tt engine question

[holyghost]

Hi guys,

I eventually want to buy a TT engine and do the whole na->tt swap, although I am unsure what the best type of engine to buy would be (JDM vs USDM). Online it seems most engines are JDM, but I've heard that these are not so good to buy, due to excessive wear etc. Whatever I buy I do plan on rebuilding it (unless its in really good condition). Since I'm thinking of doing a complete rebuild, is there any advantage of going a USDM engine over a JDM one?

Thanks!

[z.Leinbach]

Buy a whole TT car. Dont vert. Its not cost effective. If you do do it. Get a usdm block (easier in the long run) rebuild it pan to plenum. And get a whole front clip, and brand new wiring harnesses and new bits of everything. Do it right and do it once. And go flex fuel for ethanol maddness

[NolimitZ32]

Seeing as you have a slicktop (I assume that's what the "hardtop" in your info means) than you cannot buy a USDM TT in such a configuration so your only option is to swap. When it comes to rebuilding it doesn't really matter whether you go USDM or JDM engine as they are the same and any parts that wear will be replaced in the rebuild (I would go for a front clip though as it will have all the misc parts you will need).

[holyghost]

Thanks for your replies guys. I think I will take Nolimit's advice and search for a front clip, and seeing as either us or jdm is fine, should make it a bit easier to find..

[NolimitZ32]

The other piece of advice I will give you and EVERYONE on this forum will agree with is that you MUST buy quality components for your rebuild, this means OEM or better. For gaskets, belts, accessories, wiring you should go with OEM except the head gasket, there is lots of contention on this subject as to whether the MLS or OEM are best, you should do your research on that one. Pistons, rods, rings, valves, and other internals will depend on your HP goals, if you ever plan on going big-turbo then I would suggest you invest in the good stuff now. MOST IMPORTANTLY, get the machine work done by someone that knows these engines!!!! the machining process, though not different from many other high performance engines is something that a SBC builder will likely screw up. The tolerances on this engine are much tighter than most American engines and required a torque plate for bore work. I searched for months to find the one shop in the Houston area that does all of IPP's engines and I could not have been happier. Lastly, if you go to the machine shop and they don't ask you for your pistons, rods, rings, and bearings, even if they aren't actually assembling, you should turn around and walk away.