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G10 vs G13
Topic Started: May 26 2016, 05:44 PM (1,737 Views)
makenzie71
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Since posting an ad looking on craigslist looking for a donor for my buggy I've been bombarded...I got two choice leads, though:

First, running G10 / 5-speed. Needs a clutch, but it started right up on booster cables. He's asking $700, but can likely get it close to $500...maybe. Really the car is everything you picture about a beat up, old Geo coupe.

Second, wrecked DOHC G13 / auto. Don't know how long it's been sitting, but oil in tranny and engine look good, intake left intact, valve area under the cap looks clean. Really, other than being wrecked, the whole car looks clean. Shows 10k on the dash which I assume is 110k....but there's no records of registration or inspection past '99 with 7400 miles. $200

He's my dilema: I don't know much about either engine. I'm learning, but still not a guru by any means. I'm partial to the automatic due to the kind of terrain I'm going to be driving on...but that's where my preferences stop. What are the pros and cons to each? Obviously the G13 makes more power, but is there anything about it that makes that power come at risk/cost?

Thanks in advance for any information?
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Hotrodray1
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Over Educated parts guy

Ok the g13 does make power it will have more complicated wiring than the g10. You have to turn some rpm to get the most out of a g13 dohc. The g10 is one of the simplest engines to work on and the parts are still quite cheap. On a buggy the g10 would be my choice.
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MarkZ28


If you dont use the 1.3 pm me the info and contact info please. Thanks.
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makenzie71
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Hotrodray1
May 26 2016, 06:14 PM
Ok the g13 does make power it will have more complicated wiring than the g10. You have to turn some rpm to get the most out of a g13 dohc. The g10 is one of the simplest engines to work on and the parts are still quite cheap. On a buggy the g10 would be my choice.
I considered the cost of parts and it really didn't seem like the 1.3 was much more costly....a lot of individual parts seemed to be cheaper, but of course there's one more of just about everything. I would think the powerband on the dual cam engine would be a bit tamer, but looking at other peoples' dyno charts it appears that even though you have rev higher to reach peak, it's making more power all over the board than the G10.
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Hotrodray1
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Over Educated parts guy

If it is a Dohc that is what makes it more expensive. Only used here in USA 89-94. G10 from 85-2001
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macuserman
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Biggest issue with the G13 is finding oversized pistons that are quality at a reasonable price if the bores are worn. As someone rebuilding one atm they are very hard to find. Rest of it should be a non issue. Despite that I'd choose the G13 all day long over the G10, I parked my geo and payed cash for my GTI the day I drove it and I've been happily driving for the past 3 years. :)
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Stubby79
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Did they mate the DOHC with an automatic transmission? Sure it's not just the 16 valve SOHC or some such?
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makenzie71
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You know...I'm honestly not sure. When I looked at the vehicle history it's listed as a DOHC, but it also says it's a manual transmission car. Looking at the valve cover and the way the distributor comes out I wouldn't think it is DOHC...maybe it isn't.

Posted Image
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Hotrodray1
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Over Educated parts guy

No it is not a dohc it is a 8 valve 1.3 not a bad engine. I have had a few of these in cars in the past.
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Hotrodray1
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Over Educated parts guy

There was a 1.3 dohc that had a auto. But it was only made in 1989. A one year only engine transmission combo.
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68custom


soch 8 valve motor you have there.
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makenzie71
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Okay...so better or worse? How should I expect it to compare to the G10?
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econoboxer
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I am the one on the left.

g10~ 55 hp
g13~ 74 hp
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makenzie71
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Well yeah obviously the bigger engine will make more power, and it will obviously be more complicated to work on (4-cylinders vs 3). I'm looking for stuff like how on modular ford B8's the spark plugs cost $15 a pop and changing them can destroy the head.
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myredvert
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myredvert

Quote:
 
g10~ 55 hp
g13~ 74 hp
If (and that's a big if) the engines are currently in or get rebuilt to standard spec condition. Most G10s/G13s aren't.
Quote:
 
Well yeah obviously the bigger engine will make more power..
Not obviously. A G13 with close to minimum spec (or lower) compression likely won't make much if any power than a G10 in standard spec or better condition. Buying a used G (anything) is a crapshoot anymore. From a power/performance standpoint any given engine will be what that engine is, which should not be confused with what it should be or what you think or hope it might be.
Quote:
 
and it will obviously be more complicated to work on (4-cylinders vs 3). I'm looking for stuff like how on modular ford B8's the spark plugs cost $15 a pop and changing them can destroy the head.
The systems are basically the same as the G10 with one more cylinder. One more cylinder doesn't automatically make a G13 "more complicated" to work on, unless you consider changing one more of the same type of spark plug or plug wire "more complicated." It still only has one timing belt, one alternator, one starter, one battery, one air filter, one throttle body, one fuel pump, one injector, etc. which make up many of the common engine related components that require maintenance or replacement.

Likely a bigger factor in the "more complicated to work on or not" question is whether or not the engine will be configured to function with an OBD or an OBD II system and computer. In general, an OBD II configured systems are physically more complicated to a certain extent. More details monitored means more issues detected. Whether or not you choose to address and correct them when they occur is up to you. And when you modify the systems for a unique application, it will usually mean more things the computer will see that it isn't happy with.

Also, I would think you're going to find you'll have more issues to deal with by using an automatic with a transaxle control module and internal solenoids prone to failures due to age over a manual than you would by using the G13 over the G10. If you want the absolute least "complicated" configuration in your vehicle, my suggestion would be a well rebuilt G10 with manual transaxle configured as a 91 with an appropriate harness and engine control module.
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