Anyone ever imported a full 16v engine from the uk?

**GTi Bhoy** · 29-08-2012, 09:21 PM

I did it a year ago.
Engine Gear Box etc etc...
No issues what so ever
Did have to pay an extra $120 at customs for inspection and clean.
I paid 300 quid for the ABF and 400 quid for shipping.

**jamie88** · 29-08-2012, 11:12 PM

well the car im buying is nick - valgameshs, and it has a rebuilt 8v, with cam and exhaust. so i should probably just stick with that and replace it if a need arises. a baby turbo on it should go well.

**ryana89** · 30-08-2012, 10:37 PM

You've probably seen it, but there's a nice worked KR in the classifieds.

**roccodingo** · 31-08-2012, 12:52 AM

Importing has its issues, depends if your bringing over one off's or a container full.

the prob engine I had was with a container with 4 vehicles and about 8 engines, only 1 engine was mine, was pretty well packed and clean. Quarantine had issues with cleanliness of some of the other engines so the container load was all cleaned by quarantine dept's contract cleaner. thereabouts is when my stuff became damaged. This stuff came from LA

I do have a different shipper from UK, he brings in stuff for his own business' and cleans the items to AQIS standard before leaving UK so there are no issues whith quarantine once in Aust.

The other way you can do this is buy a 16 V head and internals and convert an 8Valve engine yourself. Not that difficult, just takes some research and then luck finding the right parts.

I have a KR, 3A and 2 hybrid engines I am putting together ( over time ) and about 5 16V heads.

For the OP , Utilise your 8V and learn the car for a while, then decide where you want to go..turbo etc..

**jamie88** · 31-08-2012, 08:23 AM

Yeah I've looked into the 8v - 16v option. 16v heads aren't too expensive to import by the looks of things. There is a worked one in the for sale thing. Conrods and pistons are easy to find but cranks are seeming a little harder. Like you said I think I should get to know the car first. Change a few aesthetic things so the car is perfectly how I want it. Then go from there. I am a Uni student and although the extra cash is there for rebuilds etc , I am buying a car that is pretty much done.

**Jarred** · 31-08-2012, 09:17 AM

If you want a car that's going to be reliable. I wouldn't worry about fiddling with it for a while. Most conversions always have niggling troubles. and I don't see either of these conversions being 'weekend' jobs. Just thought it might be worthwhile mentioning.

Have you also paid attention to which fuel system you'll want to run? K-jet, digi etc? Remember all the manifolds are different (16V to 8V) and there are alot of parts that you'd need to do the full conversion. (gearbox side aswell)

It's worthwhile looking for a complete running donor locally, that way you have everything you need and you know that it runs. You might be able to get an engine out of the UK cheaper, but it wont be much chop if you are missing have the engine loom, the altenator and pulleys are missing etc etc.

Just my two bob.

**jamie88** · 31-08-2012, 04:29 PM

yeah another good point. the car is ging to be a daily, is mods go serious ill be a 2 thousand dollar beater to get me around, but i dont wanna take it that far really.

**h100vw** · 31-08-2012, 04:41 PM

I bought everything from under the bonnet of a 16V Golf and brought it with me from the UK. The engine and box went into evorobin's GTI. Was bargain for 100 quid. We were emigrating, so had loads of room in the container for stuff like that.

The crank in an 16V is the same as the 8V and even the G60. What you don't have is the oil squirters under the pistons.