[cHicKnFEET]

First I want everyone to know Paul the owner is a great guy and try's to help but I just don't get it... I don't think they understand that this Kit is a waste and has very poor build quality - I have had nothing but problems sense day one and I mean day one - here is a list of pictures of this kit, I was told by Smartuki at one point you know this is a kit right??? well here are a few of the problems I have faced and continue to face - I have enough money to buy 4 US spec Smarts (maybe even 6) for what I have put into this conversion. So I will just continue to laugh when I hear everyone say they are gonna do this swap and laugh even more when Smartuki tell me no one else has had problems...
you make your choice
I will comment on the top of each picture... I will start from the beginning
The supplied bolts did not fit though the sub-frame into the original Smart Frame - I had to use a drill and open the Smartuki sub-frame holes to make this fit (yes it is a kit)

but the stock didn't work either (yes it is a kit)

Here is where the A-Arm connect to the sub-frame Had to make spacers, Smartuki only supplies washer. please add as many washer as you need too for proper fitting
(yes it is a kit)

the hub does not fit into the disc brake, I was asked to machine it to fit - I ask Smartuki to send a new one that fit the disc brake and also had holes for a three lug not a four lug (yes it is a kit)

The bearing has huge amount of play I will go out and find my own (yes it is a kit)

well first off this has been a nightmare, not only did the nut not fit the axel, but the axels are left threaded - 21.5 super/super fine left thread this nut does not exist within the US that took 1 1/2 months to get from Smartuki alone (yes it is a kit)

Mounting holes on the A-Arm for the brake caliper don't match the bracket, we cut the bracket and re-welded (yes it is a kit)

The jackshaft is larger than the jackshaft bearing - BTW the jackshaft has about 18-20k movement while spinning (I do have a .mov if you don't believe) (yes it is a kit)

 

[cHicKnFEET]

The rose joints are wider than the hardware supplied, not good when it comes to holding the A-Arm (yes it is a kit)

Here is the breather replacement cover the green is supplied by Smartuki, the hole is too small to even blow though... so we made a new one (the top is stock) (yes it is a kit)

the motor mounts washers supplied we made spacers (yes it is a kit)

Here is a splitter for the brake line, the car has two lines why would you split? (yes it is a kit)

Well sense we already re-welded the tab for the bracket to fit we should have should have check to see if it was centered properly (nope re-weld) (yes it is a kit)

forgot to mention that the drive shaft cup was not welded on the A-Arm straight so we had to get a new A-Arm after welding the tabs two time not knowing the real problem (yes it is a kit)

Where the cable bracket was on the kit hit the sub-frame so we had to re-weld (yes it is a kit)

again the jackshaft bearing, the mounting hole do not match and the space plate was to small I was told add washers LOL! (yes it is a kit)

Well I have to stop, because I have about 60 more pics but I would chalk those ones up to being a kit "really" but this last pic has been another nightmare - and the final straw which cause me to sit here and show everyone on SCOA the truth about Smartuki - you decide - I am not talking bad but pics tell the truth of build quality. We have remade every single part that was not up to par, we even added many things and remade parts to ensure things would not break - but some thing you have to try and depend on like drive shafts... I broke a shaft the first day we test drove (pulling out of the driveway slowly) , I then asked Smartuki to send a new one while I was having a well known drive shaft company build one. They sent me another shaft, the first shaft that broke used a nut from a Honda the new one was like the other side left thread nut - so I waited 4 weeks for Smartuki to send another left threaded nut - the friday the nut showed up we quickly installed the shaft nut and put the car on back of a tow truck - so it would make it to a local car show - after the car show pulling it back onto the tow truck the new Smartuki axel broke at the knuckle end - Well after and additional 45 day of waiting for my custom shaft which got here this last friday we put it on today and the other side Smartuki Shaft broke and guess while pulling out of the driveway... This is just for all who care... sorry for the poor grammar and spelling as I am writing this fast becasue I am done with this Smart Car - I will have the guy rebuild a hi quality shaft for the other side and put this car up for sale or park it with a cover on it...

 

[cHicKnFEET]

Remember this is a kit - to me a kit is: something you put in with small amounts of modifications... I was told this kit could be installed in my garage with a friend to help lift and hold things - I choose to send this to a friends shop because I had to fly out of state for business and I was impatient - thinking it could be done within a week or two...

I have been told by Smartuki that none of there other customes have had any of these problems....

 

[jwight]

Wondered where you've been and if the project was underway - now we know. What a drag, and IMHO this is a "kit" in name only. You'd probably been money (and certainly time) ahead if you'd just built the thing from scratch yourself. Thanks for sharing the info and sorry for all your hassles with this.

 

[SunDiego]

Wow dude I'm really sorry to hear this. Sounds like you got a really bad product - NO offense to Smartuki or anyone - based on your experience. Have you tried contacting them about this and how many problems you've had?

Best Auto Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

 

[cHicKnFEET]

Wow dude I'm really sorry to hear this. Sounds like you got a really bad product - NO offense to Smartuki or anyone - based on your experience. Have you tried contacting them about this and how many problems you've had?

Yes... Paul (the owner) has tried to help he even gave me a free wire harness that was modified for this swap - but I don't think he gets the severity because I have been super cool - he has sent a few new parts here and there like the left threaded nuts and new a-arm - but there is so much more I didn't talk about like there is no install instructions AT ALL!!! The first shipment didn't have thing in it like the header and so many parts didn't match up! I think Paul is a good guy but who ever is putting his kit together has poor skills and it doesn't make it any easier being thousands of miles and hours behind in time...
Well.......

 

[cHicKnFEET]

BTW
I just hear people every day say I'm gonna... well after braking another drive shaft that was poorly constructed by Smartuki I thought...- I have to stop these people from saying I'm gonna - I don't regret this build but I am lucky to have the funds at this time in my life to pay for this useless shyt - I could only imagine a kid saving for this or buying it and getting into deep

 

[smartHHO]

Looks like they should pay you for your pictures. Hell, that is where proper fabrication comes in. Your remade plate looks way better then their crap. I can't believe someone would put out the product that is no where near any kind of quality. Guess they don't believe in it or don't have a quality person. Yes, it is a Kit. OMG, as far as I see it, KITS, should be put together with NO issues. Sounds like you are R and D ing more then just putting together. They should of really made sure their kits can go together before they ship them out. Hmm, well good luck.

 

[ASmartMan]

cHicKnFEET

BUMMER, I remember how excited you were when you first started the project.

It sounds like they have some Jig Issues (alignment) TOO bad, I like many others were looking forward to the performance videos.

Best of luck

ASM

 

[gusfraga]

(yes it is a kit)

After so many fixes and changes I see an opportunity for your to jump in the smartuki kit business and beat the crap out of these people
Gus

 

[dink74]

BTW
I just hear people every day say I'm gonna... well after braking another drive shaft that was poorly constructed by Smartuki I thought...- I have to stop these people from saying I'm gonna - I don't regret this build but I am lucky to have the funds at this time in my life to pay for this useless shyt - I could only imagine a kid saving for this or buying it and getting into deep

With all of the quality chassis shops and performance shops in CA why not just cut your losses and take the car and the engine you want to use and have some one fab it up from scratch. I bet it would have been cheaper to start out this way. I know we are going to gut it and start from nothing if we can get our hands on an old smart cheap. If not we will be building a tube chassis from the ground up and hanging smart body panels from it.

Dink

 

[cubefx]

In 3-4 years some 451s engines will need to be replaced or rebuild (due high millage or other problems). Some owners, me included will try to do the swap. There is a great time for some company here in the States to start to invest in R&D. Even if they will charge $5K per kit they will be a million dollar business. I am looking forward to see some company sell conversion kit here in the North America.


Breathless maybe?

CUBE

 

[cHicKnFEET]

sense my build I have spoke with many place taking on this swap... PM me and I will give you names

 

[Alchemy R]

I too am bummed to hear this...

*sigh

 

[xviper]

Oh well, scratch this idea.

 

[Turbo42]

so did you ever get to drive the car?

 

[jediknight36]

Im sorry. I am really interested in this thread but have no idea what this kit does. Can you enlighten the ignorant non-motorhead?

 

[xviper]

Im sorry. I am really interested in this thread but have no idea what this kit does. Can you enlighten the ignorant non-motorhead?

It puts a Suzuki GSXR engine and transmission into the Smart. It will outdrag a Ferrari in the 1/4 mile. If you Google "Smartuki", you will find vids and all sorts of info on this conversion.
There was also talk of putting a Suzuki Hyabusa drivetrain into the Smart. That's nearly 200 hp and 6 speeds.

 

[Alchemy R]

Is there any chance that you are considering making your own kit?

 

[bentoutofshape]

If the subaru boxster engine fits in a classic bug. Why not try putting it in the smart. There are alot better engines then this "gsxr" junk!!
Better yet, try putting a turbo on the 451 and find its limits. Any other comment would me insulting you guys!!