Would you buy a 4G with a JDM swap? - Honda Prelude Forum

SteveV · 12-05-2002, 08:33 AM

There is a car for sale, a 94 VTEC model that blew the original motor so a JDM motor was put in. (ok, so it belongs to a member of PO.com and it's in the 4Sale forum.) From his description of the car, everything sounds pretty good to me. The engine swap was done at a shop. Although he hasn't drove it much since the swap, he says it runs well and has no idle problems. He lives a little too far for me to go and test drive it, so I'm currently working on finding someone who lives near him (NYC) to check it out for me.

My only worries is if the JDM engine gives me problems by not running right, and also the potential for not passing emissions. From reading other posts, it should pass the smog test if the cat and 02 sensor are good. I don't have to pass any visual inspection of the motor (being that its not a US motor).

So can you guys give me any feedback? I would like to hear from those who have been running JDMs for awhile.

go pre · 12-05-2002, 09:29 AM

I personally would never buy a car on it's second engine unless the price was reduced accordingly. think of it this way: people who take care of their cars (hondas) properly don't usually have to replace the ENGINE after only 120,000 miles. if they blew the engine that early then they probably didn't take very good care of the car in the first place. I'd also probably never buy a car that had mods done to it.. it's like buying someone else's unfinished project. (and it shows that they probably drove it pretty hard too)

Mark94 · 12-05-2002, 09:45 AM

I pretty much told you the same thing as go pre. The engine should not have blown at only 120,000 miles if the car was taken care of properly or wasn't pushed hard often.

I have no problems buying a modded car as long as I know the car was taken care of (receipts for all work done), but not one with a second engine.

Mark

red92si · 12-05-2002, 10:22 AM

I wouldnt do it unless you had a compitent mechanic fully inspect the car for problems. I do that with any car I look into buying. Just remember that if it has any mods, the previous owner probably drove it hard. Good Luck

SteveV · 12-05-2002, 10:36 AM

supposedly, the original engine was replaced because it suffered crankshaft bearing damages, possibly from being hooked up to a S-AFC which leaned out too much or something. The car was not his, he bought it off his friend and fixed it for his brother. but his brother wants a different car now, so he needs to sell it. The mechanic/shop who did the swap is supposedly a reputable place.

SteveV · 12-05-2002, 11:10 AM

here's a few more things to think about from my perspective. I'm looking for an older 4G VTEC to play around with in the summertime only. It would only be driven a few thousand miles a year. Most of these cars I find for sale have so many miles on them, like well over 100k or even 150k plus. I would consider those to be ticking time bombs where something could go at any time. Now this car I'm looking at now has a swapped in motor with only 40k on it. But it's JDM. and alot of people on here keep having tuning problems with their JDM motors. I'm ok at working/fixing cars to a certain extent. As far as mods on a car, simple bolt on mods don't really do much. Now, if a turbo or nitirous was used for awhile, then I'd be concerned.

Steve

bk94si · 12-05-2002, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SteveV
Most of these cars I find for sale have so many miles on them, like well over 100k or even 150k plus. I would consider those to be ticking time bombs where something could go at any time. Steve

If a Honda is taken care of 100k is nothing. I bought mine with 121k and it runs perfect, burns maybe half a quart of oil in 3k miles. I had an older Civic before that I put 225k on before it needed an engine swap and it was still running well just starting to smoke a little.

SteveV · 12-06-2002, 09:19 AM

well, can at least some of you guys who have the JDM H22 swaps comment on how your cars have been running?

Brady92/4WS · 12-06-2002, 12:15 PM

it sounds to me you have already made up your mind, i say buy it.

SteveV · 12-06-2002, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brady92/4WS
it sounds to me you have already made up your mind, i say buy it.

well, I'm getting close...I'm just waiting for someone to check it out in person for me, and they might do it this weekend. so we'll see.

[SUB[EX] · 12-06-2002, 07:29 PM

My JDM motor is BOMB. I Swapped it myself tho. Unless you are good at working on cars NEVER get one with High miles, i mean the car not the engine. My engine runs strong but the rest of the car is having a few Bugs. If i had to pay labor i would never get to drive my car. What is the price? I personally want 10k for mine but i guess 8.5k wouldnt be out of the question.

SLICK96 · 12-09-2002, 02:08 AM

If I got a good price on it, I'd do it, hands down... of course I'd have to have it inspected, and would probably have it done by Honda.

J