Does an engine swap need to be put in Blue book?

[frankphuket]

Hi guys,

wonder if someone has some good knowledge about this? Probably a bit stupid of me not knowing...but hey.

If someone would swap an original engine (for example a stock Benz E300 engine with an AMG E55 engine) would this have to be registered in the blue book?

cheers

frank

[MYKTHEMIN]

Yes, engine number will be different and must be changed. I believe they will want to inspect the car to verify the numbers.

[kartman]

+ where the engine came from supporting docs etc

[WarpSpeed]

That about covers it..

[arthurwait]

I was going to start a thread on the legalities of engine swaps. May as well hi-jack this one.

Does it have to be done by someone in particular or can you do it yourself ?

Can you buy an engine off dealfish etc or does it have to come from someone 'licenced' etc ?

Can you swap diesel for petrol or the other way round ?

Can engine size differ, cc or number of cylinders, non turbo to turbo ?

Can the engine be moved further back if physically possible ?

Can manual and automatic be changed ?

If you have 2 complete cars can you swap the engines over ?

Why do you get some adverts for cars saying they cant put the engine swap in the book ?

TIA.

An after thought, does anyone do propshaft balancing here ?

[arthurwait]

Yes, engine number will be different and must be changed. I believe they will want to inspect the car to verify the numbers.

Yep, this I can answer. At the yearly 'MOT' / tax renewal they check the Engine and Chassis numbers match the book. That's all they check. Probably the colour as well.

You could turn up with no brakes in theory as long as the numbers match.

[WarpSpeed]

Nix on the brakes too, they do an inspection at legal stations prior to MOT renewal.

In answer to your post above,

*you can do the engine change yourself but again must have it inspected and approved by an engineer (? sic) I do believe either the MOT authorized inspection station can do this if qualified or can hook you up with a qualified shop.

*Engine from any source is ok but watch yourself and make sure all paper work is legit..

*No restrictions I'm aware of on fuel switch, I know of several who've made engine switches and of course LP and NG are both alternate fuels from petrol and allowed without the original fuel being used.

*Again no problems I know of, plenty of turboed cars around that are after market, and plenty with larger/smaller displacement too, they'll just adjust tax accordingly.

*Moving engine back/forward again ok but must be documented and approved. When engines are upgraded and retrofitted often the don;t fit in the same exact position and require adjustment to make them fit.. I even saw a straight 6 banging Nissan engine stuffed in a Mazerati and it was tilted to fit, not good news given it had to be oil starving on occasion but TiT.

*Trannys can also be changed from original, same as engine rules apply.

*Switching engines already answered. Cars make no dif. still have to document and log in blue book as to change over.

*Finally you stumped me on the last one but I can surmise that it is because it is not a legal change over for whatever reason, maybe dodgy engine source? I'd steer clear..

What do I win??

[arthurwait]

You win many thanks Mr WS.

Thanks for that.

A Nissan in a Maserati !!!!!!

I take it the authorized inspection stations are the places with a sign that sort of looks like a gear ?

[WarpSpeed]

You take it correctly, or the MOT directly but with accompanying docs and an underwriting engineer (?sic) in tow...

[JoePai]

And don't forget to inform your insurance company !

[WarpSpeed]

Why?