What is the deal with engine importers?

[Monte Cristo]

I'm looking for an SR20 in Virginia and I've been searching through threads on here to find reputable vendors.

I contacted JHOT via email - no response.

I contacted JDMracingmotors via email - got a response that directed me to their "partner" warehouse in Ashland VA. Awesome. So I emailed JSpecAuto to see about getting an SR from them. No response. So I called Jspec. No answer. I left a message and asked them to please respond to my email or call me.

I have money. I want to buy a motor. If I can't get these places to talk to me when they're supposed to be trying to sell me something, how hard will it be to get an answer if I end up having a problem post-sale?

I've never understood having to chase people down to buy something from them. I am tempted to scrap the project because I refuse to jump through hoops to give someone my money.


Suggestions on legit places to buy a motor? I am not looking for best price; I'm looking for a company with half decent communication skills and a solid reputation. If it's your buddy's "shop" and he "knows a guy in Japan" please don't bother suggesting it. I can't imagine it's this difficult.

[PyR0NiAk]

I got mine from JDM-online.com The cas sensor got busted during shipping and I signed for it, so MY FAULT... They still sent me a replacement for the price of shipping.

[CRyan]

Japan Motor Import did me right. EVERY time I called I was able to talk to someone. The reassurance through Patrick at JMI is such a relief.

[PyR0NiAk]

Edited - Those clowns still owe us money.

[Hijacker]

Depending on what part of Virginia you're in, try JGY Customs.. I've gotten some motors through them in the past, and they were good motors.

[Monte Cristo]

Thanks for the responses guys.

JDM-online looks pretty legit. I like the video, serial number, compression test, etc. The motor does look clean. Maybe I will contact them and see if they actually get back to me

[PyR0NiAk]

Nesar (Guy that works there) is awesome. They're in Canada. That's the only thing that made me nervous with them. When I was doing my research, I had always heard bad stuff about engines coming from Canada, but there are a few people on here with jdm-online motors and I've never heard of a bad review on them.

[USMCgetsome]

The reason they don't answer the phone or answer emails is because most of they time they're hiding from people they sold crappy engines to and not helping them out. lol.

[AZhitman]

Make sure they're not here: deadbeat-advertisers-sponsors-t189499.html

Why wouldn't you contact Phase2?

[PyR0NiAk]

For some reason, when I got my motor, they weren't selling any. Either way, it seems they have some pretty damn good prices now.. http://www.phase2motortrend.com/s13blsrmoset.html

[PyR0NiAk]

The reason they don't answer the phone or answer emails is because most of they time they're hiding from people they sold crappy engines to and not helping them out. lol.

FACT

[Monte Cristo]

Edited - Those clowns still owe us money.

Who is this referencing?

[Monte Cristo]

Make sure they're not here: deadbeat-advertisers-sponsors-t189499.html

Why wouldn't you contact Phase2?

I saw a post from Phase2 on this forum or another in response to a thread where someone had asked about the old heavy throttle swap guide.

The Phase2 response was not helpful, but explained that supposedly HT owed P2 money and that's why they had purchased the domain and redirected to P2's site. While that's understandable if the owed money part is true, the P2 rep did not even come close to helping the OP and instead used the opportunity to bash a company that is already out of business. Not only that, but the heavy throttle swap guide kicked all kinds of a** and is better than anything on the P2 site, so being smug about it was kind of stupid (IMHO).

Just left a bad taste in my mouth.

[AZhitman]

Edited - Those clowns still owe us money.

Who is this referencing?

Disregard - I was thinking of a different importer with "JDM" in the title...

They're SO creative.

[Monte Cristo]

So I used to have an account on this forum, could have been 8 years ago the last time I logged in, but I don't remember the screen name. I remember you were very active back then too AZhitman, and there was a Fred dude from Kentucky (met him at one of the drag strip meets down there) and some kid named Ben from KY as well. And a very sarcastic but intelligent guy that went by "LosttoaKcar" or something. I also remember Chris Nichols. I see he has followed through on some of his build dreams.

I need to track down my old acct...


Found it: S14Zilvia


It's been a while.

[PyR0NiAk]

AZhitman is the boss

[S14Zilvia]

Remembered my old password...

[PyR0NiAk]

Awesome.. You order a motor yet?

[S14Zilvia]

Ok, I emailed P2M. Let's see if they actually know how to respond to inquiries.

[USMCgetsome]

that is awesome your account was back in 2002!

[S14Zilvia]

Ok. Due to the lack of response from ANY of these places to a general inquiry, forget it.

I'm now thinking LS1, if I can convince myself that I have the patience.

[93 Chuki FB]

Ok. Due to the lack of response from ANY of these places to a general inquiry, forget it.

I'm now thinking LS1, if I can convince myself that I have the patience.

ive called jdm-online a couple of times in the past few days

[S14Zilvia]

Ok. Due to the lack of response from ANY of these places to a general inquiry, forget it.

I'm now thinking LS1, if I can convince myself that I have the patience.

ive called jdm-online a couple of times in the past few days

If this is the one in Canada, they punted me to their "warehouse" in Ashland, VA, which is actually JSpecAuto. I tried to call and email JSpec and got absolutely no response.

I know that other people have had success with all of these companies, but that doesn't mean anything for *my* purchase. You can't return a call or an email... I don't do any sort of business with you.

[PyR0NiAk]

Umm... Call jdm-online and request to speak with Nesar. (Don't quote me on the spelling, just the pronunciation.) He hooked me up with my S13 blacktop.

[CRyan]

JAPAN MOTOR IMPORT. They WILL answer. And YOU will have someone to talk to immediately.

http://www.japanmotorimport.com/contact ... tor_import

[PyR0NiAk]

sr20store.com also has a really good reputation..