I am preparing to do the swap to a big block 1.6 8V.
There are a couple kits out there....
I need some feed back so I can pick the right one.
Calmini's kit looks like it is most complete and well thought out.
RRO has the price right but who knows what you get?
Tell me your stories about the engine swap,
Thanks.:flipoff2: (in advance)

Me too:D

I went tracker engine and trans,but I think Trail Tough has what you need---:D

I did the swap and made my own. That was a real PITA! Brent from Trail Tough sold me some of the bolts on the side. After doing this swap and looking at the kits, I would go with the Trail Tough kit. It is complete and is cheaper than Calmini's by $50 and TT has quality stuff in my experience.

Our kit comes with what you need for the install. We have a 6point engine mounting piece.... makes it the strongest on the market. Passenger's side engine mount, driver's side spacer, all hardware.

We even sell the fuel pumps. Though most folks can find them locally. Much better instructions than those California guys you mention too.

Any questions on our kit, feel free to email me direct. Our brackets are all laser cut and fit perfect every time.

Glenn....really ,how you spose the other folks cut thiers:rolleyes: :D

what exactly makes yours the strongest on the market glenn? :rolleyes: please educate me.

six bolts around the BELL housing:D also wondering if Glenn ment plasma when he said lazer cut?...:D

Ours are Laser cut. The patterns were taken directly off the 1.6 block, and Samurai tranny. Perfect fit every time. No idea how other companies do theirs. I just stated ours were laser cut.

We use a 6 point mounting system for the transmission mounting. The others I've seen use a 4 bolt mount system. Handles the extra torque of the engine well. We also use 1/4" plate (painted).

The others I've seen use 3/16" plate with powdercoating. The powdercoating looks real swell and bumps the apparent thickness of the plate out to about 1/4", but its still only 3/16" steel.

Thicker mounting plates, more mounting points = stronger mounting system.

If you have other questions on our kit Bob, feel free to contact me direct.

So what if one was to make the adapter out of 5/16ths?What is
the point of diminishing return? We have a proto made out of 3/8ths, but I'm not sure the pilot shaft will work OK with this much space.
Any thoughts on this?

I didn't have a question nor did I ask one.:rolleyes: :D

Originally posted by SkyMfg
So what if one was to make the adapter out of 5/16ths?What is
the point of diminishing return? We have a proto made out of 3/8ths, but I'm not sure the pilot shaft will work OK with this much space.
Any thoughts on this?

I'd like to see/hear info about this product if you can sky?
Thanks again,
heh, didn't you say you had a adapter to mate a toy Dline to a late model sami flange?

Schuyler, we haven't tested a 3/8" mounting plate, but I do think that would put the wear on the input shaft for the tranny too far out to the end and questionable engagement of the starter teeth to the flywheel.

The factory tranny shim is about 1/8". With 1.6 install kits, that piece is removed in place of the adaptor plate. The 1/4" plates push the engagement out about another 1/8" (5/16" plates with powdercoating do as well). We've been running and selling these since about 1997 and haven't had any problems with increased wear issues to the input shaft or starter. Works great.

Haven't tested with the 3/8" plate though. As you state, it would likely pass the point of diminishing return.

Originally posted by Rocky Road
Ours are Laser cut. The patterns were taken directly off the 1.6 block, and Samurai tranny. Perfect fit every time. No idea how other companies do theirs. I just stated ours were laser cut.

We use a 6 point mounting system for the transmission mounting. The others I've seen use a 4 bolt mount system. Handles the extra torque of the engine well. We also use 1/4" plate (painted).

The others I've seen use 3/16" plate with powdercoating. The powdercoating looks real swell and bumps the apparent thickness of the plate out to about 1/4", but its still only 3/16" steel.

Thicker mounting plates, more mounting points = stronger mounting system.

If you have other questions on our kit Bob, feel free to contact me direct.

Do other manufacturers have problems with the 4 point system?
Or is your just over kill? what do the other two mounting points mount to? Is it necessary to use 1/4" plate, or is 3/16" fine?

I think I used 1/8" on mine and it held up fine.

>Do other manufacturers have problems with the 4 point system?

You'll have to ask around a bit on that one. I have heard of fitment problems with other kits, but haven't heard of any failures yet.


>Or is your just over kill?

Some would say Toyota axles overkill, unecessary, wasteful, blah,blah,blah. Others would argue its essential to have the extra protection of a beefier setup? I prefer beefier setups where possible. This is one of those places.


>what do the other two mounting points mount to?

Lower mounting points on the tranny bellhousing (face:^)


>Is it necessary to use 1/4" plate, or is 3/16" fine?

Same deal.... I prefer things a bit beefier. Broken too much stuff over the years that on the surface, seemed sufficient.

Thanks for the info everybody.
What about things to watch out for while doing the swap.