Hey guys (and the occasional woman who accidentally finds her way here),

I've been wanting to and still will be converting my good ol 4 Pot Auto TR to a V6 Manual some time in the future.

I have looked into it extensively before as to what is required, what fits / what doesn't blah blah so I don't need any help there.

Now I eventually want to drop in a DOHC 6G72, which we all know about already, and I was just planning on using a manual Magna box.

So here's where I need some help, a while back I called Regency (just a place they do compliance/defect checking here in SA) and asked about installing a DOHC 6G72.

They said "did the motor come as an option from factory?"

I said "sort of because technically they do share the same engine model number (6G72), same capacitance (3.0L) and the same mounting points"

They said "but did it come as an option?"

I said "no, however it was in the diamante, which is pretty well the same car body wise"

They said "if it's an optional motor you can just install it and then just submit a form with the changes and new engine number, that's it, however due to the DOHC not being optional you would have to bring it down for a full inspection"

So essentially I can install a SOHC V6 6G72 and Manual box and never have to have it seen, just submit a form and all is well.

My worry is, if I take my car down there after I install a DOHC, they'll pick it to bits (which they are known for doing) and I'll get stuck with a defected car.

What I'm thinking is, I just install the DOHC and sort of make out it was meant to be, because I mean unless you really get someone who knows what their talking about, who is going to be able to tell?
Especially since on paper, it will appear as a "6G72 3.0L V6" eg the same as the standard V6.

I don't know if they could figure it out with the engine number, but I don't think so as they are very similar, I think the DOHC has a G or GE on the end.

Or another option is, install a standard V6 then "replace" it with the DOHC as if I'm just replacing it with another standard motor.

Anyway, what do you guys think I should do?

Thanks,
Don

Its a matter of how much you value your insurance and liability in the event of an accident, I guess.

Keep the TR as it is, and save your pennies for a V6 manual second or, third Gen. It will be cheaper and easier to do.
If you insist on tarting up the TR, stick with the single cam motor. Regency WILL pick up on the twin cammer, they are pretty sharp. As soon as they lift the bonnet, in fact.
Need to consider availability of parts too, it's not just a matter of swapping over motors, lots of other bits involved. Basically a donor car is needed, and you may need to rebuild the motor as well due to age.
I've spent a lot of time and money keeping a TS V6 auto on the road. As soon as I drove a third Gen 3.5L, I realised I should not have bothered.

Well, the only thing being, would they even pick it up? Documentation makes no reference to Valves or Cams, but I know there would be a risk, especially from an insurance point of view.

And Max, what I'm trying to say is, I want to try and install the motor without taking it to regency at all, I already know the costs and work involved and already have a GTO halfcut waiting for me in storage, I just don't have the money to rebuild the motor right now.

I'm not really going into the reasons I want to do the swap, but what I will say is, I will be keeping the car for a long time and I have no problem doing this swap, I'd prefer it any day over a third gen purely for the fact that I would have done it, I love my second gen. ;)

So yes, she will be a tart haha

If worst comes to worst I'll just do the swap properly and go and get it complianced properly. The car is in very good roadworthy condition right now and would only be better after the swap, so I don't think there would be too much to worry about, I just don't like Regency.