What is the overall view of this company. I am curious how they can sell the JDM SR20DE for so cheap.
What kind of condition are most of the engines recieved?
How do they know what the miles are?
Are they rebuilt or "new"?
Where do they get the engines?
Is everyone happy with what they recieved?

thanks for the replies.

I give Watanabe's a 9.5-10. :)

I got my first jdm engine from them for $275.00, and $110.00 shipping from Cali to Omaha, Nebraska...about 5 working days.

The engine was delivered nicely on a pallet, some of the paint was worn off the valve cover gasket, and the cap and rotor were crunched in the delivery, but that stuff is usually replaced anyhow.

The engine screams like a banshee, and the classic it's in pulls almost, but not quite, as hard as a 92 civic with a B18 engine with aftermarket intake and header.

Pricewise, it's a steal... $275.00 vs. $3,500 for a complete GSR (B18) swap.

I'd like to drop this engine in a variety of different cars if it's possible. :)

GameDay
PS - Call this watanabe's to get the $275.00, and ask for Hector to get that price. I called all of them, and this one was the cheapest. Prices ranged from $275-$600.

K.WATANABE CORP.
Head Office
11550 Wright Road
Lynwood, CA 90262 U.S.A.

TEL:310-763-6420
FAX:310-763-6429

Forgot to mention,

Met Toolapcfan on Friday, and let him hammer on the car for a quick test drive. I think he was impressed with the engine, but ask him directly as I think he'll give an honest and objective opinion.

He also owns 2 Sentra's, a 93 le (?), and a 93 classic, so he would be a good person to compare the us vs. jdm. Very nice and cool guy! :)

GameDay

K Watanabe is really good. Got my engine 2 years ago, and not a problem since. I dont know for sure how many miles are on it, but I have heard that the engines they get usually dont have over 30k miles on them. From what I know, they are not rebuilt or new, they are all used.

They also have the best warranty I have seen from major engine importers. 12 month or 12 mile warranty (which ever comes first). Soko only has a 30 day warranty I think.

BTW, I paid $260 2 years ago :D

10:1 motors seem stronger that a 9.5:1 or some reason too. Not power wise but internally. Could just be me though.

Originally posted by Fast91SER


They also have the best warranty I have seen from major engine importers. 12 month or 12 mile warranty (which ever comes first). Soko only has a 30 day warranty I think.

BTW, I paid $260 2 years ago :D

12 mile! no wonder they are selling em for cheap people are looking at the 12 month only

j/p

:p

Originally posted by CAMPPAIN


12 mile! no wonder they are selling em for cheap people are looking at the 12 month only

j/p

:p


ah crap, 12K mile...I was tired when I wrote that. :D

They have no clue it's a 10:1, they just label it as an Sr20. Got mine dirt cheap as well and got to choose the best one...they had about 8 different motors to choose from.


Alfie

So what compression engine would a guy want to have if he were going to turbo it? DET's have 8:5:1 and the GTI-R has 8:3:1. So would a guy be better off getting a 10:1 JDM and turboing it? Or just get a DET with the 8:5:1? TIA

Is that price with tranny or just engine alone?

Originally posted by Toolapcfan
So what compression engine would a guy want to have if he were going to turbo it? DET's have 8:5:1 and the GTI-R has 8:3:1. So would a guy be better off getting a 10:1 JDM and turboing it? Or just get a DET with the 8:5:1? TIA

well, turbos like lower compression, so go with the lowest compression engine you can.

on another note, i thought that det's were 9.5:1 like the NA sr20's. am i wrong here?

Nop...they are 8:5:1

What is the web site?

The website for Watanabe's is www.kwcengine.com Not a lot of usefull info though, looks like you have to call to get any details and pricing. Gameday spoke with Hector to get his JDM for $275 and from what I've heard their prices can fluctuate significantly, so you might want to say that you heard they are $275.

i got mine for 250 + shipping....i called three times in the same day and got 3 different prices....one up to 500 dollars

I'm starting to wonder about these guys. Granted, you're not likely to be a repeat customer, but if you can call several times and get different prices for the same thing, they're not playing on the level. A person shouldn't have to call several times to figure out what they can buy something for. The other thing is, I get the impression that they basically import engines and don't know all that much about what they sell, despite that they offer installation and do rebuilds. Yet they don't know the compression of any given engine that they sell? I'm likely to call everywhere I know of when I'm ready to buy a blacktop Avenir, but I'm not so sure Watanabe's would even know what I'm asking for. I wouldn't be surprised if they started painting or swapping VC's so they could pass off engines for ones they aren't. Sounds very "fly by night".

JGY customs sells the same motor for an average of $650, and it is nice and clean, and they know about the individual engine they are giving you. The only problem is that they are only long block (i think) He is very reputable. I cant help but to wonder about K. Watanabe and their extreemly low price.

So go cheap, or go for reputation?

Nismoman20,

I give props to jgy...I've talked to Jason Garrett Young, and you should too! He's a straight shooter, and he's the one I'm going to when I finally get a 240 and have a det dropped in it.

I know he checks out his motors thoroughly, and if you have any hesitancy about watanabe, especially if you're doing a motor build up, go with jason garrett young.

I went/took a risk with watanabe b/c other members spoke highly about them, plus they have a 12K/12 month guarantee. That doesn't matter much if you're paying to have it installed twice however.

If you're just looking at replacing a tired engine, and are on a stringent budget, go watanabe. Build-ups and turbo's, jason garrett young!

GameDay

i've seen their wharehouse in north hollywood, huge. they have every jdm imaginable in stock. but what i've been told that they are high milage engines, above 25k. no bad news, just good.

they told me between 30-50k, which is not too bad