The Re-birth of a GEM..(Daihatsu Charmant 1984)

[Kiki091]

NOTE: MORE PICS ON PAGE 4

Aoa,
So guys am back with another DIY, this time its my Father's beloved Daihatsu Charmant 1984 model. The car has been with us for over 20 years now and we have gone to each and every nook of this country on this car and it has never let us down.

THE CAR:

The car was originally a 1300 cc petrol one with 4K under the hood, but was converted to diesel in 1989 by swapping the 4K with the legendary Toyota 2C engine and since then it has been running on this engine. It was well taken care of till 2004 but after that it was on the mercy of our drivers and since then the car has deteriorated. The current condition is TOO BAD. The body is full of rust, the electrical wiring is full of jugaarrs and the interior is a mess. I couldn't see this car in this pathetic condition so decided to take this up as a project as we wont be selling it ever because of the memories that are attached with this particular vehicle.

THE SCOPE:

Here is the list of things that I plan to do on this vehicle:

1. Complete Bodywork (Denting plus painting).
2. Complete Suspension Overhaul (Front and Back).
3. Engine Swap (Planning to put in a petrol one).
4. Complete Interior rebuild.
5. Complete wiring change.

Now what I would want from you guys is that to suggest me a good power/econo engine for this car plus your inputs throughout the project will be much apprecited..
@Xulfiqar @capsat @SER_GTR guys ur input will be much appreciated..

[Kiki091]

Sorry guys is my internet is too slow so the pics aren't being uploaded..

[Haroon_Tarar]

aye hyeee. kya yaad kara dia zalim.

charmant and memories. beautiful combo for me as well.

the memories are a bit too private to be shared on a public forum but they will live with me till the day i am no more.

will be following the work being done here in this thread.

I would suggest to keep the diesel engine as it is. OR, put in the diesel engine that came in corolla in 2001 onwards.

good luck

[Kiki091]

aye hyeee. kya yaad kara dia zalim.

charmant and memories. beautiful combo for me as well.

the memories are a bit too private to be shared on a public forum but they will live with me till the day i am no more.

will be following the work being done here in this thread.

I would suggest to keep the diesel engine as it is. OR, put in the diesel engine that came in corolla in 2001 onwards.

good luck

It is a beautiful car haroon bhai. So you are suggesting that I stick with the diesel?? Why not petrol?? the one that originally came with it, 1600 cc or may be 3S??

[SER_GTR]

3s-fe can be a nice fit with decent power economy...

[Kiki091]

3s-fe can be a nice fit with decent power economy...

bro will it fit well in my car?? and how much will be the cost for the complete engine plus wiring..?? and what do u suggest should I put in an auto tranny??

[z0haib]

thread subscribed

[Kiki091]

thread subscribed

Hope that you guys wont be disappointed..

[capsat]

originally it was Toyota 4K 1.3L engine in Daihatsu Charmant, I had used one Charmant for brief period it was very comfortable. I have seen few local swapped 2C in Charmant running as PVT taxi between Karachi, Thatta, Jhampeer & Nooriabad with 5 people & aircon running engine seems to be purring at 100 kph with almost no effort.

source all body parts in terms of cosmetics before you start ' denting / painting ' sourcing Charmant body & interior parts will be bit tough.

[Kiki091]

originally it was Toyota 4K 1.3L engine in Daihatsu Charmant, I had used one Charmant for brief period it was very comfortable. I have seen few local swapped 2C in Charmant running as PVT taxi between Karachi, Thatta, Jhampeer & Nooriabad with 5 people & aircon running engine seems to be purring at 100 kph with almost no effort.

source all body parts in terms of cosmetics before you start ' denting / painting ' sourcing Charmant body & interior parts will be bit tough.

bro the exterior parts are complete except for one chrome trim, rest interior will be remade if I am not lucky enough to find it..rest sir am just tired of this 2C engine, just want to get rid of it.

[Haroon_Tarar]

It is a beautiful car haroon bhai. So you are suggesting that I stick with the diesel?? Why not petrol?? the one that originally came with it, 1600 cc or may be 3S??

jo maza diesel main hy wo petrol main nahi. keep her manual and diesel. she will give many cars a surprise, will not feel heavy on pocket and will be less maintenance.

[capsat]

understood, please choose an engine which require less of butchering in engine bay.

[Kiki091]

jo maza diesel main hy wo petrol main nahi. keep her manual and diesel. she will give many cars a surprise, will not feel heavy on pocket and will be less maintenance.

that is right but its too noisy and plus due to extra weight in the front it feels a bit outta balance.

understood, please choose an engine which require less of butchering in engine bay.

exactly, thats why i was considering to put in the original petrol 1600 cc.

[capsat]

1.3L is original engine for Daihatsu Charmant imported in Pakistan., 1500 CC was Thailand model US model was 1600 CC

[Kiki091]

1.3L is original engine for Daihatsu Charmant imported in Pakistan., 1500 CC was Thailand model US model was 1600 CC

yes that I know, well if I am lucky I might just find one. if not then 3S-Fe and agar ye bhe na hua tou 2C zindabad..

[Kiki091]

Took about 5 hours to strip it down and as you can see rust has gathered on quite a few places.

[Kiki091]

[SER_GTR]

3s-FE WIll Fit This Bay With No Major Alters...You Just Need New Brackets.....And Matching Bell housing ..

Auto Is Not Recommended...Stick Shift..The Best.....Wiring Is Quiet Easy And Basic COmpared To 3S-GE... Its A Good Motor With Decent Torque On Low End...!

Since Charmant Is More Or Less Like KE-70.......It Will Fit W.o Much Issues...! 3sfe Came In Some Toyota VAN Also In Japan ..so its a good choice in my opinion...!

[Kiki091]

3s-FE WIll Fit This Bay With No Major Alters...You Just Need New Brackets.....And Matching Bell housing ..

Auto Is Not Recommended...Stick Shift..The Best.....Wiring Is Quiet Easy And Basic COmpared To 3S-GE... Its A Good Motor With Decent Torque On Low End...!

Since Charmant Is More Or Less Like KE-70.......It Will Fit W.o Much Issues...! 3sfe Came In Some Toyota VAN Also In Japan ..so its a good choice in my opinion...!

Yes its almost the same as ke 70. Hmm well 3s fe was in my list, talked with couple of other people and they also recommended this engine. Bro y not auto?? What will be the major drawback or complications in auto??

[Xulfiqar]

this is the corolla's brother from another mother.

Your car has serious rust issues, resolve those first. For engines you can keep the 2C diesel if you want, the S and C engines share the same engine block design and mount without issues, But the original engines for this car were the ones installed in the KE, TE and some RWD AE corollas.

namely

4K or 5K (even with fuel injection)
2T (people brought these in from Kuwait in 1990)
4AGE (I have seen this - its not a unicorn)