JDM Engine swap or rebuild head? 2002 Mazda Protege

[Skinywing]

Got a 2002 Mazda protege with bent valves in cylinder 1,3&4. This has been a great daily for me so I’m thinking about swapping in a used engine. Found a JDM import FS-DE near by that I’m taking a look at on Saturday. The Importer calls it an FS-FE for some reason, not sure if it’s any different than the FS-DE. I’ll be able to take a look at the cams while I’m looking at the engine.

I also can just rebuild the cylinder head and should be good to go. I’m concerned that with 203,000 miles on the clock, the lower end may need a refresh as well. I’m not interested in a full engine build this year. I did that last year on my Isuzu.

Does anyone here have any experience with an JDM import engine? Is it just not worth it and maybe I should look at just rebuilding the head?

Like to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

A month later - hopefully you foudn that engine, slapped it in and have been back to enjoying your Protege.

The JDM engines always have a draw for being lower miles - around 50-80K miles. I'm shopping for one now and they seem to be around $1000. If you find one at your local wrecker, you can save some money, but it will have closer to 200K miles. I say just grab the JDM engine, change the timing belt / water pump before you install it.

 

[pcb]

I remember reading that cars in Japan have to meet strick emissions testing when they reach 100,000 km.
I think they have to meet original OEM specs?

A lot of people end up buying a new car instead. So the used engine is sent abroad.

Apparently the Japanese take Way Better care of their cars than North Americans, so an engine from Japan shouldn't have pistons like this,..

 

[pcb]

Got a 2002 Mazda protege with bent valves in cylinder 1,3&4.

The Mazda FS-DE engine is a non-interference engine.

Check your Timing-Belt to see if has skipped teeth.

Apparently the only way to bend valves is to be Way Past red line, with floating valves when the Timing-Belt snaps.