Are engine conversions worth the money?

[VTS_16v_Boy]

Now Ive been on here a little while now, I see and hear alot of people asking if and whats involved in converting their smaller cc cars to 16v engines.

Now where I can understand 8v VTR owners wanting to move form the 90bhp/98bhp to the 120bhp of the 16v setup - I can totally understand as pretty much only the engine and afew other under bonnet items has to be replaced.

But I'd just like peoples opuions - from across the board VTR/S, Furio and 1.1 owners - if they think the work invovled in converting a smaller cc car to 16v spec when not only the engine has to be swapped but also rear axles and other items not to mention insurance etc in comparison to just sourching a 16v Factory car.

[rob_s]

you dont need to upgrade the brakes,but i would if i was doin one

and i wunt bother now tbh,you can pcik up a vts cheap enough now anyway and the insurace would work out cheaper!

[Mikey]

yeah i can see what your getting at mate..but a lot of people who put bigger engines in there cars...not just saxo's dont tell their insurance firms...and just hope they never crash...stupid i know but who can blame them!

never done a conversion myself but if you know what your doing and you can get the parts easy!! must be cheaper than buying a decent vts around the 3k mark, some lads who are handy with engines and can fit them easy...just cant afford the insurance that comes with buying a genuine vts

[lambinator]

i have a furio and have done a 16v conversion cost me...

engine all parts! bout 700
rear beam 100
then to wire in 100.

so i'd say a 1000 the average

[VTS_16v_Boy]

Now see I aint got any kind of problem with people doing the conversion - Im not a snobby 16v owner who thinks to have a 16v you must buy one unlike certain two letter Ford clubs I wont mention :rage:

But I always like to ask if they have weighted up all the options including the insurance.

Just wanted to know other members opuions on tha matter.

[Steve]

i have a furio and have done a 16v conversion cost me...

engine all parts! bout 700
rear beam 100
then to wire in 100.

so i'd say a 1000 the average

cheaper than buying vts?

I was planning on doing a conversion (seems straight forward for vtr to vts), worked it out though, what i would get for my vtr (not much) trouble of selling it then going and buying a vts, for me it would be easier and better for money to stick a vts engine in. VTS are still fairly expensive up here, out of my price range, but i can afford insurance and the engine, just not the car.

Saying that i would not convert a 1.1 to a vts, i have respect for people who do but its all down to money for me! Just cant see the point spending that much money on it, just go buy a vtr or vts :y:

[Mikey]

i dont think a lot of people who do conversions tell their insurance

[lambinator]

the only way as i've gone to fair modding my furio just to sell up back to standard and get a vts..

as its had a total make over

[Steve]

i have kept all my standard parts incase i want to sell, think al just keep it till it dies, if anything went wrong with the engine would put a vts lump in without a second thought!

[devilsadvocate]

Never had one done myself but in my opinion the costs would probably outweigh upgrading to a more powerfull car, unless you know people and can get it done on the cheap.

You gotta buy all the parts needed
You gotta pay a garage to fit them
Then you gotta tell your insurance company and see what they do to the price.
Youve also got all the extra prices, like costs to pickup the engine and all other bits.

Of course if you can fit the stuff yourself or know a mechanic then you will save a bit of money but why not just buy a more powerfull car in the first place.

I would imagine an insurance company would charge more for a car that has been modified for an engine conversion to a 16v than just insuring the 16v ou have bought.

I mean if you have got a VTR worth say £2500 and to buy the same car (condition, age, mileage etc) VTS for £3000 why go through all the trouble of having an engine conversion. The way i look at it, if you want the power of a VTS then buy a VTS in the first place.

[VTS_16v_Boy]

So here's anothe question still within the same kinda area as the first.

If it was your money, would you be put off by buying a VTR that had been converted to 16v?

Would the answer be the same if it was a 1.1 that had had all the VT kit added and interior to boot?

[Mikey]

i guess you would want the vts engine mate....id rather have the vtr converted than the 1.1

[devilsadvocate]

Personally i wouldnt buy one, but thats just me. Im sure some people would however.

[VTS_16v_Boy]

I think maybe if I could see it was done properly ie if it was somebody on here and I could read say a 'progress thread' or look a folder with a photo by photo history of the build then maybe I might be tempted.

But if it was away from the club and it was on a forecourt then I think Id have to walk away from it.

Like I said Im not being snobby but tracing the history of the build and the history of the engine inside would worry me too much.

After all I abused car look abused as it has scuffy body work, kerbed wheels Lexus lights lol but take the body work away and its hard to tell what kinda life that engine has had unless you know the car it has been lifted from.

[lambinator]

i'll be doing a full story on my standard furio to a show car when its finished including videos etc

[VTS_16v_Boy]

See, if I could see something like that I wouldnt have a problem in the slightess but some of the others you see about with bonnet vents, neons and stuff I do worry because someone could buy it and work out maybe a year later if that long that the job wasnt done rite.

[willsy]

Why would some of you consider buying a VTR converted to a VTS and not a 1.0 or 1.1 converted to a VTS? Assuming that its all done properly with vt kit etc etc?? Slightly baffling

Secondly you all know that to convert your engine legitimately you dont just have to tell your insurance?? Spoke to DVLA about mine a few days ago and they said that:

You have to fill in Section 7 of your V5 or Log book (i forget which one) which asks for new engine milage, new engine Number which they will HPI check to ensure that it is not stolen and they will send someone out to inspect the car before they agree to officially change the documents.

After which i spoke to my insurance to clarify the situation with this and they said that unless its been declared and approved by the DVLA then they will not insure the car...

Makes me wonder now how many people do actually declare their engines properly being as ive never once heard anyone speak of DVLA verifying everything.

[Skorpion]

Best to do everything legit! I knew a couple of blokes who were both running 2litre corsa's and didnt get everything done legit. Police came down to a park they were at and 'posessed' both the cars. Not worth the risk, plus you want to make sure everything is safe and you wont get hassle if you end up in a crash!

[VTS_16v_Boy]

Its good to hear from people that have done or had the work done and seeing what their views are on the subject

[bbewekim]

If you have the know how at hand, and facilities to do a conversion, it is worth it bhp : pound. But personally with a saxo i wouldnt do a vtS conversion into a VTR because theres not a whole lot of difference, much better to do a 1.1 or 1.1 to VTS.

Just like with the old fiestas, if i was going to do a conversion i wouldnt put a 1.6 into a 1.1 if i was going to spend the time and effort may aswell get the 2l zetec lump.

Looks straight forward job, just the looms put me off as they look comfusing.

[flee123]

Don't think I would convert a saxo tbh, would probs just buy a vts. Would do a Nova though, with a C20LET! Yum yum!

[Yates]

i know lots of people who have changed engines and dont tell insurance, i know saxo owners too, and like wilsys says about informing the dvla, not heard anyone say that before when they have changed an engine.

personally i wouldnt buy a car thats had the engine changed unless it was going cheap. but i would change the engine in a car if mine had high miles.

i dont see the point in going from r to s, but i can see the point in going from the smaller engined cars. and as for upgrading brakes, yes the front ones, but you dont need to do the rear, but every saxo should upgrade there brakes regardless of changing engine, i changed my vts brakes cos they were shit.

also people may do it to find out more bout the car and get more confident doing it. and other people may have all the knowledge so it works out cheaper

[landy]

ive just converted mine to a s and its just cost me £1200, tbh i would never do a engine transplant again

[Steve]

ive just converted mine to a s and its just cost me £1200, tbh i would never do a engine transplant again

why not mate?

[landy]

its a complete ball ache to do

[liamk15]

i was going to do a vts conversion to my 1.1 but with not having power steering it would of been shite.plus its wasnt really much more for a standard vts,plus i wouldnt be without a car for a few days while it was being worked on.

[Luke]

I'd never buy a converted car, even if it had been done 110% right etc.

I would rather go out there and buy a that bigger engine car. I think Matt has done right though, buying a cheap 1.0 and working on it.

[gibs-rallye]

i did a conversion on my rallye it started life as an 8v and i was more than happy but always said if the 8v let go it would 16v. so a couple of months ago this happened

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/gibbins/smokin1.jpg

so i decided it was time for 16v. i collected myself a 16v engine found a good gearbox to as mine was on its way out.
so one friday night i drove my car to my mates house ready to start the engine swap early saturday. over the course of the 2 days we got engine out engine and all wired and running. also while it was being done it had a full service new engine obviously gearbox oil new timing belt and tensioner and pulleys.

i think 2 days was pretty good going seeing as it was a vts engine so we had to join the loom to original rallye plugs.

was it worth damn right it was. all it cost me around 1k would like to pay a garage to do it.

sorry its long winded just thought i'd share my experience of engine conversion