Hi, I'm new to this site and to these cars.

I recently acquired a '92 TT. It has a blown engine. Wondering if anyone can give me the following info;

Best place to buy a low mileage engine?

Differences between a JDM vg30tt and a USDM vg30tt (only for ease of swap purposes, IE what do I need to change on a JDM motor to make it work in the USDM car?)

Could anyone link me to a good online tech writeup for the actual engine removal/install? I've heard these are a real bitch to work on.

Im not a newb to cars, just to Z cars. Thanks.

 

just rebuild the TT motor, as most of the jdm motors unless its from a clip are absolute crap.

 

Im not rebuilding it, and I don't plan on keeping the car long. I'm also not hellbent on a JDM engine, they just seem to be rather inexpensive and all over ebay.

 

threw a rod through the block?

 

jspec motors are pretty unpredictable if they are not rebuilt before being installed. it may work, or it might die shortly

check out the TT.net tech pages in Rizz'z link page

 

Sat for 4 years and the shop that the previous owner took it too thought it'd be okay to start it right up. Valves were all stuck.

The cars clean and in great shape otherwise. I got it for $1400. It has a Jim Wolf exhaust, ECU, injectors and clutch.

Bare minimum; it needs all fluids changed and the heads rebuilt, possibly the block. Id like to get a whole engine to save time...

 

JDM engines dont save time unless your looking for a band aid fix, but the safest JDM motors are found in clips, try and find one with an automatic transmission, they are usually less abused.

 

Are crappy JDM engines just Z32 specific? What is usually wrong with them?

I know lots of people who have had great luck with other JDM motors.

 

ive never had a problem with any other JDM motors except the vg and SR motors, usually the problems are crushed oil pans, un-sealed motors with bad turbos, cut harness and broken sensors, thats why you usually buy a complete clip and they only touch the floor and roof.

 

ooh good links, thanks

 

btw, if you're not keeping the car long, I'd suggest selling that exhaust seperately from the car and putting a crappy one on when you sell it - you'll make more money that way. The JWT Genie exhaust is out of production and in HIGH demand due to its stock looks and quiet sound.

And if you're going with a JDM engine, you'll need to replace a whole bunch of crap anyway just so that it'll be under warranty (the entire timing kit, several seals, etc). The vendors know they're problematic and won't guarantee against problems unless you do that stuff. For that reason, many of the guys on here are right, it might be more sensible to just rebuild the one you have.

(btw, I'm beginning to really be proud of the Z32 community... when I first joined tt.net and then here several years later, people were still recommending JDM drop-ins even though I warned of the problems. It finally seems that the community has realized the issue and is now recommending against JDM motors unless a lot of preventative work is done to them.)

 

I had considered trying to put the car back to stock a much as possible and selling the rest separate. What does the JWT exhaust go for used? This one is in great shape.

 

if just the valves were stuck you might want to pull the heads first and see if its only bent valves and nothing else. might be able to just get the heads rebuilt performance oriented and be good to go.

 

I decided to take it apart and see whats up before making any decisions, maybe I can just do the heads like you said.


Thanks for the input guys.

 

while we're on the topic, I'm looking at this for when I get home from ole iraq...
you guys are talking about JDM motors...what do you think about this..

http://www.z1motorsports.com/product...7d4da2a2e8b0bf

anything you can recomend better since aparently JDM motors aren't recomended?

 

buy a cheap JDM motor rebuild the bottom end... and do the 60k maintenance, with a new oil pump and ARP bolts and new head gaskets..

 

If it was me, id definitely just rebuild the heads... maybe even find somebody who's selling a motor with rod knock or something... then the heads will be fine... you can steal the valves out of it and cam(s) if need be... i think it would save you some money. I dont know... just an option... i think they want 20 or 30 bucks a valve for these engines (havent checked lately) so with 24 valves, that gets you up to 6 or 700 bucks.... But.... you really cant tell....

Scratch what I said... take it apart first... see what it needs... then make a decision.... lol