J20 advice please.

[ONOescudo]

Does any body here run a 2.0 j20 in a Escudo/Vitara vehicle?
Have had an 8 valve 1.6, 5-speed escudo for some time.
Lock right rear.
2 inch spring lift.
1 inch body lift.
30 inch tires.

Goes places some trucks wont mainly because of the rear locker.
But cant do steep accents on muddy / clay tracks. Can’t get the tiers spinning fast enough. Red line rpm in first low and stalling in second low.

Now have an air locker in the front. Makes a small difference to climb ability (greasy track) also smokes up the clutch a bit.
Any way it’s no substitute for horsepower. Which is the advantage most other trucks have.

Was thinking of getting a later model vehicle with 2.0 j20 (maybe auto) and throw my diffs in that.
But is 100 kw enough?

1. Turbo my 1.6
2. Supercharger my 1.6
3. Nissan or Toyota motor conversion?
4. Lower transfer gears?
5. Nitros Oxide???? Getting desperate now.

Any input would be appreciated.

Cheers MIKE.

[Heath]

There was aguy up north selling a j20 (I think) that was installed in a vitara by parts world. Maybe he still is trying and can help you. I would personally look at a toyota 4agze (try for a two litre black top I think it is, the supercharged model) and tweek that (lots of boy racer use them, so lots of options), not sure of the torque band peak though so It could be a bad choice. What about a 22r toyota motor?

Heath

[lneil]

I've considered the J20 option myself in the past, but the larger engine does require a few mods in the engine bay to make it fit. That's why they were factory-fitted only in the longer-bonnet body that the 2.0V6 came in..

I would say a lot depends on budget. I would far prefer the supercharger option to the turbo, due to the ability to generate boost right from the bottom of the rev range. Light boost in the 5lb range shouldn't even require any engine mods, according to Suzuki technical section, and slightly heavier boost will entail some engione work to provide reliability under the extra stresses involved.

In my opinion a low-range t/case reduction would help in some circumstances, but not really give you the extra performance you seem to be after on the steeper climbs.

[ONOescudo]

Thanks for the feed back guys.
Been looking for a written off J20 escudo 1996 for a wile (but not the Grand Vitara). Just missed out on a premo one at local Turners the other month. It’s easier to find a bugerd V6 model but not sure if fitting the J20 in would be worth wile. And I don’t wana run a V6.
Would like to use the J20, as it could be a good base for adding more power later on.
Am keen to find out if any body has 4 wheeling experience with these Motors.
Cheers MIKE.

[mudslut]

I recon the j20 would be a grouse conversion,I am keen on doing it myself to my 413(will get the coil conversion out of the way first and save more money) its the same engine suzuki put in the sx4 wrc car so the skys the limit to what you can do to them.There is a guy called Nathan Fogden from tauranga that is runnin a supercharged j20 in a 413 trials truck he could be worth trying to get hold of the engine was built buy Dave Laughlin at prospeed developments in tauranga

[ONOescudo]

Now where talking. Sounds like lots of coin though. Will be happy to organize my self into a J20 Suzuki. Also happy to know I’m on the right track. Good info mudslut. Theirs a Grand Vitara rental up the road ill have to test-drive. At least ill get a gist of what I’m in to. Cheers MIKE.

[cool__bananas]

4age!!!! they are the best

[ONOescudo]

I was quoted $1000 For a J20 with bolt ones, with a busted timing chain. Loom $200 (97kw)
Just did a trademe search and theirs heaps of 4AGE stuff For good money.
Mmm the 4AGE does look like a good choice. Will do more research. Again.
Cheers MIKE.

[Heath]

just for the surety of parts (they are everywhere) the 4age or ze would be my choice and add some fruit to shift the torque around a bit.

Heath

[cool__bananas]

just a 4age alone would be a massive upgrade, a mate of mine has got a 4age redtop small port in his sj410 and that this does big Os down the road with his 30s on it haha but another motor if u want more go is a sr20det with a supercharger instead of a turbo, a c-class guy runs one and that thing is pretty good

[ONOescudo]

Had the privilege to test drive a 1997 Escudo 3 door 2.0L with the J20 motor.
I spose I built my self up thinking this truck would solve the worlds problems. BUT no. It had a bit more guts of the line and started to pull a bit more at 5500rpm. Spose its only 27kw more than my 1600. Disappointed was I. Not prepared to spend $8000 (which I don’t have) then turn around and race up the engine with more $$$$$. Still looking for a written off one, but don’t know why.



Will always keep my Escudo, Because I like it. Even though I filled it up with river water (again) on Sunday, Motor too.
Will definately do some lower transfer case gears real soon
.
But will look for an offroad truck that doesn’t mind being bounced of stuff and rolled over a bit.

Cheers for the replies MIKE.