About David Scott Expertise Questions or advice regarding Suzuki 4wd vehicles as regards repair or modifications for offroad use.
Experience Been a professional mechanic over 30 yrs I've owned and modified 2 Sidekicks, and 3 Samurais, one of which I still have, and ocasionally drive, when my kids let me.
Expert: David Scott Date: 11/12/2003 Subject: suzuki samurai lack of power
Question Hi,
I have an 87 & 88 samurai. I live in CO, 35 miles west of Denver at about 9200 ft. Neither samurai has much power. I have replaced the exhaust system on the 88 twice in its 133000 miles because the cat converter failed. It has always run rich. It has been well maintained. Oxygen sensor replaced plugs, values adjusted, and timing set at 10 BTDC. Are there any adjustments to get more power at this altitude?
Any ideas where I can get an inexpensive driver side rear view mirror for the 87?
Thanks for any information you have on these issues!
Answer I live about another 130 miles west of you, and have the same power issues. You can put on headers for about 5 horsepower (about $300). I have modified the carb in the following manner, and it helps a little.
first, the vacuum hose to the secondary throttle actuator is controlled by a vacuum solenoid that is switched by the computer(sometimes not until 3800-4000 rpm) merely hooking the hose directly to the secondary actuator will permit secondary operation as low as full throttle at 3200 rpm.
Second, find the wires for the full throttle switch, and splice them together, this will keep additional enrichment at full throttle from occuring, something that is not desired at high altitude.
The third takes more work than the others. Make an additional pre heat stove (I used the manifold down pipe), and add an additional intake for the air cleaner, complete with thermostatic pre heat capacity.
Last take the carb off, and fund the little piston that takes the choke off as it heats up. This device looses part of it's stroke and as a consequence, takes the choke off too slow, and too late. You can fool with the sealed adjuster, and get the choke to come off sooner(run leaner). You can also do some adjustment to raise the choke cold idle a little (just look at it, it's not too hard to figure out. If it seems hoplessly complicated, I'll take a couple pictures and send them to you when I get the car back (my kid has it at college right now).
Try the links at izook.com for parts and info.
