Adding some more “sport” to a Suzuki Sidekick Sport

How To: Installing a 2.3 Aerio Engine Into A Sidekick Sport
By: Matt Verley, Photography: Matt Verley

Seaside, OR – Over the last 20 years, I have owned at least a dozen Samurais, several Sidekicks and Trackers, and a couple of Vitara and Grand Vitara.  About 3 years ago, I stumbled across a 1996 Sidekick Sport with a blown engine in my local classifieds.  Though I had never owned a Sport, I knew a little about the sub model and I knew where an “almost new” replacement 1.8L engine was located so I called the seller, made the deal, and ran into town with my truck and trailer.  The following weekend, I had the replacement 1.8L engine under the hood and running, and the Sport turned into a daily driver for my wife for the next 3 years.

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Nice video and write up! Man, I'd love to had a 2.3 in the Sidekick!

It shouldn't be that difficult - there were a couple of shops (aftermarket 4x4 I think was one) that were offering kits to drop the J20 into a Sidekick, the J23 is not significantly different dimensionally.

OMG that's awesome!  I would kill to have that motor in my sidekick.  That would solve the gearing issue for putting a little bigger tires on.

I ran one on Project Trouble for running across the desert.  A lot more power then the stock 1.6, was able to hit 90+ with 30" tires on it without to much trouble.

Great to know you can just drop one in and use the stock hardware.  Now if only the future wife would let me get another project. 

That was a very well done video documenting your engine swap Eric.  Thank you for making the time and taking  the time to make it.  Very enjoyable and informative.  Killer garage too.

Now I'm wondering if there are any difference between the exhaust and intake ports of the 2. liter and the 1.8 liter.

Now I'm wondering if there are any difference between the exhaust and intake ports of the 2. liter and the 1.8 liter.

I doubt it, but, it might depend on the specific J18 & J20 engines being looked at - a number of years back I came across a forum post claiming that the two engines used the same block & head, and was skeptical, but I have since verified from the parts manuals that certain part numbers for the block & head are shared.

Then maybe a low mileage 2.3 is the future engine swap for Buster ILO another 2.0 liter.  I could probably find low mileage 2.3 liter engine easier than a 2 liter engine, short of buying a re manufactured one from ATK.

Just curious, does anyone know if the J24, 2.4 4-cylinder (3rd Gen Vitara, Kizashi) is also similar to the 1.8, 2.0. and 2.3 engines?  It looks like the J24 has variable valve timing, but I'm curious if the external physical dimensions are similar.