Has anyone on this forum had any experience of shipping engines to and from the USA?

I need to ship my Buell (similar to Harley Sportster) engine to the USA to be re-built, tuned and sent back.

Any idea what the customs issues or requirements are?

I've heard that EPA certificates are required but not sure where to get one (the Buell is American after all). Also heard that shipping the engine as "parts" overcomes this.

Also any customs issues when re-importing to the UK?

If you don't mind me asking, why are you sending an engine to the states to be worked on, I've had a few Harleys and they are pretty basic old lumps

Shooter

Not shipped a bike engine, but a car engine. Had a client who insisted his engine was sent back to USA for work by a particular workshop, cost not a consideration.

To state the obvious, you should contact your local Customs office for the latest situation and requirements.

We had to go through all sorts of hoops, to get the engine back. You'll have to get a 'Proof of Export', and documentation to show that the engine that comes back is the same one that went. The engine number didn't count, so we had to get a local 'motor engineer' to give a written statement as to what was going out.

When it comes back, Customs will want VAT on the cost of the work done. Again documentation and an independant statement, maybe.

As said above, if you can get the work done here, then that is the least hassle way to go about this.

Cheers,
Nev.

quote:

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Originally posted by Neville Jones
Not shipped a bike engine, but a car engine. Had a client who insisted his engine was sent back to USA for work by a particular workshop, cost not a consideration.

To state the obvious, you should contact your local Customs office for the latest situation and requirements.

We had to go through all sorts of hoops, to get the engine back. You'll have to get a 'Proof of Export', and documentation to show that the engine that comes back is the same one that went. The engine number didn't count, so we had to get a local 'motor engineer' to give a written statement as to what was going out.

When it comes back, Customs will want VAT on the cost of the work done. Again documentation and an independant statement, maybe.

As said above, if you can get the work done here, then that is the least hassle way to go about this.

Cheers,
Nev.

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Thanks All for the useful tips. I'll need to weigh it up but I don't think there is an engine shop in UK that has the knowledge and experience to do the work I have in mind.

I'm going for a 90" (1475cc) big bore conversion with stage three roller rocker heads, high lift cams and much stronger crank, rods pistons and pushrods. lots of trick bits including lockup clutch and pistons coated for nitrous. Engine should be good for 130 RWHP and will be strong enough for up to a 50bhp shot of nitrous (but that will be a later project once engine is run in).

The builders have a very good reputation and have competed in drag racing and Bonneville speed trials with much success.

This is the bike;


Buell X1 Lydden Hill

I blew the engine whilst marshalling at the IOM TT.

My last sportster build was very similar 90ci big bore conversion, s&s bottom end, s&s 600 cams, s&s roller rockers, big valve heads fully worked, carbon clutch, Andrews c/r gearbox etc it made 124 rwbhp.
This type of work isnt hard to do, if you know what you are doing. All you have to do is bore the cases out ( with the cross bolt in) clearance the cam box, clearance the rocker covers, deck the cases to allow the correct the squish and dry build it, then work out how much you have to cut out of the piston skirts for the con rod clearance and gasket thickness you require etc.
Any decent machine shop can do the boring and milling, the heads really only need the bosses reduced and a decent 3 angle valve job with some nice valves and springs.

I'll have a punt that you are thinking of sending your engine to NRHS who sponsor the xlforum

Shooter

If cost is not an issue then use a reputable international shipper that has agents both sides of the pond. We use clover shipping for work who have handled the paperwork (I think the process was called a carnet?). Worth giving them a call.

http://www.clovershipping.com

Thanks, I'll take a look at Clover Shipping.

NRHS was certainly an attractive option but for me Hammer Performance edges it I think.

I do have a challenge in as much as to run Nitrous I need to retard the ignition timing remotely (nitrous button) with Buell EFI and I cannot find anyone who has done it before or has an idea how to do it. I may need to install an aftermarket ECU. Anyone know of one that is adaptable to Harley V twins? I'd rather stick with FI than switch to carb.

[Edited on 19/6/16 by sucksqueezebangblow]

You could try Emerald http://www.emeraldm3d.com/ to see if they could help with the ecu