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Hey all,

Im looking at a car to buy at the moment. And the owner is unsure of the internals of the engine as it was built in japan etc

Is there any way, short of ripping the head off, i could find out or see whats in the engine??

Short answer, no.

Lol thanks!

bugger.

so if i remove the head to have a look ill be up for new gaskets etc

Unless its a metal Head Gasket and still fit to be re-used, yes.

Have you asked for receipts for the claimed engine work which may document what was done/fitted?

Plus im sure he wont be to happy getting the head removed to have a look only to find out its not and me not buying it :S

Put a proposal to him. If its a forgeded engine you'll buy it and pay the cost of removing the head for inspection. If it isnt he pays and you dont buy.

He was obviously the one that raised the possibility of it being a built engine so put him on the spot.

you want this:

SLIPV300E.jpg

but without receipts etc to prove exactly what is in there, and who built it, and how long ago it was built then you would be best off treating it as a standard factory engine and I certainly wouldn't pay any extra for a car that comes with a lucky dip engine.... which is what you have here.

Putting the scope down the plug hole aint gonna so much, all youre gonna see is carbon.

I dont know about 25s, but I know 26s have the baffle plates bolted to the bottom of the cradle, you wouldnt be able to see through those either going through the sump.

With no proof, id argue its standard and he trying to have you on.

..or you could put the boost to 2 bar and see if it cracks a ring land or not haha.

but without receipts etc to prove exactly what is in there, and who built it, and how long ago it was built then you would be best off treating it as a standard factory engine and I certainly wouldn't pay any extra for a car that comes with a lucky dip engine.... which is what you have here.

Exactly how i would treat it.

Even if it did have forged pistsons... if its been running in the high 200rwkw range for a few years its probably fairly tired anyhow from the beating it would have taken.

Either the seller pays to have it inspected, or you treat it as stock motor IMO.

You shouldnt be paying a cent, onus is on him to prove what he's selling, not you.

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