Still going, very slowly. I've been struggling with rubbers over christmass but i'm on the right track now. American Auto's were very reasobable by the way.
Its driving really good now and coming together. Next i'm getting it trimmed and then hopefully engineered. Money being the main reason it's taking so long.

So what ever happened to this?

I love that Blue. That is the original factory colour by the looks. Its the same that I want to do mine.

Badge look very tidy! I've been meaning to try some badge restorations with tinted epoxy resin.

Have you been able to weigh this mate? I would be VERY interested to see how much it weighs.

I also decided to give my boot badge a reco. I went to the hobby shop and the best match enamel colours and a brush. Cleanned it up with an old tooth brush and hobby thinners and had a go. It took a few coats and camme up nice.

Got my little datto painted today, AGAIN. In a booth this time and unlike last time im very happy with the results.
Check it!

I think its more than that Nick as the vitara is different to
the sierra in that the transfer case is unitary to box.
Heres a pic of the box with TC removed:

Attach file:

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  vitara box.jpg (35.14 KB)

all you have to do to the vitara box to make it 2WD is tak the transfer case off...thats it
maybe cut the left over bits of housing back to make it look a little more like its supposed to be that way

dont forget vitara engine g16 is the 1.6 litre model with narrower
head design sohc 16v but bigger inlet valves, ports and thicker casting
in port walls for further porting. NA the 1.6 is shown to be 200hp+ in
rallye balenos. Vitara box can be modded at rear to have no transfer case.

The 8v vitara head can make 242hp on the 1.3 litre gti block
http://www.youtube.com/user/furi29#p/u/8/kUo07JU2WtU
the 16v is something else with dizzie already setup for rwd from factory
http://www.youtube.com/user/furi29#p/a/u/0/QQUSyjdcYJE
8v head in NA with gsxr carbies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lFe8jEHon4&feature=fvw

I'm really impressed with this car. This combo ticks so many boxes for me... 5 speed box, common light engine, more power, and EFI.

I had considered a 4AGE but they're as big/heavy as a CA18DE. This thing however really gives me something to think about over an A15. I can see a Suzuki boxx for $200 on ebay, and a GTI wrecking for $500 on ebay... that's a $700 driveline setup...!

One of these should get up around 100rwhp with standard atmo mods, and from there the sky is the limit. I had a mate with a turbo'd swift gti about 10 years ago, it went like a shower of sh!t... :)