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

[jamie88]

theres a guy on ebay selling a completed 16v motor for 150quid, and about 400 shipping, works out to be around 850 bucks all up.
Anyone ever pulled it off?
or shoud i spend that 800 on building a turbo kit

[HaydEn]

Seems slightly worth the risk for the price. 16v turbo?

[DUBY]

I've spoken to a few people about doing this and the problem your going to have is finding some one who is going to take the care to make sure your not sent a pile of scape, the best contact I have owns Autobarn Vw Audi Specialists just outside london. I am talking to him about shipping a moded ABF to swap with my current ABF and to be honest he's entertaining it because he will charge me to break the engine, port the head, lighten and balance as much of the internals as possible, attache a new box with uprated clutch and other bits and bobs, rebuild, detail, get it running and ship, for him there is no money and alot of effort in ripping an engine out and shipping to the other side of the world.

It's going to cost a hell of a lot more than your find but I do know him and have driven a few engines he's built up in the same way so am willing to take the risk

[jamie88]

This guy says he dismantles mk 2 s only. Has heaps of good bits for sale. If I was gonna spent 2k I'd buy the one in the for sale section in Sydney

[gecko2k]

I believe roccodingo here from the forum did, but not to successful. I can't remember the whole story, but afair customs found a bug or dirt particle on one of the engines in the whole container and did their full wash/decontamination routine. As a result most/all engines were stuffed?!?

Might be worth asking him again about that, I might be telling porkies though....

[nightphotographer]

Yeah your problem is going to be customs man!

[jamie88]

hmm, definately dont want them taking a pressure washer and chemicals to it.
8v turbo project?

[ryana89]

There are a few ABF's and KR's floating round Aus, but in different cars (Seats, Passats).

[ausgolfer]

I imported a full ABF + gearbox about 5 years ago.
Paid 400 quid for the motor and box and then about $1200AUD shipping and tax all up.
Was young and dumb and thought it was a great idea.

Try and find one locally they do pop up from time to time. Ask around what people have in their sheds.

[Stiggy_21]

im young and dumb and am in the process of doing this now..

[GTi Bhoy]

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]

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]

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

[roccodingo]

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]

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.