I looking at a 1997 Verada KE Ei. The seller says it has a Ralliart engine. I can see it has a Ralliart engine cover. The engine number is 6G74M028673.

Is there a way too find out if it really is a Ralliart engine?
How different is the Ralliart exhaust?
Will a Ralliart ECU have any specific labels or markings?

I would say is highly unlikeley the ECU has been changed, best way to tell is look at the ecu, if it is a black plastic box then it has been changed and most likely the Ralliart one, if it is the anodised tin box, then is original KE

THe engine, externally there is no real way to tell, you could pop out the dist and check the cams, should have number 7 cams, if it has I would say 90% is the complete engine that has been changed as few would bother just doing cams and leaving the rest in an otherwise standard car.

The engine number series is in about the right range for a Ralliart series as well, I have made a call and will hopefully be able to confirm shortly if this came from a Ralliart

Thanks!

I will have a good look at it tomorrow. It's one of those 'going overseas' sales.

Did it have a Ralliart engine from the factory or has it been retro-fitted? If the former, it is possible that the VIN number would give it away as well a number of other Ralliart-specific items such as brakes.

The seller says it was put in 2 years ago. VIN is 6MMKE8H42VT003145. I haven't seen it in person yet but I think it's just the engine and maybe the headers.

Probs the easiest way to know, is to check for mods OTHER than the engine - i.e. extractors etc and then just plain simply put your foot down....drive a stick KE verada and then drive this car and see the difference...it pulls differently then you could probably assume that it is the ralliart engine or at least some sort of modified one....might even be worth taking a real ralliart for a spin - although it will be a bit different as the ralliart had the 5sp auto or manual with lsd......this is the way I'd be checking it....

Ok as Madmagna posted the ECU if ralliart will be black plastic and have a plain white and black sticker with ralliart written on it. Another quick check if its a ralliart engine is the front head (right hand side) will have a flat tab where the rocker cover is bolted on. This will have RAL stamped into it. I am basing this info on what my car has so i am only assuming that others are the same.

I have checked with Mits, the engine is listed as being a KE engine and having another look at this engine number this is supported by the series of engine number.

To give you an idea, I have 2 TH engines here, one is 6G74M178554 and the other is 6G74M176711, yours is in the 20 thousand series where as the "J" series are in the 200 thousand series so in short, this is NOT a ralliart engine, is simply a standard KE engine with a ralliart cover on it

The buyer is holding himself and trying to stitch you up big time here. I should have picked up on the engine number to begin with but was not really looking (mornings are not my best time to think lol)

I would say is highly unlikeley the ECU has been changed, best way to tell is look at the ecu, if it is a black plastic box then it has been changed and most likely the Ralliart one, if it is the anodised tin box, then is original KE

THe engine, externally there is no real way to tell, you could pop out the dist and check the cams, should have number 7 cams, if it has I would say 90% is the complete engine that has been changed as few would bother just doing cams and leaving the rest in an otherwise standard car.

The engine number series is in about the right range for a Ralliart series as well, I have made a call and will hopefully be able to confirm shortly if this came from a Ralliart

A genuine ralliart engine (or one that someone has at least fitted ralliart heads to) wil have RAL stamped on the small flat section on the righthand side of the front head near where the engine lifting bracket is bolted on. This section was also where MMAL stamped LPG on the LPG compatiable engines.

Thanks heaps guys! The seller, who is selling for his overseas friend was very keen to sell asap. But they have lost interest in me now that I have asked to see the car before making a deposit. Hopefully someone else hasn't fallen for it. It is possible that he listed the old engine number from an old document ... maybe. Buyer beware.

It's a 1997 white KE Ei in QLD. Recently ended on eBay for $3000.

edit: It didn't sell for $3000. I offered $2400 subject to inspection, he counter offered $2800, then agreed to $2400 if it's gone by 30/6.

I'd make sure you check the engine is a Ralliart engine - ie. wrong engine number listed, which wouldn't be surprising as he says he isn't even sure if the VIN number is correct.
He may have just got the engine number off the User Manual instead of looking at the actual engine.

Make sure you have the Correct VIN number for a vehicle security check and check the car (and engine) out well.
Maybe make sure the QLD rego guys know the engine number has changed too - he may not have updated the rego records (if that's needed in QLD)

If it all works out and it is a Ralliart engine in an honest car, then that's a good buy for $2400.
If not, then it could be an expensive mistake.

Also, the K's appear to be related to the 'new' engine and not the actual K's on the car. (going by his question responses.)
My only other concern would be the 'selling for a friend who is now overseas' deal. As this means you will have very little to fall back on if the car ends up being misrepresented.
Anyone know what the legalities are of buying a car from someone who openly admits he doesn't own it. What would happen if the original seller comes back and reports the car stolen?

If it all works out and it is a Ralliart engine in an honest car, then that's a good buy for $2400.
I'm hoping to get in touch with the seller today.


Also, the K's appear to be related to the 'new' engine and not the actual K's on the car. (going by his question responses.)
My only other concern would be the 'selling for a friend who is now overseas' deal. As this means you will have very little to fall back on if the car ends up being misrepresented.
Anyone know what the legalities are of buying a car from someone who openly admits he doesn't own it. What would happen if the original seller comes back and reports the car stolen?

This is why my offer was subject to inspection. I would like to see for myself if it is a Ralliart engine before wasting money on an RACQ inspection, as there's no warranty on private sales. Especially this one where there is also no liability to the seller. I would also like to know the total km of the actual car as well.

UPDATE:

The seller has agreed to show me the car on Saturday.

I looked at the car today.

It's just a Ralliart cover on a regular engine.

No keys.

Awful condition inside and out, including the engine bay. The photos must have been old.

The seller(by proxy) was very inconsistent and kept mentioning his friend/friend's girlfriend/previous owners.

Before leaving I offered $400 subject to VIN/title checking if he finds the keys. Less than 30 seconds after I left, he called and said I could have it for $500 or he'll have the wreckers pick it up. It was originally listed on eBay for $3000.

I looked at the car today.

It's just a Ralliart cover on a regular engine.

No keys.

Awful condition inside and out, including the engine bay. The photos must have been old.

The seller(by proxy) was very inconsistent and kept mentioning his friend/friend's girlfriend/previous owners.

Before leaving I offered $400 subject to VIN/title checking if he finds the keys. Less than 30 seconds after I left, he called and said I could have it for $500 or he'll have the wreckers pick it up. It was originally listed on eBay for $3000.

Just as we all suspected! Good man for being thorough about it. ;)

He's relisted it on eBay for $1700. The description and photos are the same. He knows it's not a Ralliart engine. I hope nobody pays before looking at it, or drives a long way to look at it.

It was about 3 hours of my time wasted driving and inspecting. Some people might not be as tolerant as me.

He's relisted it on eBay for $1700. The description and photos are the same. He knows it's not a Ralliart engine. I hope nobody pays before looking at it, or drives a long way to look at it.

It was about 3 hours of my time wasted driving and inspecting. Some people might not be as tolerant as me.

leave a question telling all the potential buyers not to bother. or leave negative feedback

leave a question telling all the potential buyers not to bother. or leave negative feedback

He would still have to post the question to the listing. I can't leave feedback unless I buy it.