I think I got ripped off on an RB transmission.

[john89s13]

Hello everyone! I recently purchased an RB25det engine/trans/harness from JDM Engine Corp in Richardson, Texas. They were shady to say the least, but everything looked good, good compression numbers, etc. I paid close attention to the motor when I purchased it, but my mistake was not paying close enough attention to the transmission bolted to it.

At this point, I'm almost positive that they bolted an RB20 trans to my RB25. But I want to make sure that I'm right before I take it back up there and raise hell. My first suspicion arouse when I was bolting the engine and tranny into the car, (1989 S13) and the tranny needed to come back a full 2" before it would reach the mount. The back of the head was touching the firewall, it could literally not come back another millimeter. So I began to do a little research, and discovered in pictures that my transmission does not look like the ones pictured on RB25 motorsets. I also read that RB25 trans have electronic speed sensors, and RB20 trans have mechanical. Mine has a mechanical sensor.

If someone more knowledgable than myself could identify this transmission or confirm my suspicion, that would be great. I'm ready to go throw it through his office window in the morning if it is in fact an RB20 transmission.

Thank you guys very much. Posting pictures below.

[john89s13]

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag3/john75280z/photo12_zpsd56aad67.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/john75280z/media/photo12_zpsd56aad67.jpg.html)

I apologize, this is the only picture I have of it at the moment. I can take some more tomorrow if needed.

[funktown240]

Is that the speed sensor right above the mount? RB25 VSS should be forward of the shifter.
Also the shifter plate is angled with the two forward fasteners being countersunk screws. Looks like you got shafted, sorry bro.

[Yellow4g63]

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/Bluerb240/240%20stuff/WP_000478_zpsc76cb72d.jpg (http://s137.photobucket.com/user/Bluerb240/media/240%20stuff/WP_000478_zpsc76cb72d.jpg.html)
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/Bluerb240/240%20stuff/WP_000479_zpsbcbe561c.jpg (http://s137.photobucket.com/user/Bluerb240/media/240%20stuff/WP_000479_zpsbcbe561c.jpg.html)
here is my RB25 transmission.

[john89s13]

Thanks you guys for your replies! So this transmission never came on any rb25? It has the flat shifter plate, not the angled one, and the speedo cable screws on behind the mount. I just want to make sure that he switched it on me, because I'm taking it back up there. I'm going to be polite at first, but if he refuses, I'll get legal involvement if I have to. It doesn't say RB20 on my receipt, it says RB25. Do you guys think I should pull the whole motor, tranny, and everything? Or pull just the transmission and take it up there?

[Yellow4g63]

Thanks you guys for your replies! So this transmission never came on any rb25? It has the flat shifter plate, not the angled one, and the speedo cable screws on behind the mount. I just want to make sure that he switched it on me, because I'm taking it back up there. I'm going to be polite at first, but if he refuses, I'll get legal involvement if I have to. It doesn't say RB20 on my receipt, it says RB25. Do you guys think I should pull the whole motor, tranny, and everything? Or pull just the transmission and take it up there?

pull the trans and ask them for the right one.

[!Zar!]

According to Google Maps you live only ~18 minutes away from the shop.

Why don't you just go back there?

[NismoPlsr]

Just keep in mind that they might not be fully aware of the different transmissions and that is how they received it from their supplier in Japan. Good luck.

[hobbs]

The cable speed sensor is a dead give away that it came out of a R32, could have been a RB25 swap into a R32 and they may have not known. Regardless I'm sure they will play dumb, hopefully you paid with a credit card. Get your bank/credit card company involved if you did and they will change their tune really quick.

[john89s13]

I'm definitely going back there, I'm just getting confirmation from you guys that I'm right before I go up there and attempt to get the right one. I'll have a certified mechanic that I know write a statement confirming that it is in fact an R32 tranny. If he refuses to give me the right one, I'll file a claims charge on him for misrepresenting his product. Hopefully we can work it out politely without any hassle, but we all know the chances of that. Thank you once again guys, I appreciate your replies!

[[email protected]]

That is a RB20 trans. Please go back within the standard "30 day warranty" period that importers give you. After that you are out of luck. Good call "hobbs" about contacting his credit card company. OP good luck with getting the right transmission. Hopefully they just didn't know any better and they weren't trying to pull a fast one on you.

[john89s13]

Unfortunately, I paid in cash. I have the receipt that clearly says "RB25 Motorset", so I really shouldn't have an issue getting it one way or another. I just know it's gonna be a pain in the ass though, because I realized when they were pulling the coils to compression test that the TPS was clearly broken. I asked him to switch it out, and he acted like it was a big deal and says "these motors are sold as is." Long story short, we argued for a while and he eventually replaced it.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Am I imagining it? This tranny looks like an RB20 tranny with an a larger RB25 bellhousing. All other RB20 tranny I've seen looks like a KA transmission and bellhousing.

[seagrasser]

There is a notion that the NA RB25DE (no t) shares the tranny with an RB20DET. This situation also happened to me, but my pieces came from different vendors.

FWIW

[zerodameaon]

There is a notion that the NA RB25DE (no t) shares the tranny with an RB20DET. This situation also happened to me, but my pieces came from different vendors.

FWIW

Could be a DE with DET turbo shoved on.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDE3WDc0Mg==/z/fIgAAMXQ0pNRpQTQ/$T2eC16ZHJHwE9n8ii1bbBRpQTQfTm!~~60_3.JPG

[john89s13]

I don't think it's a DE with a DET turbo. If it is, someone swapped over every single part from the DET, which i don't know why they would do. Intake, tubes, hoses, everything. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a lot of these parts are different between the DE and DET?

Here is a picture of my motor. I pulled everything back out tonight, taking the transmission back in the morning.

The block has the number "75T" on it.

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag3/john75280z/photo15_zpsd1baa5b8.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/john75280z/media/photo15_zpsd1baa5b8.jpg.html)

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag3/john75280z/photo14_zps9a72ab32.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/john75280z/media/photo14_zps9a72ab32.jpg.html)

[Yellow4g63]

I don't think it's a DE with a DET turbo. If it is, someone swapped over every single part from the DET, which i don't know why they would do. Intake, tubes, hoses, everything. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a lot of these parts are different between the DE and DET?

Here is a picture of my motor. I pulled everything back out tonight, taking the transmission back in the morning.

The block has the number "75T" on it.

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag3/john75280z/photo15_zpsd1baa5b8.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/john75280z/media/photo15_zpsd1baa5b8.jpg.html)

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag3/john75280z/photo14_zps9a72ab32.jpg (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/john75280z/media/photo14_zps9a72ab32.jpg.html)

could have been auto that was converted to a stick.

[seagrasser]

^ technically my situation. Auto engine and had to source manual gearbox.

[zerodameaon]

I don't think it's a DE with a DET turbo. If it is, someone swapped over every single part from the DET, which i don't know why they would do. Intake, tubes, hoses, everything. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a lot of these parts are different between the DE and DET?

Here is a picture of my motor. I pulled everything back out tonight, taking the transmission back in the morning.

The block has the number "75T" on it.


If the parts are different its not hard to bolt them up to the DE. But also the part about a auto to manual swap is probably the likely situation.

[fliprayzin240sx]

I still dont know what tranny that is since it has a large front bellhousing that looks like an RB25 tranny but a skinny rear like an NA RB25/RB20/CA18/KA/SR.

[seagrasser]

Try looking here

RB25 Tranny - GTRPWR Forums (http://www.gtrpwr.com/showthread.php?t=779)

[Yellow4g63]

Went to the shop and took some pics of my old RB20 transmission.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/Bluerb240/240%20stuff/20140104_160922_zps7e589fb1.jpg (http://s137.photobucket.com/user/Bluerb240/media/240%20stuff/20140104_160922_zps7e589fb1.jpg.html)
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/Bluerb240/240%20stuff/20140104_160906_zpsfaf2b6d0.jpg (http://s137.photobucket.com/user/Bluerb240/media/240%20stuff/20140104_160906_zpsfaf2b6d0.jpg.html)
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/Bluerb240/240%20stuff/20140104_160935_zps347ca97e.jpg (http://s137.photobucket.com/user/Bluerb240/media/240%20stuff/20140104_160935_zps347ca97e.jpg.html)
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/Bluerb240/240%20stuff/20140104_160856_zps068390fd.jpg (http://s137.photobucket.com/user/Bluerb240/media/240%20stuff/20140104_160856_zps068390fd.jpg.html)

[feito]

that dude from jdmenginecorp is kind of a dick, unfortunately i seriously doubt you can work something out with him. GL

[john89s13]

Well, I went up there today and took the tranny with me. I was prepared for an all out war with the guy, but went inside and politely explained the situation. He immediately dropped what he was doing, came out and looked at my tranny, apologized and pulled an RB25DET tranny off of one of the motors in his warehouse and loaded it in my truck. I wasn't there for more than 15 minutes. I was honestly really surprised that it went so smooth, no argument whatsoever. He was very respectful and professional about the situation. Definitely gained a little repect from me.

Thank you guys for all of your advice, I greatly appreciate it!!

[fliprayzin240sx]

I'd go back there in a few days with a couple boxes of Krispy Kremes if I were you just to keep your good Karma going...

[OMFGeofffff]

Let's just hope they didn't end up putting the RB20 tranny back on that RB25!

[supersayianjim]

all is well in the kingdom!!

[92R32GTST]

Worse come to worse Ill buy the rb20 Trans (:

[Okinawandrifter87]

I'd go back there in a few days with a couple boxes of Krispy Kremes if I were you just to keep your good Karma going...

Seriously, like Ray said, show some love. Plus you never know when you may need to go back for something and he will remember that you were the guy that took care of him when he took care of you, no homo.

[turboking]

They showed "GOOD BUSINESS" an honest man !!!!

[stroked_jz]

I hate to tell you, but you are SOL.... JDM Engine Corp in Richardson, Texas is known for ripping people off. Most of their engines are high milage, where as they claim low. They have a very notorius reputation... You should have done your research... They will not do anything to help you out. Final sale is final sale... The next time you need a motor go to Zune... Hes a great guy, his shop is located in irving texas... Hate to tell you, but your just gonna have to bite the bullet and suck it up and source a tranny... sorry for your loss, but now you know.... /end of story.

Well, I went up there today and took the tranny with me. I was prepared for an all out war with the guy, but went inside and politely explained the situation. He immediately dropped what he was doing, came out and looked at my tranny, apologized and pulled an RB25DET tranny off of one of the motors in his warehouse and loaded it in my truck. I wasn't there for more than 15 minutes. I was honestly really surprised that it went so smooth, no argument whatsoever. He was very respectful and professional about the situation. Definitely gained a little repect from me.

Thank you guys for all of your advice, I greatly appreciate it!!

I just read this... and i have shocked they even helped you out. I have never heard of any situation with them that has ended well... that being said. Glad you got it squared away. but as i originally said, next time go to zune.

[zerodameaon]

Everyone claims low but in all reality these things are 20yo. Also are most of these dealings with them in person or over the phone/internet?

[stroked_jz]

everyone i know has delt locally. ive only seen 1 good motor set come out of that place. and go figure its my roomates 1jz rx7. It cames with a completely build head. the only thing we were able to find anywhere near close to bad about the motor, was the previous owner had it running really rich. we think at 1 point the car might have been a single turbo car. everything was titanium in the head.

[zerodameaon]

Good to know, I have only seen one motor come from there and it was indirect so its hard to tell who did the damage.

[stroked_jz]

yah its hit or miss with those type of things. it really depends on who they are getting the motors from originally. i seriously doubt that a company would indirectly give shitty service. unless of course they know they are getting crap and thats why they get them for so cheap

[john89s13]

Yea man, I'll need some other stuff eventually. So I'll definitely go back since he took care of me. I think it might be a little awkward if I took donuts to em, we just aren't on that level, ya know? Lol. I made sure he knew I really appreciated it though, so I think we're good.

So just for the record, JDM Engine Corp in Richardson, Texas has a good review from me.

[KiLLeR2001]

I would wait until you start it up and the engine runs smoothly before you give a good review.

[john89s13]

The engine was already installed in the car and running before I took the transmission back and exchanged it. 150 across all 6 cylinders, and running flawless.

[stroked_jz]

like i said. its hit or miss. glad to hear he took care of you.