SBC --> Tracker

[b1pig]

I searched a bunch this past week for some tech-related stuff, and so far i'm coming up empty handed.

i've got a '98 2wd Tracker that i'll be doing an engine/transmission swap on. i've got the source for the set from a friend. 305/700r4 combo in a running car. i've "seen" several successful swaps on the web via pictures and youtube, but i'm coming up short on any real technical stuff on the swaps.

anyone done this swap or have contact with someone that has?

i'm just looking for the hurdles/headaches that were encountered in the exchange.

thx

[yield2me]

SBC --> Tracker = TONS-O-FUN!!! lol

[b1pig]

thats the plan

[Hvy_Chevy]

just another engine swap....
guessing:

clutch
exhaust
driveshaft
cooling
space

[JesseA]

Going out on a limb here.
Take the whole front clip off, extend the frame, cut a huge hole in the firewall/tunnel. I dont know how well the auto manifolds work with the tracker engine compartment, but Im guessing they dump right on the firewall, I needed to make mine to work with the 4.3 and manual in my samurai.
Alternatively, you could do a mile of bodylift.
If you dont own a sawzall, get one.

[nissanmini2000]

there us to be a tracker around my house with a healthy v8 and a frikn blower on it. The guy would make hot passes up and down the street. I know that dosent help realy. But it did look fairly stock body.

[b1pig]

since i'm using a running combo from complete vehicle, i'll have a good portion of what i need parts-wise.

i'm only guessing, but i'm thinking the firewall will be the biggest hurdle..

doesnt this look pretty sick?
http://www.engineswapdepot.com/?p=1702

[highstrungbronco]

Saw a yellow Tracker at zookimelt last year with a tpi 350 700r4 in it. was very clean install and it fit between the framerails fine and still had radiator in front. He ran a pusher fan in front of the radiator behind the grill. From what i saw all he modified to make it fit was massaged the firewall at the distributer to clear the cap and coil on the hei. floor and firewall wasn't noticeably cut and redone. Not sure bout manifolds. He had headers in it and I think he said he made them himself. It was a really cool rig though. had dana 60's under it and rolled on pitbull rockers

[b1pig]

sounds interesting indeed.

i've got some messages out to a couple of people who have some videos posted here and there, and also on the LS1 Tech forum. hoping to get a response from the builder(s). one guy on youtube has a 302 in a tracker. looks pretty clean under the hood. its way noisy, though. he did some "decent" video shots under the hood and the undercarriage.

i've got a large electric fan in the shop. cant recall if its a 14" or 16", but it cooled a 4.0 in a ZJ pretty decently. the temp sensor/relay was the reason why i pulled it back out. that relay was unreliable... gonna pick a better one this time around.

[highstrungbronco]

I like the 302 idea. Thats my plan with my 91 Tracker. Gonna put 5.0 HO i have in shop in it. But my 2 samurais come first. bout got the 87 done. Then comes my 16v sammi. Then the tracker. planning the 5.0, c4 trans, hopefully find a good dana 300 case, and prolly gonna go 9 inch rear and 44 early bronco width axles. Hope to have the tracker done by next summer. But I have done the measuring and won't have to modify much under the hood for the 302 at all. But a small ford is almost 3 inches narrower than small block chevy as well.

[b1pig]

again. packaging... my dad had a 289 in an old Rambler Marlin. that engine just seemed soooo tiny in that big engine bay. i remember how compact it was. if i did go Ford, it would be an older engine. i think i'm going to avoid electronic stuff as much as i can on this one. keep it simple.

somewhere, i once saw a compact "engine swap" distributor... i'm still looking for it. may have just been someone swapping out a HEI for a smaller points-style dist... maybe with an electronic pickup instead of point in it. i dont remember. was years ago. if not, i'll "clearance" the firewall. no worries....

[cajunsuzukispider]

i got a 4.3 in mine, had to clearance the firewall a bit, but I also redid the whole tranny tunnel, not just for clearance, but for ease of working on everything under the floor.
My hurdles were routing the steering link from the firewall to the steering box. but since I extended my front end out 9", I also had to outboard the steering box to the front of the frame.
also had to build my own headers, make a mount for clutch master cylinder, and use a hydraulic throwout bearing since there's not really room for that long see-saw.
.
the upside is that I can get to all my spark plugs and header bolts from under the fender.
I can get to all the back of the motor and top of the tranny, front of the t-case, and top of the front driveshaft real easy.
.
If I put my radiator in back, I could put a 350 in there without extending anything. the hood latch had to go, under the front of the hood there I had to cut out the hollow area around the latch, to clearance the radiator.