To jdm or not to jdm

[Rubyz32]

I need a new engine. Long story. I want a clean daily driver that I can spend time cleaning and tweaking and not rebuilding. No, I have no interest in a TT swap. Obviously a full rebuild would be the ultimate way to go, but for what seems to be a tenth of the cost, I can drop in a jdm engine, replace the t-belt of course and various gaskets. I also realize however that the chances of the jdm replacement actually having the claimed 45k or so is slim and completely unfounded. Anyone have opinions one way or the other? Any personal experiences with jdm engines? And where is a good place to find an n/a jdm engine? Thanks.

[NolimitZ32]

how about a middle ground, buy a rebuilt engine and swap yours in for a core.

[evildky]

There are places that do rebuilt core exchanges as NolimitZ32 suggested. I personally have had too many problems with the miles unknown pallet engines, if it's on a pallet with no cluster it's miles unknown and likely a lot more than they would have you believe. The cost of rebuilding an engine isn't as bad as you think, last VG30DETT I rebuilt cost about a grand, that wa a few years again and your area prices may vary and I did all the tear down and assembly work beyond the short block myself. Keep in mind your pallet motor will have shiping cost and will likely require swapping changing or replacing lots of parts. I helped a buddy replace the motor in his 350Z recently with a junkyard donor that took many hours and many parts replacements before being ready to go in.

[eryqmo]

Im in the same situation. I just bought a 95 300zx non turbo. Its needs a new motor but I only gave 1,000 bux for the car and the car is a 9/10 and interior is about a 7/10 maybe even 8/10. Ive been looking around for a motor. Advance Auto sells one for about 3700. and I found a site that sells a rebuilt motor for 2600 and 5 year warranty. I think ill go that route but im nervous about it because ive never done this before. The site is called Barnette's Remanufactored Engines. I have no idea what all comes with the motors or what else ill have to buy for it to be swapped and running. Eric.