(long story short) Oil pan gasket went on strike and I almost ran out of oil. Put oil and Lucas oil stabilizer in and the car is ticking like a school bus now. I was told I need to replace my cam/timing chain tensioner at or around $3k. If so, Im thinking engine swap or rebuild another and put it in when this one fails. I just wanted to make sure it's not the VTC's before I make a decision. Will the engine from a 94 j30 work in these cars? Cause these mechanics are saying they could do it. The car still drives very well, but when Im idling at a light or something, there's this tick-tick-tick-tick.... Please help.
Also my clutchmasters stage1 chatters like hell till I push in the clutch, also when i downshift at any rpm over like 3k theres a chattering i dont like. I was told the first issue was normal, but I still dont like it. Any info there would also be appreciated. HELP.

 

did the clutch and engine noise both happen at the same time?

 

j30 engine won't fit. It is a VG30DE

If you search around, you can get a JDM VE30DE (same engine you have now) for under $1k. Unless you put it in yourself, it will probably be another $1k to have it installed.

There is a thread in the stickies about doing the JDM swap. There are a few minor things you have to do to get it to run right.

 

did the clutch and engine noise both happen at the same time? Nope. Im looking for a low mileage VE to build and swap then. The labor for that job is only $650...big difference. I wonder if I could find a VE turbo-ed already??? Thanks for the input.

 

Your pushing your luck.

 

Exactly what do you mean by "build and swap" for $650?

Do you mean they will fix your current engine or actually rebuild it?

 

Nah... I'll buy a whole 'nother engine, they will charge $650 to swap it. I could pay a lil bit more and do some things to the engine before I put it in. The power is still there though so Im not complaining. Whos got a spare VE?

 

i have a broken one.... great for a rebuild.....but you probaly arentlooking for a rebuild

 

If you are going to spend the money to have it swapped in ($650 is a pretty good deal, BTW) I would just search for a JDM engine. I doubt you will find a used junkyard engine with less than 100k miles. Most JDM engines have little or no VTC tick and allegedly are around 30-60k miles and the places warranty them. Mine had a one-year, unlimited mileage warranty and it runs great. It has a little bit of VTC tick, but not much.

You or your mechanic should do some things while you have an engine out, too, no matter if you get one from a junkyard or a JDM.

Replace the exhaust manifold studs, new water pump, replace the belts, gaskets and hoses and swap over your 5-speed intake plenum (unless somehow you find a used 5-speed engine).

The information in the JDM swap instructions (general maintenance sticky) is good for any kind of VE install you do.

 

once again...straight outta the stickies...
http://car-part.com/index.htm
do a search....there's a healthy range of motors in the DC area...from 1500 to 200