Engine Swap making it legal

[mercrocker]

I really think its best to tell your insurers regardless......They COULD refuse to pay out should there be a claim.   Which these days could be house money, of course.  

[purplebargeken]

Well, part 1 has been a success. New log book returned with the engine number change recorded.

 

Now, the wait before sending off CC and historic details.

[mat_the_cat]

I have swapped a XUD9 (1905cc) for the original XUD7 (1769cc)...My main worries is insurance price increase...

 

I did this back in 2008 in my BX. Initially it made no noticeable difference to the premium, which was around £200 TPF&T. But then It jumped up to around double that, and shopping around it became clear that my choice was now a lot more restricted due to it being modified. I've now not *specifically* mentioned the engine swap (now with a different company) but I have told them the model and given them the current engine capacity. It's handy that the model name (TZD Turbo) does not include the engine size, so by doing it this way I have told no lies, but have not opened up the 'modified car' can of worms.

 

It all looks completely standard under the bonnet too, unless you look at the engine code. I guess if I'd lashed up another engine and was involved in a crash, then alarm bells would sound but if it all looks OK you'd be unlikely to be found out. Your decision...

[Pillock]

I'd say you've done your bit, the engine in the car is the one on the paperwork. They could only refuse to pay out if there's also a question "Is the car modified from manufacturers specification" which they take to mean the way your car left the factory, which you answered no.

 

I think this is more likely to crop up if they open the bonnet of a Fiesta that's been in a crash and there's a Cosworth lump there, or likewise a Redtop shoehorned into some Corsa. I doubt they strip the engine down to measure whether it's a 1.8D or a 1.9D, they might check the engine numbers but there's not a problem getting the DVLA to update.

 

Second problem is it's not unknown for insurance firms to read forums, run the registrations of members cars, and make sure any mods they're talking about are listed. I may* have got someone into trouble before for posting a picture of their bodykitted Hyundai on a well-known piss-taking site, and they got a letter from the insurers asking for money to cover the undeclared mods on their apparently standard Hyundai.

[Albert Ross]

Which is why Adrian Flux know all about everything different to mine, even down to the alternator conversion....

[Pillock]

Better safe than sorry. And if they do hike the price up for a 70cc increase and a set of side stripes, at least you know they're a bunch of chancers to steer clear of at renewal.

[New POD]

Mate of mine fitted a 1.8 115 BHP 8V OHC from a Mk2 Cavalier (or it might have come from an astra mk mk1) into a MK3 which had the SPI 92 bhp 1.8 8V OHC plus cat. Told his insurer, discussed the differences in spec, OLDER higher polluting Multi-point injection with no CAT, verses NEWER lower polluting single point injection with Cat, without mentioning the power, but was honest about the engine type so they could have worked it out.  For some reason his premium went down.

[Taff]

Well, part 1 has been a success. New log book returned with the engine number change recorded.

 

Now, the wait before sending off CC and historic details.

 

softly softly, catchee monkey.

 

then throw the hairy brown fucker into the DVLA building in Swansea, that will shit them up

[Pillock]

They'd give it a job and it'd be running the place in three years.

[Taff]

They'd give it a job and it'd be running the place in three years.

 

and it would get my name and address right.

 

I was attached to the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards for a while. My driving licence came back address to Taff, 1 Coldstream Gardens

[colnerov]

and it would get my name and address right.

 

I was attached to the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards for a while. My driving licence came back address to Taff, 1 Coldstream Gardens

 

 Hi, obviously your postman speaks DVLA.

 

 Colin

[purplebargeken]

Swapped insurance from the 1500TC to the Toledo with the bigger engine. Cost me 40 odd quid inclusive of the admin charge. Will send the V5C off with the cc and historic vehicle changes during the first week of April. I will let you all know how it goes. Unless I am in HMP somewhere.

[HH-R]

SHES RUNNIN A REDTOP BT STILL 998CC ON LOG BK M8 CHEAPR INSURANCE LOL

[purplebargeken]

[purplebargeken]

Ok, amended V5C - CC and historic tax bits ticked - sent off on the 4th April, should be heading back this way fairly soon (bank holiday closedness taken into consideration).

 

No horrible DVLA letters yet received. 

[sierraman]

From looking on Ebay at the half baked engine swaps you see getting punted on I can see why the Insurance people get unduly concerned when you mention you have swapped the 1.0 in your Corsa for a 7.0 Gardiner Diesel.

 

A chap I knew had his car chipped, although he was adamant that you couldn't tell it had been upped by 40bhp, I've a feeling the Insurance would check for something thing like this in the event of a claim, then promptly tell you to fuck off with your claim.

[purplebargeken]

It's already insured with the engine swap declared. Just a few quid extra and most of that was admin fee. Quite good really.

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

I own a Series 3 109 Landy fitted with  Daihatsu 2.8 turbo, I actually sold this truck to my tame mechanic about 1996.

 

It was  ex-RAF with a mint chassis and a superb BMC 2200 diesel. In his spare time over the next four years he rebuilt it from the chassis up at a cost of about £8000.

 

After using it as his daily, he offered it me in 2007 at an advantageous price. However he never got round to informing DVLA of the engine change and neither have I, its still registered as 2200cc.

 

I have decided to sell it, however after reading various posts on interweb regarding loosing its tax exempt status if I declare the engine change. I was wondering if its worth the risk of informing DVLA of the engine swop?, would it be difficult to insure for a new owner?, or should I put a 2286 back in  and just register an engine number change?.

[cort1977]

Just had a quick look around the DVLA site and couldn't see anything like this.

 

The implication of this section on registering rebuilt vehicles is that as long as you have the body and two other components on the list then there is no issue with changing the engine and it can keep its registration and taxation class.  

 

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/rebuilt-vehicles

 

"A rebuilt vehicle can keep its original registration number if you can prove you’ve used:

• the original unmodified chassis or bodyshell (car or light van)
• a new chassis or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original (car or light van)
• the original unmodified frame (motorbike)
• a new frame of the same specification as the original (motorbike)

You must also have 2 other major components from the original vehicle from the following lists.

For cars or light vans:

• suspension (front and back)
• steering assembly
• axles (both)
• transmission
• engine"

However IANAL nor an expert on this but I have dealt with Swansea a bit.   If it was me I would just send off the V5 with the capacity changed and see what happens.  

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

Thanks for that, the id is not a problem as its still on the original chassis, steering and springs.

I'll try informing DVLA of cc change and wait and see.

[Taff]

I own a Series 3 109 Landy fitted with  Daihatsu 2.8 turbo, I actually sold this truck to my tame mechanic about 1996.

 

It was  ex-RAF with a mint chassis and a superb BMC 2200 diesel. In his spare time over the next four years he rebuilt it from the chassis up at a cost of about £8000.

 

After using it as his daily, he offered it me in 2007 at an advantageous price. However he never got round to informing DVLA of the engine change and neither have I, its still registered as 2200cc.

 

I have decided to sell it, however after reading various posts on interweb regarding loosing its tax exempt status if I declare the engine change. I was wondering if its worth the risk of informing DVLA of the engine swop?, would it be difficult to insure for a new owner?, or should I put a 2286 back in  and just register an engine number change?.

 

 

Thanks for that, the id is not a problem as its still on the original chassis, steering and springs.

I'll try informing DVLA of cc change and wait and see.

 

If it were me, I would be inclined to make the changes one at a time, as I said to PBK earlier. Get the engine number changed first, then the capacity.

The V5C doesn't actually record the motor manufacturer, so technically if your eng number and eng capacity on the V5C match those actually fitted, your legit.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Back in the mists of time when Fronteras were desirable ( Billy, no don't even bother) an acquaintance of mine came by 2 brand new unregistered 2.4 lwbs, 1 was red,1 blue. They'd come straight out of Luton for £250 each apparently.

Anyway this genius can't afford write offs to ring them, as there weren't many about.

His solution showed a certain flair,take a scrap Mk1 Astra estate ,remove wheels, get a set of Land Rover 8 spokes, apply for Q plate as a Vauxhall 4x4 special !

It worked, a woman from the local office was sent to inspect it and didn't want to get too dusty looking too close so just looked over from the workshop door.

Obviously he sprayed the Astra red and did the other one a month later.

I do wonder if people are still getting away with similar stuff now that even the local offices have gone.

You'll be pleased to know he branched out into Transits and Ireland not long after, re spraying so many in his signature Leyton House F1 green colour that our local paint supplier list it as ' Q Plate Green ' to this day.

I think he got 4 years in the end, he moved to Hayling Island when he got out , I saw him on the M27 in a Ferrari 456 a couple of years ago- I doubt it was his.

[Taff]

Back in the mists of time when Fronteras were desirable ( Billy, no don't even bother) an acquaintance of mine came by 2 brand new unregistered 2.4 lwbs, 1 was red,1 blue. They'd come straight out of Luton for £250 each apparently.

Anyway this genius can't afford write offs to ring them, as there weren't many about.

His solution showed a certain flair,take a scrap Mk1 Astra estate ,remove wheels, get a set of Land Rover 8 spokes, apply for Q plate as a Vauxhall 4x4 special !

It worked, a woman from the local office was sent to inspect it and didn't want to get too dusty looking too close so just looked over from the workshop door.

Obviously he sprayed the Astra red and did the other one a month later.

I do wonder if people are still getting away with similar stuff now that even the local offices have gone.

You'll be pleased to know he branched out into Transits and Ireland not long after, re spraying so many in his signature Leyton House F1 green colour that our local paint supplier list it as ' Q Plate Green ' to this day.

I think he got 4 years in the end, he moved to Hayling Island when he got out , I saw him on the M27 in a Ferrari 456 a couple of years ago- I doubt it was his.

 

It raises an interesting question, doesn't it? These things can be a big deal to us but the people the DVLA send out to inspect them are easily distracted by biscuits, with promise of additional biscuits.

 

I know a bloke who brings in Yank motors a few time a year. He used to send Christmas cards to the local DVLA office and when the inspector came out to view his imports, it was generally viewed from the comfort of the office.

[purplebargeken]

Hmm, 4 weeks of zilch so I sent an email off. The reply said that they have received my documentation and the case office are looking at it. Another 4 week timescale possibly. Yay.

[purplebargeken]

Letter plopped on the mat this morning, new V5C with updated engine number and CC!

 

I will have to do the historic taxation class change when I come to tax the car. Post office will do this apparently.

 

A good start to Saturday!

[Minimad5]

Interesting reading !

Well done all round