Taking diesel converted Rover out of the country

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
PT Schram has told me his story of having a 4.6L Rover engine seized by customs when he tried to bring it in. They were also threatening to fine him, etc. He had to present documentation showing that the 4.6 was an engine offered in US Rovers. In the course of it they told him not to even try bringing any more in because, "We are on to you Land Rover guys now . . ."

That's the type of stuff I'm referring to. I really can't comment on it. PT feels very strongly about it, and I respect him. All I know is there are 100's (?) of converted Land Rovers running around, and not a single documented case of somebody getting screwed over by it. And not just Rovers, but Toyota guys, etc. etc. Not to mention the legions of guys hotrodding cars.

And as was said, very good point, Chip Foose has a TV show where he regularly puts different engines in different cars.
 
Last edited:

AxeAngel

Expedition Leader
Doug, looking forward to seeing you at the next ROAV event

Viggen, will the truck be done in time for the next ROAV event? Would love to come see it, short of importing a truck from Doug, this is my next option.

Theres an RRC for sale locally for $600. Needs some major engine work. But for that price it sounds good. Got the good t-case as well, not the viscous.

-Sam
 

David Harris

Expedition Leader
That's the type of stuff I'm referring to. I really can't comment on it. PT feels very strongly about it, and I respect him. All I know is there are 100's (?) of converted Land Rovers running around, and not a single documented case of somebody getting screwed over by it. And not just Rovers, but Toyota guys, etc. etc. Not to mention the legions of guys hotrodding cars.

And as was said, very good point, Chip Foose has a TV show where he regularly puts different engines in different cars.

Customs and the EPA clearly hasn't enforced this very tightly, but they do catch some in random checks, as PT's case proves. All I can say is that if they ever do decide to crack down, there are going to be some mighty unhappy Rover, Toyota, etc. owners out there, not to mention businesses that cater to these conversions. I have just been pondering whether it is worth it for me personally to try to do something like this with a 96 Disco. I would say that it's much more viable with an earlier vehicle from the 80's or before. Emissions regs and enforcement are only going to get tighter as time goes on. Let's face it . . . And, as PT also points out, it won't be too long before the rolling 25 year importation exemption makes it possible to bring a 200 Tdi in legally.
 

mongosd2

Adventurer
I would find it hard to believe that the EPA is going to go after vehicles and engines that are tagged and operating...

I will agree with the fact that it is getting hard to get the engines, but there are ways around everything...and don't start preaching about legality, this has been going on long before you decided to buy a rover and will continue long after you fade away...

In your case, it's a 96, so it has to meet OBD2 reg's, so your basically screwd if you want to keep the swap to the letter of the law.

Your question about the engine and OBD2 compliance shows you've done ZERO research on this as that would have been the first problem that you would have discovered about the "LEGALITY" of this...not whether or you can drive or export it
 

benlittle

Adventurer
In your case, it's a 96, so it has to meet OBD2 reg's, so your basically screwd if you want to keep the swap to the letter of the law.

Your question about the engine and OBD2 compliance shows you've done ZERO research on this as that would have been the first problem that you would have discovered about the "LEGALITY" of this...not whether or you can drive or export it

Exactly. Talk about putting the cart before the horse:Wow1:
 

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
I thought later 300TDi's had some sort of computer that monitored a few things and had an OBD connector? If one installed a later engine, with an OBD port that could be queried...

<ducks>

I just took the CEL bulb out of my car, and that's good enough up here.
 

benlittle

Adventurer
I thought later 300TDi's had some sort of computer that monitored a few things and had an OBD connector? If one installed a later engine, with an OBD port that could be queried...

<ducks>

I just took the CEL bulb out of my car, and that's good enough up here.

It depends on the state. In Utah I could install a 300 in a pre 95/OBDII rover and it would pass no sweat. If I wanted to put a diesel into my 99 DI, I'd have to do a TD5 to get it to pass.

In other states, like Idaho, there aren't OBDII laws. Jason can contribute more to this... He lives in Idaho and has two Tdi rovers.
 

mongosd2

Adventurer
each state is different and I thought IL had some laxed reg's on swaps...

the bottom line is how "grey" do want to paint it...
 

AxeAngel

Expedition Leader
I'm just waiting for someone to say they run their pre-OBDII engine with a scangauge.

It's coming... wait for it....

On another note, just installed some mapping software, anyone up to speed on nRoute, Delorme Topo or Delorme Street Atlas and want to give me a pointer?

-Sam
 

Viggen

Just here...
Just out of curiosity, what's the deal with pre-OBD II versus OBD II vehicles in your area? I live in Illinois, so my case may be different, but I'm just interested in how they do this there.

David

Straight from Va DEQ (Also, keep in mind that NoVa and Virginia are basically two different states):
"Also Virginia regulations (9VAC 5-91-490) stipulate that the emissions standards for the year & model of the vehicle chassis or engine, whichever is newer, apply for the emissions inspection program. Diesel vehicles up to 8500 lbs gvwr are required to pass an on-board diagnostic emissions test in the northern Virginia area. If either the engine or the chassis is 1997 or newer, this would apply to your vehicle."

So, if you are OBDII, the truck will be plugged in to the computer and if there is a disconnect anywhere, automatic fail. I have a 95 OBDI, so Im good to go. I would be emissions exempt and as long as Im not pumping out a ton of smoke, free to go. Im looking to go diesel for the added range and theres a biodiesel station around the corner from here too.

David, there is going to be enforcement at some point in time I am sure of it but by that time, my currently 15 yr old D1 will surely qualify for classic status and then theyll be far from caring.

Viggen, will the truck be done in time for the next ROAV event? Would love to come see it, short of importing a truck from Doug, this is my next option.

Bad Land Rover owner I am and had to look it up. Theres a very good chance that it will be done by then. Itll be a close shave but I hope it will. Anyway, if its not and youre around, you can come take a looksee/ drive whenever. Im going to blaspheme here and keep her auto so that the girlfriend can drive when she wants too (I let her drive it for the first time Saturday night and we never went above 25 mph as she was afraid of it as it requires more concentration than her Jetta to pilot).
 

AxeAngel

Expedition Leader
Im going to blaspheme here and keep her auto so that the girlfriend can drive when she wants too (I let her drive it for the first time Saturday night and we never went above 25 mph as she was afraid of it as it requires more concentration than her Jetta to pilot).

Mine wanted to take one of the race cars to go visit her friend who just gave birth because i just finished washing it and was washing her 4runner. She said she liked driving it but didnt like it when she accidentally revved a bit too high and let out the clutch too soon, apparently fishtailing is not her thing...

Haha, the things we do for our ladies...

-Sam
 

Viggen

Just here...
Mine wanted to take one of the race cars to go visit her friend who just gave birth because i just finished washing it and was washing her 4runner. She said she liked driving it but didnt like it when she accidentally revved a bit too high and let out the clutch too soon, apparently fishtailing is not her thing...

Haha, the things we do for our ladies...

-Sam

Yeah, I was excited when she asked if she could drive so I pulled over into a slow residential street and hopped out as she climbed in. My first impression was, "wow, its weird sitting on the passenger side" and then I gave her a real basic "its top heavy, big, takes a little more room to stop than your Jetta and youll find that spot in the steering where it actually goes straight and yes it changes based on the road." She got in and drove about a mile or so at 25 mph. We got back to the parkway and I told her to go but not take the right hand corner sharply (Detroit rear) but she didnt want to. Said it took too much concentration to drive and she wasnt up for it yet. Ill wear her down though.
 

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
My wife isn't allowed to drive my track car. Way too oversteery. Gotta keep it straight with a bootful of throttle. :) Actually, nobody can drive my car but 2 of my other friends. One of them has a mint ITR as collateral. ;)

And I'm VERY nervous with the truck after I lifted it. Though she has in a pinch.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
189,209
Messages
2,914,410
Members
231,957
Latest member
lkretvix

Members online

Top