Are JDM Low mileage engines reliable?

intiractive · 03-01-2005, 10:06 PM

I was wondering if JDM low mileage engines are reliable. I've seen them go for 300-400 bucks, with under 50k miles.... I dont see why they're so cheap, yet people want 300-400 for usdm sr20s with around or over 100k miles? Ive heard of people blowing the motors after not too long, but then again, i know not every motor is going to be perfect. You might get one that somebody didnt take care of like changing oil as recommended or what ever. But just for yalls input, what do you think. Are they reliable? Any downsides to a low mileage JDM? Has anyone had any problems with them? Thanks

t bags · 03-01-2005, 11:06 PM

i had my boy buy one 3 years ago and its still running..he works at jiffy lube so the oils and maintenence are a+.he also lives in florida now and hes been driving it for 43k miles so far and he has no problems.o yeah u wont pass emmissions but its ok.so just give it a tune up and ur good.i would change the water pump ** installing the new motor.compared to my old ser,he would beat me by 3 cars on the highway when we just finished the swap.its pretty much worth it because of the money

Rittmeister · 03-01-2005, 11:18 PM

Search and you shall find.

Many, many JDM SR20DE motors have been swapped into USDM cars and are still running just fine.

intiractive · 03-01-2005, 11:24 PM

yeah im not worried about emissions, my county doesnt check for them, and besides, its only for 95 and up (obd2) motors. lookin to buy a 91-93 highport for my 92 ser. thanks for the reply

t bags · 03-01-2005, 11:26 PM

if ur on a budget or are just wanting a fresh motor get one..their pretty good..thats my third choice if my vvl does not fall thur..try www.jdmenginedepot.com

howard_w13 · 03-01-2005, 11:29 PM

Simple economics:supply and demand. SR20's are pretty strong and durable. People only buy another if they blow the one that they have.........

.....or if they want one with a little more compression(10:1) or a VE(190 hp).

FastNX · 03-01-2005, 11:56 PM

If you are swapping a JDM in, just be sure to check that the lower oil pan isn't dented (may cause oil starvation and cause you to wreck your 'new' motor) and it would not be a bad idea to check the rod bearings out. Here is what some looked like out of a JDM engine:

Not too badly damaged, but something that is worth checking if you have the means to do so. If you have to pay a professional to remove, inspect and possibly replace the bearings, the JDM swap loses some of its cost effectiveness. If you can do it yourself, it will cost less than $50.

intiractive · 03-02-2005, 12:19 AM

yeah i've heard it mentioned a couple times of people having rod bearings go bad in jdm engines... but then again not every engine you buy is gonna be perfect

yeah i checked http://www.soshinusa.com and they want 395 for a 91-94 sr20 plus 140 shipping to a residential address. Ive also heard that soko motors are real good. Guess i'll just have to try and hope for the best. Thanks for the help

jeffinbham · 03-02-2005, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastNX

Not too badly damaged, but something that is worth checking if you have the means to do so. If you have to pay a professional to remove, inspect and possibly replace the bearings, the JDM swap loses some of its cost effectiveness. If you can do it yourself, it will cost less than $50.

trying to educate myself here, but what causes these rod bearings to wear like that, why doesn't it happen on a regular usdm engine, or at least to such a degree?

FastNX · 03-02-2005, 01:05 AM

Wear like that is not exclusive to JDM engines, in fact, spun rod bearings are the reason for a good number of the USDM SR20s that need to be replaced. What does them in is extended high RPM use and or oil starvation.

cortrim1 · 03-02-2005, 08:43 AM

I dropped in a jdm motor in my se-r a feew weeks ago. I will be putting the turbo stuff on this weekend. I did take the time to inspect the bearings when I had the pans off the to tap the block. the bearings looked new in my motor but I also know my motor was off a automatic car.

NismoNx2000 · 03-02-2005, 11:57 AM

Well, I purchased a soko engine after my usdm threw a rod bearing after 107k. Then, I put in a jdm engine from soko which had a perfect oil pan and threw a rod after 20k of use. However, the first 5 miles of driving the engine underwent was pretty much without oil. The mechanic that did the swap forgot to thread the drain plug on properly, so it worked itself off and all the oil drained out. Once I got home, i checked, and the plug was gone and the engine was empty. I attribute his idiocy to the demise of my engine. John

intiractive · 03-02-2005, 12:09 PM

damn i'd go back up there with a baseball bat and demand some $$$

. never get between a man and his money, his chick, or his car.

Phxdude · 03-02-2005, 03:34 PM

70K on my JDM engine and counting no problems so far with it.

Pretty White · 03-03-2005, 12:11 AM

They seem stout. The JDMs'.

Greg Amy · 03-03-2005, 09:17 AM

I bought a used JDM engine from Chris at SR20Development last Fall to use as a baseline for building a race engine. When we pulled it apart it was "clean as a whistle", no evidence of overhating, no problems found, great shape. Had 30K miles on it, I think?

I would have had no problems just changing the oil and tossing it into a street car. - GA

oneSIX · 03-03-2005, 10:25 AM

soshinusa and soko are the same company. soshin is in so-cal soko is in chicago.