JDM Engine Experiences - NOOBS READ

[BigTDogg (MA)]

i agree with you, but just saying, hypereutectic pistons have some benefits.
i have forged pistons, i would like to get 100k miles out of them+, who knows?
and the piston slap stinks.

It makes sense for OEMs to design their pistons so that they have a safety factor when running stock settings. If they design hypereutetic pistons to meet this criteria, then they're happy.

Making a car with 4,5,6X safety factor forged pistons from the factory is begging to be modded and warranties voided.

It's when the OEM have a very slim margin (1.5X safety(ballpark guesstimate), as is likely the case in the STI EJ257 engine) that there are issues.

[Lovenpain]

Well damn guys!! Lol
I know it hasn't even been a monh I had owned my jdm 1990 300zx TT, but knock on wood... This car absolutely drives great! Reading what had Been posted, if I would have read that before I bought my car. I probably would have ran away from the deal. But for what I got the car, the freebie turbo upgrade new in a box, and having documents backing up the 43k miles on the car and motor. I think and hope I am lucky thus far! . But if something where to ever happen... Believe me you will see my post to share my experience of the wrath of the JDM engine for our cars! Lmao

[300ZXttZMAN]

Well damn guys!! Lol
I know it hasn't even been a monh I had owned my jdm 1990 300zx TT, but knock on wood... This car absolutely drives great! Reading what had Been posted, if I would have read that before I bought my car. I probably would have ran away from the deal. But for what I got the car, the freebie turbo upgrade new in a box, and having documents backing up the 43k miles on the car and motor. I think and hope I am lucky thus far! . But if something where to ever happen... Believe me you will see my post to share my experience of the wrath of the JDM engine for our cars! Lmao

No dude dont worry about it this is for ppl getting a replacement motor or getting a motor for a swap this info doesn't have to do with you me or anyone else as long as you didnt buy a jdm motor...

The reason why this thread was made is because alot of people had unfortunate experiences when trying to go this route.

A Jdm motor is a motor imported from japan which is bad...

Your car is a jdm car imported from japan which is very Very VERY GOOD!!!

You seriously have nothing to worry about. haha

EDIT: you have nothing to worry about that pertains to this thread.

[jefferz]

When you buy a JDM engine your buying a junkyard engine. I think alot of people forget that. I know JDM Engine depot in kearny nj offers a 30 day warranty with there engines and will take them back and replace yours if you have an issue. The only reason they have cheaper prices is because they move 85% more engines then most of the people in the north east. Therefor they are able to sell them at lower price to there consumers. Theres obviously going to be some bad ones in the bunch. Everyone once a while brand new motor will fail in a brand new car. Its nothing they cant help. They do check the motors out before they ship them out to customers they learned there lesson a few times.

[leplascencia]

Lets see I got my engine Crap I forgot where exactly its in california and its in the San Fernando Valley area I think was 2 years ago, I dropped it in and its still running strong when i droped it in the compression was in the 160s all cylinders I did the 120k service along with 740cc injectors and HKS 2530 turbos.

its two years and the motor is still running strong maybe I just got lucky.

[300ZXttZMAN]

^ You are lucky

[NolimitZ32]

I don't know about everyone else's experience but mine was not to blame on the engine but rather on the seller, who claimed to have compression tested it and somehow missed the 90 psi reading on cyl. 5, sent the wrong ECU (Z31) which he refused to exchange, and a chopped up wiring harness, which was advertised as undamaged.When asked about warranty to exchange harness, ECU and engine he flat out refused to honor it or even work with me. SO if you've had a good experience with a JDM engine, good for you, be happy. But IF you have a choice, buy native, preferably from a wrecked vehicle.

[spec1sef]

Engine Purchased: Early Style VG30DETT off of Auto TT
Importer/Seller: jdmenginezone.com
Warranty Offered: 30 day startup, guaranteed good compression
Price: $1165
Engine Condition: Engine arrived looking like it had 200k miles on it. Sticker on the timing cover shows last service was done on 61k miles. (So much for 40k low mileage advertised).

Additional Comments: Well, bought the motor from JDMenginezone.com and was told it has good compression.

After receiving the engine did my own compression test and the 5th cylinder had low compression. Called them and explained the situation. They said just throw it in the car and it will run. Cold compression means nothing. I told them it's about $800 to have it put in the car and if this doesn't work I am out $800. They pretty much said "Sorry, we don't cover labor".

Well long story short since they just wouldn't backup their 30 day warranty I took the engine apart and wallah cylinder 5 piston rings were jammed together making no compression. Cylinder wall look bad. Sent them pictures of the cylinder wall and piston and they offered $200 back out of $1165 I paid. Ouch!

So I told them well I will just have to file a claim with my Credit Card company and dispute the charge since you are not backing up your 30 day warranty. I don't think I have much luck here!

I would not buy another motor from them. I suppose all these JDM places are like that. Warranty is only offered on paper not in reality. They will find every excuse to make sure they don't have to replace the motor.

I am out of luck since my USDM motor threw a rod, so couldn't use it. It will just end-up costing me around $2k after I am done building but it will be new motor hopefully

[85cartagena]

Engine Purchased: JDM VG30DE
Importer/Seller: Enginesus, Ebay
Warranty Offered: 6 months unlimited miles
Price: $1,100 (Shipped to SoFLa)
Engine Condition: 45-50k miles. Great engine, very clean. It came out of an automatic. I made sure I cotacted people who had bought the same engine from the seller before i made the purchase to ask them about their engines, out of 10 people only 5 replyed with excellent reviews. One guy even said that upon arrival, he checked the engine and it had loads of gunk inside, and enginesus sent him another engine once he sent back the first engine received.
Additional Comments: Since purchase, the engine now has and extra 20k miles. Before installation, Vacuum lines, EGR, and some coolant lines were deleted. The engine is healthy and strong. (this was confirmed by the guys over at HorsePower Logic in West Palm Beach). WILL DO BUSINESS AGAIN.

[nix300zx]

Engine Purchased: 90+ vg30dett with trans. Less than 50k. Received 97-98 motor I believe. With 60+k
Importer/Seller: I think tiger in Canada. ( this was 3 years ago.)
Warranty Offered: 90 day on delivery.
Price: $1200 shipped
Engine Condition: visually clean, had compression needed crank bearings( found that out 1k miles later...). No ecu. Bad turbos
Additional Comments: ive had the motor go out twice on me from bad internals. Wish I had bought a new staged motor from z1 for 5k more

they say less than 50k miles and that's 80k kilometers so a tag on the motor(timing belt sticker) would be marked in kilometers correct? So like my motor had a sticker for 60k on it

[pcproa]

Engine Purchased: VG30DETT in a Front Clip (Half Cut)
Importer/Seller: TigerJapanese in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Warranty Offered: 90 day on everything not including the turbos
Price: $1900 (Significantly discounted)
Engine Condition: Good condition. Visibly clean, no leaks, Dented Oil Pan as expected with engines and half cuts. Ran great. Before installation I voluntarily changed the timing belt, tensioners and waterpump
Additional Comments: This was the first of many engine purchases I've done from TigerJapanese. To this date this is the best and most reliable VG30DETT I've ever had in a Z32. I bought this in 2007 and ran it hard right till I took the entire setup out and sold it about 1.5 years ago. The person I sold it to also has no complaints. I believe the reason I've successfully purchased good engines from TigerJapanese is because I live near to their warehouse and I'm personally able to inspect and determine the condition before I go through with the purchase. I've heard horror stories about TigerJapanese as well as JDM engine purchases, and I always recommend you take the time to inspect it before you purchase it if you can.

[Road Warrior Z32]

I see people got screw over the ecu and parts (turbos etc...) , i hear complains mainly about the engines than trannys , I wanted to buy a front clip now idk, i guess ill go check them out in LA here in Cali

[300ZXttZMAN]

JDM Engine Experiences - DISCUSSION THREAD.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Thanks Maaahk, busy mornin.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Thanks Maaahk, busy mornin.

No problem T.

[StigZXTT]

Engine purchased: Early-style VG30DETT as front clip with transmission
Importer/Seller: JR Auto Parts (jarautoparts.com) Los Angeles, CA
Warranty Offered: None. But seller did send me a video of the engine running, and it was promised to pass a compression test.
Price: $2,800
Engine Condition: Engine had the usual things like dented oil pan and such, bad valve cover seals, and had to buy rebuilt turbos. Mine was swapped into my 2+2 Z32 by a professional mechanic, all variables were replaced as a precaution (60K service, spark plugs, etc). It did come with an engine harness in decent condition, however that too had to be replaced because of a RHD engine going into a LHD car. Came with a stock ecu that works just fine, and even had an HKS speed limit defencer (I assume to kill the 180 km/hr speed limiter that all JDM ecu's have) wired up, but I didn't install just cause of risk of not working/screwing up harness wiring. Mileage was very good, I was promised "super low mileage," and it had 47,xxx miles upon arrival.
Additional Comments: About first 6 months after install was spent working out bugs mostly with electrical things, had to take CAS from my old n/a motor, as well as starter. One injector went bad, as well as the PTU (got the new style one from the recall Nissan had as a result). And knock sensor was bad so that's been relocated for now. The most serious thing I think was having to install BDE cam gears when the stock ones were leaking behind the timing cover. Since TT swap was complete in January 2012 and those issues/bugs were addressed, it's been 10,xxx happy miles so far (knock on wood), and even passed smog IN CALIFORNIA in February 2013. It's believed that I have a slight leak with my valve stem seals, so I have to add oil to the car every 1,000-1,500 miles or so, not a huge deal.

[SLE-PR]

I got a jdm n/a from tiger auto in canada. The wiring was all hacked up also, they said it had 25-30,000 miles on it... uhh no. Try more like mid 70's but whatever, for around $1,000.00 + all kinds of new s*** it has been running pretty well for almost a yera now. However i would not buy from them again.

I realize this is an older post but I got one from them for my '90 NA. I wasn't sure what I would end up with for 850 bucks but I put it on the engine stand to inspect. I noticed at least one 60k service was done by the timing belt and paint marks. Anyway, I must of got lucky because I did a compression test with a socket and strong arm (of all procedures...LOL) and got over 180 psi/cyl. Did a leak down test, average of 3, some 0, highest was 5, oil pressure was 30 psi with a big drill and socket on the crank w/ plugs out of course. Put it in the car and it runs like a top.
I want to put a TT into my other NA 5 spd and considering getting another one from them rather than mess around converting other stuff but I don't know if I could be that fortunate enough again. I was told that if you can "knowingly" get one out of an automatic, it would have a better chance of being in better shape cuz with the standard, if the Japs don't know when to shift properly, they have probably reved the piss out of it. I thought of seeing if I can get a TT with matching auto transmission, then I have a spare transmission for the 605 rwhp beast in the future.........and get SZ to modify that one........LOL.

[Re037]

Engine Purchased: 92 jdm 5 speed tt front clip

Importer/Seller: Dallas JDM Motors
827 Ave H E
Ste 213
Arlington, TX 76011

Warranty Offered: 90 day startup

Price: $4200 shipped (exchange rate at time of purchase was high. ~jan 2013)

Engine Condition: 78xxx kms = 48xxx miles. compression video was performed upon request and deposit. 160 across on cold engine. 1 turbo had zero shaft play, 1 turbo small oil leak. all injectors ohmed out and worked 9 months later with first start up (had to remove some corossion that had built up). transmission shifts smooth no grind. some things were damaged from shipping, fenders, bumper, oil pan (it was also on a pallet), intercoolers, pass side ic piping. the usual oil seals and gaskets had to be replaced, 20 yr old engine so its understandable. also replaced both chras and efi harness for peace of mind. upon receiving the clip i hooked up fuel lines and a battery and she started up fine and ran perfect. all fluids were still in the clip.

Additional Comments: 8k into the swap and i couldnt be happier with my 2+2. its been running STRONG for 5 weeks. tho if i were to do it again id prob buy a tt engine and get it rebuilt and piece together everything (oil cooler, ic piping, ic, etc). all those OLD write ups that say its cheaper to buy a front clip than piecing a swap together might have been right in early 2000s but not in 2013. i ended up having to replace most things anyways. in the end youll spend only a lil more than a clip but have the engine with upgrades you want. if you have a coupe, just sell and buy a tt. my 2+2 is in such amazing cosmetic condition itd be difficult to replace with a running tt coupe (im the 2nd owner).

[SLE-PR]

Quote from Re037:
all those OLD write ups that say its cheaper to buy a front clip than piecing a swap together might have been right in early 2000s but not in 2013.

I would tend to agree with you. If you have the patients and resources to find older "parts" cars, then I think it is way cheaper if you can also do the work yourself. I bought 3 parts cars in the last year or so, to do a TT conversion some day and this is what I got.

I have 3 daily drivers, a Built '92 TT Coupe A/T with 605 rwhp, '90 NA Coupe A/T and a '90 NA Coupe with 5 spd manual that will be getting the TT transplant.

Parts Cars;

'90 TT coupe 5 spd, missing hood and front bumper $2000.00 Primary car to be used in conv.

'90 NA 2+2 A/T still runs decent but too expensive to restore $800.00 Lots of good parts on it.

'92 TT RHD 2+2 (no motor) but TT A/T, TT Diff, etc. $600.00 A few good parts I can use.

Hence: In my situation, for a total of $3400.00 I have 3 cars that have ample parts way beyond what I need to do my TT conversion. Of course I wont chince out on replacing the EFI harness and a good clutch for my project among other little things here and there. I was also fortunate that 2 of these cars were less than 600 miles away and the other was 120 miles, so having a car trailer equipped with a winch is also an added bonus to go get them.

Once I have things sorted out here, I will have parts up for sale for 2+2's and RHD, as I am a dedicated Coupe fan and 3 daily drivers in fantastic shape for being more than 20 yrs old, is good enough for me

[NolimitZ32]

SLE thanks for your input but lets try to keep this thread to strictly JDM experiences (this is somewhat of a tally)

[SLE-PR]

SLE thanks for your input but lets try to keep this thread to strictly JDM experiences (this is somewhat of a tally)

My apologies Mate

[NolimitZ32]

All good, (BTW I'm not Australian damnit!!! I just live and work here for the time being)

Mark or Tony, can you guys clean this thread up a bit maybe consolidate all of the not directly related posts into one post with quotes or something.

[YouZedWhat]

so for the record, has anyone had a positive experience with a JDM engine?

I may be purchasing one for my N/a 2+2 withing the next 6 months or so. I want a VG30DETT, I am new to z32's and I am somewhat unfamiliar with the vg30de and vg30dett. Could I just bore my block, P&P heads or swap with TT heads, change manifolds, do plumbing, wiring, etc. and call it a day. Any and All help is appreciated. Please don't flame me for my questions, at least I didn't start a new thread. thanx in advance.

[VengeAllez]

"Pneube" ?? Here and reading this thread has me convinced- no JDM engines.

But that still leaves the question, where's a good place to get a vg30dett engine to swap out for my NA??

[NolimitZ32]

I think you mean "newb" and JDM engines are ok if you are going to rebuild it. If not than you need to look for either a JDM front cut as they are a bit more reliable and not banged up in shipping as badly or you have to source a wrecked USDM car and pull the engine from that.

[ringocespedes]

I bought my last Nissan 300ZX VG30DETT Jdm engine from ADVERTISING ON NICO IS NOT FREE, contact your admins to set up a vendor account .....They also have another awesome website : you have been warned

[drankejackson]

Advertising on NICO is not free!