Engine transplants and new DVLA legislation

[mulaz]

While looking at using the spare engine i have to give life back to a classic mr2...... (still looking for the right car) i found details of the new laws from the DVLA and thought others would be interested.

all this is on http://www.yell.com/motoring/blog/wave- ... ansplants/

Recent legislation from the DVLA (August 3rd 2009) suggests that your motor swap with mates is now impossible. Shocking and downright pointless legislation in the form of the latest Individual Vehicle Approval test suggests that the age of the DIY engine swap has come to a halt. And guess what, it’s all been driven through by European Legislation, so we’ve got the EU to blame.

It’s absurd, seals the fate of the home modifier and looks set to rain on any number of built-to-a-strict-budget project cars that are currently in development, mine included.

Not only that, but if you choose to go through with the conversion you won’t be able to register it legitimately using the V5 reg document because the DVLA say that any conversion performed outside of a registered garage will require the following:

* Receipt of purchase from a garage on headed paper confirming engine number, capacity and fuel type

* If your existing engine has been converted, written evidence on headed paper from the garage who carried out the work.

* An inspection report from a body such as the AA, RAC or qualified assessor.

* An separate inspection report for insurance purposes

* Written confirmation from the manufacturer confirming engine number and size

Could this spell the end of high power, home brew modified cars as we know them and can the tuning industry survive such a blow?

More info about this from the Transport office

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Bu ... G_10014199

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Ow ... e/DG_40220

[aw11rally]

No. Doesn't it just mean you need to know a friendly garage and do a bit of paperwork.

Someone like Mr Woods could make a few quid just selling headed paper......I mean inspecting home conversions/swaps.

[loudandproud205]

surely its down to it being inspected? as all highly converted cars that require chassis mods should be

[PW@Woodsport]

To be honest i think this is being done with nothing but safety in mind. The general standard of homebuilt cars tends to be much lower than that of a professional convertor such as ourselves (although there are exceptions and some very nicely homebuilt conversions out there).

Also having said that we have also seen some absolute abortionate work from professional garages as well (it is not my place to divulge who, so don't ask)

In summary i think in terms of safety and quality control this is a step in the right direction, but for the hobby builder it's a nightmare (although there are ways around it)

I also think this may well force a lot of people to not declare their homebuilt conversion so unless they make it part of the MOT it's all pointless.

[loudandproud205]

how do people stand with same car engine conversions thou?

such as a series 1 106 being fitted with the series 2 106 gti engine?

[PW@Woodsport]

I wouldn't class that as a conversion, the same as i don't class putting a turbo engine into an NA Mr2, because such a model already exists. A conversion to me is putting an engine in that was never originally fitted by the manufacturer, so the same would probably apply to this new legislation.

[Steve Horrocks]

Like an XE into a Capri?! I've already had it MOT'd but not sent off the V5 yet s am I gonna get into issues now?

[jimi]

The comments below that piece are very interesting

Sorry, totally wrong and poorly researched. Nothing to do with BIVA , totally different legislation and departments ( DVLA vs VOSA)

Originally reported here with factual links

http://www.the-ace.org.uk/dvla-engine-s ... anges.html

BIVA is to do with EUWVTA and a replacement for SVA with NO restrictions on what engine you use.

[CelicaGT4]

I'm no legal eagle, but I don't see how this stops engine transplants. In order to retain your registration mark, linked to chassis number/VIN, you must score 8 points. The engine is worth 1 out of the 14 points available, transmission 2. It just limits the number of changes you can make - you couldnt change (from stock, or stock replacement) engine, transmission, axles and suspension and still claim its the same car, which is kind of fair enough. It doesnt stop you taking out a 3SGE and dropping in 3SGTE. It does stop you completely changing all of the running gear without getting someone to look it over and say "yes that's been done sensibly and safely" - which I'm not sure is a bad thing. I think the only people getting angry about this are those who'd botch a conversion anyway.

[Jim-SR]

is this legislation new?! i heard this exact same thing about 5 years ago. and it has pretty much no bearing on DIY swaps.

to accumulate 8 points on an MR2 (bearing in mind that driveshafts wont qualify as axles), youd have to change the engine, suspension, transmission, steering assembly (why would you change this? aftermarket parts dont count, you have to change it for a different system), and then thats only 7 points. so youd also have to change the shell, which is irrelevant anyway since if youre changing the shell youd just go with the VIN number on that one.

it doesnt affect modifying things, it is purely about changing them completely. so changing the suspension components for aftermarket stuff isnt going to affect you at all. converting it to double wishbone will.

its just some idiot scare mongering with a badly worded article.

[Lee H]

Like an XE into a Capri?! I've already had it MOT'd but not sent off the V5 yet s am I gonna get into issues now?

I swapped my Corsa logbook over the other day with just a letter on headed paper with the new engine number and CC on. Came back no problems.