Any suggestions on a new car with old engine?

Im getting ready to buy a 92 Max 5Spd that has roughly 177k miles on it.

I wanted to know if I could swap the engine (JDM.net seems to be top choice) and get a credit on it to help offset the cost of the swap.

While its being done it was suggested to me to get a lighter flywheel, brand name clutch, and some other parts in there.

I was thinking of making sure that it wasnt too stock, by replacing OEM parts with brand name parts. Critical components. Not really high performance, but I want them to last longer than OEM, especially if they perform better.

I forgot most of the internals for engines. But is the camshaft one of the things that could be replaced?

What exactly does JDM.net do to an engine that they are building or rebuilding for your vehicle? Any set checklist? Or do they just locate parts, inspect them and install them. Do they test the engine if they have their hands on the car?

I'm just curious. I want this 5spd and want to replace the engine so it lasts a good 8 years or so. I'll mod it down the road, but I need engine reliability.

On a side note, if it runs as good as the guys says it does, I will just use it up and replace the engine later. At 170k+ miles, should I be worrying about anything with the transmission?

If anyone has a link to another post on basic parts upgrades for the engine/trans, thatd be great. I'm guessing the 5spd has the VE? My gxe was a VG30 right?

 

Read the sticktis, and look for a thread by Jeff92SE.. he installed a JDM motor and documented it pretty well. As for a JDM motor, it is just a motor from Japan with around 45-60k miles on it. It is not rebuilt. I would say that if the motor in the car u are buying works, then drive it til it NEEDS to be replaced. The same with the tranny...thats just me 2 cents.
btw, where is beaumont??

 

a POS town in southern cali out on the way to palm springs. I just pay for my insurance there, because its 4x cheaper than LA.

Alrite then. I wont swap it yet. When i DO swap it, what should I swap it with? And is there anything I should be concerned about replacing before it breaks or reduces the engines performance since its at 177k?
I'm paranoid, and I had major injector problems with my last max.

 

unless you have a major problem with the engine now, leave it alone.
The VE can go many more miles with very few mechanical problems.
Wayne has 300K on his, I sold one with 237k and neither has had any internal work done.

 

Good news. Thanks guys!

 

Tranny wise just listen for bearing noise, if you're buying from someone who hasn't been working the car hard everyday chances are it's probably fine. btw glad to hear you decided not to do the auto swap.

 

Most places don't give you a "credit" on your old engine. JDMs are sold without needing a core. At least all of the places I called were like that. Since most of those companies are importers, not rebuilders, they don't want your old engine. Usually it costs about $700-$1,000 for the engine and labor cost is about $500-$1,000 depending on what's done to it.

If you want a VE 5-speed with all of that stuff, mine is for sale. I have a fidanza, ACT clutch (also, GReddy exhaust, it's lowered and has a stereo) and Jeff92SE installed my JDM engine. New water pump, new hoses, new gaskets, seals replaced and exhaust manifold studs replaced with turbo ones. He swapped my variable intake over, since most JDMs are from AT cars. I also put in a transmission from a car with <100k on it this past Feb. Yes, it's the red car in my signature. PM me if you are interested.