Engine swap: how the MFK would work?

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Hello fellow auto enthusiasts,

I started digging the official online Confederation information but would like to ask if anyone here have any experience or know the process on MFKing a car with a heavy modification: ditching the original engine and putting something more powerful and dependable.

Specifically, I am considering either buying an original Lotus Elise and sending it to a specialist in the UK to have a Honda K Series engine transplanted, OR my preferred choice that is instead to import a car with the transplant already in place.

1 - If I import the car with a swapped engine, how difficult would it be to get a MFK for it? What are the costs involved?

2 - If instead I buy a 12-year old, CH-registered Elise with a fresh MFK, and then have it modified in the UK, how long can I drive it in CH before the next MFK?

Thanks for you attention

2
Fugeddaboudit.

You can get away with boring or stroking an engine that was original to that car, or even swapping Webers for SUs.

But a power increase with an engine that that car was never built with, particularly as it says HONDA on the engine and LOTUS on the body? Nevah! (Even an 18 yo inspector who thinks cars without Bluetooth are antiques would notice it.)

3
Depends on the canton.

Some will stick to the official 2 years, others could be 10, or even more.

(based on my personal experiences over the past 32 years)

Tom

4
Just buy an Exige V6. Lotus chassis, Japanese engine. Job done.

5
Oooo! Tell us how the MFK weenie fainted.

6
I'd say that such modification should be reported and that it would be fraud not to mention such and thus the amount of days he would be legally allowed to drive such care here would be zero. this regardless of getting in an accident and than find out that the car never was road legal.

7
Do you know that the first Elises used a Rover engine and the laters use a Toyota engine?

8
How it works?

Remove old engine, put new engine in the car, trailer the car to MFK.

Show the car and documentations that the car with the new engine meets all noise, emission requirements which are relevant for the car, and the whole setup is structurally safe according the relevant standards.

See: ASA 2A page 94

https://asa.ch/wp-content/uploads/we...ndex.html#p=95

See, not a big deal. Now it is just the ever so simple mater of getting the right bunch of papers which will be accepted by the MFK.

9
instead of whining about failing the MFK and the label on the engine, let me give a more appropriate petrolhead reaction: awesome idea and good luck!

10
I do. The point is that when the inspector points to the Toyota/Rover engine and asks "Is that right?" you can point to a document which says "Yes". He will then leave you alone.

If you can't prove that the car was originally supplied with that engine then even if he likes the idea, then you end up having to prove that the suspension/brakes/trans/diff/steering are up to the weight and output of the engine. (If you look at aSwissInTheUS's link, the details are based on how much you've increased the output by.)

And they won't take a youtube video of a guy from Scunthorpe who ran the same combination as "proof".

11
I would pop this question at the motor vehicle dept. before doing the work.

Just might surprise you with a go ahead.

12
It's worth asking. They're not monsters (most are gearheads). The answer will probably be either a straight out "No" or a more detailed "Possible, but prohibitively expensive."

13
Actually, two of my bikes have swapped engines for nearly 25 years, and it's never been a problem at MFK.

Tom

14
Everything is easier in Ticino

15
Thank you very much.

I will read it and later have a chat with a MFK inspector.

16
By the way, would fresh TUV approval documents facilitate this process to get the MFK?

17
Hey Capo! These guys should be able to help you out!

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...ws&date=021718

18
No, they are useless, as we aren't in Germany.

Tom

19
Actually, everything is easier in Lucerne, which is why most tuners are located there.

In my case, they are from the same make and model, albeit one year apart.

Can't recall if the trannies are swapped.

Tom

20
Sorry to re-open this old discussion, but what would happen if I changed on a Honda the engine for another Honda engine? (K20 Swaps for example)

As there are a lot of EG (classic Honda Civics) that could serve as a beautiful car projects...

In that case you have to take it to the MFK or you need to leave your wallet at the Homologation and then take it to the MFK?

Thanks!