Ordered new engine today

About JDM engines:

Take a look at the size of Japan and the USA. USA is 26 times bigger and we travel an average of 50 miles a day and have no public transport. Also gas is much cheaper than in Japan.
Japanese don't use their trucks often mainly because they have a very reliable public transportation system, higher gas prices etc.,. So their mileage is like 100 miles a week may be. Also their engines are checked each year before a registration. Except CA, the emission levels are very low in the USA. In south east we don't have emission checks so engines can be crappy.

I very much believe Japanese used engines are almost brand new condition.

Also I agree with Brian "What I've read on the subject is that a rebuild will never (usually) match the original quality and lifespan of original parts"

Rebuilt engines will last 100 K miles MAX. Where as a used engine with less than 100 K miles in good condition will run 150 K miles more easily (assuming proper maintenance). Also you will see a big difference in the pulling power. Low mile used engine is the best way to go.
 
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Do not, under any circumstances, do any more business with Raptor Engines. They are the same outfit as CHS Machine... google CHS Machine and the second hit is the BBB page that gives CHS an "F". Spread the word, that outfit is bad news.

Thanks for giving us a heads up Kid,i wonder if they restructured or change ownership? The reason i said that is during my initial inquiry until the time i purchased the engine i was only dealing with one guy and even when i call he is the only person that answers the phone.A bit weird don't you think?

So far my engine is running really good and currently have 4500 miles since install.
 
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Thanks for giving us a heads up Kid,i wonder if they restructured or change ownership? The reason i said that is during my initial inquiry until the time i purchased the engine i was only dealing with one guy and even when i call he is the only person that answers the phone.A bit weird don't you think?

So far my engine is running really good and currently have 4500 miles since install.

I'm guessing it's a restructure, he's probably running from his reputation. He's not doing a very good job of it though - if you look at the respective web pages of CHS and Raptor Engines, you'll see he didn't even change his phone number.

I'm glad you're having good luck with your motor so far.
 
Just curious how anyone who buys a JDM engine is able to verify the mileage.

Also by the timing belt sticker,around what time it was replaced, date/km.... also in Japan the sticker on the engine it says that timinng belt should be replaced every 60k miles I believe. Versus 100k here in america.
 
Also by the timing belt sticker,around what time it was replaced, date/km.... also in Japan the sticker on the engine it says that timinng belt should be replaced every 60k miles I believe. Versus 100k here in america.

You are a very trusting person.
 
I'm sorry ? What do u mean by that ?

He's saying that anyone can falsify a timing belt change sticker. Also, just because there is a sticker recommending a procedure be performed at a certain mileage, doesn't mean the procedure was actually performed.

Back when I worked on cars for a living, people would occasionally decide to go with a JDM used engine replacement, which at that time all had supposedly 30k miles or less.

What I personally saw were quite a few neglected engines. I'm not talking the outward appearance of the engines, but pulling the oil pan to check the crank journals and bearings, and valve covers to check the valvetrain. Lots of neglect on those supposedly low-mileage engines. A clean well-maintained example was the exception.
 
Oh, yes I agree with you 100% on that. I did have to pull the valve covers, oil pan, timing belt, fuel injectors everything of and replace with mine. As everything is different in jdm vs domestic. Oil pan, oil filter, different fuel injectors and much more. But since I went and picked out a motor, I felt more confident. And the place I got it from have a good reputation.


What I meant by the sticker saying the timing belt should be replaced at every 100000km. That's a factory Toyota sticker on the engine. And I'm curious as to why do you think Toyota in Japan says to replace timing belt at around 60k miles and here in the states we are told every 100k miles ? Anyways, in the end it's all up to you and how carefully you choose and put everything together you know. A brand new car with brand new engine can roll of the lot and break down.....
 
I would like to know how the whole "don't rebuild your engine,it won't last" theories came from? I was into the 3800 supercharged scene for awhile,and it was a big issue there as well. I'm not trying to point fingers,but most of the guys were younger (mid-20s). I'm seeing that here as well. I know not everyone has the knowledge to rebuild an engine,and a swap is a hellu'va lot easier. But to say that a rebuilt engine won't last is simply not true.
 
I would like to know how the whole "don't rebuild your engine,it won't last" theories came from? I was into the 3800 supercharged scene for awhile,and it was a big issue there as well. I'm not trying to point fingers,but most of the guys were younger (mid-20s). I'm seeing that here as well. I know not everyone has the knowledge to rebuild an engine,and a swap is a hellu'va lot easier. But to say that a rebuilt engine won't last is simply not true.

There's two factors in play behind that belief. One is that most rebuilders will use aftermarket parts that are inferior to what Toyota used during initial assembly. Second is that rebuilders can't/don't match Toyota's QC.

I don't know if those things are true. I think there's probably not much difference between a brand new aftermarket motor and a used factory motor, in terms of how long either will last under your hood - you're taking your chances with both.
 
What I meant by the sticker saying the timing belt should be replaced at every 100000km. That's a factory Toyota sticker on the engine. And I'm curious as to why do you think Toyota in Japan says to replace timing belt at around 60k miles and here in the states we are told every 100k miles ?

The OEM replacement timing belts for the 5VZ-FE come with a sticker which the installer fills out with the date and mileage of the T-belt change, and attaches it to the T-belt cover. That's the sticker I was referring to.

In '97, (the model year of my 4Runner) the recommended replacement interval for the T-belt was 60k miles. In later years, they increased that recommendation to 90k miles.
 
The OEM replacement timing belts for the 5VZ-FE come with a sticker which the installer fills out with the date and mileage of the T-belt change, and attaches it to the T-belt cover. That's the sticker I was referring to.

In '97, (the model year of my 4Runner) the recommended replacement interval for the T-belt was 60k miles. In later years, they increased that recommendation to 90k miles.

Since I have. 97, should I change my t-belt after 60k or just do at little before 100k?
 
Since I have. 97, should I change my t-belt after 60k or just do at little before 100k?

That's up to you.

The timing belts didn't change, just the recommended replacement interval.

I've seen 5VZ-FE's still on the original timing belt at 200k. However, I personally wouldn't wait that long.

Since the 5VZ-FE is a non-interference engine, the valves won't hit the pistons if the T-belt does break. But the inconvenience could be a problem, if for example you're out wheeling in the middle of nowhere, when it breaks.
 

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