JDM Engines the same as US Spec?

Just take your original engine apart, and rebuild it using the latest spec Toyota parts. Why mentally masturbate over JDM this and JDM that?

 

You CAN use a Gen4 engine. Just use the head from the Gen3 engine.
If you keep the Gen4 head, you'll have to do some bending and modifying of the exhaust for the egr cooler.
Not sure about then not knowing what year the engine came from. They should, buttttt....

 

I find it sorta hard to believe that the bottom end of a JDM XW30 engine would be different than a North American spec motor, but I cannot credibly discredit what the salesperson told you.

TL ; DR
They probably do not have the piston ring problems, but they probably have the same piston rings.
I would buy one unreservedly...AFTER a FULL visual inspection and WITH a verifiable warranty.

Longer version:

There are some interesting urban legends (myths) that surround JDM engines, and most of them are hooey.
They mainly result from cultural differences AND a system of inspections in the Japan called Shaken.
Motor-vehicle inspection (Japan) - Wikipedia

The "official" purpose of Shaken inspections is public safety....sorta like CARB in California.
The REAL purpose of this system of inspections is to encourage people to drive newer cars (because Japan's economy used to be based ON.......???) and to create government jobs and levy taxes disguised as "fees".....just like CARB in California.
Author/Historian Dan Carlin said in his podcast about Japan that “The Japanese are just like everyone else, only more so.” which sums it up fairly nicely.

So.....
Here's why JDM engines are "probably" > US-spec engines:

1. They're more anal about maintenance than lazy Americans.
2. If you've ever been to Japan then you know that driving is expensive, and built to STAY that way. Gas is expensive. Tolls are more widespread. Taxes are Insane.
3. Many Many Many more people in JA use public transit when and where they can for regular hops reserving their cars for irregular trips.


HERE is where they may NOT be > than US-spec engines:
1. The myth that JDM engines have never been flogged and dogged is just that....a.myth.
Ever been to California?
Yeah.
Me too.
Ever see a bunch of cars that made you wonder HOW the Eff they EVER passed CARB inspections when you can't even legally use an Oil Catch Can?
The reason is simple.....they either DIDN'T and don't give a crap....found a mod-friendly shop to gundeck the inspection....OR....they "made their car legal" just long enough to pass a REAL inspection.
Japan has tuners just like everybody else....only MORE so.

2. The myth that JDM engines are limited to xxxxx miles is balloon juice. They have high mileage cars....just like everybody else. Japan is just about the size of California. Bigger if you flatten it out. Some cars pull intercity duty. Some get used as taxis. Japan has Uber.

3. Ever driven in Japan? I have....and it's kinda exiting, and NOT just because they drive on the wrong side of the road!
Here's the thing....they actually have FEWER accidents than US drivers despite their rather interesting driving style. This due to very obvious factors...BUT.....they DO have them.....juuuust like everybody else.
Shaken regs make it harder to produce 'zipper' cars like we have in the US, and one of their capital crimes is probably title washing and odometer fraud...and yes....like most developed nations they they DO have the death penalty!
Fun Fact:
In JA you only get executed one way.
Hanging.
So....this means that your low mileage JDM motor "may" have a much better chance of originating from a "previously un-wrecked" car.

4. Traffic Patterns. Which engine would you rather buy? One that has been driven in ultra-dense city traffic or more of a highway warrior?
Remember.....a JDM engine MIGHT only have 40,000 miles on it but how many hours did it spend idling in log-jammed traffic with the owner whamming away furiously at the steering wheel? It MIGHT be like buying a police car here in the US (only without the damage from "peaceful" demonstrations.)

5. Efficiency.
Engines are heavy, and they have a life cycle of well over 100,000 miles.....even when they are owned by people whose idea of 'proper maintenance' is tossing the keyfob on a service manager's desk every 10,000 miles and asking how much it will be THIS time.

Why ship them HERE?

YMMV

 

I hate trick questions.

 

Wait.......what......you have a car that needs BOTH a new hybrid battery AND a new/rebuilt engine ???
And you are seriously considering going that ???
Something is wrong with this picture.

 

When you can get the Gen 4 engine for $700-800, why not save the few dollars and get the better engine? The JDM engine will at some point do exactly what the current engine is doing now. July 2018 I put the Gen 4 short block in mine. The local yard to me that listed a “running core” 2010 1.8 with 200k for $1400 still has that engine now. At the very least, be particular about the replacement engine, and get the newest, lowest mile engine that you can get.

 

And when you are done you will STILL have a car that is over 11 years old, with other parts likely to fail right along.
Not to mention the time and trouble you will have invested.
Not a wise decision in my book.......but to each his own.
Good Luck !!

 

so you can put the GEN four engine in the GEN three? Getting whiplash trying to figure out if this is possible.

 

It can, and has been done, but they seem to always have engine cooling issues.
If you can a remanufactured gen3 engine, you will be fine. If it's installed correctly.

 

Thanks!

 

wondering if you can help...
The mechanic, that I don't trust and not going back too, tells me he can get me a 2013 JDM engine with 35,000 miles.
From everything I've read in this group, or researched online, this isn't possible.

this is the article he sent me. What's the truth here?

How To Buy a Used Auto Parts Online | Kaiho Industry

 

NO ONE knows exactally how many miles are actually on a jdm engine.
Except for the company that pulled the engine.......

"MY" personal opinion is to have the headgasket replaced.
Locate a shop that works on hybrid cars, and specifically the Prius.
Have them do it. Have them check for leaking valves.
Certainly someone here can point you in the right direction in NC.
I've seen recommendation in the past but call recall them.

Or purchase a remanufactured engine from the hybrid pit in california.
They would seem to be the most reliable.

You haven't stated how much oil your car burns. Or what your budget is.
The head gasket would be the least expensive route.
A JDM engine averages around $1500. Reman from the hybrid pit is about $2000,
depending on which version you get.
Since I would guess you would want something that is done correctly the first time,
and you can feel safe driving the car for the 200,000 miles, you want the most
reliable thing you can afford.

Let's say $2500 for the H.P. reman engine with new water pump and thermostat.
I would "guess" $1500 to install it. So $4000, less tax... So if you say $5000, you have
a decent estimate. You could possibly get a personal loan for $5000. Pay as much as
you can every week to pay it down quicker. Minus any "cash" you have now so you can
get a loan for less money.

That's a lot less than a new car at $35,000 or more. And less insurance cost

Obviously if you had the skills to do the labor yourself, or a "friend" that would help, it
would be a lot less. But not everyone can do that or has a friend that can.

 

I don't understand that site, it doesn't make sense to me. Maybe to someone.
It doesn't seem any different than ordering any other item, like an oven or lawnmower.

 

Also, the 2013 engine (and HOW would he know that?) has the older style pistons/rings.
So you'll likely get oil burning. You would want the 2015 engine. Which NO ONE knows for
the JDM engine since there is no vin or engine number. It's just a guess.

 

The car burns no oil. The shake rattle and roll has been happening intermittently for 2 1/2 years. The mechanic, that I won't go back to no longer trust, repaired my coolant reservoir three times. And then sent me on my way on a 14 Hour road trip. The car overheated and when I came back, he said it was still leaking. he said it was fixed and I went back on that road trip to get my daughter and the water pump blue in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere. So knowing that this leak has probably been going on for 2 1/2 years as he tells me, it's something else, I don't want to take the chance of replacing the head gasket only to find out More damage has been done. I don't know where you are, but those prices are nowhere near what they are here. Most mechanics are quoting 4000 in labor alone for the head gasket. Let's say 6000 total. Replacing the engine is cheaper. There's a local mechanic that I trust who doesn't have a lot of experience in pries. He says he feels comfortable swapping out the engine. He'd like me to do all the footwork, since that's not his thing.

to me. It looks like you can only buy it in bulk. I sent them a message. See if they reply

 

Okay, then contact the Hybrid Pit, and order a remanufactured engine from them.
With a new waterpump and thermostat, already installed.

Those prices were "guesses" from what people have quoted on Prius chat.
Since I do all my own work, I have no idea what the labor rate is any longer.

 

I replaced the original engine on my 2010 Prius at 188K with a JDM engine for $1500 cash15 months ago. Installer believed the engine age was 2013 but this is not verified. Before the engine swap my oil burn rate was 1 quart per 2500-3000 miles. This was an improvement from an earlier burn rate of 1 quart per 1200 miles before various therapies used (e.g. piston soak, EGR cleaning) to reduce the oil burn rate.

It's been about 15K miles since the engine swap. 2 Oil changes so far (6K interval). First oil change resulted in about .5 quart burned in 5790 miles. Second oil change resulted in about .75 quart burned in 6162 miles. I did not add oil in-between changes but monitored monthly and stayed in-between the two marks on the dip stick. Bypass gunk collected in catch can is significantly reduced as well so it appears lower oil burning and less bypass crud will require less frequent cleaning of EGR assembly too (thank goodness for that).

I'm delighted with the "normal" oil consumption rate after the engine swap. I don't know if this is a function of a younger engine or better piston rings (or both) but I'm so far pleased with the results. Since the car now has a rejuvenated power plant, I'll strive to keep the piston rings clean as possible going forward to prevent oil consumption as it ages.

Tip: if you do an engine swap ask to keep various parts from your old engine (e.g. water pump, thermostat, oil filter canister, intake manifold, coils, plugs, injectors, EGR assembly). Useful to have extra parts to swap out if needed in the future.

Note: a different installer offered a Gen 4 block with Gen 3 head for $3500 installed. I opted for the $1500 JDM engine swap instead.

 

Based on everything I have read so far, a remanufactured engine with the most up to date pistons and rings and a new headgasket is the best solution. I am in the midwest and currently 142K engine has not burned any oil (1500 miles since last oil change which was done at the selling dealership), but I am willing to go anywhere in the US to get a swap of remanufactured engine when the time comes. Could be a few years, could be never.