Frequently Asked Questions

Before you buy

How do I know the engine or transmission will fit my vehicle?

Give us the year, make, model, trim and engine code of your vehicle, and the VIN if you have it. We will tell you what we have that matches. Final fitment is the buyer’s responsibility, because swaps, prior repairs and regional variants mean two vehicles with the same badge do not always take the same unit. If you are unsure, call us at (708) 223-0238 before ordering rather than after.

What does "JDM" actually mean here?

It means the unit was originally built for and used in the Japanese domestic market, then imported. In some cases a Japanese-market engine is identical to the US version; in others there are differences in intake, sensors, wiring, emissions equipment or accessory mounting. We will tell you which situation applies to the unit you are asking about so you can plan the install.

Do you test engines before they ship, and what do compression and leak-down tests tell me?

Yes, every engine is checked. Our standard process includes a visual inspection for cracks, leaks and overheating damage, turning the engine over by hand, and a compression test. We perform a leak-down test where the unit and our equipment allow. Units that fail inspection are not sold as tested stock.

A compression test shows whether each cylinder builds and holds pressure, and whether the cylinders are reasonably consistent with each other. A leak-down test goes further and shows where pressure is escaping — past the rings, the intake valve, the exhaust valve or the head gasket. Together they are a strong indicator of internal condition, but no bench test is a substitute for a proper inspection after the unit is installed and running in your vehicle.

How can you claim low mileage if the engine came out of Japan?

We are straightforward about this. Engines and transmissions are exported separately from their donor vehicles, and verified odometer documentation does not always follow the unit. Where we have supporting information from the supplier we will pass it on. Where we do not, we describe the unit by its physical condition — wear on the cylinder walls, condition of the valvetrain, absence of sludge — rather than stating a mileage number we cannot substantiate. Treat any mileage figure in this industry as an estimate unless it comes with paperwork.

What you receive

What is included with an engine, and what will I still need to supply?

Engines are normally supplied as a long block or as a complete unit with the accessories that were attached when it was pulled, which commonly includes the intake manifold, exhaust manifold, alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor and, where applicable, the turbocharger. Coverage varies unit by unit. The listing and your quote state what is attached to the specific engine you are buying, and we will confirm it in writing before it ships.

Unless we specifically say otherwise, you should plan to supply your own fluids, gaskets and seals, timing belt or chain service parts, spark plugs, filters, clutch or torque converter, flywheel or flexplate, motor mounts, wiring harness, ECU, sensors and any emissions hardware required in your state. These are wear or vehicle-specific items and we strongly recommend replacing them during the swap while access is easy.

Do you sell transmissions separately?

Yes. Manual and automatic transmissions are sold on their own or alongside a matching engine. Transmissions are inspected for casing damage, shaft play, fluid condition and free rotation through the gears. As with engines, final fitment and correct fluid specification are the buyer’s responsibility.

Is there a core charge?

Core charges apply on certain items only, and where one applies it is shown on the listing and on your invoice before you pay. When a core is due, return it within the period shown on your invoice, drained and in its original crate or on the pallet it arrived on, and we refund the core deposit to your original payment method. Cores that are cracked, disassembled or missing major components may be refused or refunded at a reduced amount.

Shipping and delivery

What is the difference between freight and LTL, and which will I get?

LTL stands for "less than truckload" and is the standard freight service for a single palletized engine or transmission — your pallet shares a trailer with other shipments and moves through the carrier’s terminal network. Small parts and accessories that fit in a box ship by standard parcel carrier instead. Larger multi-unit or commercial orders may move as dedicated freight. We select the method based on weight, size and destination and confirm it on your shipping notification.

Are units crated?

Engines and transmissions are secured to a pallet, strapped and wrapped for transit, and crated where the unit or the destination calls for it. If you need full crating for a specific reason — a residential delivery, a long-haul route, storage on arrival — tell us before you order and we will quote it.

What do I do if the unit arrives damaged?

Inspect the shipment before you sign for it. If the pallet is damaged, the wrap is torn, the unit has shifted or there is visible impact, note the damage in detail on the carrier’s delivery receipt before signing and take photographs at the truck. A clean signature makes a freight claim very difficult to win. Contact us at jdmotorsofillinois@gmail.com the same day with your order number and photos and we will help you pursue the claim. Full details are in our Shipping Policy.

Can I pick up at your facility instead?

Yes. Local pickup is available at 3040 S 26th Ave, Unit B, Broadview, IL 60155, Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Saturday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM(708) 223-0238 so we can stage the unit. We have equipment on site and our team will help you load. Bring appropriate straps and a vehicle or trailer rated for the load.

After the sale

How long is the warranty?

Tested engines and transmissions carry a 30 to 90 day limited warranty from the delivery or pickup date, covering the internal head and block components. The exact period for your unit is stated on your invoice. Engines fitted with a turbocharger or supercharger carry a 30 day limited warranty. Rotary engines and transmissions are sold as-is with no warranty coverage. Accessories, electrical components, wear items and parts sold as-is are not covered. Read the full terms, conditions and exclusions on our Warranty Policy page before you install.

Do you help with installation?

We are not an installation shop, but we will talk you or your mechanic through what is attached to the unit, known differences between the Japanese-market and US-market versions, and common issues on that engine family. Call (708) 223-0238 during business hours. We strongly recommend that installation is carried out by a qualified mechanic — it is also a condition of the warranty.

Can I return an engine if I change my mind?

Returns are accepted on uninstalled units in original, resalable condition within the window set out in our Return Policy. Once a unit has been installed, disassembled, modified or had fluids run through it, it can no longer be returned — at that point any claim is handled under the warranty instead. All returns need an authorization number from us before shipping back.

Still have a question?

Call (708) 223-0238, email jdmotorsofillinois@gmail.com, or browse our catalog. The more detail you give us about the vehicle — year, make, model, trim, engine code, transmission type, VIN — the faster and more accurate our answer will be.