How much is too much?
 

i am purchasing a 7MGTE here in the next couple weeks and the seller of the motor filled me in on some of the stuff about the motor. before he pulled the motor out, he was pushing out around 500 HP on stock internals. i know that the stock internals on these motors can handle a lot, but what kind of damage can be brought on by this if at all? also, another thing he brought up was that it knocked between 3500-4000 RPM. im thinking that it is a rod bearing, but who knows until we tear the motor down! those are just a couple questions that i have. Thanks!

Like you said, you don't know really until you pull it apart. If it's still in the host car and you can run it or at least get it cranking over with the starter you can do some preliminary diagnostic work. Personally, In buying a used engine I'd look for one which was run as close to stock as possible... the more power it's making when something goes bad the worse the damage.

Nice car look just like mine, but it is a non turbo. I bought mine for $250 with a blown motor too. If you end up buying another motor go to tiger Japanese do a Google search they got good prices and ship quick.