Swapping an engine and gearbox??

1. devilsadvocate Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI

   #1 3rd August 2010, 08:30

   Hello
   
   I have recently purchased a VTR with almost 99k on the clock and I can source a 2nd hand engine and gearbox with much lower miles for a few hundered pounds on here or on ebay.
   
   How many hours labour would it take to do the swap roughly do you think?
   
   I know my local mechanics hourly rate so I can work out how much its going to cost total.
   
   Also, do I need to notify the DVLA of the engine swap.....and/or insurance company?
   
   Cheers
2. Quick Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 7064

   #2 3rd August 2010, 09:52

   Unless the engine currently in the car is knackered, I'd just keep it in.
   
   Engines can do in excess of 200k as long as they are looked after!
   
   DVLA would have be told as the replacement engine would have a different engine number.
   
   Insurance company wouldn't need to be told as long as its a like for like swop.
3. devilsadvocate Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI

   #3 3rd August 2010, 12:39

   Nah its not knackered, just pushing 100k
   The car is very rattley but Im hoping thats the exhaust and not the engine!
4. user_36458 Frequent Poster Joined: Aug 2009 Sheffield Posts: 733 mk2 cammed vts and Audi S3

   #4 3rd August 2010, 12:51

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by devilsadvocate Nah its not knackered, just pushing 100k The car is very rattley but Im hoping thats the exhaust and not the engine!

   its a saxo it will be the whole car that rattles and 100k could still be running fine my old saxo had 130k on it and was still running just give it a good service when you get it
5. user_42881 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2010 North Shields Posts: 779

   #5 3rd August 2010, 12:58

   you can do a engine swap and loom in a day depending on any problems arising etc, id say 6-7 solid hours of work making sure it was done properly. Least thats how long it took to do my XE swap in me corsa.
6. Reechard Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Cirencester Posts: 2286 2x Mazda Mx5s, Volvo s80, Citroen DS4

   #6 3rd August 2010, 13:43

   Its not that difficult to do.
   
   Hardest bit I found was remembering where all the bloody cables went as I forgot to label them when I removed them.
   
   It should be around the 4-6 hour mark depending on who is doing it. And how competent they are.
7. devilsadvocate Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI

   #7 3rd August 2010, 13:51

   Assuming its an experienced mechanic doing it...how long roughly?
   
   Cheers
8. Reechard Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Cirencester Posts: 2286 2x Mazda Mx5s, Volvo s80, Citroen DS4

   #8 3rd August 2010, 14:01

   It all depends. When I did mine it only took about 4 hours to get it in. Ive not done it before either.
   
   Mine was a bit simpler to do though due to my old shell not having a front end.
   That was with my mate splicing the loom for me too.
   
   Experienced mechanic should take 5-6 hours.
   Some parts might not come off easily as well, so it can vary.
   
   Not going to have a go yourself?
9. devilsadvocate Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI

   #9 3rd August 2010, 14:02

   Cheers
   
   I would love to have a go myself but I havent got the workspace or tools for that kind of job unfortunately!
10. Reechard Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Cirencester Posts: 2286 2x Mazda Mx5s, Volvo s80, Citroen DS4

    #10 3rd August 2010, 14:41

    I did mine on my drive. Parents loved me as the lawn at the front is now ruined too.
    
    Engine cranes can be hired for £30 for a weekend. Only really need basic tools for it.
11. devilsadvocate Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI

    #11 3rd August 2010, 15:03

    It is tempting, my parents do have a drive but Im a bit clueless regarding engines lol
    
    I am an engineer so am pretty good with my hands but would be worried about doing it myself incase I messed it up
12. user_12874 Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2006 London, England Posts: 734 Saxo VTS, Audi A6 Avant Quattro.

    #12 3rd August 2010, 15:21

    Why swap the engine if its fine? Just make sure the cambelt isn't due and service it.
13. Reechard Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Cirencester Posts: 2286 2x Mazda Mx5s, Volvo s80, Citroen DS4

    #13 3rd August 2010, 16:02

    I was expecting it to be difficult, but actually doing it was easy.
    
    I now question why I paid £2k for an engine conversion when I was 18. Should of bloody done it myself.