Replacing the engine

[kiwisunset]

I am mainly talking about Toyota Corolla 121/Axio 141 and Vitz/Yaris Hatchback/Belta (In the case of Corollas replacing the same engine, but vitz/belta with a higher capacity)

I am planning on buying one of the above cars with the plan of replacing the engine in a few months. Most cars I believe have done way more than 200k with the ODO rolled back. 

Those after less than a decade old are out of my price range. 

1. do I have to inform RMV/reregister the car/new plates if I am replacing with the same engine?

2. If I don't inform RMW or whoever will I get into trouble when doing emissions test or reselling the car?

3. what if I replace the engine with a higher capacity ? A Vitz/Yaris/Belta 1000cc with 1300cc or 1500cc ?

4. How do I find people who are willing to do this ?

 

 

[iRage]

  14 hours ago, kiwisunset said:

I am mainly talking about Toyota Corolla 121/Axio 141 and Vitz/Yaris Hatchback/Belta (In the case of Corollas replacing the same engine, but vitz/belta with a higher capacity)

I am planning on buying one of the above cars with the plan of replacing the engine in a few months. Most cars I believe have done way more than 200k with the ODO rolled back. 

Those after less than a decade old are out of my price range. 

1. do I have to inform RMV/reregister the car/new plates if I am replacing with the same engine?

2. If I don't inform RMW or whoever will I get into trouble when doing emissions test or reselling the car?

3. what if I replace the engine with a higher capacity ? A Vitz/Yaris/Belta 1000cc with 1300cc or 1500cc ?

4. How do I find people who are willing to do this ?

 

 

Expand  

1. You first need to file the change with the RMV by filling some forms. To submit the change you will have to provide the invoice for the engine (ideally withthe engine number, etc...). If you are swapping to an engine of the same fuel type there will not be a number change.

2. If you don't inform the RMV and do the change no the emission guys won't make a big fuss. They will simply turn a blind eye. You might have a problem with the cops if they catch you for something and decide to check. You will also have issues with cops and insurance if by some chance the car gets stolen or is involved in a serious accident.

3. You can replace with a higher capacity engine. However the increase cannot be more than 500cc.

4. Most major garages do it. You need to ask for recommendations and go with the best mechanic who will do it. Everyone will say they cando it and you will be quoted a wide range of prices. However, only a few will do the job properly. Please remember that swapping the engine might require you to change the harness, ECU and at times even the gearbox.

Now...here is my two cents....and this is the part where I make you wonder what the #@#$ are you doing...

Why do you feel you need to swap the engine?

Fine, a 1L VItz/Belta can use more horsepower, but if you get a 121 or 141 what is the point in going for a new engine unless it is really bad ? 200,000km for these engines are nothing provided they were properly taken care of. The issue is these engines don't get taken care of because the typical owners of these cars are cheap. Also, even if you replace the engine you are still stuck with a car that might have really badly fixed accident damage and questionable suspension,brake and transmission.

Although the new engine is new to you it is still an old engine. Over here in Japan our car exporters just rip these engine out of cars and just dump it out in the field..ship it and then dump it out in fields in SL before cleaning it out and putting it in a shop. By the time it gets to the shop they are all clogged up with mud and rusted out. So...even if you get a new engine, you will have to refurbish it by change all the seals, check for compression (if bad then fix that) then swap/check timing belt/chain, replace components like tensioners, look at things like waer pump, etc... so you are getting an unknown engine and have to refurb it. The only way one of these new engines will be completely safe is if you know which car it came from and you know a car exporter who will dismantle it and then ship it to you. Buying one of ex-stock engines is a gamble. Also...this is going to cost you a lot ! So do not think that you will increase the desirability or value of the car. In fact it might lower the value of the car (most Vitz/Belta owners want the 1L engine because it is cheap to run...for 121/141/etc...they are going to haggle to you about a replaced engine because the old one was hacked)

So here is a thought...and probably the most logical and sensible path for anyone...

Why not get the best car you can for your budget? Get it properly inspected...make sure that there are no significant engine issues beyond normal wear and tear in the best possible body/frame? Get it checked out by a place like Car Checks or the agent or both if you can (each does certain things better than the other). Then take all that money you were going to spend on an engine replacement and put it in to actually restoring the car that you have bought? At least you will not be starting off with the devil you know than the one you don't. You can be focused on what you fix...which might save you some money on the engine work which you can put towards refurbishing the transmission, brake, suspension and body.