To swap the original engine of a car with another power plant, there are specific legal procedures a civilian must follow in India

Imagine you possess a Hindustan Motors Contessa which is more of a sentimental object for you and not merely an automobile. You are in love with that car but you cannot drive it because the engine has deteriorated over the generations and mending it is troublesome since the required parts are not available in the market. You decide to switch the original engine of the car with a different engine of your choice. The question is, how to do it? Indeed, you can easily wander into a customization shop and get the engines swapped, but there are certain protocols imposed by the Indian law which must be followed. If you are not informed of the protocols, this article is tailored-made just for you.

In India, Section 52 of the Motor Vehicles Act states, “No owner of a motor vehicle shall so alter the vehicle that the particulars contained in the certificate of registration are at variance with those originally specified by the manufacturer: Provided that where the owner of a motor vehicle makes modification of the engine, or any part thereof, of a vehicle for facilitating its operation by a different type of fuel or source of energy including battery, compressed natural gas, solar power, liquid petroleum gas or any other fuel or source of energy, by fitment of a conversion kit, such modification shall be carried out subject to such conditions as may be prescribed: Provided further that the Central Government may prescribe specifications, conditions for approval, retro fitment and other related matters for such conversion kits: Provided also that the Central Government may grant an exemption for the alteration of vehicles in a manner other than specified above, for any specific purpose.”

The law expresses that exemptions can be carried out if an owner follows the specific procedures. To swap the engine, an owner needs to apply at his or her local regional transport office (RTO). The owner needs to describe the present condition and specifications of the vehicle along with which engine he or she will install. Once the new engine is installed in the vehicle, the vehicle must pass the present emission norms, which means, the automobile’s old exhaust system must be changed. Furthermore, the vehicle’s exhaust system should not emit a noise level of over 100 decibels. They must strengthen the chassis and brakes of the vehicle because a modern powerful engine requires more stability and dampening force. Once the modifications are completed, the concerned authorities will analyse the vehicle and provide a new registration certification/blue book.