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Anybody has done a jdm engine swap? Need advice for my Gen3

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by framire, Oct 12, 2020.

  1. framire

    framire New Member

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    Hey guys! Please help, I have a 2013 prius with 205k miles that I bought without the engine, I do have the exhaust manifold and intake from the old one. I am looking to buy a low miles Jdm one for around $1200 looks very clean and comes with everything (exhaust mani, intake, throttle body, damper assy,Egr cooler and warranty. Question is, is this engine a direct replacement or there’s some stuff that I need to do to make it work? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance
     
    #1 framire, Oct 12, 2020
  2. framire

    framire New Member

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    Bump
     
    #2 framire, Oct 12, 2020
  3. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    You can get used engines for almost nothing from your local junkyard because they rarely fail. A "JDM" engine does no good in a Prius if you're wanting performance upgrades.
     
    #3 2k1Toaster, Oct 12, 2020
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  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    A JDM is a safe bet and is used by many shops but as 2k1 said there are plenty of good low miles local examples available too.

    No advice per se on the g3 swap but often it's the little things missing that make for the biggest headaches (sensors, connectors, missing harnesses, etc).

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    #4 fotomoto, Oct 12, 2020
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  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Last quote I got from a wrecker for an engine like this was $1500 retail and if I used my buddy's business to buy it wholesale I could probably get it for under $1k so you price is in range

    Main issue with putting in an engine is logistics of not having shipping hassles, especially if it arrives damaged. And you don't have a core, so core deposit might be a hassle too...
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Oct 12, 2020
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  6. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Right hand cars have some items on the opposite side so wiring maybe an issue as well as clearance.
     
    #6 orenji, Oct 12, 2020
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  7. framire

    framire New Member

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    I’ve only found 2 used engines locally from lkq with more than 140k miles and they want $1500 that’s why I am leaning towards the Jdm. There’s a bunch of older prius local junkayards but they got the 1.5 engine and I need the 1.8
     
    #7 framire, Oct 12, 2020
  8. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    HOLY MOLY. I recently got a low miles (60k) engine with an IMA EV motor still attached for a Honda hybrid for $180 plus $175 shipped to my driveway. No kidding. OK, it was from a rust belt car so it had some light corrosion but still......

    Supply and demand at work I guess. AFAICT, the Honda Insight engine has no history of known problems (other than wear&tear) while the gen 3 ICE has a growing issue with head gaskets failures. Modern companies like LKQ can easily determine what sells and what doesn't and adjust pricing accordingly.

    framire, search here for 4gen engine swap threads. I haven't kept up but AFAIK it's a fairly straightforward swap into the gen 3. If so, that should help widen your searches. I see some on ebay for $1k shipped w/ 60k miles.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    #8 fotomoto, Oct 13, 2020
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  9. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    What year is the Honda Insight engine?
     
    #9 PriusCamper, Oct 13, 2020
  10. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    #10 fotomoto, Oct 13, 2020
  11. tony_2018

    tony_2018 Member

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    Just make sure you get the 2zr for a prius/ct200. No other car. It should have a placement for an electric water pump. If it doesn't move on.
     
    #11 tony_2018, Mar 26, 2021
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