[steveG]

Hi All,
Not having been thru the process before, here's some real newbie questions about vehicle mods.
I''ve picked up a damaged '96 Vitara with good G16B MPFI motor and plan to put it into my daughter's '88 Sierra.
I know I need to get the conversion approved, but whats the general process?
Do I have to find a friendly engineer person to start with and work thru with them, or being a common engine swap is it something thats just a quick look and piece of paper once its finished.

How much should it cost (the engineering part - not the actual conversion), and any recommendations for an engineer in Melbourne Western Suburbs or Geelong area.

Thanks..
Steve

[royce]

unsure about vic but in QLD its on a list of approvable engine swaps, so it can be approved with a simple inspection to make sure everything is hokked up and bolted in properly and a plate is affixed stating whats been done
perhaps give your dept of transport a call and ask, they may point you towards somebody that can help and approve it

[joeblow]

not a quick process.....i've engineered over 20 i think now. expect it to be up to 1000 bucks. note the engineer will asess the whole vehicle, not just the engine conversion.

[steveG]

Dang - might be easier to move to QLD

Joe - would you still expect up to $1000 for a vehicle that's stock in every other way?

[joeblow]

oh...soooo not easier in qld...unless you do what they do and don't worry bout anything being legal. what you have to remember is engineers can set thier own price, as its thier arse they are signing off on...not yours.

[royce]

joeblow wrote:

oh...soooo not easier in qld...unless you do what they do and don't worry bout anything being legal. what you have to remember is engineers can set thier own price, as its thier arse they are signing off on...not yours.

your kiddeing me, $1000 to approve an engine swap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

carby ones drive in drive out 30mins max, 1.6 is allowed in a 1.3 sierra with no other mods, so bolt in and off you go, they check how its been done (proper mounts and adaptor plate or whatever) might need another code on the plate if you use a coily tank if you wanna get picky, dont reckon it would be much more than $100 plus DOT fees if any and tis all done

if you wanted to fit anything bigger than a 1.6 then youd have to go to an engineer and talk to them about brake upgrades and stuff and they have weight to capacity guidelines

[Taff]

Cost $105 in QLD at TJM to get a G16A bottom end with GTI twin cam head on a 91 zook mod plated and LEGAL. Not a cent more.


$1000 just for a common engine conversion? you have got to be kidding.

[joeblow]

do people read?.....could cost up to.....

[royce]

no we are zook owners, we see $1000 and fall over

[steveG]

Thanks - I'll check with TJM and some others down here to see if they do anything similar or already have anything in place with the local engineers

$1000 - I know you said "up to" - would definitely put a dampener on the conversion...

[PowerHouse]

lucky i know people lol