Summary of "We Bought a 2JZ from China"
The video documents the purchase and detailed inspection of a Chinese-made 2JZ engine bought from Alibaba for $2,000, significantly cheaper than a genuine used Toyota 2JZ which costs around $6,000. The creators aim to determine if this engine is a good bargain or a risky purchase by comparing it to Toyota’s factory specifications.
Upon unboxing, the engine immediately shows signs of poor quality and misleading advertising: it is a basic non-VVTI, non-turbo model, contrary to expectations. The team tests four critical engine parameters—Valve lash, Deck flatness, bearing clearance, and Cylinder bore—to evaluate the engine’s condition.
- Valve lash measurements are mostly loose and out of spec, earning a grade of D.
- Deck flatness is good with no warping, earning an A+, but the engine block has a suspicious crack.
- The Oil pan and internal components reveal damage, stripped nuts, metal shavings, and signs of heavy wear, suggesting the engine is not new but poorly remanufactured.
- Bearing clearances are slightly beyond factory specs, indicating wear, and receive a C- grade.
- Cylinder bore measurements show tapering and out-of-round shapes, which is unacceptable and earns an F grade.
Overall, the engine is graded an F- due to poor build quality, wear, and questionable manufacturing practices. Despite an appealing brochure, the engine appears to be a cheaply remanufactured unit rather than a new product. The video ends with the team planning to test the engine in a car to see how it performs in real-world conditions and invites viewers to suggest which car to use.
Speakers:
- Jimmy (main presenter/engine inspector)
- Angelina (engine expert who inspects the crack)
- Other unnamed crew members (brief dialogue and improv segments)
