A20A1 to A18 swap; or just part the thing out

Hey Guys,

I was considering fixing up my Accord, but my A20 has a blown main bearing and the piston is knocking bad (plus oil pressure is 0 when it warms up), so I need a new motor.

I found a local import engines show has a low mileage A18 for $950. I was considering going down there to offer them $7-800 for it. It has an automatic wet plate instead of a flywheel, plus a new-ish looking Keihin carb on top (but all of the rubber hoses were cut off from it). I've done a weber swap on my A20, so not sure if I could go back to using the keihin, but it would be nice to get the good keihin fuel economy again & good emissions ;) I know I will have to re-tune the weber for the smaller displacement, or just plain get a 32/36 and sell the 38/38. that carb is just plain too big for the A-series, and tuning it is a major PITA for getting cruising AFR right along with the acceleration AFR. I tried all size jets, just don't think it's possible lol. (Plainly too much air at once, at part throttle)...:pc:

Is this an ok swap, and would it work to pull the A20 intake manifold off my car and put it and my weber 38/38 on the A18 block & head. Does the A20A exhaust manifold bolt onto the A18A head?

The only thing is that the car itself has a great drivetrain because I've replaced all the bushings, new CV axles, full set of Koni coilovers, plus 15" wheels with new tires. The interior is ok, though the drivers seat needs to be re-cushioned and re-threaded. I have a new wiper/light stalk in the steering wheel.

There's 3 problems: bad motor, & also the doors and trunk are rusty as shit, plus the drivers door window motor probably had a screw come out because the window tilts at an odd angle and doesn't want to go back up the right way. I already have a full set of doors/fenders to swap into the car, completely stripped & ready for painting. The carcass does not have any un-treated rust (they were minor spots) but the right rockper panel has a rusted hole in it. I would also need to fix the AC as well (which I can do, as I've fixed & got an R12 system working this past summer); it would just need a new condenser & expansion valve.

Do you guys think it would be worthwhile parting the suspension out? Would anyone on this forum even want that? I think I could sell the weber on eBay, but I doubt I'd be able to sell the wheels/tires without a hassle? Have any of you guys experienced this?

I don't have any advice, but good luck with whatever you decide.

Thanks Dr_Snooz!

If you don't mind me asking, is $950 definitely too much to ask for a single-carbed A18 engine, with no Power Steering pump, no alternator, & no AC compressor mounted to itself?

Reason in the past I didn't do the restoration is total time and cost of a professional paint job. I know it will look bad, but even if I spray it myself with a $10-$50 HVLP spray gun, it will at least be affordable for a 30 yrs old car.

If I can sell the transmission & coilovers, then I think I will put an end to my bottomless money pit =)

yea $950 is wayyy too much. if anything hit up mushroom toy and see if he will let go of his motor he built. I last remember its sitting in his basement. for a little bit more you can have a rebuild and bored a20 with a cam in it that will last forever.

i just brought a a20a3 from atl with 140000 miles for 350 complete 950 is way to much

It's a great price


...for a newly overhauled A18.

I don't think it has been overhauled, I believe it is just an import motor.

Here's the link, it has a pretty decent large picture available:
1986-1989 HONDA ACCORD 2.0 LITER. A18A IS THE JDM REPLACEMENT FOR THE A20A. THIS IS A 1.8 LITER LONG BLOCK.

save your cash bruh. hit up CL and be ready to make a drive if you find one

I'd like to change my answer. If that's a used engine imported from Japan, then that's maybe not such a bad price, especially when you realize that you can't find those used Japanese engines anymore. At least not around here you can't.