SR20DE Imported Engine Scam

[kris]

Here is a post off of another forum:

I want to share what I've learned about this scam, to help you all avoid getting taken. First, many thanks to Andreas Miko, a forum member for most of this info. Thanks also to Todd C. (his topic "Pics of My New Engine" Toddles82 - 8/12/2001 02:18PM started it all for me)and Ben Davis who helped, and several others who offered suggestions & encouragement. To recap I was taken in a scam whereby a 1.8 liter SR18DE (not available in US as OE) was substituted for the SR20DE, I thought I was getting. 3 ways to tell the difference:
1) Hard but foolproof way - open the engine up and measure the crank throw / connecting rod length. All SR engines (there are at least 3: SR16, SR18, SR20) have same bore, but different stroke, so needless to say, crank throws & connecting rods are shorter, Valves are also smaller on the SR18 than the SR20.
2) Easiest way (unless it's altered as mine was) - Check the engine model stamped into the pad on the front side of block near the #4 cylinder. It should read SR20. If it reads anything else - beware. Mine had last 2 characters ground off, another example had RRRR stamped. An enterprising criminal could grind off all characters and re-stamp SR20, so watch that.

3) Almost certain way - Look for code cast into the Head in half inch high, raised letters, below and to side of distributor. It's fairly easy to spot (on my motor, at least) by sighting between the distributor and the coil. 64J = SR18DE low-port motor. 58Y = SR18DE high-port motor. I'll try to get codes for SR20 & SR16. I think it would be pretty difficult to alter these cast in codes, so this is probably best way to tell.

I'm told it's a pretty common scam -- I've become aware of 3 cases, without even trying. So beware, don't let those B#$%@&ds get you! (or mess things up for the honest engine importers).

Alan

Thats something all of us should watch out for.

[G-Forces]

Arseholes! They can scam me by giving me a SR16VVL (N1) instead of a SR20DE.

[G22DET]

yeh, i have actually heard about this sorta scam too...but only with honda motors, i guess bad people are in the nissan market too!!
damn it Jason, sr16vvl....yuuum....205hp from a 1.6 Honda

[kenchan]

man, wish I could get a S2000 motor in m G.

[nis.k.a.]

S2000 motor in a G? Nah.

[poppy_morenito]

I could have fallen vitim to this scam but luckily Andre Miko picked my engine out for me. I went with him to pick it out. Otherwise I would not have none the difference ....

Be careful ....

[primera man]

This is the type of shit we get here in NZ with all the imports.

I've lost count how many times i have seen 1.8L P11 being sold as 2.0L.

The other bigger is speedos being put back.
An example i saw was a car being sold with 60k on the speedo, but there was a sticker in the petrol cap lid saying its next service was due at 160k

[kris]

Originally posted by primera man
This is the type of shit we get here in NZ with all the imports.

I've lost count how many times i have seen 1.8L P11 being sold as 2.0L.

The other bigger is speedos being put back.
An example i saw was a car being sold with 60k on the speedo, but there was a sticker in the petrol cap lid saying its next service was due at 160k

Now that is really messed up. I dont think I have ever seen odometer fraud yet....

[primera man]

It's not as bad as it used to be but still goes on.
A lot of dealers now put a seal on the speedo and guarantee that the speedo has not been messed with.
Other examples are..the numbers having screwdriver marks on the face where they turn them back.
* Motors being rebuilt after only 60-80km as they are stuffed.
* Finding the service book dont match the speedo
*Signs that the dash has been taken apart around the dials etc etc.

Plus......who would by a 1990 model with only 28,000Km on the clock ???....yes i've seen them for sale.....bit hard to beleive unless its been stored.