Importing Caterham Engine From England

[Sjwarden]

Hoping someone here has some experience in this area and can share it.

 

I have a 1999 Super Seven with a 1.8 Rover K VVC engine that is broken and needs replaced.  Connected with Dave at DVA in England for a replacement engine, and he found one of the same year to ship me.

 

My concern is over the importing of the engine.  The EPA forms and policies are confusing.  The engine and car are both over 21 years old and therefore exempted/excluded.  However the forms don’t seem to have a good fit for importing a loose non chassis mounted engine for use in my Caterham.

 

Not really worried about duties and tariffs, just don’t want to run afoul of any import rules with the EPA.

 

Anyone have any experience with this that can share how it worked and have any tips?  Any help appreciated, thank you.

 

Sam

[Scott_]

Sorry, I don't have a good answer on importing, but I'll follow this closely since I also have a VVC car.  

 

If you don't mind telling what happened to your engine and would it might not be easier and cheaper just to buy parts to have it fixed?  There are many videos and articles online about these engines and all kind of work on them.

 

Scott

[Scott_]

I looked a bit and found this:

 

Importation of Vehicles Over 21 Years Old: EPA has long interpreted the equivalence requirement to mean that the engine must be identical to the engine that was originally installed. Such an engine is one that is the same model and configuration as the original engine. Importers wishing to utilize this provision are strongly encouraged to contact EPA's Imports Hotline prior to importation of such vehicles to ensure that the equivalency requirements are met. The Imports Hotline can be reached by email at imports@epa.gov or by calling 734-214-4100.

Importers are encouraged to read the detailed information on the importation of nonconforming vehicles and engines, which can be found in the Procedures for Importing Vehicles and Engines into the United States (pdf) (3.2 MB, EPA-420-B-10-027, July 2010).

[Sjwarden]

Thank you Scott.  Ya I found that note as well as several other publications on EPA's site.  Sort of clear as mud as to which exemption applies and what to put on the forms though.  I think this will end up being the exemption on the EPA form for non-chassis mounted engines, which would be code W on the 3520-1 form.  This car and engine are exempt from any EPA certification, and so I think the non-chassis mounted import code applies best.  I am not sure though and would like to hear if anyone else has imported an engine not mounted in a car, and what code they used or if they had any trouble.  

 

Problem with my current 1.8 K VVC is that it has a bad oil leak under power and I believe there is a crack in the block which I haven't been able to isolate precisely yet.  After two times R&I the engine and transmission to fix/diagnose, and given the time needed to disassemble my engine and diagnose further, seemed to make sense to source a used replacement.  Undriveable with the current leak.

[IamScotticus]

Manifest as race car parts?

[slowdude]

Is it a DVA engine or other seemingly built engine? Idk if its worth the price of the engine (been looking for a while, 5k or so), plus shipping, plus tariffs.

I'd imagine it would be something like 5k for the engine (i'm seeing 3k GBP for a newly built one), 1k for shipping, then tariffs (I think its up to 100% now???), youre spending 11k on the engine.

 

Why not just replace the block and build what you have? I had my K series rebuilt and the parts were much cheaper than going nuts.

 NEW Stronger K Series Engine Block | EliseParts

 

[Scott_]

Dave's site about his upgrade options is very interesting  and he clearly knows these engines.   Having him rebuild one for shipping over with a few upgrades and the E6 ecu would be tempting and I think you could trust him to evaluate any engine he send over to you.  

 

Off topic, but have you considered a swap to a different engine, like a duratec?

 

Scott

[slowdude]

1 hour ago, Scott_ said:

Dave's site about his upgrade options is very interesting  and he clearly knows these engines.   Having him rebuild one for shipping over with a few upgrades and the E6 ecu would be tempting and I think you could trust him to evaluate any engine he send over to you.  

 

Off topic, but have you considered a swap to a different engine, like a duratec?

 

Scott

I spoke with Dave extensively when doing my car. His preference is all in the work done to the head. If you can find a bigger valve that he has ported and polished, with the right internals it will transform the car.

 

To convert a k series to duratec, you need to cut a hole in the side of the car

[BruceBe]

On 1/30/2026 at 9:05 AM, Sjwarden said:

... I think this will end up being the exemption on the EPA form for non-chassis mounted engines, which would be code W on the 3520-1 form.  This car and engine are exempt from any EPA certification, and so I think the non-chassis mounted import code applies best.  ...

Correct.

[Scott_]

Did you ever figure out the process?

 

Scott

[Sjwarden]

I did just get the engine a few days ago.  Engine was shipped via FedEx deferred air, and the shipping was actually reasonable, about $500-600 dollars insured.

 

I hired a broker just in case but FedEx actually handled everything, my broker really never had to get involved.  Engine cleared customs no issues at all and no forms from me required.  I was surprised by this, and how easy it actually ended up being.

 

Crate with engine and parts came in through the Memphis hub, took one day to clear customs and another two days to make it to me in Ohio.

 

I am sure I will get a duty and tax bill from FedEx any day, but I already figured that into the costs and I am not worried as the current tariff with England is about 10% on car parts/engines that are being used in a UK made vehicle.

 

Spent all day today getting started on removing the engine from the Caterham and preparing the new engine to go in.  New engine is identical to my broken one, and this is my third time taking the engine in and out, so I am getting pretty quick at this. 

 

Will probably have the old engine out tomorrow, and begin transferring some of the items I need from it to the new engine.  Hopefully will have the new engine installed and broken in by March.  Fingers crossed it works as intended.

 

Total costs so far, pending that tariffs and duties bill from FedEx, is about $7 grand, so with taxes and duties it will end up close to $8,000.  However that cost includes the engine, crating, shipping and several other parts including a lightweight flywheel and new throttle body.  Not cheap, but not catastrophic, and for a nice rebuilt engine from DVA I think worth it. 

[Croc]

9 hours ago, Sjwarden said:

Not cheap, but not catastrophic, and for a nice rebuilt engine from DVA I think worth it. 

 

Congratulations on a smooth resolution.  

[Scott_]

On 2/14/2026 at 8:07 PM, Sjwarden said:

 

However that cost includes the engine, crating, shipping and several other parts including a lightweight flywheel and new throttle body.  Not cheap, but not catastrophic, and for a nice rebuilt engine from DVA I think worth it. 

 

I'm glad that worked out for you!   On the throttle body did you opt for the jenvey ITB's?  I'd be curious to hear bout your upgrades.

 

If it's serviceable and  you are interested in selling the head off the old engine shoot me a pm.    

 

 

Scott

[IamScotticus]

On 1/29/2026 at 9:42 PM, Sjwarden said:

Dave at DVA in England for a replacement engine

Have contact info or web link?

[Scott_]

11 hours ago, IamScotticus said:

Have contact info or web link?

http://www.dvapower.co.uk/

[slowdude]

Did Dave put solid lifters in? That engine is going to scream