Is there anything different with a JDM motor?

[Cotton]

As per my other thread, I am having issues with a possible blown head gasket. I have been thinking about it and if I do find out that it is indeed blown, I may just go with a different motor instead simply for cost. I am thinking if I find one with low enough miles I am not going to worry about a head, timing belt, or water pump with that motor considering I don't rack up a lot of miles anyways.

I am considering going the route of a JDM motor simply because the one I have found claims to be under 50K and looks to be in great condition. I asked the seller if they were aware of the actual miles so I better had an idea on what I am looking at.

My question is do I have to take into consideration anything different in terms of parts or labor in doing an engine swap with a JDM motor? I am ignorant to this so I want to make sure that I do not get something that I do not understand that has additional cost for parts/labor to be installed into my 94 SVX.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the link to the actual motor from eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/92-96-SUBARU...fd0865&vxp=mtr

[1986nate]

It is still strongly recommended to regasket the engine which includes water pump/timing belt service and head bolts with the head gaskets. These head gaskets do not fail from mileage, but rather age. I have seen plenty over 200k miles on their original head gaskets while I have also seen some with right at 100k miles having them failed.

[Cotton]

It would be ideal to do that, but I have just spent over $3k on the car recently and my wife is none too pleased about it. I am trying to look for other options if I do indeed need to replace everything. I figured a JDM engine at $900 shipped plus labor would be the cheapest way to go.

[Sean486]

If I remember correctly the JDM engines are missing the EGR stuff since it was not required in Japan. I'm not sure if that will cause CEL codes or not, maybe one of the gurus here will comment.

[Crazy_pilot]

The brake booster nipple is also on the wrong side, so you would need to swap your injector stacks over. Might as well just change out the intake manifold for your USDM one.

[Tapani]

Originally Posted by Sean486

If I remember correctly the JDM engines are missing the EGR stuff since it was not required in Japan. I'm not sure if that will cause CEL codes or not, maybe one of the gurus here will comment.

If I am not mistaken this depends on your car.... the California models will measure the EGR gas temperature (as an indication for flow) and if not correct you will get CEL. All other cars will just need all the electrics connectedl not to throw a code.

The JDM timing maps are quite a bit different - I do not know how deleting the EGR will affect tendency to ping under light loads (USM firmware). This was a big issue in my -84 307 Toronado .

/T

[Cotton]

It sounds like there are differences.

If I go the engine route I will just got with a North American one. I am just looking for the lowest possible price to get this thing on the road. I would love to have all of the engine work done, but I also like sleeping in my bed and not on my couch.

Thanks.

[1986nate]

That's fine, but chances are, you're going to end up in the same position you are now. Might be 5 weeks from now, may be a few years. But a used 22 year old engine is a used 22 year old engine regardless of miles. I've seen it happen a ton of times.

[Cotton]

It is possible, but worth the risk if I can not have to put out the money now as this is a big issue to the wife. I assured her on what the 4.44 cost and all of that it now right after that I encounter this issue. My marriage comes before my car needs and I do have another car to drive if need be. If I hadn't just had that work done and this was a normal "unexpected" cost then it would be fine, but not after spending this kind of money and not even having the car running normally for any period of time. It sucks, but you have to pick your battles.

[Tapani]

If you're not going to replace the head gaskets while the engine is out make sure you can do a proper test drive before you buy. A "loose" engine is a big unknown.

The additional cost related to the gaskets is very low compared to the price of engine and labour cost to swap it. A number of extra cost items will need attention when you take your own engine out anyway. Stuff like cracked / hard vacuum lines, water hoses and so on. Maybe, rear crank seal, timing belt, water pump, radiator.... the list goes on and on. Mine cost several thousand in the end and the only things worn were big end bearings. And the blown head gaskets.

Consider bying an engine and a stand, take off timing components, cam covers, cams and swap the HGs - reassemble. Make sure you have all what's required, then lift the old engine out and sell it to someone..... with blown head gaskets.

Are you going to do it yourself? If yes you may come out cheaper by fixing the engine you have.....

/T

[stiguy]

Are you capable of changing the Headgaskets your self? Then it would cost you $400 for gaskets getting the head shaved and new fliuds. It's really not all that hard.

[Cotton]

There is no chance I could do anything like that.

[stiguy]

Originally Posted by Cotton

There is no chance I could do anything like that.

You drive a svx time to learn LOL!! 😄