I found a nice kick sport for sale, but couldnt find much on 1.8's. It has about 70K on it. I dont know jack about the 1.8...any issues? Auto? Anyone have any experience witht his drivetrain. Thanks for the help.

I have never seen this swap , must be a reason .It does have 120 hp though .... If it is true to zuk form it will have the same bolt pattern on the back . It is OBD II so you will have to deal with that . Is it a 3spd auto or a 4 spd ?

Heres some google stuff I found

1.8L

Found only in the 4 door Sidekick Sport, the 1.8L DOHC was the U.S. precursor to the full blown 2 liter. In fact, the only internal difference is a .23-inch shorterstroke and a .01-inch bigger bore than the 2 liter... This allows you to exchange the crank from a 2 liter into the 1.8 and with custom pistons and rods, build a high compression stroker motor for more torque and naturally aspirated horsepower.

More obviously of course, is that the 2 liter will be an almost direct replacement for the 1.8. While it has only 7 hp over the 1.8, it has a 20+ lb.-ft. torque difference.

Now here's an interesting tidbit... the Aerio has the same 2.0 liter motor, same stroke, bore, compression ratio of 9.3:1... Yet the Aerio has 145 claimed horsepower and 134 lbs of torque... while the Tracker has 127 horsepower and 134 lbs of torque. Different cams perhaps? Slightly better ECU tuning? Well here's an interesting tidbit: if we multiply 145 x .85 to eliminate the 15% driveline loss in a manual transmission vehicle, we get 123.25, pretty close to the Tracker's 127... Maybe they rated the Tracker's wheel horsepower adn the Aerio's crank horspower and kept torque the same since insurance companies pay attention to the hp side of things? Either way its worth a dyno investigation...


Ok so far as aftermarket goes, you have your choice of NOPI for nitrous systems, or Suzisport for a header, high performance clutch, and a drop in hi-flow air filter replacement. Naturally some aluminum or stainless tubing can be custom bent for a cold air intake, although i'm a proponent of hacking the stock airbox to make a ram air system.

Thanks. I'm not looking at it for a swap, but as something to get my kayaks around.

Thanks. I'm not looking at it for a swap, but as something to get my kayaks around.

Isnt that blasphemy ? not a swap :D .... I feel ill :barf: ..... From having a friend with a 1.8 sidekick the only weak link as a daily driver is the 4 spd auto ...it is acting up and hunting for gears .. but she isnt too easy on it either .

hehehe...how many miles on the hunting auto?

110,000 plus miles . No fluid or filter change ever either ... So this may not be typical of this tranny .... just her unmaintenaced one .

That is indeed a most loving maintenance regime. :) I guess if it could last that long abused, it couldnt be too wimpy.