New LB builder in Reading

**Raj_UK** · 03-07-2017, 10:39

yup .. as it happened I had an email from Craig with lots of useful information in it

one big question I have left is do I source the parts separately, eg go I look for an engine and then a gearbox etc ... or do I need to buy a donor car to get a V5 ?

Sorry for this newbie kit car question ... LOL

**Stratos Fear** · 03-07-2017, 11:58

Hi Raj - if you want to go the Alfa V6 Busso route suggest you buy an MOT failure . I bought one on EBay a couple of weeks ago (my second, to be kept as a spare - having got rid of the first bodyshell a few days previously - wife not happy but that's another story !) ) for £300.

In this way you get the whole car with engine and 6-speed gearbox - as you will probably need the ECU, engine loom, fuel pump, air vents etc as well. You will need the V5 to get an age-related plate rather than a Q Plate (if that bothers you). You can choose to keep the engine un-changed (so long as it runs OK) or re-build it. Mine is un-modified apart from new clutch, water pump and drive belts.

Alternatively you can buy a brand new Toyota engine with special ECU , ITB's etc and go for a new registration - but that will cost another £10k or so.

Peter

**Raj_UK** · 03-07-2017, 12:30

thanks Peter

So is it an IVA for a new build and a donor car build ?

or a different process for each option ?

**john** · 03-07-2017, 13:20

IVA for both. No avoiding it.
The car is tested more or less on the same basis no matter if it is built from all new parts or with some from a donor.
I think the only difference in the test procedure is that a car built with a donor engine is emissions tested on the age of the donor engine ie. it has to meet the standards prevailing at the date of engine manufacture. One of the reasons for it having an age related plate.

**Raj_UK** · 03-07-2017, 14:49

If I don't go with a donor car, are there any UK based specialist Alfa breakers I can contact to request "the standard Stratos donor parts" from ?

Just making sure I'm not reinventing the wheel in my googling

**john** · 03-07-2017, 15:25

If you don't go with a donor car, you will not have a vehicle identity to which your donor parts will relate. Therfore you would have to prove the age of the engine (and maybe other parts) to the IVA inspectors. A difficult thing to do.
You may well end up with a Q plate then.
If you are opting to build from all new parts and get a brand new registration then you will have invoices for the engine etc which will have a date on them and may well identify the engine manufacture date or its emissions data.
If you satisfy the inspectors and the registration people you would then get a brand new registration plate just as you would if you buy a Ford from a showroom.

**LPH_UK** · 03-07-2017, 16:35

As far as I know you can have one 'reconditioned' component on a brand new car with Respect of IVA. My Alfa engine and box have been rebuild to 'as new' and I have a receipt from the builders plus all the parts receipts to support this. However it may be that the engine and gearbox are seen as 2 parts (I'm pretty sure they are).