Anyone Ever Buy A Jdm Engine And/or Transmission?

[John Martin]

Have you ever bought one of the engines and/or transmissions that was parted out of a low-mileage Japanese vehicle? I'm think that I should just replace everything at once.

Thanks in advance,

John Martin

[tckcumming]

Have you ever bought one of the engines and/or transmissions that was parted out of a low-mileage Japanese vehicle? I'm think that I should just replace everything at once.

Thanks in advance,

John Martin

Why not REALLY replace everything at once and get another car?? Probably cheaper!! :)

Not much help, I know...

tck...

[SKperformance]

WHat year? 92-93 ES ?

[John Martin]

1993 ES300

[dcfish]

1993 ES300

I'm curious as to why you would consider the swap ?

[John Martin]

1993 ES300

I'm curious as to why you would consider the swap ?

Let's see. I can replace the head gaskets on a 130K engine and then something else the same vintage as the head gaskets will fail. Or, I can install an engine and transmission with 1/3 the mileage.

It's the classic choice between repair or replace. Spend $800 now and take the risk of additional problems, or spend $1800 now and lower the risk substantially.

My original question was posed to determine how much replacement lowers the risk.

JM

[SKperformance]

Replacing a headgasket once the engine is out of the car is simple.

It is a "low mileage" motor but that is meaningless since there vehicles are put through more wear in less mileage.

[Toysrme]

Beware of who you buy from. We've run across several people passing off the JDM 2.5L 4vz-fe as a 3.0L 3vz-fe, and the JDM 2.0L vz-fe as the 2.5L 2vz-fe.

Make them take a picture of the engine block.

I started a list here

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...3&hl=4vz-fe

Doesn't mean buy from anyone in particular, but it does show you what too & not too look for.

Ask for a picture of the block stamping.

[John Martin]

Most of the sellers I have contacted are on ebay and have good ratings. Sold lots of engines. Feedback seems very solid.

So here is the really dumb question. Are these quality motors with low miles, or are they being sold mainly to salvage shops that just get the car running well enough to sell it?

JM

[SKperformance]

I would skip ebay and find a local importer as they are everywhere.

Toronto alone has over 40 JDM importers of engines and whole cars.