In Finland you can swap engines and other components, but they need to be
officially approved / special MOT for modifications. So when you put a tuned
Cortina engine into an Anglia, you have to update brakes etc. to the new hp.
output. Tuning is allowed +20 per cent, above that it may need a
modification MOT.
I have seen a Ford Anglia with 170 hp. Fiat Twin cam 2000 engine in street
use. Owner said: "it could be fast, but rear axle is so high ratio that top
speed is only 170 km/h"
Rover alloy V8:s are seen in Volvo Amazons, Volvo PV544's and in MGB:s. I
heard also of a project where a soviet build Moskovich Elite sedan
(about -75) was equiped with a perfomance european car engine, maybe an Opel
2000 Irmscher. Well, there is enough room for even an american v8 in that
engine bay. Principally in all these cases transmission, suspension and
brakes are updated.
The problem in customizing is not mainly in technical or enviromental law
system but in taxing. Car tax is high in Finland - 100% - and that tax is
taxed again by 22% vat! When swapping components you must be careful not to
change more than 50% of all parts, even "consuming parts" like bumpers and
some mechanical components are included. After that you must pay that tax
again! This is more than difficult when building kit cars.
In Sweden they are real liberal, but I don't know the details.
Larry
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