Suzuki Samurai adivce

I have an 86 Suzuki Samurai (89 engine) which lives in Baja,
but is currently in Pasadena, CA for a smog check, as it was
registered here. I bought it recently, so don't know too much
about it. My regular vehicle is a 2002 F150 FX4, which I used
to tow it to the states from its home in the San Felipe area.

It is declared a Gross Polluter, so needs a test-only smog
inspection. I did I minor tune-up (plugs, timing, oil change),
but the exhaust is very loud, don't know if this is normal for
the Zook or not. The day I planned to go in for the smog check,
the "sensor" light came on!

Anyone have any experience with this? I've rebuilt bugs before,
but I haven't done my own work for 25 years...

Baja Don

Don Heller wrote:
> I have an 86 Suzuki Samurai (89 engine) which lives in Baja,
> but is currently in Pasadena, CA for a smog check, as it was
> registered here. I bought it recently, so don't know too much
> about it. My regular vehicle is a 2002 F150 FX4, which I used
> to tow it to the states from its home in the San Felipe area.
>
> It is declared a Gross Polluter, so needs a test-only smog
> inspection. I did I minor tune-up (plugs, timing, oil change),
> but the exhaust is very loud, don't know if this is normal for
> the Zook or not. The day I planned to go in for the smog check,
> the "sensor" light came on!
>
> Anyone have any experience with this? I've rebuilt bugs before,
> but I haven't done my own work for 25 years...
>
> Baja Don
>
check out the net. there a bunch of zuk websites out there...

bbs.offroad.com should have its own suzuki bbs...www.zuwharrie.com is
another good one

"Don Heller" wrote:
> I have an 86 Suzuki Samurai (89 engine) which lives in Baja,
> but is currently in Pasadena, CA for a smog check, as it was
> registered here. I bought it recently, so don't know too much
> about it. My regular vehicle is a 2002 F150 FX4, which I used
> to tow it to the states from its home in the San Felipe area.
>
> It is declared a Gross Polluter, so needs a test-only smog
> inspection. I did I minor tune-up (plugs, timing, oil
> change),
> but the exhaust is very loud, don't know if this is normal for
> the Zook or not. The day I planned to go in for the smog
> check,
> the "sensor" light came on!
>
> Anyone have any experience with this? I've rebuilt bugs
> before,
> but I haven't done my own work for 25 years...
>
> Baja Don

Try retarding timing about 4 to 6 degrees and throwing in a few cans
of gasoline antifreeze (Methanol). It will reduce NOx (by lowering
peak combustion temps) and after burn most for the HC’s in the exhaust
system and heat converter up too while lowering CO as well. I used
this trick with a friends old Ford truck with a 6 and it squeeked it
through after failing badly the first time.

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If it came up from Mexico, it might not even have a catalytic
converter... you might want to look into the stuff Calmini has on hand
to get your exhaust in shape (and maybe help in the performance
department, too).

My '87 Zook still has the original engine and I'm using the Calmini
exhaust from manifold to tailpipe, and I have yet to fail an emissions
test. It boosted my performance to the point that I added oversized
tires and I've STILL got better performance than with the original
exhaust.

Just a thought.

Try this link:
http://www.puresuzuki.com/engine4.htm
for engine exhaust parts.

-atc

First, thanks for the zuk website advice, I like it!

Second, here is an update on my smog check experience:

I called the DCA (Department of Consumer Affairs) as they
handle DMV questions. They directed me to the DAR (Department
of Automotive Repair), as they supervise all the smog shops,
and handle smog questions. They were very helpful. The man
checked the records on my Zuk, and said it looked good and
would probably pass. He also said that if it did not, I could
replace the engine with a VW turbo diesel which would give me
much more power and better mileage.

I went first to a muffler shop, and discovered that the Zuk
did not have a muffler! It had a big straight-through, fine
for Mexico, I guess, but horribly loud on the road. The put
a good stainless steel flow-through, totally welded it on, and
now it's very quiet, and seems to have more power. I then went
to a test-only station, and it passed easily. Now I'm very
happy, and love my Zuk! I'm using it to "commute" (3 miles) to
work, and get 25 mpg (compared to 15 for my F-150 FX-4). Over
the Memorial Day weekend, I drove it to my place in Baja, about
370 miles, did 70 - 75 most of the way, quite comfortable, too.

Thanks, I'll be a regular here!

Don


Freebird01 wrote:

> Don Heller wrote:
>
>> I have an 86 Suzuki Samurai (89 engine) which lives in Baja,
>> but is currently in Pasadena, CA for a smog check, as it was
>> registered here. I bought it recently, so don't know too much
>> about it. My regular vehicle is a 2002 F150 FX4, which I used
>> to tow it to the states from its home in the San Felipe area.
>>
>> It is declared a Gross Polluter, so needs a test-only smog
>> inspection. I did I minor tune-up (plugs, timing, oil change),
>> but the exhaust is very loud, don't know if this is normal for
>> the Zook or not. The day I planned to go in for the smog check,
>> the "sensor" light came on!
>>
>> Anyone have any experience with this? I've rebuilt bugs before,
>> but I haven't done my own work for 25 years...
>>
>> Baja Don
>>
> check out the net. there a bunch of zuk websites out there...
>
> bbs.offroad.com should have its own suzuki bbs...www.zuwharrie.com is
> another good one

Don Heller wrote:
> First, thanks for the zuk website advice, I like it!
>
> Second, here is an update on my smog check experience:
>
> I called the DCA (Department of Consumer Affairs) as they
> handle DMV questions. They directed me to the DAR (Department
> of Automotive Repair), as they supervise all the smog shops,
> and handle smog questions. They were very helpful. The man
> checked the records on my Zuk, and said it looked good and
> would probably pass. He also said that if it did not, I could
> replace the engine with a VW turbo diesel which would give me
> much more power and better mileage.
>
> I went first to a muffler shop, and discovered that the Zuk
> did not have a muffler! It had a big straight-through, fine
> for Mexico, I guess, but horribly loud on the road. The put
> a good stainless steel flow-through, totally welded it on, and
> now it's very quiet, and seems to have more power. I then went
> to a test-only station, and it passed easily. Now I'm very
> happy, and love my Zuk! I'm using it to "commute" (3 miles) to
> work, and get 25 mpg (compared to 15 for my F-150 FX-4). Over
> the Memorial Day weekend, I drove it to my place in Baja, about
> 370 miles, did 70 - 75 most of the way, quite comfortable, too.
>
> Thanks, I'll be a regular here!
>
> Don
>
>
> Freebird01 wrote:
>
>> Don Heller wrote:
>>
>>> I have an 86 Suzuki Samurai (89 engine) which lives in Baja,
>>> but is currently in Pasadena, CA for a smog check, as it was
>>> registered here. I bought it recently, so don't know too much
>>> about it. My regular vehicle is a 2002 F150 FX4, which I used
>>> to tow it to the states from its home in the San Felipe area.
>>>
>>> It is declared a Gross Polluter, so needs a test-only smog
>>> inspection. I did I minor tune-up (plugs, timing, oil change),
>>> but the exhaust is very loud, don't know if this is normal for
>>> the Zook or not. The day I planned to go in for the smog check,
>>> the "sensor" light came on!
>>>
>>> Anyone have any experience with this? I've rebuilt bugs before,
>>> but I haven't done my own work for 25 years...
>>>
>>> Baja Don
>>>
>> check out the net. there a bunch of zuk websites out there...
>>
>> bbs.offroad.com should have its own suzuki bbs...www.zuwharrie.com is
>> another good one

not a problem man....you may want to check out www.zuwharrie.com also

Hey, come check out www.4x4wire.com! We are an odd, but good group of
guys.

I happen to belong to the Isuzu side, but the Zuk, and Montys are close
to my heart The jeeps out number us, but we still love em too!

Later
Dana

"People sleep quietly in their beds at night, while men stand ready to
do violence on their behalf..."
~Unknown~

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