[Boggomobile]

Hi All,

There is a distinct possibility that I am wrong but I think the J20 was only fitted to short wheelbase models, can someone confirm this? The reason I ask is it seems V6 LWB are plentiful and cheap up to about 2005? Plus I have a 2001 model SWB Vitara with good running gear but I prefer LWB and don't like the sound of computer issues. Fitting a smaller capacity motor fits with it not being 20% bigger, brakes and steering shouldn't need upgrading and possibly no need for an engineer????

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[Gwagensteve]

Isn’t the H20 also 2.0 litre? Doesn’t it also have a computer?

I’m so confused.

[Gwagensteve]

OK,

I've tried to unpick the confusion.

There's no such thing as a 2001 Vitara. It's a grand vitara after 1998. This is a completely different vehicle.

LWB Grand Vitaras came with either a J20 or H25
SWB Grand Vitaras came with either a G16B or a J20

Buy a grand vitara with a J20 if you want a 4 cylinder GV. Building one is pointless - you'll need the complete loom, engine, mounts, gearbox, and a billion other things from a J20 car. Gearing is also different IIRC. Once you've done all that, you'll have a worthless car because nobody wants a GV anyway, let alone one with the less powerful engine option.

J20's are far from trouble free.

Steve.

[Boggomobile]

Hi All,

Gwagensteve wrote:

OK,

I've tried to unpick the confusion.

There's no such thing as a 2001 Vitara. It's a grand vitara after 1998. This is a completely different vehicle.

Steve.

Steve, thank you for your input, what the hell would I know? For some reason I though a 2001 Grand Vitara (drove it yesterday) was still a Vitara? Do your posts have to have a slam down effect? Is it conceivable to you that some people might want a Grand Vitara and maybe for a different purpose than you perceive?

My enquiry was for me and not a project to sell, my G16B powered 1995 LWB does the job I use it for and I was starting my research for a replacement. From what I have heard, a H20 can be problematic and there is only 4 horse power over a J20? What are the problems with a J20?

[Gwagensteve]

It doesn't matter what the purpose of the vehicle is or whether I understand your purpose or not, my point is there is no reason to spend an enormous amount of time building something suzuki already built.

If you want a J20 Grand Vitara, you can buy one.

It matters whether you are talking about a Vitara or a Grand Vitara because you can't buy a J20 LWB Vitara, but you can buy a J20 LWB Grand Vitara.

Those that have owned both point out that the H20 is smoother and feels like it has more than 4hp more than the J20.

I believe J20's suffer head problems. The timing chain tensioner problem with the H series is well understood and readily rectified.

[fordem]

We have both the SV620 and the four door SQ420 in our family, both with manual transmissions, in my opinion, the H20 is way smoother, but does not pull from as low down as the J20 - on paper it has more torque lower down, but it does not feel that way "seat of the pants".

As far as I'm concerned, neither motor is inherently more/less reliable than the other, personally I would take a J20 over an H20 simply because it was a more popular motor, in production for a much longer period and as a result parts are more readily available.

[Gwagensteve]

Good points Fordem.

Whilst boggomobile drew a comparison with the H20 and the J20, I don't think thats the swap being considered. I think Boggomobile was contemplating removing a H25 from a GV to replace it with a J20.

I only mentioned the H20 in comparison to the J20 as I know someone who owned both, both auto. Admittedly, the J20 was in a SWB Vitara and the H20 was in a LWB vitara.

We have had a LWB J20 powered GV in the club. The owner racked up an enormous number of KM in no time at all, as well as off roading it hard. It seemed ok and had adequate power.

[Boggomobile]

Hi All,

Gwagensteve wrote:

It matters whether you are talking about a Vitara or a Grand Vitara because you can't buy a J20 LWB Vitara, but you can buy a J20 LWB Grand Vitara .

Steve, I will repeat my first question :

There is a distinct possibility that I am wrong but I think the J20 was only fitted to short wheelbase models, can someone confirm this?

If what you say is true about a J20 LWB Grand Vitara exists, then I would simply buy one. Sounds easier than converting one.

Gwagensteve wrote:

We have had a LWB J20 powered GV in the club. The owner racked up an enormous number of KM in no time at all, as well as off roading it hard. It seemed ok and had adequate power.

So was that a readily available model and do you know what date of manufacture or even better the dates that that model was available?

fordem wrote:

We have both the SV620 and the four door SQ420 in our family, both with manual transmissions, in my opinion, the H20 is way smoother, but does not pull from as low down as the J20 - on paper it has more torque lower down, but it does not feel that way "seat of the pants".

As far as I'm concerned, neither motor is inherently more/less reliable than the other, personally I would take a J20 over an H20 simply because it was a more popular motor, in production for a much longer period and as a result parts are more readily available.

Thanks for the input fordem, is your SQ420 a LWB. I have not driven a V6 Vitara in any of its capacities but I can understand why more cylinders can be smoother. The reason why I was asking about the J20 option is I really like the power characteristics, manual would be my choice and it is not hard to imagine driving a LWB version. The extra doors and internal space are all a plus for me.

[Gwagensteve]

I’ll keep saying it. It’s a factory model

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/detail ... AD-6088729

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/detail ... D-17108744

Manual, j20 LWB gv.

[fordem]

Yes, my SQ420 is LWB, they were built from 98~05

[vet 180]

A H25 GV drives awesome. Not sure why you would actively look for J20 instead


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[BlueSuzy]

J20 GV Also rare

Well rarer than the H25 v6 GV

[Gwagensteve]

Not as rare as a H25 converted to a J20.

[ZUZUKI]

The J20 LWB is a fair bit rarer than a H25A LWB - most people who test drove a J20 LWB when new, could justify the relatively small price increase to get the benefits of the V6.
Fuel economy with the V6 is ordinary - especially by today's standards - & can actually be shocking when pushed hard. The J20 might have some benefit, but I've not lived with a J20 for nearly 20 years like I have with my SQ625, so can't compare.
The J20 in a SWB GV goes quite ok, but the LWB SQ GV (1998-2005) is a substantially heavier vehicle than a LWB SE Vitara (1990-1998).
A J20 LWB is nothing exciting to drive.
The J20 also has timing chain issues - probably to a lesser degree than a H engine, but they hate oil changes being skipped.
Low down torque (as in idle to 2,000 rpm) the J20 has a slight edge. After 2,500 rpm, the V6 takes off & sings - J20 never really does that.
J20 is only electrically simpler than a H25 by way of having 2 less spark plugs & coils - still has all the rest of EFI components, so no real advantage there.
If you have never driven either, go & do so & see what you think.
Rgs, Michael

[BlueSuzy]

Gwagensteve wrote:

Not as rare as a H25 converted to a J20.

[watermouse]

I had a J20a LWB GV (1998 model), for about 4 years. It was a slug. It was also very thirsty. After chasing invisible problems for ages I came to the conclusion it had baked in ECU timing/fuel map issues. I bought it way overpriced for 8.5k and sold it for 6k (phew).

I wouldn't buy another j20.