how to improve the performance of 4G13 stock engine

[Izso]

1. 4g15 enging kosong with surat quoted for rm1.65k, without surat just block (need to give my 13 block) rm950, these are without installation cost. i have not really on the ground checking from shop to shop, as of now just on whatsapp and few calls. It seem to get a good 1 is like finding needle in haystack. hence, sub rm1k, i think is littlebit tough even without gst these days the shop will tell you, aiya, the stock i have in store was before gst scrapped. so no choice but to add on, so UBAH/Malangsial 2.0 apa also i dunno... (just to rub on, nothing political)

Wah... prices have gone up. I just found this on Mudah :

https://www.mudah.my/4g15+saga+fuel+injection-66248482.htm

A complete saga EFI for 2k. Sometimes makes you wonder if it's worth upgrading your engine. Also I found a 4G15 block for RM500 on Mudah, your 950 price is a bit high. Sounds like it might be just better to maintain what you have.

2. EFI, this is another thing i blur with... meaning it has to come with ecu. and my current ride is carb which literally mechanical and no wayar science to it. EFI/VDO i must make it very clear to mekanik (if i able to get a good 1, which usually wont know until the car is out, whether it will sit in workshop more than i drive? lets keep finger cross, and hopefully some good and kind forumers can pointed me to the right/do before workshop in JB that have done/did the same mod and no problem)

Honestly it's not going to be worth converting your carb to EFI. You'll need to get all the sensors, the crankpulley (assuming you opt for VDO), the ECU and the wiring guy needs to know what he's doing.

7. brake, standard of using bendix metal king/titanium on NA been traced long way. yeah, steel braided, is kind of wasting time, is better changing new rubber hose and using the plastic tie to tighten it and prevent from expansion, and also flush the DOT oil.

OMG.. I absolutely effing hate Metal king from Bendix. It has absolutely horrible cold bite and that may be why you think you have shit brakes. I think there's a new Trestor Advantage model coming out soon or already out. Use that instead.

Also, new rubber brake hoses are already very very hard. If you're going to cable tie the hose, do it on your old hose, don't waste it on your new hose. Cable ties is just to prevent expansion. New hoses won't expand at all or very very very minimally.

8. some friends telling me UNLESS sentimental value, else really F it off. indeed it hold something to my mom... so just want to redo, not overdo, sometimes to pick up errands, go pasar buy fish/vege, etc... looking at the car... i guess going to spend a small fortune on it soon... replace the rear bonnet, reskin as plenty of rusted holes, dynamat roof, seat/cushion OMG, speakers, non working dash/speedo/etc...

Dynamat roof for what? Waste money la. Get those sound insulation sponges like superlon or something and stuff it in your roof liner cukup la. Don't make the car heavier or prone to rust with more bitumen based products. And fix the car and make it road worthy before doing things like speakers and stuff. It's a daily beater, you don't want it to become a thief magnet with all that speakers and stuff. Do you know how easy it is to break into a Saga/Wira/Iswara?

 

[firezy]

ixeo,
looking at the numbers, it does put me off... but for my mom, i guess no choice but to make it a little rideable/sitable.

izso,
yeah... prices has increased vs many many years back... was thinking to push that 15block to rm1k including pasang (but no surat, can skin off the serial and etch 13 serial number on it) ILLEGAL, so scrapped the idea rather advocate stealing of cars for spare parts.

metal king... kekeke the disc will uneven... need to reskim... but was told the latest version titanium better. but no chance to try cos my turbo using yellow stuff, also need to heat up baru makan... so... ok ok la...

whatever that are inside literally just for start engine, isi minyak jalan, tekan brek boleh berhenti. speakers, radio, remote, speedo, odo, etc all as good as for display, non working condition. when raining, i guess need to shout only can hear what people saying, that's why the idea to sound proof it but downside is heavy.

in short, it is literally a junk. if im not into trail run, biking, etc... really no bother to redo it.

 

[vr2turbo]

When the engine supply gets less, that is the time it goes up in price.....lol

 

[RENESIS VIII]

Speaking about taking over a 4G13 Saga Iswara Aeroback, it does sound a lot like my situation this year. Early on this year, I decided to take up my grandfather's Saga Iswara for daily use to work. He stopped driving in middle of 2016 and the car is left outdoors rotting under the sun ever since then with occasionally startup once in a while. Regarding the car's condition, the external paint is fading due to constant sunlight exposure for years and as for the engine, it is pretty much neglected by my grandfather. He is the type that doesn't change engine oil at all since he got the car in 2006, only top up oil when necessary. He drives the car daily to nearby places mostly for the past 10 years. What I can say is, the engine condition is not really that good and I am fully aware of it. I've asked around how much can the car be sold now and I've got people quoting me as low as RM800. Looking at it that way, there is no point to sell off the car and I felt that it is always better to have an extra car at home to use in case of emergency. Plus the fact that it is already quite beat up on the outside, I don't have much worries in driving and parking this car to anywhere that I am going since any dings and bangs added to the car means nothing much.

After driving the car for 6 months, I find the car not bad after all but that is after I fixed a lot of things. I mean, although there are problems here and there, this car is relatively cheap and easy to fix. So far, the car hasn't failed me at all from getting to my destination. Means, no break downs halfway when driving or unable to start the car. Anything wrong, I can still drive the car normally to the mechanic to get it sorted out. Here is a list of things that I have done to the car so far. I am quite picky on things like my engine condition so I tend to fix more than what is necessary to run the car and some of the things that I have done is really just an optional choice like the audio player. Here goes the list.

1. Oil Change 20W-50 Mineral, Spark Plugs (RM90)

2. Front left door lock actuator (RM47)

3. Key alarm lock battery (RM20)

4. Metre cluster repair (RM40)

5. Distributor O ring oil seal, Fuel filter (RM50)

6. 4x Maxxis MA-P3 Tyres (RM500)

7. Radiator cap (RM20)

8. Exhaust muffler (RM150)

9. Radiator fan switch, Carburetor auto choke (RM170)

10. Gearbox oil (RM85)

11. Fender Signal (RM9)

12. Audio player (RM220)

13. Top Overhaul (incl a whole cylinder head from Japan halfcut, new piston rings, new valve seals), Steering rack boot, Driveshaft boot + engine oil, gearbox oil, coolant (RM870)

Altogether it adds up to RM2271. Round it up to RM2.3k is enough I suppose. The car now runs much better than it ever did before after all these repairs. Some might think it is stupid to spend more than what the car is worth but for me, I think it is ok because I will be using this car for long term and I suppose it will save me more money than buying a new car. A new car will depreciate, lose more money on interest rate if you take up a loan, pay more for yearly insurance premium and maintenance in service centre is also more expensive especially for labour charges.

I hope this can help you a bit, Firezy. Thank you for reading.

 

[firezy]

vr2tebu,
i guess so, and those GST add on, devalued against USD, etc... habis...

renesis,
indeed same situation. i dont even dare to check the price of a 1994/1995 iswara... bcos scare i might fall off from chair... from your number rm800, really no eye see.

this iswara that im going to take over, did a top overhaul few years back, basically it is in running condition, but just not up to my preferences, of course at such, POKET PECAH is inevitable. it is just the matter, how far/deep im into fixing it up.

- fixing those holes/leakages as of raining front passenger seat will be flooded, (unknown where leak, need to get it check)
- did an intensive read up on 4g13 vs 4g15 vs 4g18

The SOHC 4G13 displaces 1.3 L 12 valves (1298 cc) (73 hp) with a bore and stroke of 71.0 mm x 82.0 mm
The SOHC 4G15 displaces 1.5 L (1,468 cc) with a bore and stroke of 75.5 mm x 82.0 mm.
The SOHC 4G18 displaces en el1.6 L (1,584 cc) with a bore and stroke of 76.0 mm x 87.3 mm.

basically the block of 13/15 are the same except the stroke/crankshaft. on theory if im heading for 18 internal which crank, conrod and piston, i can literally bore my existing 13 block to fit. the issue will be to bore 5.3mm x 4 cylinders = 21.2mm, i dunno how reliable the block will be thereafter. many reviews saying ok, no issue, depend on enginnering machine that boring it, depend mekanik skill and so on so forth. so my take will be if i able to find the right block, 18 internal, i might go for it, else i stick to 13. what i will do is port n polish but that also subjective.

ultimately, just want to keep that car and keep my mom happy that we arent selling it off as it was part of her blood and sweat to pay for it too. just to keep it clean, running and fixing up those what supposed to be.

really thank you for sharing the cost of your fixing up the iswara. that at least giving me a guideline that what i supposed to lookout for. to complete make over, it would easily cost few more Ks... which i do not think i will go for that... unless strike 4D with my oldman's blessing. kekekeke...

 

[vr2turbo]

Since is a saga, just service it up and use....

 

[sweelt]

vr2tebu,
i guess so, and those GST add on, devalued against USD, etc... habis...

renesis,
indeed same situation. i dont even dare to check the price of a 1994/1995 iswara... bcos scare i might fall off from chair... from your number rm800, really no eye see.

this iswara that im going to take over, did a top overhaul few years back, basically it is in running condition, but just not up to my preferences, of course at such, POKET PECAH is inevitable. it is just the matter, how far/deep im into fixing it up.

- fixing those holes/leakages as of raining front passenger seat will be flooded, (unknown where leak, need to get it check)
- did an intensive read up on 4g13 vs 4g15 vs 4g18

The SOHC 4G13 displaces 1.3 L 12 valves (1298 cc) (73 hp) with a bore and stroke of 71.0 mm x 82.0 mm
The SOHC 4G15 displaces 1.5 L (1,468 cc) with a bore and stroke of 75.5 mm x 82.0 mm.
The SOHC 4G18 displaces en el1.6 L (1,584 cc) with a bore and stroke of 76.0 mm x 87.3 mm.

basically the block of 13/15 are the same except the stroke/crankshaft. on theory if im heading for 18 internal which crank, conrod and piston, i can literally bore my existing 13 block to fit. the issue will be to bore 5.3mm x 4 cylinders = 21.2mm, i dunno how reliable the block will be thereafter. many reviews saying ok, no issue, depend on enginnering machine that boring it, depend mekanik skill and so on so forth. so my take will be if i able to find the right block, 18 internal, i might go for it, else i stick to 13. what i will do is port n polish but that also subjective.

ultimately, just want to keep that car and keep my mom happy that we arent selling it off as it was part of her blood and sweat to pay for it too. just to keep it clean, running and fixing up those what supposed to be.

really thank you for sharing the cost of your fixing up the iswara. that at least giving me a guideline that what i supposed to lookout for. to complete make over, it would easily cost few more Ks... which i do not think i will go for that... unless strike 4D with my oldman's blessing. kekekeke...

get it into running state. Don kacuk, rojak the engine. Prefer u find other car to mod in future.

 

[RENESIS VIII]

vr2tebu,
i guess so, and those GST add on, devalued against USD, etc... habis...

renesis,
indeed same situation. i dont even dare to check the price of a 1994/1995 iswara... bcos scare i might fall off from chair... from your number rm800, really no eye see.

this iswara that im going to take over, did a top overhaul few years back, basically it is in running condition, but just not up to my preferences, of course at such, POKET PECAH is inevitable. it is just the matter, how far/deep im into fixing it up.

- fixing those holes/leakages as of raining front passenger seat will be flooded, (unknown where leak, need to get it check)
- did an intensive read up on 4g13 vs 4g15 vs 4g18

The SOHC 4G13 displaces 1.3 L 12 valves (1298 cc) (73 hp) with a bore and stroke of 71.0 mm x 82.0 mm
The SOHC 4G15 displaces 1.5 L (1,468 cc) with a bore and stroke of 75.5 mm x 82.0 mm.
The SOHC 4G18 displaces en el1.6 L (1,584 cc) with a bore and stroke of 76.0 mm x 87.3 mm.

basically the block of 13/15 are the same except the stroke/crankshaft. on theory if im heading for 18 internal which crank, conrod and piston, i can literally bore my existing 13 block to fit. the issue will be to bore 5.3mm x 4 cylinders = 21.2mm, i dunno how reliable the block will be thereafter. many reviews saying ok, no issue, depend on enginnering machine that boring it, depend mekanik skill and so on so forth. so my take will be if i able to find the right block, 18 internal, i might go for it, else i stick to 13. what i will do is port n polish but that also subjective.

ultimately, just want to keep that car and keep my mom happy that we arent selling it off as it was part of her blood and sweat to pay for it too. just to keep it clean, running and fixing up those what supposed to be.

really thank you for sharing the cost of your fixing up the iswara. that at least giving me a guideline that what i supposed to lookout for. to complete make over, it would easily cost few more Ks... which i do not think i will go for that... unless strike 4D with my oldman's blessing. kekekeke...

For the water issue try to look at the plastic cover inside the door which is behind the door trim. It could be that the plastic is torn and it causes water to seep inside the interior.

So, from what you are writing, it sounds like you are trying to restore back this Saga Iswara into its former glory? For mine, that is what I want to do but I will prioritize mechanical bits first and will only move to fixing the exterior once all the mechanical bits are done. Engine wise, I think everything is working nicely now, so no problems there. Absorbers are all damaged already as I can feel that the car is like bouncing after going through a speed bump with slightly higher speed. So the next thing on mind would be doing the absorbers. After that is done, I think there is nothing else already to fix up for this car except the exterior like changing all the external door skins and hood due to rust bubble issue.

Not a problem sharing it with you as reading your story reminded me a lot of my own situation. But do bear in mind that the repair costs might be slightly higher for you as you are living in JB unlike me in Ipoh. And my mechanic is just an uncle who fixes cars in front of his own house compound, therefore the labour charges that he collects is also lower.

 

[firezy]

vr2 & sweelt,
yeah, as of now i guess it is in running condition, just not to my mark... so butt itch ask ask ask what to do with it, ultimately still boil down to dollar and cent. dont get me wrong for being a time waster, i do have intention for its upgrade, just looking at what other options by seeking the otais here that been there and done it.

thanks for the notes...

renesis,
yup, i do have the ambition to restore it to former glory. indeed what i'm looking at the moment is the mechanical upgrades/restoring, reason for that is bcos im thinking to overhaul it, so might as well, do it all togther rather 1 by 1 later on. in mind really wanted 4g15 block/head + EFI/VDO if i can find 1. else i'm good with 4g13 but surely need to fix/rework on the plug cables, brakes, carb, etc. and also power steering... driving a non power steering, i really a little bit sweating... hahahha.... will update the ongoing progress of this, for that for those have intention to redo/rework/restore old car that has sentimental value vs dollar n cent really tough nut to crack...

thanks guys... have a good weekend...

 

[vr2turbo]

The 1.3 engine is too small to mod. How much more can you squeeze out from it? Best is a transplant at least to 1.5L first or best if can get a 1.6L.....lol

 

[firezy]

kekekeke... ok ok... just find the 4G15 block/head... stay in tune...

 

[RENESIS VIII]

vr2 & sweelt,
yeah, as of now i guess it is in running condition, just not to my mark... so butt itch ask ask ask what to do with it, ultimately still boil down to dollar and cent. dont get me wrong for being a time waster, i do have intention for its upgrade, just looking at what other options by seeking the otais here that been there and done it.

thanks for the notes...

renesis,
yup, i do have the ambition to restore it to former glory. indeed what i'm looking at the moment is the mechanical upgrades/restoring, reason for that is bcos im thinking to overhaul it, so might as well, do it all togther rather 1 by 1 later on. in mind really wanted 4g15 block/head + EFI/VDO if i can find 1. else i'm good with 4g13 but surely need to fix/rework on the plug cables, brakes, carb, etc. and also power steering... driving a non power steering, i really a little bit sweating... hahahha.... will update the ongoing progress of this, for that for those have intention to redo/rework/restore old car that has sentimental value vs dollar n cent really tough nut to crack...

Mine is without power steering. At first I was not used to it but after driving it everyday, it makes no difference to me already. Sort of trained my arm muscles, hahaha.

thanks guys... have a good weekend...

The 1.3 engine is too small to mod. How much more can you squeeze out from it? Best is a transplant at least to 1.5L first or best if can get a 1.6L.....lol

Actually by restoring everything back to good condition also can provide adequate power already. For normal driving of not more than 100kmh, should be enough. More powerful than those Myvi auto, Axia auto, new Saga auto.

 

[vr2turbo]

He wants more oomph......hahhahahhaa

 

[RENESIS VIII]

He wants more oomph......hahhahahhaa

Want more oomph got trade offs. Later FC suffer if too much oomph, hahaha. But if do a little add on, won't affect FC like my Wira change whole exhaust system. FC remains same, but power improved.

 

[vr2turbo]

But his 1.3L only, better just leave it alone.....lol

 

[RENESIS VIII]

But his 1.3L only, better just leave it alone.....lol

That is why like I said, restoring it back to good condition should give satisfactory oomph + reliability. Get the engine running well first. If after that still not satisfied, then only think of what to do next. Learn to walk before start to run.

 

[vr2turbo]

That is why like I said, restoring it back to good condition should give satisfactory oomph + reliability. Get the engine running well first. If after that still not satisfied, then only think of what to do next. Learn to walk before start to run.

Just use as is loh! If want oomph need 1.6L at least.....lol

 

[RENESIS VIII]

Just use as is loh! If want oomph need 1.6L at least.....lol

I think you poisoned me into getting 1.6 4G18 crankshaft as well...

 

[vr2turbo]

I think you poisoned me into getting 1.6 4G18 crankshaft as well...

Want to mod, mod your wira better leh.....

 

[sweelt]

Want to mod, mod your wira better leh.....

Precisely..... lol

 

[vr2turbo]

Precisely..... lol

Monster mod, then Saga use as daily.......hhahahhahaha

 

[firezy]

ok...

really learn from otai here... repair it... run it... then baru cerita lain... dont fly before know how to crawl... kekeke...

 

[RENESIS VIII]

Want to mod, mod your wira better leh.....

Indeed that thought is for Wira because already on 4G15 block

 

[donCityZ]

Very sad lor. 1.3 want to mod engine. really... dont waste money and time.
keep more cash and get better base car/engine.

 

[RENESIS VIII]

Very sad lor. 1.3 want to mod engine. really... dont waste money and time.
keep more cash and get better base car/engine.

Well, not really wasting time or money if you know where your limits are. If you are chasing unrealistic performance figures, then yes, you are wasting your time and money. But some people just want a bit of mod to make the car a bit better to drive. Besides, mod parts for 4G13 engine are readily available, so, a lot of things can be purchased and plugged on immediately. Don't really have to custom make any parts.