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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: boyirish6 on December 23, 2008, 10:08:19 PM

Title: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: boyirish6 on December 23, 2008, 10:08:19 PM
Hello,
I am wondering what is needed to do the 2.0 swap into a 1.8 Sidekick Sport.  So I need new ecu? different intake and exaust manifold?  Or is it a direct swap?  I am finding the 1.8 motor a touch to hard to find and I am seeing a few more 2.0 motors.  I know the 2.0 is the same as the 1.8 external just the guts are diffrenent  Any helps or points in the right direction would be great!!!!
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: boyirish6 on December 25, 2008, 10:09:11 AM
nobody here huh
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: reb on December 25, 2008, 11:44:19 AM
I have been watching for answers.  I might be wanting to do the same thing.

Near as I can  figure, the 2.0l 4 banger will drop right in.  In order to make it run right, you will probably have to use the newer computer.  I don't know what is involved--probably some wiring harness changes.  Maybe someone who else has tried it.  When you figure it out and have done it, how about a write-up here?
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: Jeremiah on December 26, 2008, 06:34:23 PM
My guess would be wiring harnes & ECU. Might need to change engine mounts too. The 1.8L is a strange beast - the engine is very unique, and the frame is actually different on the sport models than the 'standard' 1.6L, so most of us won't know how to do that swap. Sean DeVinney has done quite a lot of 2.0L and other engine swaps, give him a call: http://members.cox.net/aftermarket4x4/ (http://members.cox.net/aftermarket4x4/)
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: huntinhick on December 26, 2008, 07:06:14 PM
other than the fact that it seems that parts for the 2.0 are more readily available is their any reason for the swap?  I ask because I had a 99 tracker with the 2.0 and it seams to my that the 1.8 is just as good as the 2.0 was then again that was about 6 years ago so I might be wrong.  on this note however is anyone aware of a rebuild kit for the 1.8s?

carl
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: boyirish6 on December 28, 2008, 02:36:23 PM
I have yet to try and ask shawn.  I try to get answers on boards before I bother the vendors.  I know that sounds crazy but they get lots of stupid questions in a day and I try not to bother them.  He has offerd a 2.0 up to me but I am trying to see what I can do with this 1.8.  As most of us out there we are trying to watch the almighty dollar. 

I am just waiting for the right person to come around and see what they have to say.  I know most have not done this swap.  I might have to rebuild this motor but I am just trying to see what is out there for information.
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: huntinhick on December 28, 2008, 03:24:36 PM
well which ever way you go please keep us informed.   I have almost 200,000 miles on mine and I am looking for a way to refresh it that doesn't break the bank. 
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: cj on December 28, 2008, 07:33:32 PM
The 1.8 and the 2.0 are basically the same engine and in fact use the same heads so if you only had a 2.0 bottom end you could still do the swap. The ECM will be slightly different but yoiu could probably get away with the 1.8 ECM if you had to. Another option to look at if you could find one at the right price is the 2.3 from the Aerio.
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: boyirish6 on December 28, 2008, 08:27:49 PM
The 1.8 and the 2.0 are basically the same engine and in fact use the same heads so if you only had a 2.0 bottom end you could still do the swap. The ECM will be slightly different but yoiu could probably get away with the 1.8 ECM if you had to. Another option to look at if you could find one at the right price is the 2.3 from the Aerio.

Here is my dilema if some are not familar with my past posts.  I bought a kick with a busted timing chain.  I am not completly sold that the valves are bent due to the nature of how the chain broke.  I have found out the 1.8 is an interfirance motor. so it is likely the valves are bent.  However the story that was told to me from the previous owner is that when she got into the car to start it up it would not crank.  So I am leaning or banking towards when she tried to start the viehicle the torque of the initial start busted the chain.  I am being very cheap on this fix cause money it tight at the moment for me. I really dont want to bust the motor apart I would like to put a new chain on and go from there.  If there is bent valves on it the head  I would  only need a head.  Are you completly sure the Head from the 2.0 is the same as the 1.8?
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: idaholwb on December 29, 2008, 09:20:37 AM
 The 1.8 to 2.0 swap is straight across. No need to change the ECU. Mounts are the same. The only thing is carefully examine the intake and exhaust manifolds in comparison. If there is a single vacuum port different, use the 1.8 manifolds. It's literally that simple.
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: cj on December 29, 2008, 01:02:41 PM
Are you completly sure the Head from the 2.0 is the same as the 1.8?

Yes, there are two part numbers over the life of the J18A for the cylinder heads in its various vehicle applications but the cams and valves all stayed the same and they swap over fine. Part numbers can change due to small alterations in castings for reasons as simple as adding a boss. I know the J23A will also bolt in and has a better bottom end esign plus more power if anyone ever wants to do it.
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: huntinhick on December 29, 2008, 09:07:49 PM
so you are saying we can "drop" either of those in with out changing the computer and not mess up the way they drive?  I might have to track down a used 2.0 and rebuild it so I can swap it out.  what is the J23A.  and what is the best source of parts to do a rebuild?
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: cj on December 30, 2008, 03:09:17 AM
The 2.0 will work with the 1.8 ECM but it won't necessarily be at its optimum at all operating points. The J23A is the Aerio 2.3
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: Jeremiah on December 30, 2008, 09:18:37 AM
Can anyone confirm the mapping between these - my interest is peaked now. even if the wiring harness is similar enough that I can swap out the ECU with the bottom end - that would be SWEET!
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: huntinhick on December 30, 2008, 04:13:09 PM
is there inexpensive way of making a 2.0 or the 2.3 work fully?  this rig is also my daily drive and may have to go as far as kansas this next year for hunting season so I need it running good
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: boyirish6 on December 30, 2008, 05:30:22 PM
Can anyone confirm the mapping between these - my interest is peaked now. even if the wiring harness is similar enough that I can swap out the ECU with the bottom end - that would be SWEET!

See now this is what I was wondering.  IS the plug (ecu) for the 2.0 wiring harness the same as the 1.8 harness.  Are all the trannys the same for the 2.0 and 1.8 auto's  Am I making sense?  SO esential swampping a 2.0 motor into a 1.8 sidekick only changing the motor and ecu for proper functioning. Is this off the wall??? ???
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: cj on December 30, 2008, 07:30:43 PM
Yes, the trans are interchangeable.

The only easy way to make sure it is running 100% Factory is to swap the ECM. Another option is to use a piggy back or interceptor but you need dyno time to dial them in but it does mean you can optimise what you have but it will cost more than just swapping the ECM.

The 1.8 and 2.0 are a pretty close match and I wouldn't be too worried about using a 1.8 ECM with 2.0 engine but the 2.3 is a bit of a jump and I'd be wanting the ECM to match.
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: cj on December 30, 2008, 07:35:53 PM
FYI Suzuki actually fiited the 2.0 in other markets but North America got the 1.8 at that time due to emissions issues. I have a swb with the 2.0 from the Factory.

Our lwb had a 2.0 V6 (had one of them too and some markets even had it in the swb) which later became the  2.5 and 2.7 in the GV & XL-7. Others have swapped the 2.5 into the 2.0 V6 and kept the 2.0 ECM and that worked fine.
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: reb on December 30, 2008, 08:15:43 PM
Out of curiosity I googled "Suzuki J23A" the other day and found a site showing pix of a 2.0 l swap from a 1.8.  (I didn't save the link)  Some mention was made of using the 2.3l engine.  Apparently the 2.3 ECM is not compatible with all the electronics of the 1.8 and 2.0.  It might be possible to make the 2.3 work with the older ECM by swapping other parts, but I get the impression that the performance would suffer.
Does anyone know what harness mods would be required to put a 2.0 ECM, or maybe a 2.3 ECM, in a Sport when swapping engines?  I guess that a guy could study the schematics of each vehicle before starting.  If I could eliminate the wife's honeydo list--fat chance-- I would like to take on the project.
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: huntinhick on January 03, 2009, 08:35:06 PM
is a junkyard engine a good place to start out?  I am rusty but would love the chance to get dirty building one again
Title: Re: Swapping 2.0 into 1.8 sidekick what is needed
Post by: idaholwb on January 03, 2009, 10:27:45 PM
 The main person you would want to ask that would know about the wiring/ECM differences/swap for the Sport would be Brent at Trailtough. Ask, and he shall know.