I'm told the A20A is the same as A18A ?

[bkcorso]

First time poster and Honda owner. I purchased an 88 Accord LXi knowing the engine was bad. I called ASAP motors and asked for a quote on an engine/tranny(auto) for my 88 Accord LXi / Fuel injected. I told him it was an A20A, I was quoted $800 plus $120 for shipping. I bought it, then today I get down to the shipping dock to pick it up, and to my suprise it's an A18A !!!

I called them back and they said it was the same, but had higher compression. I told them it's not what I ordered. They basically told me since it will fit I had to deal with it. I know I'm new to Hondas, but they are not the same. They tried to tell me that because it was a JDM motor, that is what I get. Yeah I'm pissed.

Thankfully I paid with a credit card, and filed a dispute, now here is where I need some help. I need some #'s or facts to help bury them. Hp/compression, and if anyone knows what year Hondas the A18A came in. It may very well "fit", but it's not what I ordered !!!! Now I have to wait for the dispute to clear up before I can get my car running !!!! Talk about a bad day.

Anyone know of a reputable place to get an engine ? or to have mine rebuilt ?
I would try it myself, but this has to get done right (daily driver)
Thank you .

[88accordalltheway]

what a dick head, im sorry you have to deal with people like that. If he can get JDM engines, ask him about the b20a.

[shepherd79]

well A18 came in prelude and some accords in japan and europe.
you can see this here http://www.luk-korbmacher.de/Autos/engines.htm

you also can find some more info here http://www.pauldesign.ru/honda/about.html

the major thing i would be worried is if your intake manifold will bolt up.
can you take some pictures of it?
thanks.

[bkcorso]

Here is the phone #1-888-221-1440. I was pissed, I even called the guy I ordered it from and he acknowledged the screw up, but he just takes the orders, and the higher ups are the ones being dicks.

[bkcorso]

shep, thanks for the info. I looked at the engine and said no way, send it back. So I don't have any pics.

[bkcorso]

Any one know of a reputable JDM seller ? I am tempted to try a rebuild myself, but time is not on my side.

[SteveDX89]

If you can spare a week, I'd do the rebuild. It shouldn't take you much longer than that unless you get the cylinder bored .010 over.

[bkcorso]

I gues I do need to find out what is wrong with it. I could drive it but the bottom end was noisy, and when I hit a hill, well can you say smoke screen !!! the temp never got hot, but it would stall eventually under load.

[bkcorso]

[bkcorso]

Well, I dropped the oil pan, and found alot of metal. took off one of the bearing caps and lower bearing and they are groovy !!! should I get the cylinders tested ? maybe it just needs the bottom end replaced.

[mouchyn]

i'm guessing groovy is a good thing? did you plastigage them? they could have worn evenly, but still be out of spec.

if you're getting stalling under load, then it sounds like a compression or head problem. do a quick compression test and leak down test. that'll tell you if any of the cylinders are weak. go from there.

[bkcorso]

I have to get a compression tester, can't find mine. Tools have been in storage for 8 years. with all the metal in the oil pan that is not good !!!

I just got back from the car wash to clean all my brackets and mounts. (best $5.00 spent)

still hoping to get a low mileage jdm engine. I'll let you all know if I decide to rebuild it myself. ( not likely )

[BlueBead]

Damn... good thing you're not letting them screw you over. The A18 would fit, but its not what you ordered, so they can screw themselves.
I'd grab a JY motor and keep yours to slowly rebuild, but then i like having extra parts when I need them.
Good luck man

[89ACCORDVTECH]

www.sunrisejdmmotors.com

[NXRacer]

it pisses me off how all these "JDM" engine importers try to pawn off A18's as the same as an A20a. Fom what i understand, it bolts it, but it would be a total waste of time. Take it back and go somewhere respectable.

[bkcorso]

I didn't even take it off the loading dock, I saw the engine and told them not to bother !!! It may be my first honda, but I'm pretty good at spotting subtle differences.
I then checked the block code and sure enough !!! I'm not giving up, I really like the accord. Just need to get it running asap !!! Thanks everyone, I'll be back
STAY AWAY FROM " ASAP MOTORS "

[Cygnus]

How many A18A are out there in the market?There is only one type of A18A(Japanese)?In pauldesign.ru says that the A18A is only a Japanese engine that have 110 hp at 5,800 rpm.Is that true?I heard that the A18A is a Prelude engine and US Prelude's,and think it is 2nd gen,have that motor.So I'm confused,is a USDM and JDM engine,or just a Accord JDM engine?

[masterkillalw]

its a USDM engine for 2nd gen Preludes

[epic1400cs]

I am sorry to know your trouble. Thats sounds very bad. I hope some data below help you to sort things out.
I am not sure if somebody has already cover this;

<Application of A18A in Japan>
1985-1989 JDM Accord E-CA1 Model
4 Door EL, EF, EX, EXL
3 Door Aerodeck LX, LXR

<Spec of A18A in Japan>
Model: A18A(JDM)
Type: SOHC, Velt Drive, 12valve(in 2, ex 1)
Displacement: 1829cc
Bore x Stroke: 80.0mm bore x 91.0mm stroke
Compression: 9.0
Fuel Supply: Carbrettor
Ignition Type: Full Transistor
Max Power: 110/5,800 (PS/rpm)
Max Torque: 15.2/3,500 (kg-m/rpm)

(Data quoted and translated from http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/auto...c85-D-005.html)



JDM 2nd gen Prelude used ES engine whici is very simillar to A18A

1982-1987 Prelude E-AB Model
2 Door XC XZ XX

Model: ES
Type: SOHC, Velt Drive, 12valve(in 2, ex 1)
Displacement: 1829cc
Bore x Stroke: 80.0mm bore x 91.0mm stroke
Compression: 9.4
Fuel Supply: Dual Carbrettor
Ignition Type: Point-lessTransistor
Max Power: 125/5,800 (PS/rpm)
Max Torque: 15.6/4,000 (kg-m/rpm)

As far as I know, when they started 3rd gen Accord and VIgor in June 1985, 2.0 liter model CA-3 are with B20A only. Later in 1988, as later type addition, 4 door sedan CA-5 model with A20A1 carb are added. Also they started selling the coupe CA-6 from around 87 or 88 onward and they carry A20A3 injection. In fact coupe is imported from US. For A20A3 injeciton, the number of the unit is pretty limited there - may be more rare than B20A.