and swing it in. Took both of us cursing and grunting with his Toyota. 
Also the transmission tunnel will need to be "massaged" to fit that gearbox. It's a tight fit with even the stock jimny one. 

I am looking at airbags instead of the stock springs on the front of my Chevy (as well as strengthening the suspension) to account for the extra weight, but you can't really do that with a Jimny. 

Sorry not trying to rain on your parade 😁
Just something to bear in mind. 
Definitely keep us posted. 

I am hoping to figure out which aluminum Toyota trans will fit. For the Samurai, it has a body lift. So that should help with mounting the trans as I am also going to lower the engine mounting a bit. Shooting for lower center of gravity as off roading sorta of just demands it when crawling around. Another reason I want to go 1 ton axles. Gaining 300-400 pounds but quadrupling the horsepower makes me happy enough. I may run the Toyota axles for now until I get a good from axles from a one ton with passenger drop.

It will all be some work but I’m one of those guys that doesn’t care, I’ll make it happen.

I’ve been doing LS swaps in to things they never were meant for so these are much easier not being a V8 to say the least.

I am already currently looking at options to help with body roll on the stock Jimny as it is way too much for my comfort. So hopefully it helps negate the 1.8T when it comes to it.

I want rugged reliability and that definitely seems to come with a weight penalty.

The thing there is the more powerful and heavy it becomes the more it starts to break things that were previously reliable and light. It's a balance. I'm tuning my project one into something along the lines of a cafe racer, minimal weight, enough go but not really so much as to always be the wrong side of the law and a mighty good laugh every time I go for a drive. It's only a 1.3 but it'll easily do 70 all day and it still gives 35 plus to the gallon.