The Kujira Crown (Might not sell it!)

[Turtle]

Seems a lot high. You can probably buy a rear-ended LS400 for noticeably less...

And that way you'd have access to literally everything you could possibly need.

This. What shade of red are you thinking about painting the Crown? I think that a darker shade of red would look very nice. The sound of a 1UZ swap sounds really nice. Good luck finding one for a good price.

~Turtle

​

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Have a look. If it looks good and seems worth the money, go for it. Maybe you can haggle the price down a bit.

I agree with you all the way. For 1500 dollars, it sound really expensive, but if the guy put a better alternator and upgraded the engine and it's under 200K in miles (unless you're looking for a lower mileage) it's seems legit Medigo, but don't go into buying yet.

But as long you take some friends with you to look it over and let the owner show papers and/or tell you on all the things he's done to it, then try to lower the price (if you want it.)

 

[MedigoFlame]

Considering the seller didn't seem too knowledgeable about what he was talking about. (Seems to be of a younger age saying that he and his father were working on it as a project car) I'll ask for receipts to see what $1500 worth of whatever was done to it. I do feel like the price is a tad high, but if that money was spent on overhauling it, it'd be pretty good. Still looking into finding one that's been into an accident that's still got an engine in working order.

As for the color, I'm still not too sure yet. Arena red looks good...maybe?

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Yeah, just keep looking for a better deal, but still take some buddies and check out the condition of the 1UZ. And asking to see the receipts on the investments on the engine is a good idea.

 

[MaliciousMD]

$1,500 is too much IMO for an engine with little to no real information in regards to health @ that mileage. Plus you'd be surprised how quick you can rack up a $1,500 parts bill fixing the "little things" on a 1UZ.

Things I take with me when entertaining the idea of buying an engine in a car that runs:
- Portable 5 Gallon Air Tank (Mine will hold 150psi)
- Basic Hand Tool Set
- Multi-Meter
- Compression Tester
- Leak Down Tester
- 40W Oil in a Small Squirt Can
- Cooling System pH Test Strips
- Oil Filter Cutter
- Replacement Oil Filter
- Bright Flashlight
- Timing Light (Not always, circumstantial.)

Flashlight, compression tester, air tank/leak down tester/oil can, multi-meter and hand tools are all pretty self explanatory.

pH strips are nice because even after a system has been flushed and look nice, it may still be acidic from prior poor maintenance or lack there of. This can lead to electrolysis corrosion, or it's already started.

I've gotten a lot of dirty looks from people asking to take off and cut open their oil filter. Honestly I don't care, stare me down all you want. I want to know what's been going through the engine. It's worth the $5.00-$8.00 to replace their filter if I'm not interested. I'd say about 2% we're fine with me cutting them open. Plus it's usually the last thing I would do in a run down, basically being seriously interested in the engine.


Example: Me and a friend went to go check out a "freshly built and broken in" B20-VTEC engine still installed and running in a EK9 Civic. Car gets warmed up, we do some peeking under the hood as it comes up to temp. Looks like a clean install and VTEC conversion, no odd noises or hesitations, very pleased with it visually. Shut the car off and proceed to hook up my air tank and leak down tester, fails at 25% leak down. We tell the guy we're no longer interested and start packing up.

Sellers Response - "You guys haven't even driven it yet, it pulls soooo hard!"
Our Response - "Doesn't matter. Engine is poorly built, not worth the risk for your asking price. Would cost more to fix when it blows then us building a motor from scratch."
Sellers Response (With Attitude) - "Why are you guys here wasting my time then? I swear Craiglist and all the tire kickers looking for joy rides!"
Our Response - "Why are YOU wasting OUR time? Leak down does not lie. Your engine build is un-documented (no clearances for anything), just a stack of receipts for CP Pistons, Skunk2 Cams, blah blah blah. Plus we have cash in hand (flashed him the stack) and didn't even drive the car to "test" the engine."
Sellers Response - "GTFO you guys have no idea what you're talking about, this is a 200WHP engine all day!"
Our Response - "Until it: grabs a bearing, spins a bearing, stops making compression since your rings will probably never seal, butts a piston ring because you don't know what your gaps are, or any other clearance for that matter. The list goes on, we're leaving."


6-8 weeks later what's on Craigslist again? His now blown up B20-VTEC. Listing description states "Engine runs, making noise and cannot determine the source, need to sell to fund my K20 swap." LOL, no thanks chief! Nor was this the only instance where friends and I have gone to look at engines that are either just straight junk, or poorly assembled.

You can say we're anal, but I'd say we're thorough. I don't know about you guys but I don't like getting bent over and reamed. You can flash all the receipts you want for parts, swear up and down it's reliable or in good health. Basic tests will show otherwise. Some people will take offense to this process, I have no problem being the bearer of bad news or "that guy." My favorite sales pitch has always been "Maintained/Built by ASE Certified Tech." 👎 Of all the cars, boats, and motorcycles I've looked at on Craigslist, the worst ones are being sold by these guys.

 

[MedigoFlame]

That sure is a much more thorough list, MaliciousMD. Thanks! 👍 Seems as though either things didn't go correctly over the phone. Either the seller worded it wrong or I heard it wrong. Today I called him again to notify when my friend and I will be going over to look at the vehicle. Over the phone I asked him about the $1500 he said he put into it and it turned out he meant that he spent $1500 to buy the car itself... All he knew that was new was the alternator. So...I suppose he hasn't actually made an actual price for the engine, tranny, ecu, and harness.

I was also told that the car was able to drive with a license plate and sticker. So we could probably test it out on a drive around the block.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Of course...turned out the LS400 was in the "bad" side of the city... Didn't give great impressions. And then came the moment of testing. Leaks, knocking sound, squeaking belt, and...well as my friend said, it seemed that the head gaskets were on their way out. So we politely declined the sale of $1300 for the whole car. Got a picture of it...

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Well, I'm glad you canceled that offer. And did they show any receipts on their "investments" on the engine? Even if they did, they should've put that spent cash on repairing the headers and the other problems .

 

[MedigoFlame]

Well, I'm glad you canceled that offer. And did they show any receipts on their "investments" on the engine? Even if they did, they should've put that spent cash on repairing the headers and the other problems .

Nope, the $1500 spent was for the whole car itself. The only new part was the alternator. It wasn't really worth asking for receipts for anything. It was a disappointment.

Here's one LS400 in New Hampshire with less miles and...it is at a dealership. Not sure how that'd go. But "looks" good from the pictures and only $1000 compared to the one I looked at which was $1300 for the whole car... Still have doubts.

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/3254922665.html

Another thing. I posted my car on Japanese Nostalgic Car forums and I discovered that three of their members were actually looking at the car. The three of them are from New York, Colorado, and North Carolina. All of them had been emailing the person who put up the ad on craigslist and I'm guessing by the time I purchased it, they stopped getting replies. Interesting to learn that I wasn't the only one looking at it. And it also seems that on JNC, the member from NY heard of my plans of putting a 1UZ into the Crown and offered one of his. He lives in New York City though...about 9 hours away... So he could be of use.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Sorry, I didn't get a chance to respond, but are you thinking of looking at this LS400 that's at a dealership? Could this be a good deal and if it is, especially for 1300 dollars, maybe have the LS for another project car in the future or sell for parts or the shell without engine(the LS400) 💡.

And if this guy from New York could be another good sign, if you have the time to go there with some friends to get a look over this 1UZ. I would contact him and ask to see some photos and a small paragraph about the engine, including the pros and cons and is it in good condition.

You got two good proposals though, but look into BOTH of them, maybe one of them could be the one.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Well, seems that both the dealership and guy in NYC have to be put off for a bit. Since I got another call on Monday about a person who had a friend hoping to sell their 1992 LS400. 130k-140k miles on it and...it was in an accident. The owner had an epilepsy seizure while driving and drove it into a ditch, as well as damaging some property (trees). So to pay it off, the owner is trying to sell the car and due to his medical condition, he can't drive anymore.

The car is currently in an impound lot and the owner is looking for $1200 for it, but is willing to negotiate. The only true damage caused (as told from over the phone from the friend of the owner) was the front bumper, fenders, and headlights. Still running, so possibly could drive it around the lot or something. Will probably check it out. The car itself had been maintained by a Toyota/Lexus dealership for it's whole life and the friend of the owner that called me works at a Toyota shop. So this might be it...?

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Go for it Medigo! This deal is like the other two, but put into one good deal (but remember, don't fall for it yet.) For 1200 dollars you get, a car(shell, chassis, parts etc....) and a working engine all in one. And you could sell the LS400's parts that you don't need for $$$ or maybe another car to build later .

So, when are you gonna check out the car and the owner?

 

[MedigoFlame]

Planning on checking it out next weekend since my mechanic friend who's helping me build the car is busy this weekend. The dealer's in New Hampshire and the JNC forum member is NYC, whilst this person is only in Buxton, Maine. A little bit more than half an hour away, so it will save time.

 

[oopssorryy]

Any news?

 

[MedigoFlame]

I indeed have some news.

Went out to look at the LS400 today. Have to say, looked a lot sadder than I thought. White with blue interior, rear tires were off the rim, lights smashed, one mirror missing, 160k miles on it, and no stereo. First owners kept it dealer maintained, was then passed down to another family member, who then sold it to the current owner.

However, it turned out the battery was dead. So I brought my car over to jump start it, took a while, but it finally did. And then one of the guys removed the jumper cables, of which, the engine stopped.

My mighty VTEC attempting to give life to the 1UZ.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

That's. The power of VTEC.

But seriously, how did the engine go besides the dead battery, no engine problems?

 

[MedigoFlame]

Freaking double post but I made more with other wheels I feel might fit the Crown well. Firs that came to mind were Work Eqiups 03:

Then Enkei mesh wheels, but these would go a bit larger, they're 16 inches.

I couldn't help myself; Watanabes:

And finally, because I'm a hot rodder pig and becasue these look awesome with white lines, and are arguably the easier, cheapest and, in this case, more original and unique solution... Moon spun discs.

So yeh.

Adding this just to take note. But at the same time... I just asked a friend of a friend who owns this Jetta who has the mooneye hubcaps if I could purchase them if they fit and he agreed! Here's what the Jetta looks like:

 

[MedigoFlame]

Still haven't found an engine and transmission for the car, however we have finally started doing rust repair. With my friend's shop constantly getting people bringing in their daily drivers to get worked on... Pushed it into the shop again and got to work on cleaning it up again.

Before (taken from my friend's cell phone):

The rusted panel had actually been repaired before we got it...with bondo.

And...after:

Got impatient with finding an engine so I decided to power it myself.

 

[hawkeye122]

Now, I know I may get shouted at for saying this, but...

What if you just found an American V8 to put in it?

I'm not saying this for the purpose of "Oh yeah make dat thang a hawt rawd wit a 302 innt an' smoke all dem posers from Japanese-an"
But more the fact that it IS a V8, and you could find one pretty easily. It doesnt have to be loud, or anything like that. Just as an engine for the time being.

 

[nissanfanatic]

It would be cheaper too...

 

[Slash]

I agree with hawkeye. Running American V8's can be found as cheap as $150 on Ebay, sometimes even less. I'd try and find an early 351 Windsor or 350 Chevy for it. Both are incredibly reliable and will hold 400k miles with proper care before rebuild.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Same here, look around for a LS1 or a LS2. They are reliable, cheap and easy to maintain, especially with alot of mileage until you find a 1UZ or a 1/2JZ.

Edit: Oh yeah, what about the JNC member from NYC? After browsing the past posts, I just remembered about the guy from New York. Did you call or give him a PM him yet?

 

[Anna+Reece]

NOOOOOOOOOO. Do NOT put an American motor in such a rare car. Whatsoever. No matter how cheap they are. Fabrication and wiring and whatnot will cost a lot anyway.

 

[GDII]

I like that you have such a rare crown. There is one in a museum in my home town.

I think a UZ or a JZ engine would be good to swap into it.

 

[MedigoFlame]

I'll be sticking to the 1UZ, although it may be hard to find. I've got several connections already with the owner of Fuji SPL in New Hampshire who can supply parts and may even sell me the rest of his LS400 for parts. (He stripped out the 1UZ for his Cressida) He only took the motor, so I could take the wiring harness and tranny as extras, as well as anything else that may be of use.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Time for a big update. I forgot to mention this earlier... After posting yet another wanted ad on craigslist for a 1UZ, I got a call from a guy in New Hampshire who was offering me JUST a transmission, but I managed to talk him into giving me his 1UZ with a rear sump swap out of a 1997 Lexus LS400 already done on it that he was planning on dropping into another car. And he even threw in more stuff. However...he lives in New Hampshire so I had to find a way to get down there with a truck and get it. After working out a deal of $1,450 for the engine (with a rear sump), transmission, ecu, wiring harnesses, exhaust, catalytic converters, gasket kit, and many other bits off of the car he stripped out of, we went down and picked up!

Turns out the seller works on several 1UZs and he was planning on dropping the one I bought to drop into a Volvo 240 wagon and turn it into a drift car.

Brought two of my friends to help me out and pick up the items purchased whilst my friend who owns the shop would strip the car down and work on the frame. We worked out that it'd be easier to remove the body off of the frame to mount the engine, rust proof the frame, and do other custom fittings and measurements while the body was off. Here's the pictures, enjoy!
Loading the engine into the truck bed.

On the way home.

Arrived at the shop to find the bumpers had been removed to do the rust and what not. My friend got in the way of the picture and I didn't bother taking another picture.

Turns out we couldn't get the quarter panels off by themselves, but instead take off the front all together.

Off with the body:

Mocking up the engine against the body. For some laughs.

Stuck the front end on the frame while we were cleaning the shop floor, just had to take a picture of it.

 

[Cano]

Cool, progress at last.

 

[Spacegoat]

Indeed, big congrats on the engine purchase. 👍

And the last two pictures.

 

[motortrend]

Woa, quite the update 👍

 

[MedigoFlame]

Yeah quite a lot of stuff has happened in a short amount of time. So much was done today. Well...since it's 2AM here, more like yesterday.

Also a nice fact, turns out that CLR stuff that people use to clean their shower heads works really well on chrome work that's lost it's shine as well!

Side with CLR used:

Side without CLR:

Apologies about the horrible lighting, but that's the best I could get... But the CLR stuff is magic!