[LachlanMiller]

Gday. I’ve got a 99 1.8 (e)lantra motor to put into my excel. So far what I’ve heard is the difference between a 1.8 and 2.0 of the same year is increased stroke from the crank in a 2.0, something about 1.8 pistons giving higher compression, also that 1.8 has a more aggressive intake cam.

So basically, before I put it in, what parts can I salvage from a 2.0 to put into the 1.8 to make it better? I believe I can put the 2.0 crank into it effectively making it a 2L, if I do this will I have problems? Also what conrods do I use if there’s a difference? Piston info? It’s a junkyard gravel racer so I couldn’t care less if I throw a rod in a few meets. Cheers.

 

[geezer101]

Nobody responded so here it is. Use the 2.0 block and swap the head. Save yourself from stripping both the block and head down to parts and try to frankenstein the engine. The only advantage to building a frankenstein is engine numbers. It will still appear to be a stock 1.8 and the numbers will reflect it but you'll have the extra torque and HP.

*addendum - after reading various threads and info on the G4GM 1.8, it can be confirmed that the 1.8 pistons have a slightly raised crown. By using the 1.8 piston in the 2.0 you can bump the compression ratio to +10:1 (figures estimate 11:1) You'd have a seriously powerful engine but it would have to run on medium to premium grade fuel to fend off detonation. The ECU may still struggle to run it with that higher CR. I haven't found and related threads that this combo has been built and what the results were. Big ports, a decent flowing exhaust with headers, the cam swap and a CAI (maybe a bigger throttle body too...) you should be squeezing close to 200HP out of an NA engine on pump 95.