Lookin at a 7MGTE
 

I'm looking at a 7M-GTE with a 5 speed tranny. He's charging me $1500. The only problem with it is that it has oil in the spark plug galley? He told me that all I have to do is buy the cheap gasket. True? I kno the price seems high, but i need one as i blew my engine a couple of nights ago.

IF it is in good shape, that is not a bad price.
If it is beat and needs rebuilding, you are getting ripped off.

A JDM 7M-GTE engine with the works on the motor (CPS, turbo, injectors, harness, manifolds, oil pan, etc) is about $1100

R154 5 speed transmissions go for about $400


The only thing is, does it have low miles like the JDM engines supposedly have.
Not to say that a low mileage engine can't be worn out, but just saying that they are usually low miles (stated that way at least) and people like that.

Now you live near Fort Lauderdale (I spent a couple winters in Fort L :)), and so that is 30ish minutes from Miami.
And I know there is a JDM dealer in Miami.
Is that where you are getting it from?

It's a place called the "MKIII graveyard" in Kendall. He doesnt kno how many miles are on the engine because the gauge cluster has been removed. I think thats bs because i asked him if he drove it and he said he drove it home and it ran fine but sputtered because of oil in the spark plug galley. So thats what would fix the oil leak into the galley? A new gasket there? I found one for i think $28. And yea, theres a place called rickys auto. They have mostly honda stuff but they also have a 7mgte but no tranny. And i need both because my 3rd gear is blown.

The engine also comes with everything i need for the swap.

Or maybe just does not want to tell you.
If it is not a JDM engine, you are getting ripped off.
Think of it, JDM engines that have lower miles are for the prices I gave you, if this has been run for a longer period of time, it should be for less.

If you could, do a leak down test on it.
That is the only way you would be able to determine its condition at this point.

Yeah, if it is from a car that has been in the states since the late 1980's, you are getting ripped off.
I think the going rate for what he is selling from a junk yard is about 600ish, but is still a gamble since you have not seen the engine run.

I myself would never buy an engine that I did not see run from some junkyard.
It is not worth it to me for all the risk involved.
Even if they refund you your money if it is bad, you will still need to install and then uninstall that motor.

I could maybe do a JDM install, but not from someone who does not know--or won't tell you--the needed info on that motor.

^^^^^ True True ^^^^^