Engine swap, rebuild, or just new head?

[Rock_Rat]

See my comments above!

is there anything specail about the engines from japan, more power better fuel economy???

I lived in Japan in the Aomori Prefecture, Northern Hakkodas for ten years back in the day when I used to teach ice and rock climbing and run expeditions in the Himalayas. Japanese engines are solid. They take far less abuse than what we put on them. (Still miss my 4x4 Mitsubishi Delica - the ultimate mountain bum vehicle)


View the comment above:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1954487-post16.html

 

[michael33r]

Remind me never to buy anything from you, lol.

How much does everyone think I should charge for my old engine if I fixed the head and cleaned out any metal shavings the best I can?

 

[Grenvilleter]

How much does everyone think I should charge for my old engine if I fixed the head and cleaned out any metal shavings the best I can?

What is steel worth a pound ?

 

[michael33r]

where do you buy used engines from japan?

I bought mine from jdmenginedepot.com through a listing they had on eBay. It was $899 with $200 shipping which is 3-4 days. It comes with a 90 day warranty (only if an ASE certified mechanic installs it) and any damage done during shipping is the shipping carrier's responsibility. jdmenginedepot is a very reliable place to buy from according to their ratings on eBay. They're located in Belleville New Jersey.

 

[michael33r]

What is steel worth a pound ?

I'm not sure. My buddy who's a welder thinks it may be around $0.20/pound. He said he didn't know for sure though.

 

[gamefreakgc]

How much does everyone think I should charge for my old engine if I fixed the head and cleaned out any metal shavings the best I can?

I'm no auto reseller by any means, but just be fair and upfront on why you took it out and what was replaced to fix the issue.

Based off the facts that you can get good used engines from Japan for under $1000, it seems like somewhere in the $600-$800 range would be fair, seeing that it did have issues. That's entirely my speculation though.

 

[slides]

I lived in Japan in the Aomori Prefecture, Northern Hakkodas for ten years back in the day when I used to teach ice and rock climbing and run expeditions in the Himalayas. Japanese engines are solid. They take far less abuse than what we put on them. (Still miss my 4x4 Mitsubishi Delica

Still didn't really answer my question. Are the jdm motors Easier to get and generally have less miles than used models In the US? Are the built differently and if so how?

 

[Rock_Rat]

JDM Quality and Low Mileage

Still didn't really answer my question. Are the jdm motors Easier to get and generally have less miles than used models In the US? Are the built differently and if so how?

High quality engine with low mileage, guaranteed to have been taken good care of with all OEM parts. As I mentioned above, around every five years, or less than 60K miles they trade in and get a new car. It's all about status. Good luck. Find a dealer who deals in JDM engines.

 

[michael33r]

I'm no auto reseller by any means, but just be fair and upfront on why you took it out and what was replaced to fix the issue.

Based off the facts that you can get good used engines from Japan for under $1000, it seems like somewhere in the $600-$800 range would be fair, seeing that it did have issues. That's entirely my speculation though.

I plan on being upfront. I would for sure tell them about the head but that it still ran very well other than that. I just wanted a new engine so I won't have to worry about what previous owners did to it as much. By the way, I got the engine taken out yesterday. It took 6.5 hours and was actually relatively easy. Hopefully it'll be easy going in as well.

 

[michael33r]

High quality engine with low mileage, guaranteed to have been taken good care of with all OEM parts. As I mentioned above, around every five years, or less than 60K miles they trade in and get a new car. It's all about status. Good luck. Find a dealer who deals in JDM engines.

I was talking to the JDM seller and they said Japan doesn't use VIN numbers. He said they just use the serial numbers instead. Do you know of a way to decode that to get information about the vehicle or anything? The serial number is 1292051

 

[Rock_Rat]

No idea how to interpret the serial number

I was talking to the JDM seller and they said Japan doesn't use VIN numbers. He said they just use the serial numbers instead. Do you know of a way to decode that to get information about the vehicle or anything? The serial number is 1292051

I have no idea how to interpret the serial number. I know seven digits is toyota. You might try a google search or try a different forum. Search this forum first using the alternate search that [MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] posted on the home page. Good luck.

 

[slides]

High quality engine with low mileage, guaranteed to have been taken good care of with all OEM parts. As I mentioned above, around every five years, or less than 60K miles they trade in and get a new car. It's all about status.

I know all too much about the status in Asian countries. Regardless that still doesn’t answer the question what makes them high quality. Are the parts not from the same foundry as the US engines? Are the piston forged vs cast, do they use different metals or form of manufacturing etc. etc.

Saying that they have been guaranteed to use OEM parts is an assumption. So from what I have read and seen this basically boils down to the fact that you can pick up a low millage JDM motor for around the same price as a US motor that has more miles, no? Both have the same power and fuel consumption and there is virtually no difference between the two.

Sorry to thread jack but I have been looking for an answer for some time.

 

[michael33r]

I know all too much about the status in Asian countries. Regardless that still doesn’t answer the question what makes them high quality. Are the parts not from the same foundry as the US engines? Are the piston forged vs cast, do they use different metals or form of manufacturing etc. etc.

Saying that they have been guaranteed to use OEM parts is an assumption. So from what I have read and seen this basically boils down to the fact that you can pick up a low millage JDM motor for around the same price as a US motor that has more miles, no? Both have the same power and fuel consumption and there is virtually no difference between the two.

Sorry to thread jack but I have been looking for an answer for some time.

I don't mind you adding other questions to my thread. I've never been under the assumption that JDM engines are better quality. I think they are made in the same factories and are the exact same engines we use just over there they are put in different vehicles. The 5VZ-FE that I'm getting came from a Toyota van in Japan.

 

[RJ MacReady]

i think the OP needs to address the long term plans of the vehicle. If you're planning on staying stock, then replace the head only. If you're eventually wanting more power, then do a swap like a 1UZ. Plans for my 00' LTD are a 1UZ swap w/ SC or rebuild the engine and forge the internals & go turbo. Just be smart in the route you choose.:snacker:

 

[michael33r]

i think the OP needs to address the long term plans of the vehicle. If you're planning on staying stock, then replace the head only. If you're eventually wanting more power, then do a swap like a 1UZ. Plans for my 00' LTD are a 1UZ swap w/ SC or rebuild the engine and forge the internals & go turbo. Just be smart in the route you choose.:snacker:

I do plan on keeping the vehicle for several years to come, however, I don't have the time or money to be swapping with an engine that would need any kind of fabrication. I'd love to do that at some point but right now I need my vehicle back.