JDM Engine Theft, by Mike Bender
For the purpose of this article, JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) parts and vehicles are those that were not made for the country the car is currently operating in. JDM engine swaps have been on the increase in North America. Owners of vehicles are replacing their stock engines with JDM engines.
Many issues arise in America when dealing with JDM engines. Some states, such as California, consider them in violation of smog laws unless heavily modified. Such modifications generally don't occur because the whole idea behind JDM is to get away from restrictions and gain extra horsepower. Many manufacturers will void warranties and refuse to work on vehicles that contain JDM engines.
Since JDM engines are so popular and prevalent, they have become extreme targets of theft. This has become a problem for both law enforcement and the victim. Stock engines are identified by their engine number. For example, a B18C1 (5 alpha-numeric characters) engine prefix belongs to an Acura Integra. In Japan, the same engine prefix would be B18C (2 to 4 alpha-numeric characters). When a vehicle is built, its components are married to the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). A JDM engine is married to a Japanese VIN and an American engine (USDM) is married to an American car.
In North America, when a car is stolen, the VIN is entered into a national stolen vehicle database (NCIC). This allows law enforcement in other jurisdictions to run numbers to check to see if they are stolen. Frequently vehicles are stolen just for their engines. Unfortunately, if a tuner has switched engines and his car is stolen, chances of getting the engine back are non-existent unless the tuner/victim had recorded his JDM engine number and given it to the law enforcement agency to enter into NCIC.
Some thieves remove engine numbers in an attempt to hide its true identity. This is a crime in and of itself. When numbers are removed or changed on a vehicle component that part will be taken away from the owner and it will be destroyed. The owner can also be charged with a crime for possessing altered numbers if it can be shown that he had knowledge or involvement.
If you have swapped your engine make sure you photograph it installed in the vehicle and have recorded the engine number (a photo of the number also helps). If your vehicle is subequently stolen, you have a great chance of getting your property back.
Many issues arise in America when dealing with JDM engines. Some states, such as California, consider them in violation of smog laws unless heavily modified. Such modifications generally don't occur because the whole idea behind JDM is to get away from restrictions and gain extra horsepower. Many manufacturers will void warranties and refuse to work on vehicles that contain JDM engines.
Since JDM engines are so popular and prevalent, they have become extreme targets of theft. This has become a problem for both law enforcement and the victim. Stock engines are identified by their engine number. For example, a B18C1 (5 alpha-numeric characters) engine prefix belongs to an Acura Integra. In Japan, the same engine prefix would be B18C (2 to 4 alpha-numeric characters). When a vehicle is built, its components are married to the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). A JDM engine is married to a Japanese VIN and an American engine (USDM) is married to an American car.
In North America, when a car is stolen, the VIN is entered into a national stolen vehicle database (NCIC). This allows law enforcement in other jurisdictions to run numbers to check to see if they are stolen. Frequently vehicles are stolen just for their engines. Unfortunately, if a tuner has switched engines and his car is stolen, chances of getting the engine back are non-existent unless the tuner/victim had recorded his JDM engine number and given it to the law enforcement agency to enter into NCIC.
Some thieves remove engine numbers in an attempt to hide its true identity. This is a crime in and of itself. When numbers are removed or changed on a vehicle component that part will be taken away from the owner and it will be destroyed. The owner can also be charged with a crime for possessing altered numbers if it can be shown that he had knowledge or involvement.
If you have swapped your engine make sure you photograph it installed in the vehicle and have recorded the engine number (a photo of the number also helps). If your vehicle is subequently stolen, you have a great chance of getting your property back.
