Newer engine into older car- MOT questions

[Quagmire]

Right,

So my Dad has just bought a 3.9 to drop into his Landrover 110, the engine is believed to be from around 1994.

The 110 itself is (i think) 1988 and a 3.5 from the factory.

So- the question is (and I am sure all you kit car peeps know this) when the engine is eventually fitted, will the emissions test on the MOT be related to the age of the engine, or the vehicle?

Plan is to Megasquirt it so hopefully it won't even be an issue.

Also- will CATs be needed? They already have a small grey furry one, but she won't be much use in cleaning up the exhaust gas!

Thanks

[Ian Anderson]

Mot emissions are based on the age of car or engine - whichever is the older

So it will be original emission specs required and unless the car originally had cats you will not need to fit them

Ian

[kiwicar]

Mike

[richardpope50]

Make very sure you have the invoice for the replacement engine givng engine number, capacity and fuel on this invoice. You do not need year of engine manufacture on this invoice and best not to.

See elsewhere on this forum for problems no invoice can cause and also see DVLC web site when you register a new engine.

[Quagmire]

Thanks for the replies guys, that'll put his mind at ease, on the receipt/proof of purchase front I have already told him that he has to make sure he gets one when he collects so that the DVLA are kept happy.

Thanks again

[Noccer]

You mean you are supposed to tell them about an engine swap ?

On the 110, I never bothered as the engine is just in temporary until I get round to rebuilding the original one (think that was about 8 years ago). Some bits of the original engine are still under the bonnet, like the timing cover and sump! The rest is on my bench waiting for a rebuild.

[kiwicar]

Hi
Yes you are suposed to tell the DVLA, and your insurer, if you don't and are caught by a road side inspection you can have the car impounded until the paperwork is updated (and charged storage) and if your insurer doesn't know then your insurance is invalid, especially if the unit differs in capacity or output, both can lead to points on licence and the associated hassel with renewing insurance.
best regards
Mike

[Noccer]

I have never seen one of these roadside checks (except for trucks), and I have been driving for near on 40 years. However it probably time to think about rebuilding the old unit, so do they measure engine capacity at these roadside checks ?

I couldn't find the thread about receipts, searched for DVLA and only found this thread.

Insurance is not a problem - I always tell them, but the NFU said they insure just about any sensible engine in a Land Rover - people are always changing them.

[kiwicar]

"I have never seen one of these roadside checks (except for trucks), "

Staples corner (bottom end of the M1) on a Monday morning is a good spot to see one, they love Pug 406 minicabs and anything on a P plate or older, I'm sure if you drive the roundabout a couple of times they will invite you to join in also A5 southbound into J9 M1, watford gap services, westbound services M4 just before heathrow. . . . am I seeing a pattern here
Best regards
Mike

[Quagmire]

Having the wrong engine number is definitely a problem in a landrover- with them being stolen more and more these days apparently the police+VOSA are setting up roadside checks in some parts of the country specifically pulling in LR drivers to check that they are legit.

I'd let them know ASAP if I were you.

[Noccer]

Having the wrong engine number is definitely a problem in a landrover- with them being stolen more and more these days apparently.

I am not sure many V8s Landy's get stolen - especially if the tank is empty !

I suppose they are checking for cars where the plates don't match the car, and that is a big issue down London way with congestion charging being based on number plates.

[Quagmire]

Heres a post from this week:

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=63656

Seems that we get more and more like these recently

[richardpope50]

The link you want is

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Ow ... DG_4022054

and includes ...

Change to engine and cylinder capacity (engine size)

DVLA will need written evidence of any changes to engine number and cylinder capacity (cc). Written evidence can be:

- a receipt for the replacement engine
- written evidence from the manufacturer
- an inspection report provided for insurance purposes
- written confirmation on headed paper from a garage if the change in engine size took place before you bought the vehicle

[mjmeredith158@gmail.com]

Ref changing engines and informing DVLA, does it have any effect other than paperwork? I've swapped a 3.5ltr from a '75 Morgan to a 3.9 about 10 yrs ago, now changing again to a 4.8. Log book still shows the original 3.5. Wanted to ensure it wasn't going to effect the MOT emissions requirements or anything else. I always keep the insurers up to date about the performance mods, but not the DVLA.

[kiwicar]

As I said above
if the DVLA paperwork is not correct (engine numbers, paint colour number of seats the lot) for the car then technically your insurance is not valid no matter that you have informed them separately or not. I would definitely also inform the insurance company as to the full details, but a vehicle not correctly registered is grounds for an insurance company to decline cover, it is not a good thing to find out if you have just had a big prang.
Best regards
Mike