Hello all,

New here, my name is Josh. I have just gotten a 1997 kia sportage and I have many asperations for it. I am very familiar with offroading but not kias. I have a 84 k5 blazer on 1 tons that I linked for rock crawlin. I want to do somthing different. First does someone make a dual t case for a kia? Second what about a v8 in it? I know the unibody with play a diffacult role in that but has it been done. thanks many more to be asked
Josh

Welcome Josh!
The Sporty has had radical work done to it by Dave of Rocksportgear, and I know that at one time he was looking into double transfer cases. He probably has more experience than anyone here on the forum on what can be done.. As far as a V8, my experience has been as long as you have deep pockets, most anything can be accomplished. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" /> YouTube has a few videos that have some wild Sportages.
I also know that our current moderator had plans to do some upgrades. Maybe he can give you some pointers.
Hope you keep us informed on your rigs progress.
Everet
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Well to start off, thanks for the reply. Second I'm a firefighter so my pockets are not so deep, in fact I sometimes think they have holes in them. The reason I asked about the v8 swap was I feel I can do it, but if someone else has done it and can shed some light on probs I will run across then that would help. Already I know space will be a big issue. I appears I only have about 2 feet(from firewall to rad.) to work with in the engine comp. Next will be the fire wall its self. I have seen some youtube vids and from what I can tell it looks like the sportage body on a full-size frame. Way to red-neck for my likings. I like a challenge and I feel this will give me one. I wouldn't even persew(spelling sorry its late) that swap if I felt I didnt need more power to turn the 40 TSL's I already own. My 60's are already gearedto 4.88, and I know that would do it with a 4 banger. My buddy and I SAS's his yota and linked the rear but when it came time to turn the meats the old 22re didn't have it in her. So he had to to the marlin dual case kit. I was just curouis if Dave was getting all his power from the gears or if something else was helping him. I guess my biggest problem is i.d.ing the 5 speed trans and transfer case to help me ad in my quest for a dual case. Do you know if a yoto trans will fit the kia? Thanks for anymore info. And I will keep you all up to date on any progress.

Thanks again
Josh

The sport is NOT a unibody... sounds like a fun project though!

? won't weight be a problem with a V-8, there a few guy's here who could build you a 500hp kia motor then if you go off road weight down the back for traction

I personaly would like to see a chevy 4.3 swap. I have a friend who has a 4.3 he would sell me. I guess a next step would be to get another transmission to do mesurements on for addapters. Mainly cause I almost allways have to drive mine. But i'm a 4.3 fan.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think your saying that a v8 will be to much weight up front. If so, its not that big of a problem, with all the tools and spare parts it makes up for all the weight issues. I like the 4.3 idea but i have a 5.7 inhand. I still would like to know the id of the trans(5 speed) and transfer case to do a dual case or even swap in a yota setup. Alot easier IMO. Thanks guys for all the input

look for KIA models that have V6....
Mazda 929 copys... in their 2liter version they have the sportage engine..
they have a version of V6 2.5 engine
Sorry but dont remember the model...

There are kits to put 302 Fords and 350 Chevys in Mazda Miata's. The Kia runs a Mazda FE3 engine, a little bigger than the Miata. If you can fit a V8 in a Miata you can fit one in a Sportage, someday I might try a 302 in mine.
If you look under your Kia you will find a fully boxed frame with the crossmembers passed through and welded on both sides, very strong. You will find that there is very little after market support for the Sportage, thats what is so great about this site. Most of us build our own parts and the stuff that works out we try to market them. I have been buildeng the strut spacers since 2000 and just passed them on to Everet because I ran out of time. Check out Dave Scott's Kia to see what can be done with enough engineuity. Have fun with your kia and what ever you do to it we love to see pics.

Dennis

ok found it....

Look at KIA Potentia....
its 2.0 liter engine is - you guessed it - our engine...
it also comes with a 2.2 does it ring any bells???
it has also a v6 2.5 16v version...

its 2.0 engine fits our bellhousing as I am told...
I couldnt find any info to see if 2.0 and 2.5 have the same gearboxes...