JDM Motor
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Vehicle: 98 Hyundai Tiburon
JDM Motor
In all my reading here I have never seen anyone talk about putting a JDM in their cars. I have the option to do that and wonder if it is a good idea? Or is it better to tear my motor out and rebuild. I have been able to locate a JDM with under 60k and a trans for under $1500 and I know to rebuild is more that that. What is the benefits of the JDM? and drawbacks?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 680
Likes: 3
From: Columbus, Ohio
Vehicle: 2010 Hyundai Accent
Well to start off, Hyundai is from Korea so anything the motor would be KDM. Also, the Korean motor isn't any better compared to the available USDM ones like JDM Honda motors. The only exception to this is the motor that came in the evo f2 motor which had about 10hp more then the standard Beta I motor. So honestly you're best bet is to just build/rebuild the motor you have unless you want to buy a lower mileage motor.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,185
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Vehicle: MC + RD2 + AW11 + 944 = 4x Win
First of all, define JDM in this sense.
There's absolutely no purpose in swapping in any other manufacture's motor when the Beta that come stock in RD Tibs is a rally tested powerhouse. Plenty of people have swapped in 4Gs and Pulsar SRs, but the cost is appalling. Money better spent on modding the Beta. Even an older Tib with the 1.6L can find a donor motor for a fraction of the price of even a US spec Honda motor; let alone a "JDM."
For instance, a 4G63T (of the generations oriented correctly for our platforms) make around 250 at the wheels in the best condition. For the cost of a motor like that you can buy a pre-made kit that can modify the bets to produce similar power. Whereas the Mitsubishi motor will require a rebuild, customization of the engine bay including mounts, a modified transmission to run FWD, standalone engine management which can cost more than the motor itself, custom wiring harness and full customization of the transmission cabling and all hydraulic lines. To do the job properly you're looking for a price-point somewhere in the range of 7500-10k. It's juts not a wise investment, especially when the stock motor has racing in its blood.
There's absolutely no purpose in swapping in any other manufacture's motor when the Beta that come stock in RD Tibs is a rally tested powerhouse. Plenty of people have swapped in 4Gs and Pulsar SRs, but the cost is appalling. Money better spent on modding the Beta. Even an older Tib with the 1.6L can find a donor motor for a fraction of the price of even a US spec Honda motor; let alone a "JDM."
For instance, a 4G63T (of the generations oriented correctly for our platforms) make around 250 at the wheels in the best condition. For the cost of a motor like that you can buy a pre-made kit that can modify the bets to produce similar power. Whereas the Mitsubishi motor will require a rebuild, customization of the engine bay including mounts, a modified transmission to run FWD, standalone engine management which can cost more than the motor itself, custom wiring harness and full customization of the transmission cabling and all hydraulic lines. To do the job properly you're looking for a price-point somewhere in the range of 7500-10k. It's juts not a wise investment, especially when the stock motor has racing in its blood.