JDM Engines - do you trust the advertised miles?

[revox]

Hello. I'm in desperate need of an engine for my 98 Legacy Outback. I've found one at a local junkyard for $1200 (seems high) but they don't know how many miles are on it. Could be 300k for all I know, so I'm hesitant.

 

I've found many engines online at these JDM sites or eBay that claim 30-50k miles, but I have hard time believing a 12-year-old engine has such low miles. Am I missing something here?

 

Anybody had any luck with sellers such as http://www.bestofjdm.com or http://www.enginesus.com? or am I better off buying the local mystery engine?

 

thanks for any advice. I usually try to familiarize myself with a forum before I start asking questions but not this time :-\

[WoodsWagon]

If you had a car you were only going to keep for 30k before you sent it to the junkyard. would you change the oil?

[Mike104]

How many miles are on your current engine and why do you need to change it? How long do you need to keep your '98?

 

I went through this same decision last year. I figured I had four options 1) Fix HGs on current engine (226k), 2) put a JDM engine in, 3) buy a rebuilt engine, 4) get a new car.

 

Some advised against 1) as it was possible that with 226k the bottom end of the 2.5L may need work as well. For 2 or 3, I figured that I would need to spend $$$ doing other work before I put it in. I wasn't interested in doing 4) as I planned to keep the car till it fell apart.

 

Give us some background on your needs and maybe we can give you some better advice on ideas. Are you going to do the work yourself or pay someone to do it?

[NorthWet]

Over the last 30 years, I have bought several JDM pull-outs and have been satisfied. I deal with companies local to me, and they offer enough warranty time for me to have a good feel for the engine (or tranny). I feel that most of the larger importers depend on word-of-mouth and repeat business, so they try to ensure a decent product. (Some have large containers full of rejected parts.) I would not hesitate to buy from my current company.

[cygnus]

I went with the following option.

Edited November 13, 2010 by cygnus

[cygnus]

Just finished my EJ25 swap was all over ebay, craigslist and so forth before comming across Jerry at http://www.ssisubaruspecialists.com/

 

He had a listing on Ebay and I called him up. After taking for 30 minutes or so I purchased my longblock from him. I live in NC and he is in MI, but that was not a problem he sent the engine on a pallet with estes turcking and I had it in 3 days. He offers a 3yr/36,000k warranty, I ended up paying 2300.00 due to the fact I did not send back my core, which would have knocked off 250.00, also I had eveything complete by him except intake, motor mounts, and my own timing cover, he threw in the gaskets for intake and the exghuast. It was a good chunk of money but in my option worth it. Sure I could have saved maybe $800 for a motor I would hope would last or get a new start for my wagon and not have to worry as much.

 

I did install a new clutch kit from Phoenix Friction Products

Edited November 23, 2010 by cygnus

[Scoobywagon]

Yes, I trust those mileage figures. Here's why....

 

In Japan, there is this thing called Japan Compulsory Insurance (JCI) and it requires that a new car be inspected after 2 years of service and every year thereafter. This inspection is not what you and I tend to think of as an inspection. They do not merely sniff the tail pipe and check the tires. During JCI inspection, a car gets more or less field stripped and ANYTHING that is not up to specs gets repaired or the car gets junked. Period. The problem is that, after about 30,000 miles, you start seeing lots of wear in the car. Worn suspension bushings, leaking brake calipers, etc. So the car gets EXTRAORDINARILY expensive to keep on the road. Thus, most cars in japan get junked not terribly long after they pass the 30,000 mile mark. Well, really, its more like the 50,000 kilometer mark.

 

So, you can expect that a JDM car has had all of its major maintenance up to that point. It may or may not have had all the minor stuff, like oil changes, on time. However, Japanese people tend to be very fastidious, as a rule. And owning a car in Japan is an expensive proposition. Thus, if you can afford to own a car, you tend to be very proactive in keeping it up. This has the added benefit of keeping your annual JCI inspection costs down.

 

So, yes. As a rule, the JDM engines and transmissions are all they are cracked up to be. Obviously, there are exceptions to every rule.

 

How do I know these things? Been there, done that, taken a beating on a JCI inspection after a car purchase there.

[bheinen74]

you could junk your car due to blown headgasket,

[Allpar Mod]

As to your question about $1200 being too much for a used EJ25, that's what they go for in good shape here at the few import yards that we have. One big yard (Wagner's) almost never has any in stock because they're gone as soon as he gets any Soobs in. He regularly gets $1200 for allegedly good 25s. He gets $800+ for cores! So, whether you or I believe that $1200 is a fair price, that's what they seem to be getting on the market for them.

[WRX2FFU]

^^^ i don't agree with that. $1200 for an ej25 with no idea of mileage? No way.

 

I got a 40k 02' wrx motor, with all accessories, crossmember, ecu, and wiring harness for $1800 shipped to me from somwhere in idaho. This was 2 years ago...

 

So unless the market has gone up I'd say 1200 is not a good deal.

[idosubaru]

$1,200 with no mileage is a terrible deal. you don't need JDM, just shop elswehere. i'd probably ship you a 80,000 mile Ej25 for $1,200 with new headgaskets on it, shoot me a PM or email if you want.

 

used engines are fine whether JDM or locally obtained, just get one with a warranty or cheap enough you don't care.

 

JDM engines are "low mileage" but there's also drawbacks so i wouldn't be too enamoured. typically "city" miles and they still have the original headgaskets probably, not attractive for a top dollar prospect IMO.

 

if you're getting a used EJ25 my goodness please don't pay top dollar, doesn't matter if it's JDM or new old stock, if the headgaskets haven't been replaced they all have the same propensity to fail regardless of mileage so don't pay top dollar for one thinking other wise. i bought a 56,000 EJ25 legacy this summer with locked up block bearings - headgaskets were replaced at 30,000. i mean i'd just plan on replacing the heads gaskets before installing it due to the issue with these motors, but just don't pay top dollar for one.

 

remember - demand and prices are high for this motor due to head gaskets and bearing issues.

[edrach]

I picked up a '95 JDM WRX transmission from 96WRX when he bought the engine and I was looking for a transmission for my Impreza. Front clip had 77,000 km on the odometer and now after 30,000 miles in my Impreza I'm inclined to believe it. Transmission is the best I've ever had in my Impreza; shifts smoothly and no ugly noises.

[revox]

$1,200 with no mileage is a terrible deal. you don't need JDM, just shop elswehere. i'd probably ship you a 80,000 mile Ej25 for $1,200 with new headgaskets on it, shoot me a PM or email if you want.

 

Apparently, I don't have PM privileges, so I'll post here instead.

 

a bit of background info. I bought my 98 Legacy Outback from a car lot in Buena Park, CA (right down the street from Knott's Berry Farm) from an old woman with a Poodle. I was in desperate need of a car, and she had what I wanted. I stupidly believed what she told me because SHE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WITH A POODLE. Anyway, it turns out my engine has a cracked block. Instead of trying to push this car onto some other unsuspecting buyer, I've decided to just fix it and be happy with it. I LOVE the body style, and it's such a comfortable car that I really am happy with it, despite not being able to drive it at the moment.

 

The current motor had 136k, which seemed low since every other car I could find had 200-350k. The car is like brand new otherwise.

 

I'm completely new to Subaru so I'm totally lost in this adventure. I need to find a (good) engine and a mechanic to do the swap. I've talked to a few mechanics and the prices range from $500 to $1500 to do the actual labor. The high-end price seems to include a lot of extras. He said he'd drill the EGR hole, he'd replace some plastic plate on the engine with metal, and he guarantees his work. The problem is that I can't afford $1500 labor if I'm paying $1200 for an engine, but I'll make it due if I have to.

 

so grossgary, please let me know more about your offer. My email is skyway@gmail.com. I'm in Riverside, CA (about 45 min from Los Angeles).

 

much appreciated! (also, I apologize about my terrible message structure. I just got home from a party so I might be a tiny bit inebriated)

[Xanadu62]

Ummmm..... You shouldn't have to drill a single thing for a 25 to 25 swap/replacement, especially if both motors came out of OBD2 USDM cars. If there is a plastic cover anywhere on the outside of the motor that isn't cracked or broken, then it shouldn't matter what material it is. And thirdly, ANY decent and honest mechanic will guarantee the work that they do. It sounds to me like he might be trying to swindle you out of a grand. IMHO, people like that are the reason that honest garage/back yard mechanics, or just mechanics in general get a bad rap.

[WRX2FFU]

^ THE jdm/CAD cars do not have egr ports and do have to be drilled.

[johnceggleston]

there is a pretty good chance that the block is not cracked. these engines have a known head gasket issue. if the engine wasn't overheated and the bearings weren't cooked you could just replace the head gaskets and be good.

 

but if you are worried that the previous owner tricked you and maybe cooked the bearings i would swap the engine. but you don't have to use the 2.5L , you can swap in a 95 2.2L engine. it is a straight swap. they cost less and are more reliable.

 

look for an engine at www.car-part.com . you can probably also find a 2.5L engine there but any 2.5 has the potential for coming with bad head gaskets or blowing them in the future, beware.

Edited November 14, 2010 by johnceggleston

[revox]

there is a pretty good chance that the block is not cracked. these engines have a known head gasket issue. if the engine wasn't overheated and the bearings weren't cooked you could just replace the head gaskets and be good.

 

How can I tell for sure if I need an engine or just a head gasket? Pressure test? Compression test?

 

My funds are limited, so I need to go about this the most cost-effective way.

[GeneralDisorder]

How can I tell for sure if I need an engine or just a head gasket? Pressure test? Compression test?

 

I highly doubt you have a cracked block - just doesn't happen with these engines. You probably just have blown head gaskets like the thousands of other EJ25D's that blow them like clockwork between 50k and 150k.

 

Who said it has a cracked block? Get another opinion.

 

GD

Edited November 14, 2010 by GeneralDisorder

[revox]

I highly doubt you have a cracked block - just doesn't happen with these engines. You probably just have blown head gaskets like the thousands of other EJ25D's that blow them like clockwork between 50k and 150k.

 

Who said it has a cracked block? Get another opinion.

 

GD

 

I sure hope you're right! Gonna take it to another mechanic tomorrow.

[chillneil]

A few days late on this post, but I just called a local shop (I'm in Raleigh NC) and was told the head gaskets dont go on the 96-99 2.5's. He said the cylinder walls crack.

 

First I've heard of this. I always had heard my bubbling radiatior, overheating symptoms were caused by the gaskets.

 

Anyway, I too am now looking at options. ~ $2000 for head gasket replacement or about the same for a rebuilt engine from SSI?

[bheinen74]

A few days late on this post, but I just called a local shop (I'm in Raleigh NC) and was told the head gaskets dont go on the 96-99 2.5's. He said the cylinder walls crack.

 

First I've heard of this. I always had heard my bubbling radiatior, overheating symptoms were caused by the gaskets.

 

Anyway, I too am now looking at options. ~ $2000 for head gasket replacement or about the same for a rebuilt engine from SSI?

 

you need to go shoot that mechanic, he IS WRONG.

tell him to go f somthing.

serious, get a new mechanic, NEVER go to him again.

[johnceggleston]

I just called a local shop (I'm in Raleigh NC) and was told the head gaskets dont go on the 96-99 2.5's. He said the cylinder walls crack.

 

 

DO NOT, REPEAT, DO NOT take your car to that shop.

[Ricearu]

That guy is a idiot and a half for saying that. 2k for headgaskets? you can get a 90 day warranty jdm engine for around $800. when you buy those warranteed engines, you aren't getting much different, only paying a large differance so the company can replace it if it fails, and most JDM engines, (that i have seen/installed) have not had any problems, and even if it lasts 3-4 years, the other engine would be out of warranty by then anyways. I dont buy into those warranty engines at 3-4x cost. I just go with a reputable seller who compression tests their engines and ask for the numbers on the motor. then when i get it, i reseal it, and put new timing belts, idlers, water pump, etc on it before just stabbing it in a car.