turbo-111

whitch would be the better choice to rebuild the engine in a turbo II or buy a jdm one. i found one that sells a swap for 950 and that everything along with transmission and aprox. 60k, how ever witha rebuild i can street port the engine so... whats the vote ??

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

It is very hit or miss on whether JDM engine will even run or not. There have been many people that got a "great deal" on a "running" JDM swap, only to find that it didn't run and needed a rebuild. It can be very hard, if nto impossible, to get them to replace it with a good motor, too. You might get it and its fine, but theres a decent chance that it wont. JDM's usually make great core motors, though, so you could get the whole swap, and rebuild it, if you're wanting to drop it into an NA.

Icemark

I would not get a Jspec motor without expecting to rebuild it.

Remember those motor have been sitting around for10-15 years in Japanese junk yards. What makes you think that they are any good?

turbo-111

this guy i knew had a prelude (92 model), he droped in the prelude si motor and it started right up. runs fine, doesnt smoke or anything i think its like sideways7 said though its kind a game of chance.

stevensimon

iTrader: (11)

its a game of losing. piston motors are very different than rotaries. i havent met one person that was happy with a non rebuilt jdm motor. even i thought like you did and got hosed when my jdm motor went on me one week into driving it. so figure 950 plus shipping on the motor then another 1200 on the rebuild of the motor

Icemark

what does a prelude have to do with anything???

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, pistons are far different from rotaries. For one, there's all of the soft seals in a rotary that can rot from sitting a long time in a junk yard. Also, they have hard seals that can freeze or whatnot while sitting.

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

I think he was trying to say that his friend dropped in a JDM prelude motor and it worked, so why shouldn't the rotaries work too.

coma niddy

iTrader: (2)

everyone that i spoke to who got the jdm swap had rebuilt the motor before they put it in. It makes sense. whenever you have a motor that's out you might as well rebuild it. you can't take too many chances with the rotary.

turbo-111

yeah, kinda left out jdm.

c i didnt know the seals are **** to age and what
god gatta stop thinking piston

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

Yep, the soft seals don't like sitting a long time like that. If you have the money, getting a JDM engine and rebuilding it can be a good way to go. They are usually low milage so the housings are still in good shape, unlike most US turbo motors.

turbo-111

well thats the plan but i'm still looking for a car but there is no need to rush i still have to get a stand, cherrypicker, CAR, and sell mine.

woundup7

iTrader: (1)

I have been running my JDM junk yard motor for over a year and half. I have put roughly 9k on it since swapping into my FB. I have had lots of problems with the swap, ecu, omp, tps, etc. but none of them were related to the short block It is a S-5 motor which makes it a little newer. I have dragged raced at the track a few times, done SCCA pdx with it and this weekend I will be wrapping up a full season of autocrossing with it, 8 events, 2 drivers schools. When I take out the car, its not for a sunday type of drive.
I may be the exception, or maybe happy people don't complain as much. My thought was a grand for a bag of seals and gaskets, or a whole complete motor for the same. I also bought mine locally from a well established business, I would not advice buying one on line, the money you save you can spend of beer to drown your sorrows, as you decide what to do with your new core motor..
So buy it locally, get at least an exchange warranty, inspect it thoroughly, dont buy one with any mods on it. Hope that helps.