JDM Motors - Worth Messing With Them?

August 01, 2023, 02:33 PM

stoic-one

Anyone got the skinny on what to expect when purchasing a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) engine? There seems to be distributors all over the US selling these engines.

August 01, 2023, 02:36 PM

VBVAGUY

Is the motor you looking for JDM with no USAD equivalent ??? If JDM you may have a hard time sourcing parts for it here in the USA. God Bless

August 01, 2023, 02:39 PM

stickman428

Make sure the ecu & wiring harnesses are compatible. Usually you can make it work but with wiring looms it can get frustrating fast.

For the most part it’s plug and play and just tedious but some more specialized & unique JDM engines can be a bit more complicated.

My brother is in the process of sourcing a JDM engine for his manual transmission Mitsubishi 3000GT SL. Japan’s take on the Corvette.

August 01, 2023, 02:43 PM

stoic-one

It's a Honda engine with a Japan and international model number, J35Z4-VCM... It fits a ton of Honda V6 models from 08-14.

August 01, 2023, 02:53 PM

P250UA5

Any reason to get the JDM engine over the USDM model?

According to Wiki, the J35Z4-VCM is found in the 09-15 Honda Pilot, with 250hp/253tq

IF looking for an upgrade, it looks like the J35Z2-VCM & J35Z3 are a bump in power at 268hp/254tq & the RDX model of the Z2 having 278/251.

August 01, 2023, 02:55 PM

Greymann

I've bought an engine from jdm for a Honda. No issues, I did replace the timing belt before the install, but it wasn't needed the engine was very low mileage. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again.

August 01, 2023, 03:00 PM

stickman428

The main advantage with JDM seems to be the ability to get low mile OEM replacement engines/trannys.

August 01, 2023, 03:00 PM

stoic-one

quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5:
Any reason to get the JDM engine over the USDM model? -Besides availability and cost? Not sure where to source a USDM engine

According to Wiki, the J35Z4-VCM is found in the 09-15 Honda Pilot, with 250hp/253tq -It's for a 2010 Pilot

IF looking for an upgrade, it looks like the J35Z2-VCM & J35Z3 are a bump in power at 268hp/254tq & the RDX model of the Z2 having 278/251. -I don't think those are a direct swap, wouldn't I need a different ECM as well?

August 01, 2023, 03:03 PM

P250UA5

I think we need more info.

What is this going in, direct replacement for something that already has a J35 in it?

Given that you specified J35Z4-VCM, makes me think you have a Pilot needing an engine?

August 01, 2023, 03:04 PM

VBVAGUY

quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5:
Any reason to get the JDM engine over the USDM model?

According to Wiki, the J35Z4-VCM is found in the 09-15 Honda Pilot, with 250hp/253tq

IF looking for an upgrade, it looks like the J35Z2-VCM & J35Z3 are a bump in power at 268hp/254tq & the RDX model of the Z2 having 278/251.

I thought that the slightly higher HP rating for the JDM engines was because of their higher octane ratings than what we have here in the USA allowing better timing, tuning, etc. God Bless

August 01, 2023, 03:05 PM

stoic-one

quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5:
I think we need more info.

What is this going in, direct replacement for something that already has a J35 in it?

Given that you specified J35Z4-VCM, makes me think you have a Pilot needing an engine?

Answered above, yes, 2010 Pilot.

August 01, 2023, 03:12 PM

Jelly

All I can tell you the one around here is shady as hell. In 2 cases the engines were worse than the ones pulled out. If they want a core... run. Because they are selling those cores for good JDM engines.

August 01, 2023, 03:13 PM

P250UA5

quote:
Originally posted by stoic-one:
quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5:
I think we need more info.

What is this going in, direct replacement for something that already has a J35 in it?

Given that you specified J35Z4-VCM, makes me think you have a Pilot needing an engine?
Answered above, yes, 2010 Pilot.

Sorry, missed that in-quote response.
You could try something like LKQ, but I'd think a J35Z4 is a J35Z4, just not sure how many JDM models used it.
Not sure if a ECU for your truck would work with something like a Z2 or Z3 & be plug & play.

August 01, 2023, 03:22 PM

stoic-one

quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5:
Sorry, missed that in-quote response.
You could try something like LKQ, but I'd think a J35Z4 is a J35Z4, just not sure how many JDM models used it.
Not sure if a ECU for your truck would work with something like a Z2 or Z3 & be plug & play.

I've looked at LKQ, but everything they list is over 125k miles, the JDMs claim to be ~60K miles, but of course there is no way of verifying that claim...

August 01, 2023, 03:51 PM

HRK

quote:
Originally posted by stoic-one:
Anyone got the skinny on what to expect when purchasing a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) engine? There seems to be distributors all over the US selling these engines.

You know what? This will decimate all, after, you put about fifteen grand in it or more. If we have to, overnight parts from Japan.

We looked at JDM engines for the 99 RX300 when it took a dive, found the same as you, high miles, high price, and the low miles units go fast, and it's still a crap shoot with all the work you do to put them in, the juice wasn't worth the squeeze for that SUV.

August 01, 2023, 05:36 PM

ScreamingCockatoo

I bought one and had my brother go pick it up for me.
It came with a sheet that showed it had just under 60,000 miles on it.
I did have to swap intake manifolds and swap the flex plate for my flywheel.

Been a GREAT replacement in the CR-V.

August 01, 2023, 06:24 PM

egregore

I put a few in, but in the 80s and 90s. They were not direct bolt-ins. They had to be stripped down to the long block, because none of the induction or exhaust systems or wiring harnesses (if they weren't cut) that came on them worked. One even had dual carburetors where the car was originally equipped with fuel injection. However, that frequently happens with most any salvage engine. The advantage of these (if they aren't being falsely advertised) is the generally lower mileage. However, any used engine is a crapshoot. Generally, when a car is scrapped, it didn't drive in running, so there is really no way of knowing if the engine is good or not.

August 01, 2023, 06:32 PM

shovelhead

Used to go around with service writers when they’d request pricing on a salvage engine to save a job from being pulled out of the shop.

I’d tell them “it’s not in the junkyard because the ashtrays were full”

-------------------------------------——————
————————--Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even, usually, surpassing knowledge(E.J.Potter, A.K.A. The Michigan Madman)

August 01, 2023, 06:40 PM

Russ59

My understanding of the JDM advantage is that they're low miles on the engine due to Japan's regressive taxation on vehicles (higher taxes on older cars means older cars quickly lose value to the point of scraping them with low mileage).

I wouldn't be scared of JDM. I would strongly suggest doing your homework first to see just how much of the JDM transfers over to your Pilot.

I put a used motor in my 2003 Odyssey from a local wrecker, also in the J35 family of V6. The trick was it from an 04 Pilot. My mechanic had to swap air intakes for some reason, other than that it was a direct fit. It ran for another 50K miles until the car was totaled by insurance for minor body damage.

Either JDM or a quality local donor (LQK) would be my choice.