I have looked for stuff concerning the differences between the JDM and the USDM engines. My car is an auto, yea I know, but a really good mechanic that also happens to be my friend said he would help me change it over to a manual. When you get on ebay, it is easy to find JDM engines that are supposedly "low miles."

I once heard that there was a difference in volts (or something like that) between JDM and USDM. Is this true? Also there is a post on here that describes the differences, but they mostly look to be vaccume related. Also there were supposed to be pictures of the differences, but I guess they got taken down or something.

So when it comes down to it, would it be a huge pain in the a** to use a JDM engine, or what. I know that the auto to manual conversion will probably be a pain, but who knows. I have had my car for two years now and it has been broken for about 8 mo. I finally got a good job, and now I can fix my love. I am so excited. Any thoughts that you have would be helpfull.

Here is a list of things I plan to do right off the bat, as it is almost stock. Keep this stuff in mind like the ECU.
AEM EMS, cat back, downpipe, high flow cat, complete fuel system,

 

The year of the engine is more important than whether it's JDM or USA spec. The short blocks are pretty much the same, it's everything around it that changed over the years.

 

Yep, short blocks are identical - the only difference are the external components. Best way to handle a Jspec engine is to get one, strip it and yours down to the bare block, and use the best components between the two.

The only problem with Jspec engines is it's pot luck if you get a good one. Most of the engine importers don't offer a warranty or anything, so if you get a bad one you're out of luck. But, it is true that the majority of them are VERY low mileage engines. You do also get an engine that has likely been sitting around for some time, so you can have carbon lock, stuck injectors, etc.

But, if the motor IS bad, you typically have a very good rebuild canidate with healthy hard parts. Not to mention you typically get EVERYTHING - turbos, manifolds, injectors, etc. so it's a good bang for the buck there.

There are differences in model years - 93-95, 96-98, and 99-02. The core, short block is all identical, or so close to identical you wouldn't notice any difference. The stuff that's bolted to the motor is what's different - different manifolds, sensors, etc.

Dale

 

If you dont get the same year engine, make sure you get the harness and ECU (UNCUT) switch is very hard to find, since most exported engines are cut then pulled from junk cars.

 

That's only true if you want to try and use the later ECU's. If you want to run the '93-95 US ECU, just run all the US parts that bolt to the motor.

As far as I know, no one in the US has ever tried to update a car to the '96 or later ECU's, harnesses, and sensors. There's no guarantee that it would work - it would be a TON of wiring involved, most of which is not documented in any English-language shop manual.

Dale

 

Not sure if Ray Crowe has any more but I picked up one of the JDM motors he had that were brand new, not the low mileage ones that are usually imported. It looks really nice, haven't had it running yet, waiting on my GT35R kit .

-Rob

 

Ray is selling 2 types of engines - Mazda remans, and new engines from Japan. VERY different from the imported, used Jspec engines we're talking about.

A used Jspec engine is basically everything - they cut whatever holds it in the car (wiring, hoses, etc.) and yank it. You get a full long block.

Dale

 

In Japan the laws state that once your car reaches 45k on the odometer that they either have to put emission components on the car or junk the car. This is how there are so many low mileage motors available. The yards are usually pretty packed with cars and that's how importers make their money. They get the lots of cars and strip them and part everything out. They make a killing.

 

LMFAO. Who the **** told you that? Some stupid *** ricer boy? My FD has over 90k I didn't do either of the two. I have had 5 cars since living here in Japan...all of them have had 80K plus. I have gone thru about 6 different JCI's (Japanese Government inspection) and they have NEVER mentioned emission.

Don't spread retarded *** rumors like that.

 

When I ordered a motor from www.osakajdmmotors.com they told me this. Figuring they are a pretty big company that stocks motors in canada but owns a few yards in japan I had no reason to doubt them. Could you clarify how all these cars just sit then? Are they all in accidents?

 

good god, not again!

take it from another japan resident (owned 4 cars here) - you've been told a pile of BS - they're obviously trying to pass the engines off as low-mileage (most of them won't be)

 

Every Jspec engine I've seen (and I've been around about 5 or 6) have been obvious low-mileage engines. Soft vacuum lines, wiring wasn't brittle, etc.

Isn't the story behind the used engines from Japan have to do with the Sha-ken inspection?

Dale

 

From http://www.usedjapaneseengines.com/faq.html -

2. Do the Japanese have to sell their engines or junk their cars at a particular mileage or time?

No, the Japanese do not have to sell their engines or junk their cars once a certain mileage or time has been reached. The Japanese Car Inspection, or Sha-ken as it is called in Japan, determines whether a vehicle is cost-effective to keep. Sha-ken is a detailed bi-annual inspection that is very expensive, especially for older cars that may not pass. The owner is penalized heavily for any failures. The U.S. Department of Commerce can give you more information on this topic.

Dale

 

Well of course, they are trying to sell motors. Interesting how people who live there don't have to worry about such inspections.

 

Well thanks for clarifying this up, it sounds a little more kosher now, I do apologize for the faulty information that I noted above.

 

But, it does make sense. Many Japanese don't drive their car anywhere near as much as we do in the US - they use public transportation a lot of the time. So, cars don't accrue anywhere near the miles we seem to get. After a number of years, a not-too-reputable shop could very likely say it's got a lot of rust on the car and stuff, and it wouldn't pass sha-ken. The owner junks the car, the shop sells the parts off and the body as scrap.

Dale

 

You are correct on this one Dale. The public transportation system in both Osaka and Tokyo (from my first hand experience) is top notch. From the Haneda airport all the way to Roppongi Sta.(woot!) cost me around 1000Y...or $10 USD. A cab would have cost me 10,000Y or appx $100 USD...and taken longer.