JDM Engine Experiences - DISCUSSION THREAD.

[Valdis]

For what it's worth.... I spoke with Greg Dupree a few days back and he told me to stay away from the JDM motors. According to Greg most of these engines come from automatic cars, since most cars in Japan are automatics, He then told me that the Japanese motors only have 280hp. From searching online I did find this:
"Domestic Japanese market cars claimed 280 PS (206 kW), as the Japanese automobile manufacturers were limited to that number."
So it looks to be true, the JDM motors are only 280hp... but a good option if you don't have ANY motor.. lol

My 1996 TT also only had 280hp stock, so that stinks (440hp now). I'm going to have to add cams to get past the VTC or I'll never be able to get past ~400whp, regardless of what turbos I put on it. The cams are smaller and won't flow enough air to get power beyond ~400whp.

[NolimitZ32]

For what it's worth.... I spoke with Greg Dupree a few days back and he told me to stay away from the JDM motors. According to Greg most of these engines come from automatic cars, since most cars in Japan are automatics, He then told me that the Japanese motors only have 280hp. From searching online I did find this:
"Domestic Japanese market cars claimed 280 PS (206 kW), as the Japanese automobile manufacturers were limited to that number."
So it looks to be true, the JDM motors are only 280hp... but a good option if you don't have ANY motor.. lol

My 1996 TT also only had 280hp stock, so that stinks (440hp now). I'm going to have to add cams to get past the VTC or I'll never be able to get past ~400whp, regardless of what turbos I put on it. The cams are smaller and won't flow enough air to get power beyond ~400whp.

So much of this is misinformation.

[Valdis]

For what it's worth.... I spoke with Greg Dupree a few days back and he told me to stay away from the JDM motors. According to Greg most of these engines come from automatic cars, since most cars in Japan are automatics, He then told me that the Japanese motors only have 280hp. From searching online I did find this:
"Domestic Japanese market cars claimed 280 PS (206 kW), as the Japanese automobile manufacturers were limited to that number."
So it looks to be true, the JDM motors are only 280hp... but a good option if you don't have ANY motor.. lol

My 1996 TT also only had 280hp stock, so that stinks (440hp now). I'm going to have to add cams to get past the VTC or I'll never be able to get past ~400whp, regardless of what turbos I put on it. The cams are smaller and won't flow enough air to get power beyond ~400whp.

So much of this is misinformation.

What's misinforming about it? Giving the silence, I guess none of it is.
Call Greg at SpecialtyZ and he'll bring you up to speed.

[NolimitZ32]

Ok newbie here you go. .

1. Most cars in Japan are automatics. - Search the Japanese car market (as in search for Z32s for sale in Japan) you will find that the majority is manual or just ask any of the many members on this board who have visited or live in Japan.
2. Japanese manufacturers were/are limited to 280hp - In the 70s due to a large number of road deaths laws were passed by JAMA to limit the top speed of vehicles built and sold in Japan, this carried through for almost 2 decades. In the late 80s road deaths once again hit a spike so JAMA again decided that it would agree now on a power output ceiling of 280ps as most of the flagships at the time were producing these kind of numbers. Cue 1990, the FD3S, the R32, the Z32, the NSX and a few years later the Supra all with better engines and improved safety. The manufacturers remained under the Gentlemen's Agreement, limited only by this, the cars produced were able in stock form to make higher figures and in many cases did but were stickered and sold as 280ps.
3. JDM ENGINES (LEAFs have motors, the Z32 has an internal combustion Engine) have 280ps - In reality the VG30DETT when produced in stock form is capable of making much more power but were downtuned (read: computer controlled) to be around the agreed upon figure. In addition the difference between the AUTO and Manual engine are the turbos, nothing else, the smaller turbos were fitted to the Auto to preserve the auto trans as they are not as robust as the manuals, the autos do produce less power but when buying a used engine especially a JDM you should always go with new turbos (if you cant pay to play than the Z32 is wrong for you). The difference between the JDM and USDM engines is: The oil filter tree is on the opposite side.

As for Greg Dupree, I know who he is, everyone here knows who he is everyone here also knows and admits that he has likely forgotten more about the Z32 than most of us know, perhaps myself included. What Greg may or may not have told you is not what you wrote here and I would bet that this is the issue we face.

"Giving the silence, I guess none of it is." Luckily I have more going on in life than sitting on a forum non-stop waiting for an e-thug pissing match.

Lastly I would really like to know what work has been done to your 96, ODBII Z32 to make you reach those numbers (this is where we figure out if you are a troll or not)

[Valdis]

As for Greg Dupree, I know who he is, everyone here knows who he is everyone here also knows and admits that he has likely forgotten more about the Z32 than most of us know, perhaps myself included. What Greg may or may not have told you is not what you wrote here and I would bet that this is the issue we face.

As I said, call him to get yourself up to speed... Phone: 818-703-6272 & 818-435-2061... let us know what he says since I clearly didn't hear him correctly

Lastly I would really like to know what work has been done to your 96, ODBII Z32 to make you reach those numbers (this is where we figure out if you are a troll or not.)

You mean the 440hp I spoke about?
JW Pop Charger
JW ECU
GReddy Profec B Spec II 2 Boost Controller
Dupree Split Downpipes, 2.5"
2.5" Test pipes
Turbo Tuff Catback Exhaust, 2.5"
Underdrive Pulley
Upgraded Clutch and Flywheel... not sure if it's aluminum or not.
Colder spark plugs
Fully adjustable KYB AGX suspension
Dyno Tune
It looks like the intercoolers may have been upgraded also but I need to look into it more...The 2 hoses leading to the intercoolers have been upgraded (they are now metal, not rubber) and I don't see why someone would upgrade those hoses without also upgrading the intercoolers.
Right now my turbos are turned down and I'm making 365hp, with them boosted to 14psi is where I'm making 440hp. (These are the numbers given to me by the person i bought the car from)
I bought the car from a guy in Florida and had it transported here to me. He said he took the car to the dyno and those are the numbers he gave me. I'm not 100% sure they are accurate, so that is why I plan on taking it to the dyno when it warms up.
If I do have 440hp (~365whp) then I'll hit the ~400whp with almost any upgrade I do from this point.. the fact remains, I'll be beating my head against the 400whp wall that I'll come up against here soon.
JWT 500 cams and new valve springs are Gregs suggestion, to get more airflow... since the 1996 uses a smaller cam. He said the back pressure created by the smaller cams will actually slow upgraded turbos down. Also since I'll be upgrading the cams/springs there is a laundry list of other things I'll want to add, since the engine will be pulled.

[Ace2cool]

So.... You don't have dyno charts. Noted.

Let's calm down in here guys. Anton (NolimitZ32) is a very knowledgable member. He's been here for as long as I have, and usually knows what's up. I agree that you may have misunderstood what Greg was saying.

[Valdis]

So.... You don't have dyno charts. Noted.

No, that is why I'm going to the dyno as soon as I can drive my car without having to worry about the rear end whipping around the front of the car every time the turbos kick in.

I agree that you may have misunderstood what Greg was saying.

So what is it that you think I've misunderstood? When I spoke with Greg his exact words were "Stay away from JDM motors"...
I wish someone would call him and ask what he meant, since you obviously don't believe what I say.. maybe you'll believe him?? All I'm saying is that I've provided a source, check it please.

[Ace2cool]

We're saying we know Greg, and his advice to stay away from JDM engines is good, but I think you misunderstood his reasons for saying to do so.

[NolimitZ32]

Anyone will tell you to "Stay away from JDM ENGINES" No one will argue that, its the other stuff that was not exactly true.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

STOP AGREEING WITH ME SO AGGRESSIVELY!!!!

In addition the difference between the AUTO and Manual engine are the turbos, nothing else, the smaller turbos were fitted to the Auto to preserve the auto trans as they are not as robust as the manuals, the autos do produce less power but when buying a used engine especially a JDM you should always go with new turbos (if you cant pay to play than the Z32 is wrong for you). The difference between the JDM and USDM engines is: The oil filter tree is on the opposite side.

The turbine housing is different to account for the parasitic losses in the autotragic, so spool is faster but top end suffers. That would be the case if that was the only modification, but auto transmission cars also had different camshafts so the powerband (at the flywheel) is nearly identical.

Let's please keep thread to actual experiences. Eventually I may snip this and create a JDM engine discussion thread.

[Valdis]

STOP AGREEING WITH ME SO AGGRESSIVELY!!!!

That's what I'm saying.. lol.

Anyone will tell you to "Stay away from JDM ENGINES" No one will argue that, its the other stuff that was not exactly true.

For the sake of this discussion, tell us why you would "Stay away from JDM ENGINES" ... you don't agree with what I've said, so I'm interested in knowing your reasons to stay away from them.

We're saying we know Greg, and his advice to stay away from JDM engines is good, but I think you misunderstood his reasons for saying to do so.

What reasons would you give to stay away from them? I can see we all agree to stay away from these things, but we are bickering over "why". I think it would be a great help if people were to know why to stay away from them.

I'll let you guys get back to it.

EDIT:: I did find this on these forums and it pretty much says what Greg has already told me...

-Most TT engine that come over from Japan have different cam profiles than US engines. US 5spd TT's have 248 intake cams and 248 exhaust cams. US Auto TT's have 240 intake cams and 248 exhaust cams. Now...the Japanese VG30DETT did not have different cams, its just a very large portion of the TT Z's sold over there were automatic so most motors that make their way over here have the 240 intake cams

So that goes right along with what I was saying about my 1996 and the ~400whp wall.

[NolimitZ32]

Why? Because in practice most who have bought JDM engines have had more headaches than they are worth. Its the wear and unknown condition of JDM engines that's the problem and has nothing to do with the output because the engines are exactly the same for JDM and USDM. Also if you read my first post in this thread you will see that my experience with a JDM engine was a nightmare, so going off purely personal experience (not taking into account what anyone else has to say) I would stay away from JDM engines unless I personally went to Japan, drove the car it was coming from, watched it get removed and packaged and put in a container.

Tony, apologies I did forget about the cams. Also I think its a great idea, cut all this discussion out of this thread, place it in a new "JDM Engine Discussion" thread and place links in the first post of each to link to the other. <This has my vote.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

JDM engines are always a bad idea. Always. Unless you 100% plan on rebuilding it, DO NOT waste your time on a JDM engine.

I'll separate the thread tomorrow when I have a mouse. I'm on my laptop now.

[NolimitZ32]

JDM engines are always a bad idea. Always. Unless you 100% plan on rebuilding it, DO NOT waste your time on a JDM engine.

I'll separate the thread tomorrow when I have a mouse. I'm on my laptop now.

STOP AGREEING WITH ME SO AGGRESSIVELY!!!!

[andre1038]

Well i have been chilling back watching this thread grow. Me personally if i was in a need for an engine only i wouldn't waste my time with a JDM engine only. They are like playing Russian Roulette seriously..You just don't know whether your gonna get lucky or in for a nightmare. Knock on wood my JDM motor is good (but i still put new parts on it just in case) and i got a true 5sp jdm motor so essentially it is the same as a 5sp USDM VG30DETT with the same power output. Just in my case i did it the right way when it comes to buying JDM by buying the whole front clip of a running car. So even thought i went with the JDM route i will recommend anybody source a USDM motor from someone who is parting out a Z32

[BigTDogg (MA)]

10 years ago they weren't a bad option. Now there are many more ragged on engines making their way over here from junk yards in Japan. Not to mention many owners in Japan use only water, no antifreeze, so block corrosion is pretty high.

[ztruck]

hi im new here , how can i post some pictures of my project

[ztruck]

if im correct the jdm engine has a bigger cam shafts an the cilinders head the ports are bigger, the stock cams on a z32 are 248 an in the jdm i think is close to 264 is like a stage 1 cams from a aftermarket cams, so the jdm engine will give you more horse power

[BigTDogg (MA)]

hi im new here , how can i post some pictures of my project

Welcome!

You can start a new thread, then host your pictures on google Picasa, photobucket or something like that. Then use the IMG tag to link to the photos.

if im correct the jdm engine has a bigger cam shafts an the cilinders head the ports are bigger, the stock cams on a z32 are 248 an in the jdm i think is close to 264 is like a stage 1 cams from a aftermarket cams, so the jdm engine will give you more horse power

Again, welcome, but you're not correct. The cylinder heads are exactly the same USDM to JDM, and the only difference in camshafts is related to Auto or Manual transmissions.

[t.mcginley.jr]

[rant] Someone needs to go over to Japan and tell them to take better care of their goddamn cars!! [/rant]

[NolimitZ32]

if im correct the jdm engine has a bigger cam shafts an the cilinders head the ports are bigger, the stock cams on a z32 are 248 an in the jdm i think is close to 264 is like a stage 1 cams from a aftermarket cams, so the jdm engine will give you more horse power

All I wanna know is, where do people get this info?

[nissanfreak12]

All I wanna know is, where do people get this info?

The internet.............

[NolimitZ32]

That's odd because that's where I learned most of what I know, yet I never used to come across this wrong information. I think its a lack of bs filter and people not doing their due diligence and not checking multiple sources.

[Valdis]

A break down for you guys, as far as what Greg told me and what was proven on the dyno. Very good read... this is what I'm up against with my 1996.

http://specialtyz.com/blog/?p=1020

Those of you who don't have a '96, this does not apply.... Sebastian goes on to say "VTC can be added externally or done through retrofitting 95 and earlier ECUs\Wiring." Anyone have an idea of what he means by "externally"?
Since I'm a computer guy I'll guess by using terms that I know best...
Sounds by external he means physically adding the VTC components. (If I'm wrong please let me know)
By ECU/Wiring, I'm guessing he means software. (If I'm wrong please let me know)
Hardware and Software, things I can understand

When I last spoke with Greg he mentioned that they are going to come out with a wiring harness that will be able to hold (1) 90-95 chip and (1) 96 chip, I'm guessing at the same time. When Greg got into this subject I became very lost in short amount of time... I'm not a "car guy". Let me take that back, I AM a "car guy"... I'm not a "gearhead".

[BlackWidowZ]

he means by changing the ecu and cams. basically making a 96 a 95 but if u do that it wont pass emissions.

[Valdis]

he means by changing the ecu and cams. basically making a 96 a 95 but if u do that it wont pass emissions.

That's OK, we don't have emissions testing in Kansas
Do I need a '95 ECU to do this or can I use the '96 ECU? I assume I'll need a '95 but want to make sure.

And to clear up the cam debate (duration):
90 - 95 Manual TT = 248 intake and 248 exhaust
90- 95 Automatic TT = 240 intake and 248 exhaust
1996 TT = 232 intake and 240 exhaust, they also have less lift then the previous years.

[BlackWidowZ]

in practice its more involved.

[NolimitZ32]

I don't even know where to start as I've never put my hand s on a OBDII VG30 but I would imagine it involves a new ECU (physically replacing the computer) a new wiring harness or adapter to go from OBDII harness to OBD harness, new camshafts, new camgears, installation of VTC solenoids, maybe some additional oil lines. It wont be just a plug and play thing but it can be done.

[Valdis]

Yeah, when I heard about this about a month ago I knew it was going to get really nasty and expensive. But hopefully once I get this taken care of, I'll never have to look back again.

Going to call Greg tomorrow and get an exact list of what all I'll need in order to do this... I knew about the cams, springs, gears and ECU/harness, didn't know about the VTC solenoids or oil lines.
I'll give an update tomorrow when I get the info, maybe this will help others who have a '96, or at least let them know to stay away from them unless they have a lot of disposable income.

[NolimitZ32]

Most folks know about the 96s, its when the EPA mandated OBDII systems which was part of the reason for the Z32 and FD3S for being taken off the US market. Still I for one would be very interested to know what other parts would need to change aaaaaand. I personally wouldn't mind a super clean low miles 96 NA to use as a daily but by the time I get back home I'll hopefully be setup enough to afford DDing my TT.