Suzuki / Maruti Swift Tuning

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The Suzuki Swift, also known as the Maruti Swift in the Indian market, is a popular compact car that has gained a strong following due to its affordability, reliability, and enjoyable driving experience.

The Suzuki Swift is aimed at young professionals and small families looking for an affordable, reliable, and stylish city car. Its economical running costs also make it popular among budget-conscious buyers. It seems very popular with younger drivers and is often chosen as a first car.

The Swift is a good tuning project to do. With the right mods your Swift can be transformed into an awesome motor.

Don't waste money, do your homework and follow our unbiased guides to each performance upgrade so you don't waste your money.

We review Swift tuning and report on the best mods that work. Suzuki Swifts are popular cars and with the optimum uprated parts you can substantially maximize your driving pleasure.

Model Revisions Over the Years:

1. First Generation (2000-2004): Introduced with a modest design and basic features.
2. Second Generation (2004-2010): This revision brought a more contemporary look and improved performance.
3. Third Generation (2010-2017): Featured more advanced technology and safety features, along with improved fuel efficiency.
4. Fourth Generation (2017-Present): The latest model includes modern styling, advanced infotainment systems, and enhanced driver assistance technologies.

Engine Options:

• 1.2L Petrol Engine: Common in most markets, known for its balance of power and fuel efficiency.
• 1.3L Diesel Engine: Available in certain markets, offering higher torque and efficiency.
• 1.0L Boosterjet Turbocharged Petrol Engine: Introduced in newer models, providing a more spirited driving experience.

Production Dates:

• First Generation: 2000-2004
• Second Generation: 2004-2010
• Third Generation: 2010-2017
• Fourth Generation: 2017-Present

Handling/Suspension upgrades

We will focus on two important areas, the suspension which ensures your Swift corners well and is able put the power down.

Then we must talk about brake Upgrades - More power requires your brakes be able to handle more heat as you'll typically use them more. Whilst brake upgrades won't provide shorter stopping distance in most cases they will do so under more extreme conditions.

Suspension Mods

Handling modifications indeed top the list for enhancing the driving experience of the Suzuki Swift.

By investing in fully adjustable suspension, you can dramatically fine-tune the handling of your Swift, elevating your driving experience to new heights.

To achieve this, consider fitting uprated suspension kits. Brands like AP Coilovers, BC Racing, H&R, KW Variant 2, KW Variant 3, Spax RSX, and ST X Coilovers come highly recommended.

These kits, especially the more expensive ones, offer extensive adjustability, allowing you to tailor the suspension setup to your specific needs and driving style.

Lowering the car by about 25mm to 35mm is also a smart move. This enhances the car's stance and lowers the center of gravity, which improves handling.

However, be cautious about going beyond this range, as larger drops may require modifications to the wheel arches, especially on Swift models already equipped with motorsport suspension.

If you're looking for a simpler solution, fitting lowering springs can be effective, but it's advisable to keep the drop within 25 to 33mm to maintain the balance between improved aesthetics and functional practicality.

In addition to suspension upgrades, consider installing the Ultra Racing Rear Anti Roll Bar. This component significantly reduces body roll, thereby improving cornering stability and making your Swift more agile on twisty roads.

Don't overlook the importance of bushings. These small but crucial components can wear out over time, leading to a less responsive and noisier suspension.

Replacing old bushings with new, high-quality ones can restore and even improve the handling characteristics of your Swift.

Swift Brake Upgrades

Brake upgrades are crucial for enhancing the safety and performance of Suzuki Swift models, especially when pushing the car to its limits.

Upgrading the braking system can provide a significant improvement in stopping ability, particularly under intense driving conditions where OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) brakes may quickly fade. Let's delve into the benefits of various brake upgrades and some recommended brands.

Benefits of Brake Upgrades:

1. Better Pads: Upgraded brake pads have a higher friction coefficient, which means they can provide more stopping power with less effort. This is crucial for both daily driving and high-performance situations.
2. Larger Rotors or Discs: Larger rotors have a greater surface area, which helps dissipate heat more effectively. This reduces the chances of brake fade during intense use, like in high-speed driving or on track days.
3. Drilled and Slotted Brakes: These rotors have holes drilled and slots cut into them, which help remove heat and gases that build up between the brake pad and rotor. This maintains the efficiency of the brakes even when they get hot.
4. Vented Brakes: These allow better cooling and keep the brakes effective, in most cases you'll need to upgrade the callipers to accommodate this as an upgrade.
5. Big Brake Conversion Kits: These kits typically include larger calipers, pads, and rotors. They provide a significant upgrade in braking performance, especially important for Swift models that have been tuned for higher power.

Impact on Stopping Ability:

• When brakes get hot, standard OEM brakes can lose their effectiveness, a phenomenon known as brake fade. Upgraded brakes are designed to withstand higher temperatures, maintaining consistent stopping power even in demanding conditions.

Recommended Brands:

Black Diamond: Ideal for road use, offering a balance between performance and durability.

EBC Brake Pads:

• Greenstuff: Designed for road use, particularly suited for lighter, lower-powered models of the Swift.
• Yellowstuff: Best for higher power models and track days, where high temperature resistance is critical.

Ferodo Pads:

• DS: Offers improved performance for those after more durable stopping power.
• DS2500: A great choice for those who do track days but probably not road legal in many areas.
• DS3000: Highly recommended for dedicated track use, providing exceptional high-temperature performance. Unsuitable for road use.

General Brake Upgrade Advice:

When upgrading your brakes, it's important to consider your driving style and the conditions in which you typically drive your Swift.

For everyday road use, a combination of quality pads like EBC Greenstuff or Black Diamond and upgraded rotors/disks can provide a noticeable improvement in braking performance.

For those driving more powerful Swift models and participating in track days, the EBC Yellowstuff or Ferodo DS series offer the high-temperature resistance needed to prevent brake fade under heavy usage.

When it comes to engine tuning for the Swift, aim to increase peak power and torque at the top end. Spending wisely on top-notch engine and handling modifications can transform your Swift into a highly capable performer.

However, be realistic with your expectations, especially with modest engine sizes. If you have a smaller engine, consider an engine swap as a more effective starting point for further modifications.

Engine tuning mods.

These are the sports kits are usually carried out by our members, decide how far you want to go before you start.

Getting the right tuning parts for your planned usage of the car is a time and money saver. Stage 3 motor sport parts just won't work well on the road and will make the car undrivable.

Please watch our video which covers the 5 principles of tuning your car. Be sure to keep up with our latest YouTube content and subscribe.

Best Engine Mods for your car

1. Engine Tunes - engine tuning/remapping provides the most advantage in terms of cost savings,  aftermarket ECUs, and piggyback ECUs are all alternatives.
2. Fast road cams are one of the most significant mechanical changes, but they must be installed by someone who knows what they're doing and they are not always easy to source but you might find a local firm to regrind a stock camshaft.
3. Intake and Exhaust - Note that on their own these mods will NOT ADD POWER in most cases, but they can help enhance power after other mods by removing the restriction.
4. Upgrades to turbochargers and superchargers - forced induction is the most efficient approach to increase air supply, allowing you to burn more fuel and make more power. It is one of the most costly upgrades but provides the best gains.
5. Head work - The goals of porting and flowing the head are to get air flowing into the engine while removing flow restrictions and turbulence.

Typical stage 1 mods often include: Sports exhaust, Panel air filter, Engine Tunes/Remapping, Suspension upgrade (drop 25-30mm), Lighter flywheel, Alloy wheels.

Typical stage 2 mods often include: Power/Sport clutch, fuel pump upgrades, Ported and polished head, high flow fuel injector, Fast road cam.

Typical stage 3 mods often include: Competition cam, Adding or upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger), Sports gearbox, Engine balancing, Internal engine upgrades (pistons/head/valves).

Suzuki Swift Tunes

The ME221 ECU from Motorsport Electronics is a modern and advanced engine management system designed specifically for four-cylinder injection engines. It's built using the latest control strategies and is equipped with a wide array of features that make it both powerful and versatile.

One of the key aspects of the ME221 ECU is its VE-based (Volumetric Efficiency) approach, which ensures precise fuel and air metering for optimized engine performance.

This system includes closed loop boost control, built-in Wideband Lambda Control for accurate air/fuel ratio management, and VVT (Variable Valve Timing) control. It also features on-board data logging capabilities, allowing for detailed monitoring and analysis of engine performance.

As with most aftermarket engine management systems, it's important to note that while basemaps are provided, they are basic starting points, and dyno tuning is recommended to fine-tune the system to your specific engine setup and to avoid any potential engine damage.

You should keep as much low end power as possible and aim for a wide power band rather than a narrow top end power hike.

In this article we shall give an overview and introduction to the best upgrades for your car, but we'd encourage you to spend some time on the site looking into the details of each type of performance modification.

A fast road cam usually proves to be one of the best NASP power modifications you can do from a single upgrade to your engine.

Intake and exhaust mods.

The intake & exhaust flow play a large part in your cars power band, but be careful here, getting this wrong can upset the idle and make the car difficult to drive in traffic.

You'd need to follow a cam upgrade with other mods and finish with a reflashed ECU for the best performance gains.

Don't forget to pay attention to the fuelling when you are increasing the power - it makes the car more thirsty.

If you find you suffer from flat spots and surges after your performance kits you should check the fuelling and try a higher octane fuel as well. To get sufficient fuel you may need to improve the injectors on your engine.

If you've uprated your fuelling with bigger injectors you will also need to get a bigger fuel pump to supply it.

Intake and Exhaust Tuning.

When discussing breathing modifications for the Suzuki Swift, it's important to understand the role of induction kits.

Induction kits are designed to improve the engine's air intake by allowing it to breathe more easily.

However, it's crucial to note that in most cases, especially for Suzuki Swift models that haven't been extensively tuned, induction kits don't typically offer significant improvements. This is because the standard air intake system is usually sufficient unless it becomes a bottleneck due to extensive tuning.

When Induction Kits Make Sense:

• Heavily Tuned Engines: Maximum power gains from induction kits are usually seen in heavily tuned engines. In such cases, a full induction kit with a cold air feed can make a substantial difference. This setup can be housed within an air box.
• Performance Panel Filters: For most Suzuki Swift owners, a performance panel filter should be adequate. These filters are easier to maintain and generally perform better than standard paper ones. TorqueCars recommends using a panel air filter as they are easy to clean and generally offer better performance.

Expect around 5-7% more peak power when you've improved the intake and REMOVED A RESTRICTION.

Recommended Brands for Induction Kits:

1. Green Single Cone Induction Kit: Ideal for models looking for a modest upgrade.
2. Suzuki Swift 1.6L 16V Jetex Induction Kit: A good choice for Swift models with the 1.6L engine, offering a balance between performance and practicality.
3. K&N 57i Induction Kit: Known for its quality, the K&N kit is a popular choice among enthusiasts looking for reliable performance.

Other Breathing Mods (Exhaust):

Sports Exhausts: These are effective in improving airflow through the engine. However, it's important to choose the right size. Exhausts that are too wide can reduce flow rate and be counterproductive. For the Suzuki Swift, an exhaust size of 1.5 to 2.5 inches is generally optimal for the best results.

Upgrading the exhaust system is a popular modification for enhancing the performance and sound of the Suzuki Swift.

The choice of the exhaust brand can significantly influence the outcome, as different brands cater to various preferences in terms of performance gains and exhaust note. Here's a brief overview of some highly recommended exhaust brands for the Suzuki Swift and their unique characteristics:

Exhaust Brands for Suzuki Swift:

Fox: Known for its quality and durability, Fox exhausts are a great option for those seeking a balance between performance enhancement and a pleasing sound profile on their Swift. They are often praised for their construction and longevity.

Janspeed: Janspeed exhausts have a long-standing reputation in the automotive world. They offer a distinct sporty sound and are known for improving exhaust flow, which can lead to better engine efficiency and performance.

Jetex: Jetex exhausts are designed to provide a smooth flow and a deeper tone. They are a popular choice among enthusiasts looking for a noticeable improvement in sound without being overly aggressive.

Piper: Piper exhausts are admired for their craftsmanship and the ability to customize the sound according to the driver's preference. They offer a range of options, from subtle enhancements to more pronounced, sporty notes.

Remus: Renowned for their innovative design and high-quality materials, Remus exhausts provide a significant upgrade in sound and performance. They are a top choice for those who want a premium, aggressive exhaust note and improved engine output.

Choosing the Right Exhaust:

• Engine Compatibility: Make sure the exhaust system you choose is compatible with your specific Swift model and engine type.
• Sound Preference: Each brand has its unique sound signature. Consider whether you prefer a subtle enhancement or a more pronounced, sporty exhaust note.
• Performance Goals: Some exhaust systems are designed more for sound, while others focus on maximizing performance gains. Determine your priorities before making a choice.

Key Considerations:

• It's important to remember that the exhaust diameter should align with your performance goals. As mentioned previously, a size range of 1.5 to 2.5 inches usually works well for the Suzuki Swift, but it really depends on the engine size, larger bores will flow more slowly causing other issues so you can see the importance of balancing improved flow in your preferred part of the RPM range.
• Additionally, consider the overall build quality and material of the exhaust, as these factors affect longevity and resistance to corrosion.

Key Takeaways:

• Induction kits are more beneficial for Suzuki Swifts that have been significantly modified and tuned.
• For most applications, a performance panel filter suffices, offering ease of maintenance and good performance.
• In terms of exhaust upgrades, the size is crucial – aim for 1.5 to 2.5 inches to optimize airflow without hindering performance.

Polishing and porting the head will allow you to maximise your air/fuel charge. Leave this to a professional though with a proper flow bench and machine tools Your clutch can slip as you increase the power if it starts to suffer and the standard clutches are only ever good for power gains of up to 45%.

Fit a performance clutch to avoid power losses through the transmission. The best mods we would do for your Swift are fast road camshaft, remap, induction and exhaust, suspension.

Turbo engines are just pleading to be flashed. You will see phenomenal power gains on most modern turbocharged cars including diesels making a tune/remap one of the most cost effective and phenomenal modifications for your money.

We've also seen some tuners toying with twincharging applications and making some very high power hikes.

Adding forced induction will see significant power gains but this is usually too expensive to be cost effective. Turbos are usually harder to add than a supercharger. Turbos provide boost in exponential proportion to th engine speed and this can make mapping difficult.

The nice directly proportional boost and rpm characteristics of the supercharger make them more straightforward to map. To cope with forced induction you will usually need to decrease the compression ratio of the engine .

Alloy wheel upgrades.

Alloy wheels will help the brake cooling and are generally less heavy than steel ones. Pay attention to your choice of tyres (tires) for your car, a good soft compound tire can really enhance your cars handling. The downside to large alloy wheels on your Swift is that you're altering your effective final drive ratio so this will have a detrimental effect on acceleration.

Although some people have with bigger wheels without problems we would stick to a 16 inch rim size as the maximum.

If you would like to know more, or just get some friendly advice on Tuning your car please join us in our friendly forum where you can discuss Swift options in more detail with our Swift owners. It would also be worth reading our unbiased Suzuki tuning articles to get a full grasp of the benefits and drawbacks of each modification.

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