Importing engines, experiences?

[matchan]

Hey all,

I find myself in the position where I will likely need to do an engine swap on my track bike (03 ZX6R), Engines in the US seem relatively cheap compared to here, but I have no idea what the actual landed cost would be.

Anyone who has done this, what did you end up paying for shipping and customs charges, inspections fees etc?

Cheers,
Matt

[Jonno]

Have a chat to this guy, he brings in a lot of stuff.

http://robzridez.com.au/

[Nelso]

Ask Glen who not to buy off. His experience was not so good. I think Russ might have had a similar problem too.

Why do you need a new engine?

[Blurr]

if you can get one here do it.

it will cost you at least another $600 for Customs costs and added pain in the arse.

Other than that you cant go back to the guy when you dont get what you paid for.

Buy Aus if you can.

[matchan]

Thanks Jonno, I'll drop him a message and see what he can do.

Why do you need a new engine?

It has damage to one of the engine cases, which had been repaired and had been bullet proof until I crashed it again (some time back) since then it's had a slow weep of oil which has gotten worse recently. Basically, due to the location of the repair there is not much more which can be done, my mechanic has given it one last go, but basically if it starts again, it's not worth more effort.

Yeah, I remember Glens' horror story.

At $600 for customs + the engine and shipping costs it sounds like it might not be all that much cheaper to buy from the states.

Well, have track days booked for 17-18th of Feb so we'll see how we go.

Cheers
Matt

[Jonno]

I have Glens horror story in the shed.
more of a nightmare if anything

[Nelso]

I have a spare '04 ZX10 engine in the garage. Maybe we can shoehorn that in instead.

[matchan]

I have a spare '04 ZX10 engine in the garage. Maybe we can shoehorn that in instead.

That would be an epic project, but I'll pass, I get into enough trouble with just 600cc's thanks

[Gosling1]

......I have a spare '04 ZX10 engine in the garage. Maybe we can shoehorn that in instead.

That would be an epic project, but I'll pass, I get into enough trouble with just 600cc's thanks .....

mmmm Hybrids FTW !!!!

Customs are a right pain in the arse. You need to make sure its imported as parts only. Get a customs agent to act for you, they can get all the paperwork sorted for a coupla hungee. Worth every cent.

[Glen]

Personal opinion only but I'd never buy another engine from O/S again. The guy that did us over, got Russ as well ( albeit not as bad) plus another guy who got into contact with me.

We would've paid about $3k for an Aussie engine as opposed to about $1700 or the US one once it was landed but at least I would have had something that worked. I can't remember the name of the dude that screwed me but I'll dig it out if you do decide to go the same road.

[matchan]

Well, just to close this one off, ended up going local.

A replacement engine was organised as a swap for my engine by the shop that's been doing the servicing (Motorcycle Weaponry, thanks for the tip Ducati_Paul) for $1,800 not including their labour and parts for the doing the change over, they checked the valve clearances while the engine was out and changed oil/filter, etc and it's running well.

First trackday on the new engine is this Saturday, so fingers crossed that will be it and I can get on with enjoying my track time.

Thanks for all the advice.

Cheers,
Matt

[Glen]

Sounds like a good result Matt

[Gosling1]

Motorcycle Weaponry - is that on the north shore - Roger Quinlan ??

[matchan]

Motorcycle Weaponry - is that on the north shore - Roger Quinlan ??

yeah Gos, Mona Vale, their website says Arthur Ablet and Steven Cutting although I know one of the guys there is Roger but I don't know his surname. The name Quinlan is familiar from somewhere though, ex-racer?

[Gosling1]

yep, sounds like Dodger's shop . Roger Quinlan races that old Moriwaki Z1000 - the blue & yellow jobbie - in PCRA Forgotten Era Unlimited - has done for years. Paddo has had a strop on it, apparently when its working well its a really nice bike to ride. Steve Cutting rode it in the BSFOS a few years ago, did alright too - was knocking off 42's I think ?? Roger also has the old warhorse as a back-up bike - a Z1R MkII. That thing has been around for years......