vts conversion - who needs to be told?

6th August 2009, 21:57

Im wanting to drop a s engine in the car next year some point. I was wondering who needs to be told exactly, as if its to much hassle ill just sell up and buy a vts outright and put my mods on it from this car.
Im guessing what ill do is:

Cancel first insurance while i take it off road to do the conversion (week or two)

Then while its off road contact dvla and say that my car (what ever reg it is) has now got a vts 16v eninge in it.

Then im guess when they sort it out, my reg will come up as a vts when i apply for new insurance? Will i have to just say its a 16v vts, or will they not that from the reg (if dvla changed it over)

Sorry if that aint clear.
Thanks for any help

Sam

6th August 2009, 21:59

insurance and dvla.

From memory the insurance company didn't automatically know it was a vts engine from my reg - not sure now.

Whenever I order parts using my reg number I'm sure to check just incase it doesn't pull up the vts engine change.

6th August 2009, 22:01

Is it much hassle mate? What do i say to them exactly. Im thinking it'll just be easier to swap over parts from the vtr to a new vts

6th August 2009, 22:10

Just been talking to dad and we think it'll be easier to just buy a clean vts and swap the parts over, that way dvla dont need to be informed of anything. saves alot of hassle and eaiser for me to change suspension and brakes over than a new engine

6th August 2009, 22:11

No hassle at all, just send V5 off with new engine number - you'll just pay the new tax rate when yours runs out depending on the banding

insurance i found was about the same (standard vts vs. 16v westcoast with big brakes,exhaust,lowered,induction) so I suppose it wad cheaper with Adrian Flux, may depend on your circumstances

6th August 2009, 22:12

Is upto you really

6th August 2009, 22:16

Alot of poeple dont change it on the logbook, but tell the insurance it has a different engine.

6th August 2009, 22:17

So when i ring up the insurance to get my new policy, do i say its a vts, or do i say its a vtr with a vts engine?
Thanks for the help btw mate

6th August 2009, 22:19

Yyou say it's had an engine change to a 1.6 16v engine

6th August 2009, 22:21

Even if you tell the dvla it has got a vts engine in it the car will stay as a vtr on v5 and all records.

You cant changea vehicle modle on a v5.
Your insurance will be a bit more as the car will be classed as modified

6th August 2009, 22:26

I found it was cheaper to insure mine with other mods, like exhaust, lowered etc. Than a standard vts - let alone a modified vts

6th August 2009, 22:27

Some insurance companies look at VTS converted cars as 16v VTrs, probs why its cheaper. My westcoasy with a 16v in was cheaper than insuring a clean VTS factory car.

6th August 2009, 22:28

hmmm, really not sure what to do now, only came up because i can afford to insure a vts now. Might see whats about, if i find a good example ill get it and swap the parts over.

But if not ill be forced to get an s engine and drop it in

6th August 2009, 22:34

My thought was that I knew my car wad a good example,loads of history, and by dropping a vts engine in it'd be just wot I want, plus can give everything a good clean/replace parts during the changeover.

Am glad I did it and would do it again as opposed to getting a vts

6th August 2009, 22:38

Thats true mate, im phoning up bell tommorow morning for a quote on my current car with a vts engine in. Got a quote of 1400 from them for a vts, so it should be ok.

Next time your in southampton area mate, let me know, would love to see you car in person. Could well make my mind up for me lol.

6th August 2009, 22:41

Yeh no probs, might be in soton next weekend, will give you a pm!!

Bell wouldn't insure me, I'd try Adrian flux or a more specialist insurer, can haggle a bit more and get a cheap quote.

6th August 2009, 22:42

im in the same boat here mate. can u post up what they say tomorrow about the insurance quote?

6th August 2009, 22:46

Thats cool, well ill give them a call to be sure anyway. Got bits to sort on the car first anyway, so ill stick with my current insurer for the time and sometime next year ill start to look around for better quotes as ill have 2yrs ncb then. 8v power ftw, engine isnt in the best of health anyway so i think its best to renew it for a better lump

Yeah whenever your about pm me and we can meet somewhere, i work sundays untill 4.30 tho.

6th August 2009, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by denni

im in the same boat here mate. can u post up what they say tomorrow about the insurance quote?

Yeah mate ill let you know, going to try and sort everything else out on the car before it though, build up enough ncb before the conversion. Vts lump will prob be the last thing i do with it.

6th August 2009, 22:48

Would be far easier and less hassle to sell your current car and get a nice VTS!

6th August 2009, 22:50

But my car is a good example with alot of history and a very nice colour aswell

16v power would set it off a treat, then when its out i can tune it a bit.

6th August 2009, 22:51

I'll prob be at moxy's in Southampton fitting a few bits one week on Sat - so could meet up late afternoon maybe, I'll give you a pm nearer the time!

6th August 2009, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinin_prestatyn

Would be far easier and less hassle to sell your current car and get a nice VTS!

Changing the engine over, or changing over the suspension, brake,s exhaust and lowering a standard vts - both these options would take about the same effort, engine probably less ......

6th August 2009, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by raunchz

I'll prob be at moxy's in Southampton fitting a few bits one week on Sat - so could meet up late afternoon maybe, I'll give you a pm nearer the time!

Yeah mate im always free on saturdays give me a pm when ever and ill give you my mobile number.

6th August 2009, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by raunchz

Changing the engine over, or changing over the suspension, brake,s exhaust and lowering a standard vts - both these options would take about the same effort, engine probably less ......

Also ive got all my bushes fitted to this car and fook that if im fitting anymore of them lol. May need your help on a few things when it comes to fitting the engine, mainly the coilpack, as my current one runs leads instead. This a problem at all?
Oh and running the fuel return line, because i aint got a clue on that one

6th August 2009, 23:03

Yeh no probs - I'm normally around to lend a hand.

Leads aren't a prob - you just fit a vts engine loom which connects to the coilpack and is fine, fuel return line is a bit fiddly but no problem for me!!lol, done a fair few now, you might already have a return line plumbed in - if you do you'd definately have to convert to 16v !!

6th August 2009, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by raunchz

Yeh no probs - I'm normally around to lend a hand.

Leads aren't a prob - you just fit a vts engine loom which connects to the coilpack and is fine, fuel return line is a bit fiddly but no problem for me!!lol, done a fair few now, you might already have a return line plumbed in - if you do you'd definately have to convert to 16v !!

Thats cool mate, glad my lead wont be a problem. You'll have to have a look at mine when we meet to see if i have. If so thats one step closer to 16v power lol.
Im off for tonight now, laters.

6th August 2009, 23:15

you should tell dvla about the new engine code etc, its far easier just to insure it as a vtr with a 16v engine, difference for me is £100.
i've just sold the last of my vtr bits and worked out that without the fancy bits ive bought which i didnt necesarily need, my basic engine swap has cost me £165.

7th August 2009, 00:05

Its a piece of cake really

Just fill out the relevant bits on the V5 and send it off

As swampy says itll still be classed as a VTR on the model section as this cannot change, but the cc will of course change to 1587cc with the new engine number typed in

I was required to send in a report from an approved garage just to confirm the engine number, cc etc etc which is no problem. just get the to quickly whip something up on headed paper and send it off

Insurance were even easier, all i had to do was mention that it was now a 1.6 16v and that was it

7th August 2009, 08:54

100% vts yours mate.. is mint car never seen a saxo that colour in that good condition 16v it you wont regret it...

7th August 2009, 08:59

i know that if you took everything off a VTS and put it in a VTR Shell itd be cheaper insurance than an actual VTS even tho its basically exactly the same if you move everything across.
So your insurance will be cheaper if you do it this way.
I cant see it being much hassle, just a few fone calls or a couple of forms tbh...but if you just want to get a VTS anyway then you may aswell do that - i wouldda thought it is easier but you can say you built your car ot bought it

7th August 2009, 09:00

if you are vtsing a 1.1 or 1.4 you also need to sort out your tax as it goes up into the higher band with the 1.6

7th August 2009, 09:03

Thanks everyone, just phoned bell and the woman said it shouldnt change my premium much between vtr and vts, ill just have to call closer to the time / once its done as i will have 2yrs ncb then and be older, so she couldnt give me a proper quote. Did say that there might be trouble with it comign up as a modification though.

EDIT!!

Just got a call back form the manager. He said that they wont actually insure a car that has a different engine from stock in it. Hmm guess ill need to ring around nearer the time. Any companies people would reccommend for insuring a converted car?

7th August 2009, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by moxy89

100% vts yours mate.. is mint car never seen a saxo that colour in that good condition 16v it you wont regret it...

Thanks mate, makes me feel good. Now go comment on my prog thread ! lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanmt

if you are vtsing a 1.1 or 1.4 you also need to sort out your tax as it goes up into the higher band with the 1.6

even doing vtr - vts conversion the tax changes mate

7th August 2009, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR_N

Any companies people would reccommend for insuring a converted car?

Adrian Flux.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR_N

even doing vtr - vts conversion the tax changes mate

On the old Number plates (Yreg or older) they go off engine size,
so 1.6 to 1.6 = same tax.

The newer ones go off emissions, so tax might change.

9th August 2009, 02:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinin_prestatyn

Would be far easier and less hassle to sell your current car and get a nice VTS!

Surely it wouldnt? Im in the same position as him and Im thinking, buy and fit the engine. Or strip all the parts I want to keep from my car, buy the standard parts, sell it, buy a vts, fit all the parts. Plus Ive had things new drive shafts, refurbed rear axle etc that wouldnt be transferred to the vts.

Hopefully the insurance wont take the piss. Im going to wait till I get my first year NCB and then declare it. Only a couple of months time. Probs have the engine in by then.

9th August 2009, 08:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by DusheR

Surely it wouldnt? Im in the same position as him and Im thinking, buy and fit the engine. Or strip all the parts I want to keep from my car, buy the standard parts, sell it, buy a vts, fit all the parts. Plus Ive had things new drive shafts, refurbed rear axle etc that wouldnt be transferred to the vts.

Hopefully the insurance wont take the piss. Im going to wait till I get my first year NCB and then declare it. Only a couple of months time. Probs have the engine in by then.

Im going to get the engine around x-mas time this year and spend a good 6-8 months rebuilding and upgrading as much as i can as i want a really good spec one to drop in.
In the mean time im going to focus on other stuff before more power. More power is useless without being able to control it.
So yeah ive going to keep mine and do the conversion when im ready, not somthing i want to rush in to, dont mind 8v power for the moment lol. Plus i love the colour of my car so i cant help but think it better to keep it and sort everything out. Replacing the beam for a spanky new one very soon aswell.

9th August 2009, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR_N

Im going to get the engine around x-mas time this year and spend a good 6-8 months rebuilding and upgrading as much as i can as i want a really good spec one to drop in.
In the mean time im going to focus on other stuff before more power. More power is useless without being able to control it.
So yeah ive going to keep mine and do the conversion when im ready, not somthing i want to rush in to, dont mind 8v power for the moment lol. Plus i love the colour of my car so i cant help but think it better to keep it and sort everything out. Replacing the beam for a spanky new one very soon aswell.

Sounds awesome!! Try and time it so that the engine goesin when your insurance is due, then you will minimise the amount you'll have to pay to cancel your policy, plus gives yo ua target to aim for!

You won't regret 16v'ing yours !!! If you need a hand at the time putting the engine in then feel free to give me a pm !

9th August 2009, 12:33

definately drop an S lump in yours.

as for insurance companies, try Admiral/Elephant