MaxKGB

iTrader: (1)

I'm in need of replacement VE and Im considering a JDM from japanengine.com. Has anyone dealt at all with this company? Any info / advice will be much appreciated by both myself and my max

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

place looks alright, but if you cant get a JDM engine with under 100,000km and compression, cylinder leakage, etc tests etc i wouldnt bother

for whats its worth its probably better to get a low K USDM engine

MaxKGB

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Supposedly these have about 45k on them and theyve been tested so hopefully this works out.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

I'm always curious if they actually test them. I would be surprised if they actually do. It's not all that easy/convenient to test an engine outside of a car. JDM VE's used to be on eBay for $600ish. I have a JDM VE and have put about 15k miles on it since installing it a few years ago and have low compression in one cylinder but I'm not sure if it was already like that when I got it or not since I didn't bother to test compression immediately.

Also it is evident my JDM engine was opened up and worked on before (thankfully to my benefit - it has new VTC assemblies).

Problem with JDM engines now is they almost entirely got wiped out in the tsunami a few years back. A lot of the Honda engines so plentiful a while back are long gone.

How much are they charging for the VE?

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

Wow, they want $1225 for a VE! You might check into JDM Engine Depot, I'm pretty sure they're $600ish, even after shipping that's several hundred less than the place you're looking at. The place you're looking at doesn't seem like they have the intake manifold or anything on it?

ac max 92

iTrader: (13)

Im not sure about the ve i know they can tend to have the vtc issue from what ive heard but i have a vg that i got jdm engine for and had it swapped out about a year ago with no issues. Only thing was i had to use my old intake manifold because the new one didnt have the egr valve but other than that very clean engine being that apparently japan only runs their engines to about 60,000 or so then off to north america they go. If you can pick one up for $600 or less i'd recomend go for it. Better than finding one from a yard with higher milage for close to the same price and you'll probably have a better warranty with a jdm.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

i forgot to mention that as well, many JDM cars from the time did not have to have EGR or other emissions crap in Japan so nobody put them on.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

so knowing their motors/cars go about 50-60K...(usually less) their oil change intervals are a little lacking....so don't think that the low miles means great motor.

ac max 92

iTrader: (13)

That may be true but hard to say. Guess it all depends on the individual. There's many people in north america that neglect to do regular oil changes along with other regular maintenance aswell. In my case the jdm motor i got runs great with no issues and before buying it i was able to check inside the valve covers to see that there was little to no varnish or sludge and was very clean. I dont think the low milage necesarily means oil change intervals are lacking i believe it's because they have such strict emissions and with the 3rd gens failing injectors can also play another roll in emissions amongst other things.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

the problem with Japanese cars is in bigger cities like Tokyo, traffic is cramped and youre not often on the highway going fast. engines need to be ripped on the highway, its not good for the engine or transmission to always be in stop n go mode. after i rebuild the engine in my Crown i took it on numerous highway trips, probably the first time someone under the age of 50 drove the thing and first time it went over 100kmh lol

otherwise Japanese take very good care of their vehicles, doubt oil changes would be lacking

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

my JDM motor had a little sludge in it...nothing major but there was some build up.
i guess it's a crap shoot on what you get.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

so how does Japan even have VE engines? last i heard was 3rd gens barely sold in Japan because they exceeded Japans car width limit for the early 90s

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

that's what i'm wondering too. i assume it's USDM motor.

i got a JDM VG which is pretty much the roach of nissan engines...it's everywhere.

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

My VE was definitely a true JDM - or I should say at least something OTHER than USDM. Mine had a different CPS from my USDM VE's so I had to install a USDM CPS onto it. IIRC the temp sensors are different too and if you don't swap them out for US versions it causes your fans to stay on 24/7.

It also had a goofy looking A/C compressor attached to it

*edit*

Here are some pics from online of JDM VE's. Notice the weird goldish colored non-USDM CPS and the weird looking A/C compressor:

Cliff Clavin

iTrader: (11)

Mine was a true JDM, as well. Jeff92SE inspected it personally and he is the one that installed it in the car. The first one he looked at was completely filled with rust and sludge. He had it returned and the company gave him (me) a different one that was much cleaner. I think they are stored in a warehouse or container for a long time. If you get a real JDM VE engine, it will have a different IACV and all metal cam position sensor that is thinner than ours. Plus, the coolant temp sensor James mentioned.

The one in my car was very strong and initially, no VTCs clacked. After a couple of years they started clacking, though.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

only other thing i can think of is they kept some North American models in Japan from the getgo and never exported them. i know theres LHD Hardbody with KA24 and Z24 motors in Japan and those engines werent JDM, just for exported vehicles.

as far as i know, AUS and NZ 3rd gens just got VG as well and only North American 3rd gens got VE

James92SE

iTrader: (31)

http://forums.maxima.org/1084283-post8.html

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

well that answers that lol

ac max 92

iTrader: (13)

Im not too sure but that would be strange considering the 3rd gens were made in Japan i believe. Im not sure about the ve but under the hood of the gxe they say they were made in Oppama Japan.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

they were made in Japan, but im talking about actual RHD ones built for use in Japan. there were very few 3rd gens in Japan in the early 90s to begin with, i thought that VE were North American only engines so i couldnt figure out why Japan would have used ones for sale 20 years later.

Chris Gregg

iTrader: (59)

My JDM VG30ET was trashed. Supposedly low miles. Had low compression, bad water pump and rust poured from the cooing system, etc, etc.

Everything posted I've learned as well after that experience. JDM engines get thrashed and tend to be rough (not always) but doesn't seem worth the risk buying sight unseen and all. Rather drive two hours so I can inspect and pay a few hundred more if it means I know I'm getting a clean engine.

Think I paid about $700 for my VGT back in the day. Ended up having 3x's that after doing a complete rebuild. Yeah, the cylinders even required boring it was so bad. But, in the end I had a new engine. Could have saved hundreds of $$ and hours of paid and personal labor just buying one local.

MaxKGB

iTrader: (1)

Ok so shes back from the dead. Ive put 65 miles on the new engine and it sounds solid so far (knock on wood). The engine did come really stripped down with no intake or anything and and ended up costing 1100 shipped. I put in all new seals/gaskets 270 from nissan. Im not sure if this was real jdm or not but it looked real clean when it showed up as if it might have even been somewhat rebuilt with new paint and and shiny edges on the head. If it continues to run as good as it looks ill be a happy japan engines customer and so far it's a good experience.

Maxima Power!!!

MaxKGB

iTrader: (1)

Ohhhh BTW VTC's are Silent even tho its been like 15 degrees up here

ac max 92

iTrader: (13)

That's great to hear MaxKGB sounds like the engine i got but it wasnt so stripped down and was half the cost but the bottom line is as long as your happy with it and it's well taken care of it should last! Good to hear your back in business. Enjoy!