Differences between JDM and American 7MGTE

518Supra · 02-18-2009, 02:58 PM

Hey all i have a 90 7mgte w/ a spun main bearing, everything else is fine but i need a new short block. I was talking to the supra guy that lives near me and he advised me not to buy a JDM motor, but i havent been able to find anything around here that isnt JDM. Again all i need is the short block and im just looking for differences between the two. I also apoligise if there was already a thread about this, searched a while but couldnt find it.

518Supra · 02-19-2009, 02:30 PM

nothing??? cmon supra ppl i know some of you are pros!!

defiant · 02-19-2009, 04:23 PM

Are you sure yours is a short block? The JDM 7M-GTE is a perfect match to the North American 7M-GTE, oh and the JDM came with the CT26 turbo. However the block is a long block.

518Supra · 02-19-2009, 06:29 PM

sory i worded it wrong, all i need is the short block. I was just wondering if there were any differences in the oil pan/pump, and if i would need a new wiring harness or something like that. I was told that the motor doesent simply "drop in" but thats only one persons opinion ya know

btwilson86 · 02-19-2009, 07:58 PM

It depends on what year of JDM engine you get. The 87-88's have a mid-sump oil pan, and I believe that the 89-92's have a rear sump oil pan. This change was from the introduction of the 1JZ. You will also have to swap all of your state required emissions items over, but as you said you only need a short block I'm pretty sure you know this. I know on the 7MGE's (not sure on the Turbo models), there was a slight modification to the engine in 89(?) where they counterbalanced the crankshaft at the no 2 and no 5 cylinder, which resulted in a lower redline (by 200 RPM) and requires the use of a different flywheel/flexplate.

In addition to the above stated, you may find that some electrical plugs are different (such as the oil pressure sensor), so you may need to swap your current one's over or purchase new ones.

With swapping in a JDM engine, you should plan on a rebuild. Just because it's low-mileage doesn't mean it wasn't abused, so it's a good idea to take care of that before you put it in the car and possibly have it crap out on you down the road.

518Supra · 02-22-2009, 10:33 PM

exactally what i was lookin for, thanks for the info. Pretty sure im gunna make the drive and get a rebuilt not JDM . But thanks again!

Mr.Bojangles · 03-03-2009, 07:54 PM

If you did get a JDM GTE and it came with the ECU and wiring harness, then theoretically you should be able to just drop it in (barring pan differences) and be all set right?? You should be able to use all the accessories that came with the JDM once you rebuild the motor. I might be wrong, if so someone please correct me because I am going to buy one very soon for a GE to GTE swap.

btwilson86 · 03-04-2009, 01:04 AM

You may need to swap some emissions stuff over (depending on your local laws and if you choose to follow them). As for the harness, I'm pretty sure that on the JDM Supras the ECU is going to be on the left side of the car, not the right like the USDM Supras. So you would want a US harness, some of the sensors, and then your ECU and engine should work fine. Or you could lengthen your JDM wiring harness.

02-18-2009, 02:58 PM	#1
518Supra Stock Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 9	Differences between JDM and American 7MGTE Hey all i have a 90 7mgte w/ a spun main bearing, everything else is fine but i need a new short block. I was talking to the supra guy that lives near me and he advised me not to buy a JDM motor, but i havent been able to find anything around here that isnt JDM. Again all i need is the short block and im just looking for differences between the two. I also apoligise if there was already a thread about this, searched a while but couldnt find it.

02-19-2009, 07:58 PM	#5
btwilson86 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Billings, Montana Posts: 1,034	It depends on what year of JDM engine you get. The 87-88's have a mid-sump oil pan, and I believe that the 89-92's have a rear sump oil pan. This change was from the introduction of the 1JZ. You will also have to swap all of your state required emissions items over, but as you said you only need a short block I'm pretty sure you know this. I know on the 7MGE's (not sure on the Turbo models), there was a slight modification to the engine in 89(?) where they counterbalanced the crankshaft at the no 2 and no 5 cylinder, which resulted in a lower redline (by 200 RPM) and requires the use of a different flywheel/flexplate. In addition to the above stated, you may find that some electrical plugs are different (such as the oil pressure sensor), so you may need to swap your current one's over or purchase new ones. With swapping in a JDM engine, you should plan on a rebuild. Just because it's low-mileage doesn't mean it wasn't abused, so it's a good idea to take care of that before you put it in the car and possibly have it crap out on you down the road. __________________ 1989 7MGTE R154 Targa Top White Package w/Blue Interior Driftmotion 57trim CT26, Upgraded Intercooler, 2.25" Hard Pipes, 3" Turbo Back Exhaust with Test Pipe, HKS VPC w/GM 3 bar MAP sensor, APEXi S-AFC, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, ProSport EVO Series Boost / Fuel Pressure / AFR gauges, Lotek a Pillar Gauge Pod, HKS Type 0 Turbo Timer, Eibach Lowering Springs, Tokico Illumina II TEMS struts, custom powder coated Motegi Racing TrakLite wheels

03-03-2009, 07:54 PM	#7
Mr.Bojangles Stock Join Date: May 2007 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 8	If you did get a JDM GTE and it came with the ECU and wiring harness, then theoretically you should be able to just drop it in (barring pan differences) and be all set right?? You should be able to use all the accessories that came with the JDM once you rebuild the motor. I might be wrong, if so someone please correct me because I am going to buy one very soon for a GE to GTE swap. __________________ I used to believe in American horsepower until my LT1 popped at 50k miles.

03-04-2009, 01:04 AM	#8
btwilson86 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Billings, Montana Posts: 1,034	You may need to swap some emissions stuff over (depending on your local laws and if you choose to follow them). As for the harness, I'm pretty sure that on the JDM Supras the ECU is going to be on the left side of the car, not the right like the USDM Supras. So you would want a US harness, some of the sensors, and then your ECU and engine should work fine. Or you could lengthen your JDM wiring harness. __________________ 1989 7MGTE R154 Targa Top White Package w/Blue Interior Driftmotion 57trim CT26, Upgraded Intercooler, 2.25" Hard Pipes, 3" Turbo Back Exhaust with Test Pipe, HKS VPC w/GM 3 bar MAP sensor, APEXi S-AFC, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, ProSport EVO Series Boost / Fuel Pressure / AFR gauges, Lotek a Pillar Gauge Pod, HKS Type 0 Turbo Timer, Eibach Lowering Springs, Tokico Illumina II TEMS struts, custom powder coated Motegi Racing TrakLite wheels

02-19-2009, 02:30 PM	#2
518Supra Stock Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 9	nothing??? cmon supra ppl i know some of you are pros!!

02-19-2009, 04:23 PM	#3
defiant Stock Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: vancouver canada Posts: 11	Are you sure yours is a short block? The JDM 7M-GTE is a perfect match to the North American 7M-GTE, oh and the JDM came with the CT26 turbo. However the block is a long block.

02-19-2009, 06:29 PM	#4
518Supra Stock Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 9	sory i worded it wrong, all i need is the short block. I was just wondering if there were any differences in the oil pan/pump, and if i would need a new wiring harness or something like that. I was told that the motor doesent simply "drop in" but thats only one persons opinion ya know

02-22-2009, 10:33 PM	#6
518Supra Stock Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 9	exactally what i was lookin for, thanks for the info. Pretty sure im gunna make the drive and get a rebuilt not JDM . But thanks again!