JDM's aren't what they used to be?

4 years ago my friend's engine blew.. I got a JDM with him and put it in.. It was one of the best looking engines I've ever seen, totally clean and really looked like it had 20k or 30k on it!.. probably had more but the exhaust manifold cover still had the brownish color without any discoloration. I think the more heat that cover takes the worst it looks so it's a good wear indicator.

Today I went to Tiger Japanese auto parts and saw about eight 4G63 turbos.. they all looked horrible. I'll estimate an absolute minimum 100k.. and some looked worse than my 320k ..

The oil cap revealed sludge/copper colored staining of the head material in all of them except one. Does the head turn golden with time or is it the type of oil people use? I have used once a engine oil treatment that turned the color of the head to a golden/copper color so I thought that was the reason. When I checked these engines, they were all like that except for the one.

Of course the one that looked practically new with no staining under the cap had to have some problem.. Pulled the turbo inlet pipe off and a cup of oil came out!! I guess the guy blew the turbo and just scrapped the car.. I just ran out of there.. I can put my $1600 toward a rebuild and make sure I get something decent in the end.

Tiger Jap is known for being sketchy

In the end, rebuilding your motor will prove to be more reliable than buying some used engine. At least you will know when all your stuff was done, and what parts were used.

One should defenately remember that a JDM Engine is nothing but a used Engine. We used to be able to find good one but the hype got the best of them.

Now a days; JDM Engine are just like a box of chocolate; you no longer know what cho gonna get!!! Well, unless you pay premium from a reputable shop.

Like Brandon mentioned; you better rebuild your own. It would then all be like a cherry blosom!!!

Ghislain.

pay for what you know you are buying. If everyone does this, prices come down. charging 1500 for a 4g63t with an awd tranny and tcase is a bit expensive. a lot of dsm's aren't worth that anymore. strike a bargain. get a written, resonable warranty.

Tiger Jap blows.

Talk to Eric over at Teknotik. Never heard of an issue with one of there motors.

Just reading the title of this post, and before reading the original post, I was going to say

"It's places like Tiger Jap that are bringing down the JDM scene"

As stated before, they are known for there sketchy-ness.

When I first was looking at buying an MR2, I went there and checked out their white one. It was actually in decent shape and low kms. Engine ran good and it didn't seem all that bad. I did notice all of their engines are beat to hell tho, just kinda tossed around, and it looks like they import so many that they don't really care.

JDM engines are so hit and miss, some of them appear to be great while others neglected beyone belief. I have only ever purchased one complete with transmission etc.. I think I paid 1700 for everything, and without a doubt that was the best engine/tranny combo I have ever experienced in any DSM.

I've seen several websites claiming to be selling early evo engines when really they are the galant vr4 engines too. A friend was certain that he had bought an evo engine in the past for his talon and was certain they were 6 bolt when after working on my evo it turns out they are all 7 bolt. Just makes me wonder if some of these importers are getting usdm engines and putting the jdm valve cover on?

Tiger is crap!

Yes, Tiger is crap.. they sell on ebay too!.. poor guy who will end up with one of those engines I saw..

Toronto JDM guys told me Tiger buys their engines from Dubai not Japan, not sure if that is true. They also had one 4g63T but not red cover.. it was better than all the Tiger ones, but still not as good as I wanted.

I've had issues with Toronto/Total JDM. Only shop I've had multiple good experiences with is Teknotik. They deal with more Honda/Acura stuff but will also help out an fellow car guy.

Oh, and I read on one of the Honda forums, Honda Tech, that a member there bought from Tiger and got screwed over. I'll see if I can find the link.

I'll see if Teknotik has something. I'd love to rebuild but I don't like when the shop people make fun of me, which usually happens since I'm not familiar at all with the rebuild procedures

Anyone notice ALL JDM places are owned by Afghani's.

You have to know how to deal with these folks

I agree you will get something sh!t if you don't go look and bargain for yourself.

Ok Teknotik doesn't import any more, they said it's too old of an engine and there are no more good ones.

Anybody want to recommend a rebuild place that won't take me for the non-scenic ride?:)

i must agree tiger is sh!t, i only bought a tranny off them (dirty as hell but works) The transfer case that came with the tranny started leaking and when i came back to the guy that sold me it, he said he cant switch it because its passed the 30 day warranty and if i wanted to buy one off them it was going to be like 250 bux lol.

Also the guy that works in the warehouse tryed to sell me the brackets for the tranny for like 20 extra bux, i told him to go fuk himself.. they are scammers!

200! Im serious damn it!

tiger is crap and they sell 90% garbage

Well Gord Bush estimated the cost of rebuild labor to be $2800 :| without parts.
Is it really that much?

That's a bit too much from what I've researched.

What needs to be re-built on the engine?

Brandon, the engine still runs. Compression is in 140-145's and it eats oil quite a bit. I need rings/bearings for sure.. the rest probably optional.

Did you put oil in the cylinders to see if it raises your compression? If it did, then you need some rings.

Honestly guys, I didnt read this whole thread fully but I saw it and it caught my eye.

Our 1 JDM shop in Ottawa, I am very close friends with. You have to understand how they get the engines. All the engines are basicly pulled from random cars by people in Japan, The Importers themselves have no Idea what they are getting.

At the shop here in Ottawa, They have a blown 4G63, they did even know it was blown until I saw it.


The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to bring someone who is mechanically inclined with you or even better, someone who knows engines. Bring a compression Tester and a Leakdown Tester. Test all the engines yourself.
Some shops wont let you test them so in that case, you turn around and walk out the door.

We go to Montreal quite often to test engines for various different cars and I can tell you ive seen some sketchy sh!t. People will try to sell you an R32 engine meanwhile claiming its an R33 motor and selling it for the R33 price.

But the one thing the holds true, when you find a place that doesnt mind you testing engines and is more than willing to cooperate, those shops become your go to guys and they appreciate it because the business goes to them, everyone wins.

TEST YOUR OWN ENGINES!!! or else its your damn fault if its a shitty engine.

when i was searching for a rebuild, $2800 was the lowest i found with parts.. If i were u Chris i would find someone on this forum that wants to sell their rebuilt engine.. thats what i did.