How do i stay legal with engine conversion?

[Jonny ///M]

My gearbox is wrecked in on my car at the minute buy finding a spare that isn't a rip is harder than I thought. I've been quoted £350 supplied and fitted for an sr20 + box from a gti.

Insurance would be £40 more per month but how do I go about the tax and mot side of it?

If its going to be too much hassle I'll just try harder for a cheap GA box and put the cash towards something else.

 

[dannycivic02]

All you have to do is inform DVLA so they can change the logbook and declare it on insurance and thats it MOT wise just has to pass the usual emissions test and safety checks i.e fitted correctly (not mounts hanging off).

 

[Joshy]

What I'd do: Fit the new engine, tell the insurance, enjoy.

What some people here will INSIST you do: Fit the new engine, tell the DVLA, possibly leave yourself open to get all sorts of hassle, grief and cost, tell the insurance, be wound up that the process has been so difficult (potentially).

As far as I'm concerned as long as it doesn't mess with tax bands who really cares? Cover yourself on the insurance angle and leave it at that.

Anyway, £350 for a fitted engine and box is impressive. Is that mates rates?

 

[dannycivic02]

Just noticed your currently running a 1.4 so your tax will increase by a lot and you will need to think about upping the brakes to handle the new power unit. May be more worthwhile keeping a look out for the box.

 

[markweatherill]

I think the car will still have to pass emissions based on its original declared figures, won't it?

 

[dannycivic02]

I think the car will still have to pass emissions based on its original declared figures, won't it?

It depends on the age of the engine it goes on whichever is older the car or the engine theres nothing that mentions original declared figures.

 

[Joshy]

Just noticed your currently running a 1.4 so your tax will increase by a lot and you will need to think about upping the brakes to handle the new power unit. May be more worthwhile keeping a look out for the box.

Didn't realize he has a 1.4? If so you might be creeping towards it being more agryo than it is worth.

I've heard that the DVLA can be pretty harsh when it comes to engine conversions, especially when you're switching tax bands

 

[Lopéz]

My gearbox is wrecked in on my car at the minute buy finding a spare that isn't a rip is harder than I thought. I've been quoted £350 supplied and fitted for an sr20 + box from a gti.

Insurance would be £40 more per month but how do I go about the tax and mot side of it?

If its going to be too much hassle I'll just try harder for a cheap GA box and put the cash towards something else.

That's extremely cheap, do they realise they are doing an engine conversion rather than a direct swap?

 

[BigglesPiP]

I'm pretty sure it gets tested as if it is the car the engine came from. Unless it's a kit car then if it doesn't turn the workshop black it's fine.

 

[Jonny ///M]

It is pretty much a straight swap from what I've read. Using the shafts from the new unit as well. Brakes wise I don't think the gti has much bigger brakes if they are id just buy a cheap set of gti calipers.

 

[Jonny ///M]

It is pretty much a straight swap from what I've read. Using the shafts from the new unit as well. Brakes wise I don't think the gti has much bigger brakes if they are id just buy a cheap set of gti calipers.

 

[BigglesPiP]

Wow, double post 2 hours apart. "Refresh damn it, AAAH!!"

 

[kieranv]

Swap involves a couple of mounts and the loom, the guys who would be doing It have done 6 or 7 identical swaps beforehand. Chances are the engine will come from a donor car...which will have the brakes and everything else needed, however from my experience (jonnys 1.4 being my old car and me now having a gti) the brakes arent all that different.