10 replies to this topic

[HarrysMini]

Hi,

I am rebuilding a '93 SPi Cooper and I want to totally remove the injection system. As I bought the car as a shell, I needed to buy another engine for it so I did some research and have bought an MG Metro engine. 

 

My question is, what do I tell the insurance company? Do I need to tell them that I've completely changed the engine or could I just say it's had a fuelling change? i.e. Used to run an injection system but now runs a carb.

 

Because it is the same size engine that (in their eyes) puts out the same amount of power, is it actually likely to increase the premium if I do say it's had an engine change?

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Daviewonder]

I'd tell them just to be safe.

[Ethel]

Be honest, but that doesn't mean you can't give it a little spin. Give them the engine number, and get it on the V5, but you can describe it as replacement 1275 that's lacking the crank sensor needed to run your fuel injection and was built to run on leaded, making you concerned that the injection map could cause it to go into melt down.

[HarrysMini]

I think I probably would just tell them, do you think it would increase the premium at all? Bearing in mind I'm a 17 year old new driver.

[Guess-Works.com]

That's the least of your problem....

 

Proving it's not the original engine to the MOT tester is going to be your problem, as until you can do that, it'll be tested as per the '93 spi model and will need a cat.

[AVV IT]

I agree with the above, tell your insurer everything, don't play into their hands and give them an excuse to potentially not pay out on a future claim. So do it all above board, get an engineers report done to verify the engine swap and then use this to declare the engine number change on the V5. You can also use this as evidence for MOT emissions testing purposes, but it will be up to the individual MOT inspector as wether they accept it.

[Ethel]

It really depends on the insurer, most will load the premium if they think you've done it for performance purposes, some won't touch any sort of modifications. You may find some who will accept it as a "repair" for no extra premium.

 

The MoT is a potential issue, which should be sorted by getting the engine number changed on the V5, expect to be asked for supporting evidence (letter from a garage) by the DVLA. It'd make sense to use the same one  that'll do the MoT.

[Guess-Works.com]

Changing the engine number on the V5 will make no difference to the MOT, it'll be classed as a like for like replacement... You need some evidence of the age of the engine.. to most MOT testers the engine number will mean nothing.

 

AVVIT mentioned an engineers report, this is what you will need, or a copy of the V5 of the vehicle which donated the engine..

 

Vehicles fitted with a different engine must be tested to the requirements of whichever is older, the engine or the vehicle.

e.g. A 1995 car fitted with a 1991 engine (of whatever make), test to 1991 standards for emission purposes.
Note: The onus is on the vehicle presenter to prove engine age.

 

Note: The onus is on the vehicle presenter to prove engine age.

 

 

 

 

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 24 August 2013 - 08:44 AM.

[HarrysMini]

Thanks for all the info guys, I had thought about MOT etc. and as AVV IT suggested, I was going to get an engineer's report. Is this all I'll need to change the engine number on the V5 and get it to pass emissions tests with a carb and no CAT? I also have a receipt from the dealer I bought the engine off.

If I find a Mini friendly garage, do you think they would be more willing and able to provide a report?

 

With regards to insurance, do I tell them that I have replaced the standard power unit with one for the same size from an MG Metro, then shop around for a decent quote?

[AVV IT]

An engineers report should be fine to change the v5, so long as it lists the engine number of the engine you have transplanted in. I'd imagine that most mini friendly garages would be happy to do this, so long as they are satisfied that you have genuinely transplanted in the engine that you are claiming to have.

You'll also need to find an MOT inspector who actually understands how the changes in MOT emissions regs effect older cars and has correctly interpereted them though. Many are under the impression that all car's have to fail the test if a CAT is missing where one was fitted as standard, when this actually only applies to those cars with engines that are required to pass a full CAT emissions test. To be fair to them though, the vast majority of cars that they are likely to come accross are actually fitted with a CAT and are required to pass the CAT emmisions test, so it's easy to see why they would think that this applies to all cars, plus the regs are written in such a way that they are easy to misinterperate.

Most of the specialist insurers are happy to insure an MG metro transplant, so long as the car was fitted with a 1275 originally, (if you're upgrading from a 998 though, it's a different matter). When I fitted an MG metro unit in my 1275 sprite, it added an extra £36 to my policy (£20 of which was actually an admin fee), you'll need to declare the BHP increase over a standard 1275 too, and if you've fitted it with a stage 1 kit then dont forget that it should have a slightly higher BHP than the standard 72BHP MG unit.

[HarrysMini]

Thanks for that, AVV IT.

I'll try and find a local Mini friendly garage that'll do the engineer's report, then I can get it all changed on the V5 and see (hope) I can get insurance. I will see if the garage who is doing the report will MOT it as well so that I know they know all the ins and outs of Minis and are more likely to apply the correct regs, as you mention.

 

Back to insurance, does anyone know of any companies who will insure a 17 year old with a modified (engine swap) classic car? Long shot, I know. It's my fault for buying a 1275 Cooper and not a 998 City or something. One thing I do have on my side is that I will only be driving the car twice a week to college and the rest of the time my Dad will be driving it, therefore I can make him the policy holder, which improves things.