Engine Rebuilders....Opinions?

[atilla_the_fun]

Actually, the 3.2L from the rodeo has been shown to fit (on this forum) and does not have the same oil burning issues as the Trooper/SLX/VX 3.5L.

You could do a quick search on that engine. Even with the slight loss of power, its almost worth it given the lack of oil consumption on the 3.2L.

[MSHardeman]

DrewsiferxXx, we do share an engine with the Rodeo, Trooper, Honda Passport, Acura SLX, and an '02-'03 Isuzu Axiom. They are all the 6VE1 engine block, and I have found a bunch of used ones online. I'm just leary of used engines because you never know how they were taken care of or what they have been through. I figure if I'm going to do this then I might as well go with a rebuilt/remanufactured engine because it will have been gone through by a shop and rebuilt with new parts. The theory is that some of our engines burn oil because of the rings that Isuzu used. I've also heard some noise about the oil drain holes (I think) in the pistons being too small and too few. Hopefully, the rings and pistons that they would use to rebuild the engine would take care of the oil burning issue.

atilla_the_fun, the 3.2L is an option and has been shown to drop right into the VX. I think the rest of the world's VX's have the 3.2L and from what I understand, our 3.5L is just a stroked version of the 3.2L. Heck, right now being down a cylinder I am running a 2.9L engine and she still has some get up and go. Living in the mountains, and with the VX being so heavy, I think I'm going to stick with the 3.5L because I would never make it up and over some of the mountain passes without it. As stated above, I think (or is it I'm hopeful) that a rebuilt engine would also take care of the oil burning issue due to the use of better rings and pistons. If I'm way off base on that assumption please let me know.

Thanks for all of the opinions and suggestions so far.

[atilla_the_fun]

Hopefully, the rings and pistons that they would use to rebuild the engine would take care of the oil burning issue.

I don't believe that there is any evidence that rebuilt engines don't burn oil, or rather- as much oil as the original engines (given that there is such a variation between members here). You should really contact forum members to get a better idea of what really is going on.

Also, unless you will be towing a 5000lb boat up those mountain passes, even a 2L, four cylinder engine could power the VX up most american mountain roads - this isn't 1945, and the VX doesn't need 215HP to travel through that kind of terrain.

[circmand]

Also, unless you will be towing a 5000lb boat up those mountain passes, even a 2L, four cylinder engine could power the VX up most american mountain roads - this isn't 1945, and the VX doesn't need 215HP to travel through that kind of terrain.

I used to have an Isuzu Amigo which was a fun little Jeep like vehicle. But when going up hills in PA with the little 4 banger engine and manual transmission I had to get up speed before the hill and in the semi truck lane as it slowed down and people wanted to pass.

[Gizmo42]

Also, unless you will be towing a 5000lb boat up those mountain passes, even a 2L, four cylinder engine could power the VX up most american mountain roads - this isn't 1945, and the VX doesn't need 215HP to travel through that kind of terrain.

You would think so but the passes here top out at 11-12k feet so that alone drops your power by up to 40%. Then figure in the runs up them can be 10 miles of 6-8% grade all up hill with 65 mph speed limit and you need power to get up them unless you want to follow the big trucks all the way up at 10mph.

Actually, the 3.2L from the rodeo has been shown to fit (on this forum) and does not have the same oil burning issues as the Trooper/SLX/VX 3.5L.

The DOHC 3.2 (which is the non stroked 3.5) also has oil burning issues. Isuzu considers 1 qt per 1k miles normal but I've seen them burn much more. Mine burned 1 qt per 3k miles most of the time I've had it but the last couple years its started to guzzle it.

[djvx]

Actually, the 3.2L from the rodeo has been shown to fit (on this forum) and does not have the same oil burning issues as the Trooper/SLX/VX 3.5L.

You could do a quick search on that engine. Even with the slight loss of power, its almost worth it given the lack of oil consumption on the 3.2L.

I know of a Rodeo that wasnt really maintained that well but has nearly 300,000 miles on it. Its has had a very hard life but is still ticking.
I really wish I knew if I am going to be one of the lucky ones and my vx engine will last for 200k. Like someone said earlier--its always there in the back of my mind. But, even more aggravating is not knowing what the best solution is once it does blow up. In a perfect world I would choose a 3.2 Rodeo engine with low miles and go that route I guess.

[MSHardeman]

I know of a Rodeo that wasnt really maintained that well but has nearly 300,000 miles on it. Its has had a very hard life but is still ticking.
I really wish I knew if I am going to be one of the lucky ones and my vx engine will last for 200k. Like someone said earlier--its always there in the back of my mind. But, even more aggravating is not knowing what the best solution is once it does blow up. In a perfect world I would choose a 3.2 Rodeo engine with low miles and go that route I guess.

It's really hard to tell what you're going to get with these engines. Some don't burn a drop of oil, and others, like mine, burn a LOT. Since I bought mine seven or eight years ago with 35,000 miles on it, it has burned 3/4 of a quart of oil every 350 miles or so. With that kind of consumption I guess it was really just a matter of time until something happened, but I babied that thing. It rarely ever saw 3500 rpm's, I checked and topped off the oil religiously, had the oil changed at regular intervals, and had the PCV replaced and EGR and throttle body cleaned every other oil change. I guess mine was just destined to do this.

Like you said, I have always driven around with the possibility of the engine letting go in the back of my mind. The radio was always low so I could hear every little noise that was coming from the VX.

It seems to be hit or miss on these things. Like your Rodeo example, some people will hammer on these things and they'll last forever, and others will tip-toe around with them and they'll blow at 60,000 miles.

[IndianaVX]

Just curious. I am ready to call and order my new remanufactured engine from gearhead engines. I am identical to MS. I dont want the uneasyness of driving around with a used engine that i know nothing about, or how it was treated ect. gearhead offers a 3 year, unlimited miles warranty, which also includes paying labor for any shop that has to make a repair. Also, with their warranty, it does not matter what other parts you replace along with the new engine install, and does not matter who you have install it. it could be yourself, or a shop...doesnt matter. And also, many new engines require that all kinds of new pieces (alternator, AC compressor, starter, ect) be installed with the new engine. Not with this motor from gearhead. If i purchase tommorrow, they have a 10% discount, which brings the price to 2879, after the core charge is returned to me....(3389 - 510 core). this also includes free shipping both ways. engine is shipped in a heavy duty sealed plastic cratebox, which is returned with my old engine in it. Talked to the guy a good 15 minutes about the oil burning issue, and the rings and oil return holes in the pistion ring seats, and he told me that he believed that the issue would be taken care of as they update with all the TSBs and any improvements that can be found to produce a bettter than OEM motor. I feel better about this motor from gearhead, than i did with 123engines. so, unless my local racecar engine rebuilder comes back with a better price for rebuilding my existing motor, i will be going with Gearhead.

All that said, What did you finally decide to to MSHardman? I am hoping your reply is that you went with gearhead, and as very happy with your decision!

Thanks!!

[MSHardeman]

The deal from Gearhead engines sounds fantastic! The price is great, the warranty, the free shipping, the fact that you can add whatever you want to the engine, etc., etc., etc. almost sounds too good to be true. I wish that I would have looked into this a little more when I had my engine replaced. I would jump all over this engine if I were you. Heck, I may contact them and see if I can send them my old engine to have them re-build it.

I actually ended up going with a brand new Isuzu crate motor that I bought through Jerry Lemond (he visits here occasionally and is a big presence over on the Planet). He used to work for Isuzu and still has some connections with the warehouses. The engine that I bought has the updated pistons and I have not burned a drop of oil in the two years that the engine has been in the VX. I did document my experiences with the engine swap, but I can't seem to find the thread right now (I'll look and post it later).

Sounds like you found a great option to a $5k Isuzu engine, plus I don't know if you can still find the new engines as when I bought mine there were only 16 left in the country.

Keep us updated because our engines won't last forever and others may be looking for replacement options in the future.