Kia Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

2000 Kia Sephia engine Replacement ~ info Needed.

59K views 67 replies 8 participants last post by  Loyale 2.7 Turbo 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi!

My Wife's 2000 1.8L 16V Automatic Kia Sephia Needs a New Engine and I Really Need to do that swap as Fast as Possible; so I need your Help to Know Which Kia (or other Brand) engine could be a Direct Replacement for our Kia's T8D engine.

► Could the 2003 ~ 2008 Spectra / Cerato Engines fit on our 2000 Sephia?

► Is there an 2.0L engine that Fits on my Sephia's engine room?

Thank you in Advance for your Help.

Kind Regards.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Nothing is a direct replacment for the T8D.
You would have to have someone fab up a whole new mount system for the engine and tranny mounts.
NO ONE HAS DONE THIS! You would be the first. So there would be no one to help you.

If your thinking about room issues, thats not your problem as there are tons of Mazda RX7s with chevy 302/350 swaps. Thats a V8 fit into a car that has a 1.3L. Point, room is not an issue usually when it comes to swaps. Its ecu's, and the biggey, what would you do for mounting it?

Going from a 1.8L to a 2.0L in my opinion would be a waste. As those spectra 2.0L only have 10 hp over that T8D, and as far as mods, there isn't anything you can get for that 2.0 that you cant get for the 1.8. The 2.0 is heavier, and will most likely be slower than that 1.8 anyways.
 
#3 ·
OK, Understood... Thank You for your Complete and Kind Answer!

Now I Forgot about the Newer Spectra 2.0 Engines, Just Focus on the 2001 Sephia 1.8L and the 2002/ 2003 Spectra 1.8L Engines:


  • Are those the Same T8D Engine Found on my 2000 Sephia?
  • Could those be a Direct Replacement for my 2000 Sephia?
  • Would the ECU Work on those Engines?

I Really Need the info ASAP 'cos I'll be Hunting for a New engine around Next Week.

I'm Really Thankful for your Help!
Kind Regards.
 
#4 ·
I'll be hunting down engines to replace mine as well. I'll most likely just be doing another 1.8L if I remember correctly the 2002/03 1.8L will work because they are still a T8D. T8D is a T8D. I don't see how they are different at all. Trying to remember everything I've read on them. I believe there's an issue of the intake or throttle body having a bigger opening or something like that on the 02/03's verses the 2nd Gen Sephia.
 
#7 ·
... I believe there's an issue of the intake or throttle body having a bigger opening or something like that on the 02/03's verses the 2nd Gen Sephia.
But Those Still could fit There? ... Or Shall I Need to Swap intakes, using the One from the Old Engine on the New one?

Maybe I Just need to Pick up the Air Filter's Box linkage too...

Kind Regards.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Somehow is Sad for me to Change the Kia's engine... My Yellow Subaru (On my Avatar) is Over 25 Years old and over 300,000 Miles and I've only Changed Both Headgaskets and the Oil Pump; Also my '69 Mercury has its engine still "Standard" so far...

OK, I Just Found a 2003 Spectra in a Junk Yard, its engine seems to be immaculate, with 67,000 Miles, clean oil and at an affordable Price (Buying it without Both Manifolds, EFi Stuff, etc; Long Block only) I Think I'll buy it...

Kind Regards.
 
#10 · (Edited)
THe manifold are the difference, you cannot use yours on an 03 motor. Port sizes are different. And your efi stuff is going to be different.
Very Very Respectfully, let me Tell you This:

Fortunately You was Wrong!!! :)

Last Weekend I Went to Hunt for a New Engine for my Kia Sephia (my Kia Sephia was Built in Late 1999) and I Found a Donor Car which was a 2003 Kia Spectra.

I Only Purchased the Long Block Assembled as it came from Factory, in other Words: my Wallet wasn't enough big to purchase the Complete engine with its manifolds, etc. from the Junk Yard, so they Taken off all the rest of the Parts from the Engine: (Parts Removed in order to Lower the Price)
.

  • [♪]intake Manyfold complete.
    [♪]Exhaust manyfold Complete.
    [♪]Flywheel.
    [♪]Front main Pulley.
    [♪]Engine Mounts, except the one in front of the Timin' Belt Cover. (The old one Damaged)
    [♪]All the E.F.i. Stuff, including ignition Coils, etc...

My Sephia still Ran with its original engine (Blowin' a Cloud of Smoke) when I Went to Purchase the New engine Driving it; so I Take a Picture of the New (to me) Engine on the Trunk:


I've Worked this whole Week during Night time to do the Swap...
.

  • [♪]First Night I Removed the Sephia's Old & Worn T8D Engine.
    [♪]Then with Both engines Lyin' on the Floor, I Swapped intake Manifolds.*
    [♪]Then the Other Parts, such like Starter, etc...
    [♪]Brand New "Denso" U-Groove Sparkplugs.
    [♪]Brand New "Motul" SAE 15W~40 Oil & Luber-Finer Filter.
    [♪]Placed the New (to me) Spectra's T8D Engine on the Sephia's Bay.
    [♪]New "ShellZone" Coolant.
    [♪]...and That's it! ;)

The Spectra Engine Fired Right on the First Key Turn and Purred like a Kitten!!! :D Just half hour ago...

*So, 1fastkia was Right about the Port Differences: the Port Shapes are Different, let me Explain: The Sephia'a T8D engine Ports are Oval while the Spectras T8D Engine's Ports are Squarier and bigger: But the intake Manifolds of the Sephia Covers Perfectly the ports on the Spectra Engine: I've Just "Been There, Done That" So I Used my Sephia's Engine Stuff on the Spectra engine and Worked 100% Well!

Now I'm So Tired...

I'll Have enough time to Test the Sephia this comin' Holy Week, in a Very Long Travel, also I'll Post More pictures & Explanation.

Kind Regards.
JesZeK.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Thank you for your Kind Words! :)


About this:

...So, 1fastkia was Right about the Port Differences: the Port Shapes are Different, let me Explain: The Sephia'a T8D engine Ports are Oval while the Spectras T8D Engine's Ports are Squarier and bigger: But the intake Manyfold of the Sephia Cover Perfectly the ports on the Spectra Engine: I've Just "Been There, Done That" So I Used my Sephia's Engine Stuff on the Spectra engine and Worked 100% Well!...
I've Just Edited a Couple of Photos to make a Picture Guide, for Easy Understanding:


I Hope This can Help other Sephia's Owners...
 
#13 ·
Gasket look like they might just leak, and if they leak there, the car is not going to run to good. I am having this issue with my RX7, the exhaust gaskets that are aftermarket (yet for the application) are a little big and my exhaust is leaking bad. I have to wait to get OEM ones so they fit the exhaust ports correctly.
How can they be the same size, they look shaped differently or are bigger.

The manifold does not make the seal, THE GASKETS do. I really think this will leak, you can say it wont but with gaskets that do not fit right, they probably will not make a 100% seal.

Who knows...
 
#14 · (Edited)
The manifolds Seal Perfectly!

...How can they be the same size, they look shaped differently or are bigger. ...
Answer: I Was Writing about the Intake Manifold's Outer Size. Sephia's and Spectra's Manifolds has identical Outer size Measurements; The Difference is in the inner Ports Size; so the Sephia's Manifold openings are Smaller than the Spectra's Manifold's ones, but it fits and seal perfectly.



Let me show you the Differences between the '00 Sephia

and the '03 Spectra intakes & Heads ports:








A Closer View of How the Sephia's Manifold cover the Spectra's Head:




Here Both engines together: the Spectra's one Inside the Car,

while the removed Old sephia's one is Lying on the Floor:




(I had to use the Sephia's engine Valve Cover, because the Spectra's engine came without the Oil filler Cap, and the Older one does Not match the New one)


I Just Used the Original Sephia's intake and its Original Sephia Gaskets on the Spectra's Head and Voilá, Perfect Seal.

...I really think this will leak, you can say it wont but with gaskets that do not fit right, they probably will not make a 100% seal. ...
Gaskets Fit Perfectly Right, I Used the Sephia's one along with the Sephia's intake on the Spectra engine... Perfect seal.

By the way, using the Sephia's intake + all the EFi Stuff on the Spectra engine, not only simplified things, it also helps to Reduce a little the Fuel Consumption, because the Spectra's T8D engine comes with Nº 18 injectors and wider ports, while the Sephia's intake has narrower ports and Nº 17 injectors; and despite these differences, the Engine works absolutely Flawlessly.

Kind Regards.
 
#15 · (Edited)
More than 2,000 Miles has passed already!

First Month Report:
I am more than Satisfied with the '03 Spectra engine on our '00 Sephia. ;)
.
  • Driving time with engine Swapped: More than a Month.
  • Fuel Consumption: Equal to the Old Engine. (Around 22 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy under Medium Load.)
  • Total Miles: 2,196 (Due to the Holy Week's Vacation)
  • Engine Performance: Almost Equal to the Old one...

But I've Noticed this Differences:

  • Deeper Exhaust Tone. :) (Just on the Muffler, my Kia Doesn't have Cat Anymore since a year ago, no exhaust Leaks at all)
  • a Li'l but Noticeable More Low End Torque.
  • Smoother Acceleration.

Whole Car Behaviour with the New Engine:

Softened Shifting on the Auto Transmission (¿:confused:?) I don't know why exactly (Might be the added Low-End Torque) but Seems like the Spectra's engine is Less "Aggressive" Somehow, Now it comes into Gear very "Smooth as Silk" ... Even it Changes Gears Smoother ... Added Refinement?

Well, After 2,196 Miles of Rude Driving all across my Li'l Country from Coast to Coast, with 15W~40 motor oil, I can assure you that the Sephia runs and performs absolutely Flawlessly, with the Spectra engine.

Kind Regards.
 
#16 ·
Almost five months have been passed and my Sephia is Performing Great with the Spectra's Engine. ;) I am More than Satisfied with it, 'cos it doesn't burn a Single drop of Oil nor Coolant; and the car now Runs Smooth as Silk.

Kind Regards.
 
#17 · (Edited)
First Year Report

The Sephia with Spectra's Engine Continues Running Strong and Fast, Like New... I Uploaded a Short Video of it, Running on our Mountain Highlands' unpaved Roads.




Kind Regards.
 
#20 ·
The New (to Me) Spectra Engine on my Sephia had Lower Mileage, I'm Not Sure but it has ~ Around 68,000 Miles on its original Car when I Removed it, and since then, I Poured Fresh 15W~40 Oil (for Diesel BUT also with the Gasoline Engine Additives Pack) on it without Problems.

Please Read This Writeup in Order to Better Understanding the Engine Oils:

Link ~► Here.

Kind Regards.
 
#21 ·
The problem with the diesel oils is that, even if they have the gasoline specification -- such as SM -- in addition to the diesel specification -- such as CJ-4 -- they are not required by API to meet all performance requirements of the gasoline category (SM). This means you have a much higher catalytic-converter poisoning and spark-plug fouling concentrations of additives.

Therefore, avoid diesel engine oils, even if they have the SM/SN certification, as the API requirements to meet these certifications are far more lax than for gasoline-engine oils.

The bottom line: Always use an oil with the API "Starburst" symbol in the front label on the bottle for best protection for gasoline engines. It's very simple.

(Exceptions would be 1970s or earlier cars or race engines, which might require xW-40 or xW-50 weights. Even in these cases, it's a good idea to avoid C [C for commercial {diesel} as in CJ-4 etc.] oils, which might have additives bad for gasoline engines.)
 
#22 · (Edited)
I still to this day wonder why people want to use a different oil in a stock car.
I can see using a different oil than recommended by the maker, IF, you have modifed the motor for more hp, you are in an extreme hot climate.

The oil the maker calls for is the BEST choice as they have tested and tested and tested to make the best choice for the motor in protection, mpg, and longivity.

I could say the climate in my area is extreme. In the summer its gets hot 90-100 degrees with 100% humidity, yet at the same time in the winter it can be as cold as -20 with windchills in the -30, -40 degrees below zero and yet I still use the 5w20 the maker calls for, no issues at all, almost to 100K miles..
 
#23 · (Edited)
I still to this day wonder why people want to use a different oil in a stock car...
Well, while usually it is Wrong to do That, there are a Couple of Logical Reasons behind a Change in Oil Characteristics; one is:

~► Increased Viscosity:

People use a increased Viscosity on engines which work in Hot Climates and / or Old Engines with Higher Mileages.

In Higher Mileage engines, the Tolerances between internal parts becomes wider (in Micro Sizes) so the increased viscosity Helps the Proper Lubrication of a Loose Engine; that is the Reson Why the "Higher Mileage Motor Oils" comes in Higher viscosities, such like 25W~60.

I Don't Like those, My '85 Subaru is Running Pretty Good with over 300,000 Miles in our Dusty & Hard Roads without Burning Oil nor Exhaust clouds, and it has been Running with 20W~50 Oil since New.

~► Better Detergents for Dirty enviroments:

The Diesel Motor Oils who carry the Gasoline engine Certification of API, such like SM or SN, etc... are Indeed Certified for Gasoline engines too, so Being a Diesel Engine oil make them to better Handle the Extra Dirt with a Better Detergent & Dispersant Package of Additives.

Those Oils Helps to Keep Cleaner the internals of an Engine who Works on Dirty enviroments, Such like Our Dusty, Muddy & Rocky Roads.

Have you Read the Document on the Link I Posted? :confused:

Also, 15W~40 is the Kia's recommended Oil for Hot Climates on the T8D (Sephia / Spectra) engine, while 10W~30 is for Cooler Climates; The following is a Screen Caption of the Kia Charts:





The Complete Document could be Downloaded as .PDF in the Following Link:

http://kia-hotline.com/pds/Opinion/Kia_Vehicle_Lubrication_Quick_Reference_Guide_5-2010[1].pdf


~► Finally: the Diesel + Gasoline Certified Motor Oils, offers something that the Gasoline-Only Motor Oils doesn't carry anymore, and is Very Important for Engine's Longetivity: ZINC.

Kind Regards.
 
#24 ·
1540 is not shown anywhere on kiatech
Dunno where you pulled that from. I dunno if kia is the one that listed that info or someone else over the net. I do know Kia tech does not list 1540 at all.

I am looking at kiatech as I type this what they have listed is
5w20 and 5w30 ALL temps

and
10w30 at 32 degrees and above
 
#28 ·
...Dunno where you pulled that from. I dunno if kia is the one that listed that info or someone else over the net. ...
The information I Posted came from the "Kia-Hotline.com" Website, as you can easily see it in the Posted Link to download the .PDF File on my Post above.

That Kia Hotline website is Official from Kia, for Worldwide support. you can Read: "Copyright by 2005 KIA MOTORS CORP. ALL RIGHT RESERVED".

Kia Hotline's Website, here: ~► Global Service Way : Technical Contents Provider

The .PDF Document's Download Link (again) is, Here: ~► http://kia-hotline.com/pds/Opinion/Kia_Vehicle_Lubrication_Quick_Reference_Guide_5-2010%5B1%5D.pdf


Hanlde extra dirt? WTF is that? ...
Well, sometimes I'm Lost in Translation, I Meant that it could handle the Harmful Particles in Suspension in a Better Way.

I Hope that Now you'll understand; remember...

He's in "French Harbour, Roatán; Honduras." and not the USA ...
...that's True and my Mother Language is Spanish.



I will load the manual on here later, for a 2000 sephia...
Thank you, but I Already have the one that came with my Car plus a Digital .PDF copy of it...

But: My Sephia has a Spectra engine on it... Do you Remember?

You wrote:

THe manifold are the difference, you cannot use yours on an 03 motor. Port sizes are different. And your efi stuff is going to be different.
But I demontrated that the Swap really Works...


So, Very Respectfully let me tell you that I can really perceive an attitude of confrontation in your feedback ...

I respect the opinions of others and also I Respect you too, but if I write anything, you will respond with destructive criticism only.

Maybe you want that I cease to contribute to this forum and definitely I'll be gone from here if you ask, just let me Know.

Kind Regards.
 
#26 ·
Diesel Engine oil make them to better Handle the Extra Dirt with a Better Detergent & Dispersant Package of Additives.
Hanlde extra dirt? WTF is that? There is no dirt getting into the oil system, it it did your car would not last long, that is what your filter is for. Oil does not filter dirt.

You can use what you want, I was just saying, its not listed BY kia.

yea sure you can find someplace that might say its ok, but as far as the manual goes that comes with your car, 1540 is not listed.
 
#27 ·
He's in "French Harbour, Roatán; Honduras." and not the USA..
The book is probably a publication for Central America (although it's in English)...that's why you can't find it.
Dave
 
#29 ·
OK fighters back to your corners... The bell has sounded..

Stay right where you are JesZek... We need people that are not afraid to "try" something new (like a Spectra engine in a Sephia)...
We all have people that get under our skin .... Agree to dis-agree...and leave it at that.

I have had a few that got to me also..

I wonder how many people have used your ideas posted here... I know of at least one person that "saved" his transmission after he was told it was defective...
There was no information on "WHY" the Sephia/Spectra trannys start acting up with high mileage or what to do about it...

1fastkia like myself does not have all the information for all the regions around the globe...that's why you are important being here to add to the knowledge base.

1fastkia tries like me to keep dis-information from becoming a piece of "reference" material that could cause problems to others... You have a valid source of info so it should stand as KIA fact.

Take a breath...calm your feathers...and enjoy the forum...
Dave
 
  • Like
Reactions: Loyale 2.7 Turbo
#30 · (Edited)
... Stay right where you are JesZek... We need people that are not afraid to "try" something new (like a Spectra engine in a Sephia)...

... You have a valid source of info so it should stand as KIA fact...

Thank you Dave for your Kind words which are very appreciated.


I'll Try to do my Best to Help other with my Posts and upload Pictures here for all my Procedures & Parts with Numbers, as Usual. :)

_______________________

I was thinking that I Never explained here in the Kia Forums, the Reason Why I Had to Change the Engine in the Sephia, because I am more the kind of "Repair it" Guy, not "Swap it" kind; but I Had to do it...

In the Past I Worked in other Engine Swaps, in Other car brands, such like the Flat (Boxer) 6 Cyl. 2.7L engine (H6 - ER27 Engine) from the Subaru XT6 Coupe, onto my Subaru Loyale Wagon which originally came with a Flat (Boxer) Four Cyl. 1.8L Engine (H4 - EA82 Engine). That is the Origin of my Screen Name, "Loyale 2.7 ..."


Subaru uses Boxer Engines.



Also I've worked in Complete Drivetrains' Swaps, such like the V6 Automatic Chevrolet Blazer who was a Real Gasoline Hungry Machine; to a in-Line 4 Cyl. Toyota 22R EFi Engine complete with its Manual Transmission, to make the car more economic to Drive, Manual and here is easier to find parts for Toyotas.




So I'll Update this Thread soon.

Kind regards & Blessings.
 
#31 ·
When my Wife and I Purchased the Kia Sephia, it came from USA to Honduras in Regular shape, but the engine was Blowin' a cloud of white smoke that with time got worse, as you can read about that in this Thread:


~► http://www.kia-forums.com/kia-sephia-forum/55621-long-time-sat-kia-sephia-help-3.html

After changing the Muffler with a Brand New one and other minor jobs, we used the kia Normally as Daily Driver without issues but the White cloud of smoke became even worse; the Head gasket was Fine: I Test Compression plus there was no oil in water, nor water in oil and everything was working just Fine.

I thought it had worn Valve's seals, so I scheduled a Complete Engine Reseal, but then, after Checkin' the Timing Belts and Outer Belts, I Found a "Dancing" (Wiggling) Main Pulley, let me Explain:

I Noticed that the Main Pulley, that comes at the Bottom of the Engine, was moving almost an inch side by side on each Turn, so I Obtained a New one...




...Thinking that maybe the Old one was somehow, Bent.
 
#32 ·
I started to Change that Main pulley and What an unholy Surprise I Found!!! :eek:


The Timing Belt's Sprocket were Loose and the Previous Owner (or its Mechanic, I Don't Know), instead of Obtaining it New, or at least a Good used one, did This:




With That Stupid Idea of Welding the Sprocket to the Crankshaft, not only the Sprocket wasn't well alligned (Making the Main Pulley to "Dancing" -Wiggling- as it is attached to the Sprocket) but also the Welding Burnt the Oil Seal there!!!


So the T8D engine was Leakin' Oil from that seal and the Welded Sprocket to the Crankshaft makes to Change it a Nightmare that involves to Change the Crankshaft and the Sprocket too...

First I Obtained a Good used Crankshaft at a Junk Yard, then I Was Searchin' for a Good Sprocket and evertything involved, but then I Realized that the Pulley's Vibration must have "Eaten" part of the Engine's Life with its Vibration that should damaged the engine's inner parts...

We continue to use the car as Daily driver while we got enough amount of Money to do a Complete engine Overhaul.

The engine was Blowin' White Clouds of Smoke and leakin' oil from that seal, but otherwise it was working Great.
 
#33 · (Edited)
That days, my other daily driver, my Subaru "BumbleBeast" Wagon, was in need for brand New two timing Belts, plus tensioners, etc... and we were short of Money & Time.

So instead of Doin' a complete Overhaul on the Sephia ... I did a Crazy Engine Swap!

I Obtained another T8D engine but Third Generation. (From the '03 Kia Spectra, the Sephia came with the Second Generation T8D engine, and the Kia Elan came with the First Gen T8D engine) but I Only Purchased the Long Block which is the Block along the Head (not the manifolds nor the rest of the parts) Already Assembled as it came from Factory, in other Words: my Wallet wasn't enough big to purchase the Complete engine from the Junk Yard, so they Taken off This Parts from the Engine:

(Parts Removed from the new Engine, in order to Lower the Price)

► Intake Manyfold complete.
► Exhaust manyfold Complete
► Flywheel.
► Front main Pulley
► Engine Mounts, except the one in front of the Timin' Belt Cover. (The old one was Damaged)
► All the E.F.i. Stuff, including ignition Coils, etc...

My Sephia still Ran with its original engine (Blowin' a Cloud of Smoke) and I Went to Purchase the New engine Driving it.

The New (to me) engine was Pretty Clean, came from a Spectra with little less than 68,000 Miles; the car was in a Huge rear Crash and the engine was immaculate, even its oil was Clear.

Since it came without intake or exhaust manifolds, Flywheel, Coil packs, etc... I wanted to Use the ones from the old engine on the New; that way I will be Able to Run the New Engine with the EFi / Computer Stuff from the Old one... and the Swap becomes Cheaper! :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top