Does anyone have any experience buying used engines from Japan.I noted a source online in California that imports used engines from Japan,and was wondering if anyone has done that..Is it as "economical" as the website claims? I have a friend who did it years ago with his PUP,and said it turned out to be a good deal.I was wondering if anyone else has done it,and what kind of experiences they had...TIA...John <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

I might add that I'm looking to replace my 3.2 SOHC in my '95 Trooper,and this certainly appears as an alternative to buying a remanufactured engine,or rebuilding my old one. I also understand,that because of Japan's emissions laws,these "used" engines are fairly low mileage- around 30-40,000 miles.Like I said,if anyone has done this,or knows someone who has,what kind of experiences have you had? Again,thanks..............................John

I have head of this, but IÆve never actually talked to anyone that did it. Or see a reputable company that imported them. So, for all I know its BS...

Here is what I think is the deal...
New cars in Japan can be used for any milage for the first 3 years of its life, but them they are taxed heavily every 2 years after that. Most are used for 5 years or so with 50k miles on them. The thought is to keep old cars off the road and reduce emissions in large cities.
Because this is known in advance that the cars will only be used for 5 years or so, there is usually NO maintainance done on cars.
So what? NO oil changes for 5 years? No nothing? Sounds like buying a lease return, or a car from my grandmother or sister. At least you know that you are getting a mildly abused engine, for $1k or so. You might also be put off by the fact that you have NO way of knowing how many miles are actually on the engine. It's a crap shoot-but its cheap and Isuzu Makes a dang-good engine.

I say buy it if you want to keep your car. Just make sure that it has been run BEFORE you pay for it. Remember that the 3.2 was last built when??? And then stored in a warehouse?
If it were me I would buy a T/D 3.1 if I was going to do the work anyways(unless you have an automatic, rpm shift points dont match a diesel).
Just make sure you trust the person you are buying from.

On the Other hand a nice clean 1995 Trooper S with 100k mile around these parts sell for $3500-$4500

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what are the url/addresses

thanks

//bc?

I have several friends that run those Honda Engines in their cars and wow you would think they wouldnt last but they really really do. One is turbo'd and other N/A, and nothing has gone wrong. They Paid about 1000.00 for them and were delivered to the Front door, We put them in that night and all the next day tuning them and bolting up performance. I'd say go for it If you feel comfortable about it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Likely www.risingsunengines.com

Used to get quite a few Yota 22Rxx's from them for up here.

Ahh, thats It. thats the site. there it is

It is Rising Sun Engines..out of Chico,CA. I talked to a rep today about the 3.2SOHC...He said that was a domestic engine,and the one I'd be getting would be re-manufactured.I guess they don't use the 3.2 in Japan...It seems like a good deal..at least I got some straight answers from the guy and he seemed helpful...Seeing that theres no decent 3.2's around here for sale(lots of earlier V-6's)and its still cheaper than what it would cost to rebuild mine,I'm seriously considering it...Thanks for all your help and advice guys...I'll let you know how this turns out......John

That's pretty cool that they bench-test the engines. Did you get a price yet? I don't think I would replace the engine in my Amigo if it blew up, just buy another rig. The engines are so rare and reliable it is hard to buy them cheap from a junkyard. That is the catch-22 I guess of Isuzus though I think. Resale is horrendous so you can buy them cheap, very good value for the money, well built and rugged, but major drivetrain components are so expensive to replace (and find) its often best financially to just start over with another one.

It's still a tossup though, for 2-3K a warranteed engine wouuldn't be that bad of a deal if your truck is in great shape, last another 5 years atleast. Much more than that, plus shipping and install costs (if you have a shop do it) would make it unreasonable in my opinion.