JDM imported engines, Are they reliable? Options

[CarlJ]

Hi,

I'm new here. Please forgive me if I this has been posted in the past. I tried the search function.

Anyway, I read this on a civic forum(http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179335):

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JDM Swaps

Honestly, unless these come from a friend in Japan, you're taking a gamble every time. You have no real way to know how many miles are on the engine, nor how it was treated. Just keep that in mind. It has not been proven (no matter how many claims) that these JDM motors make any more HP.
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Now I'm wondering, is any of this true? If you're able to find a trustworthy company that sells these engines, shouldn't everything be ok?

I've noticed a lot of you have done the 3S-GTE swap - did any of you import the engine from Japan, or got it from a company which imports them? Experiences with this?

[lagos]

the minute you swap in an engine that wasnt ment to be in your car, you start to loose a chunk of that realiability and piece of mind you had before. my motor has been great so far, but i know i pop the hood a lot more often then i ever did with my 5sfe.

when u buy a motor, the best thing to do is get a clip. that way u will know the exact milage and youll be able to see if the car was evey modified or left stock. also make sure you seller gives you compression and leakdown test pics and at least a 3month start up warrenty.