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Buying a used unknown engine or JDM to swap- Crazy?

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Old 09-19-2018, 06:43 AM
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I'd expect the engine cases to look like this for a car that spent it's life in Illinois and Ohio where they spray salt brine on the roads to remove ice and the residue remains even after several rains.

With no exhaust manifold on the car the potential of rain and crud in at least one of the cylinders is high.

What's the asking price? I see S2000 engines on Ebay every time I check. Any type of warranty will increase the price.

-- Chuck
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89CRXSi (09-20-2018)
Old 09-19-2018, 07:53 AM
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He's asking a lot at $3600, but if it's the real deal at 75k babied one owner, all oem... Well, damn, it's still too much lol

I see them go for $2400 - $2800 sometimes with less than 100k.

I've been checking eBay, I'm seeing a lot of high mileage at 130-200k.
Old 09-19-2018, 02:56 PM
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Engines are becoming harder and harder to source. Not a good thing at all.
Old 09-19-2018, 03:24 PM
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That is a good chunk of change for a pre-2002 longblock. I bought a 2007 longblock with all sensors/intake and exhaust manifold/ECU and harness for $3800 that had 30K miles and had all the info and a startup/run video prior to purchase. Good luck in your search, JDM might be your best bet for something with lower mileage.
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Old 09-19-2018, 05:01 PM
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if you're in Florida just buy one from TAE in tampa
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Old 09-19-2018, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by s2000ellier
if you're in Florida just buy one from TAE in tampa
They have a couple. Can anyone vouch?
Old 09-20-2018, 12:44 AM
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I have personally bought a f22c on ebay from TAE in tampa for my brothers s2000. This was a few years back and the engine still runs great. They always have s2000 engines for sale. I also highly suggest you look for a f22c. The f22 compared to a f20 always dyno significantly higher. If you really dead set on getting a f20c then i would just buy a jdm f20c from a JDM engine importer like hmotorsonline. Jdm f20c are very easy to comeby. They always have low millage and the engine importes garantee their engines.

also just to show i'm not bias i currently run my oem f20c just because its super reliable and still had not blown up. But i know for a fact a f22c will always be the faster engine.
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Old 09-20-2018, 04:39 AM
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Rice, you bring up a good point that might open up a whole other can of worms.. the F22c- I can find a ton of them with low mileage.

I guess I've always been obsessed with keeping all of my Honda's original with matching VINS, but if I'm going to do an engine swap the value is already gone.
Old 09-20-2018, 05:56 AM
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I know I'm all over the place on this, but I'm starting to think your JDM option might be the best decision. I like that you all know this guy as well.

My shop will do the job with the transmission install for the same price as the long block install.

Question is, how many of the accessories (starter, alternator, etc) can I reuse in the swap. If I can reuse a few things, the price kinda justifies it because my AP1 has 175k on all of the accessories. What about that JDM clutch, you think it's got a few more on her?

Always appreciate your advice SoFla and look forward to having my car running for the Nov 2nd meet up.
Old 09-20-2018, 07:53 AM
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I was just in your situation a few weeks ago and am also in FL.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a pre-02 longblock, but my car is track only.

I tried buying from TAE but they were complete assholes. The motor is in a running wrecked car and they wouldn't compression test for me or even send me any pictures. I had to beg them on the phone to actually treat me like a customer. They seem very paranoid from having been scammed in the past.

I ended up buying an 05 longblock from a wrecked car shop in Orlando. I got to see it running and check mileage, then watch them pull it. Price was $2000.

I wouldn't have any reservations buying online. If you can request a compression/leakdown test that's probably the best you will get. I wouldn't write something off based on the oil filter and dust. I never ever clean my engine bay.


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