Japanese engines...

Ok, so I want to buy a 97 4runner with 240k on it. It has the 3.4, and I am wondering what you guys think of the Japanese engines. Theres a bunch of places around here that sell and install them fairly cheap. They claim the engines have around 60k miles on them. Does anyone know how they fit? Do they fit perfect? How about the connectors, are they the same or is there some mickey mousing required? I know they have to chaneg the emissions for smog purposes, but othe rthan that, is it a good idea? Thanks.

Whats wrong with the 3.4 in it already? 240K psh thats nothin.. as long as the timing belt has been done when needed who cares.

Are you maybe talking about swapping out the 5VZ-FE for another engine like a 1UZ or something? ... :shrug:

I am just ASSuming the 3.4 won't hold up too much longer, and when the time comes, will the jdm engine be a good choice. I should have put that in the original post.

I'd be willing to bet that if the engine was taken care of(regular oil changes and such) the only things it would probably need would be a new timing belt/waterpump(pretty good idea to just do those at the same time) and a valve job. So, your looking at maybe $1000 at the most to get all of that done, unless you do it yourself.

you dont know what kind of abuse the previous owner put on that engine. just drop in a new motor and call it a day.

I know what he's talking about. I haven't had any experience with the motors that they remove from vehicles in japan after they have hit a certain amount of mileage, but most are considered to be pretty good.

From what I've been told, the japan motors are supposed to be well maintained and after x amount of miles they are removed. Just what I've heard, but if you do have a problem with the stock motor, the Japanese replacement, or rebuilt motor should be good to go...

Whats wrong with the 3.4 in it already? 240K psh thats nothin.. as long as the timing belt has been done when needed who cares.

I agree, mileage isn't always a good indicator.

Does the engine burn oil?

You can check compression, oil pressure, even vacuum, will give you a good idea of the health of the engine, whether it will go another 100K.

I would try that first unless you really would just like to change the engine.

Does the engine make noise, lack power, poor fuel economy?

Chipsndukes

I know this is kinda comparing apples to oranges but I've always considered the Toyota and Honda motors to be in same category. I put about 320,000 miles on my little 4 banger Honda Civic, 1990 before I finally changed the motor and trans. And let me tell you this, I was not nice to the motor. I ran it hard most of the time, but I did always keep it maintained. The reason I changed out the motor and trans was because I got a good deal from a friend who owned a junk yard and my trans started to leak.....nothing was wrong with the motor and was still running strong. The swap however was not a japanese motor, but I would head that route if I had to.

Some JDM motors do not pass smog!

Because they have different standars than we do!

The JDM type R motor is my teg does not pass smog and i got to get some one to do it under the table evey year.:runaway:

I think drew is talking about replacing his 3.4L with another 3.4L JDM engine shipped overfrom Japan...

You shouldn't have any porblems plugging up sensors, etc. The engine are the same. If there is a case where a sensor may be different, the shopp will pull them off your old engine and put them on the new one. But it usually isn't a problem.

I have an 88 Prelude that has BOTH a JDM engine & a JDM transmission.
Original replacement, not a motor swap. Transmission bolted up and everything plugged in with no problems. The two were exactly the same.
The engine was a long block (maybe shortblock... don't remember), so I had to reuse my intake, TB, etc. But the engine itself again, was the same.

You shouldn't have any problems with a JDM engine replacement. It's been my experience that most of them are pretty good. If it's not, you usually have some sort of warranty with them. And you can always check compression before you install it.

What wrong with your motor now? Just worried about high mileage, or is it having some issues? If you need some help give me a holler. I've rebuilt or replaced several motors & trannies, and could help ya out if you're not comfortable doing stuff yourself. (that is, unless you just like spending money). :cool:

I love your avatar picture!

I love your avatar picture!
Who? ME?
Thanks.

It was easy to make.
Used some Donahoe wallpaper (http://www.donahoeracing.com/images/wallpaper/wp_redshock800.jpg) for the background. (shrunk it obviously)
Found a custom graphical font for the name. Then I modified the picture below, and overlayed the name on truck on the wallpaper and then shrunk to whole think to fit the avatar requirements.

The truck isn't mine. just a picture I found. Made the avatar before I bought my truck, so I will probably edit it soon, and put my truck on there. ;)

(sorry for the highjack... )

i think if the person took care of it, keep it !

Some JDM motors do not pass smog!

Because they have different standars than we do!

The JDM type R motor is my teg does not pass smog and i got to get some one to do it under the table evey year.:runaway:


that sucks!! you running two cats?