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I posted this in their feedback thread on NS.com.
I've had mixed dealings with Just Jap. Previously, I've been in there to buy products and been ignored for 15 minutes. It's not my job to ask for help - it's your job to serve. Nevertheless, off the top of my head, I've bought:
two Strut Braces
two Indicators
a Digital Climate Control
a Steering Wheel
a Boss Kit
three Gauges
a 'DIN-sized' Triple Gauge-Holder
an Oil Pressure/Temp Sandwich Plate
a Radiator Water Temp Sender
I know there is more stuff I've forgotten, but onwards...
My latest, and final purchase engine from Just Jap was an engine from an S14 200SX. It was a SR20DE (non-turbo), complete with auto gearbox and a cut loom with ECU.
The first problem was the delivery. I purchased it on a Saturday. It was supposed to be delivered to the workshop where my car, my daily driver which I use to get to work, was sitting waiting. It had a blown engine and obviously I needed the conversion done as quickly as possible. Further, I was concerned the warranty would run out. I was told by one salesman (I will not name names) that the warranty was three months from date of purchase, and then I was told by a different one it was one month from date of purchase. As a customer, the warranty was also scant on details on the back of the receipt. My engine - a naturally aspirated SR20DE - is hardly what one would refer to as a "performance engine", for which the warranty is one month. Rather, I would class it as a "standard replacement engine", for which the warranty would be three months. I purchased the engine for a total cost of $870 + delivery.
On Monday, the engine didn't arrive.
On Tuesday, the engine still hadn't arrived. I received a missed call from Just Jap on my mobile that afternoon. Luckily, I called back as soon as possible. A salesperson I had previously dealt with, albeit not the one that sold me the engine on the previous Saturday, was asking if I was "still interested" in purchasing the engine. Apparently, he had a customer there who wanted to purchase it. I informed him that I had actually bought the engine on the weekend and it was supposed to be delivered the day before. Predictably, I was shocked - if I hadn't rung back, could that customer have bought MY engine a second time?
On Wednesday, the engine was delivered. The second problem was that it arrived without the automatic gearbox and ECU. I promptly rang Just Jap and spoke to the salesperson I had dealt with yesterday. He merely queried why I would want the gearbox and ECU. I paid for the engine as a PACKAGE with gearbox and ECU. Whether or not I need them is irrelevant, I paid for them. He arranged for the ECU to be sent the next day, which to their credit indeed arrived.
My mechanic then set to work installing the new engine. That part was relatively easy. I retained my S13 5-speed, and there was only minimal modifications required to get the engine all in. A headache was the wiring, which was a custom job done by a forum member. He adapted my S13 loom to fit the S14 engine, and we retained the S13 ECU.
My mechanic was very dubious about the condition of the engine though. He had checked the engine out internally, and there was a fair bit of wear. In his words, it looked "like it hadn't been serviced properly, or it has had a hard life". Quite a turn of events from the claim I was told by the salesman who sold me the engine: "We [Just Jap] don't sell shit engines. ..it has had an easy life, you can tell by the automatic transmission".
After my mechanic told me this, I was a bit worried, but at the same time thankful I had purchased from a reputable business, with a warranty on the engine. We got the engine started, and there was an incredibly loud and bad top end rattle. A compression test also showed that two cylinders were significantly lower than the others - about 125psi each, whilst theother two were 185psi. It was now I decided to take up the warranty issue with Just Jap.
I called them and told them about the problems I was having. They suggested that I add some additives to the engine, and tried to get me off the phone. I insisted they inspect the car, because we had already added a lot of additives. The engine had been flushed numerous times. They asked I bring the car down for their mechanic to inspect that the conversion had been carried out correctly. I did so, driving all the way to Kirrawee from Cremorne. Their mechanic down there even came for a test-drive in the car. He stated at the time that he was sure "it is a lifter problem...I've seen plenty of SR20s come in with the same problem". He told me to arrange a time to bring the car in next week, and that they would fix it.
At this time, in consultation with people who had been in a similar situation (see Magnet's post a few pages back in this thread) I tried to negotiate a replacement engine with Just Jap over the phone. My mechanic was of the opinion that even if they did replace the lifters, the engine is still worn and tired, and I should have a right to a new engine. The salesperson I spoke to flat out refused, saying that they reserved the right to replace the engine. The salesperson I spoke to also suggested I bring the car in for an inspection. Understandably, I was frustrated, as I had already done that the last week!
In the end, I asked to speak to the manager. He seemed very helpful and keen to resolve the situation amicably. Several days later I brought the car down. I arrived at about 10.30am in the morning, the earliest I could get there, and got the train back. Because I had brought it down 'late' in the day, I had to leave the car there for two days. This was not an issue with me, as I simply wanted it fixed properly.
The day after I received a call from the manager - the head had apparently been totally rebuilt. I queried exactly what, and he was scant on the parts and details. Nevertheless, he was again polite, so I thanked him and got the train down there the next morning to pick the car up.
Down there, I spoke to the manager and I think possibly the owner of the business. They were both helpful. I listened to the car, and it appeared very quiet when running. They didn't give me a receipt for the exact work carried out, and nor did I ask. They said they replaced head parts with "mint" ones from another second-hand engine. They said they did a pressure and leak-down test, and the engine is now in "mint" condition, and that the bottom-end was "perfect".
The first problem occurred on the drive home. They had not replaced the dizzy top-dead center and so the car was incredibly sluggish and flat spots everywhere. I visited my mechanic, and we adjusted the dizzy and timing. The car, for a short period of time, was running well.
The engine was now out of the one-month warranty offered for 'performance engines' sold by Just Jap.
Then, another rattle, not dissimilar to the one I had experienced prior to the "rebuild", became audible again. It is very loud from about 2000rpm onwards, and audible even at idle. Further, there is now a more sinister bottom-end knocking noise audible at idle. It sounds like a jackhammer. I actually thought I was driving past a building site at first, until I stopped at a set of lights.
I will not be dealing with Just Jap again. I intended to sell the car after finishing the engine swap, but the engine in the car now devalues it so much that I may as well keep it. I am dubious the rebuild has actually been carried out as stated. In short, it is stuffed - my mechanic confirms this. I don't expect it to last much longer, and I will have to foot the bill for another replacement engine and labour.
I have left out the additional costs in labor, petrol, and parts that I had to purchase in order to complete the swap. The financial cost overall is what hurts most - I am a student, who worked 35 hour weeks to fund the swap. I'm not a backyard mechanic, and I don't get things done by friends, so the cost is at standard mechanic's rates.
Thanks.
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They wouldn't give me another engine, or a refund - that is something which I did not mention in my account. They refused to refund me for the engine.
