What is a half cut?

Half cuts are simply vehicles which have been cut in a way that preserves the engine and gearbox, along with the wiring looms, ECU and associated parts.

The half cut name comes about because the car is more or less cut in half!

In front engine vehicles, the car is generally cut just behind the dash board.  In rear engine and mid engine cars such as the Toyota MR2, the car is often cut just in front of the rear firewall.

What do you get?

Half cuts come in various forms of ‘dress’.  If you’re lucky, your half cut will include the body panels (bonnet and front guards) along with the headlights and front bumper.

More commonly, a half cut will include the front guards and maybe the bonnet, but not the headlights of front bumper, especially if they are sought after parts.

Generally the half cut will include all of the interior trim, but it won’t always be well looked after.  Some half cuts will also have the air bags released before the car is exported.

Commonly the half cut will come with the front brakes intact, which is great if the cut features a good brake package that you can swap over with the rest of your conversion.

Why use a half cut?

Half cuts are generally more expensive than buying a bare engine and gearbox, however there are some serious benefits.

With a half cut you know you have everything to get the engine running, and in most cases you’ll be able to see the engine running in the half cut before you buy it.

If you’re converting a car of the same make and model, having a complete half cut can make the job so much easier, as you can have your car as well as the front cut side by side, and can easily see how everything fits together.