JDM Replacement Motors

[ajkalian]

I was considering replacing my motor when and if it wears out and I heard about JDM engines and decided to look into it.

Silly me, I thought JDM Engines was some company somewhere that imported engines and re-sold them. Turns out that JDM is a generic term (Japanese Domestic Market) and doesn't have anything to do with a specific company.

And in doing some searches many, many sites turned up selling JDM engines and transmissions. So my question to you guys is...have you ever bought and installed a JDM engine/transmission and if so, what company did you buy it from?

And what problems might run into with the DMV, here in the Peoples Republic of California.

Any other suggestions will be appreciated...Many Thanks

[bawazir_chicago]

JDM from where ?

[95PimpingCamry]

I replaced my 5S-FE with a "JDM" motor in March of '07 when I threw a rod through my block. I bought it from a vendor on eBay, i think it was JDMEngineDepot. It cost $900 shipped. It leaks a lot less oil and has better compression than my old motor. The valve guide seals do leak from sitting in a warehouse and drying up, but it is negligible because my oil level never drops. So far I have put over 25k miles on the new motor. I have pulled the valve cover and there were NO signs of sludge It's nice and shiny in there.

Words of caution:
1) It was claimed that the motor had 40k - 60k miles on it, but that will never be able to be proved.
2) I have read that the 5S-FE was never marketed to Japan, so this is probably a USDM motor from a wrecked vehicle. They just claim JDM to get stupid people to think it's somehow better.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by 95PimpingCamry

I replaced my 5S-FE with a "JDM" motor in March of '07 when I threw a rod through my block. I bought it from a vendor on eBay, i think it was JDMEngineDepot. It cost $900 shipped. It leaks a lot less oil and has better compression than my old motor. The valve guide seals do leak from sitting in a warehouse and drying up, but it is negligible because my oil level never drops. So far I have put over 25k miles on the new motor. I have pulled the valve cover and there were NO signs of sludge It's nice and shiny in there.

Words of caution:
1) It was claimed that the motor had 40k - 60k miles on it, but that will never be able to be proved.
2) I have read that the 5S-FE was never marketed to Japan, so this is probably a USDM motor from a wrecked vehicle. They just claim JDM to get stupid people to think it's somehow better.

5S-FE never marketed to Japan market ?

there are lost of 5s-fe camry with "J" VIN numbers out there.

[95PimpingCamry]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5s-fe#5S-FE

"It was only marketed for the American and Australian markets"

Having a "J" vin means it was made in Japan, not sold in Japan.

[Tom 2000]

The 5S-FE was available in Japan. It wasn't very common like here in North America, but it was available in limited applications.

1) The first generation Toyota Harrier was available in Japan with a 5S-FE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Harrier

2) The Toyota Scepter came with the 5S-FE in Japan as well. The Toyota Scepter is essentially a North American 3rd gen Camry with Right Hand drive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Camry_(XV10)

3) The Toyota Camry Gracia (XV20), which is a JDM RHD 4th Gen Toyota camry also came with a 5S-FE.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Camry_(XV20)