[Plums]

Check the engine number, it will start with VF03xxxxxxxx if it's a 2003, if it's a 2002 it'll be VF02xxxxxxxx. If it's a VY it will be VF03xxxxxxxx even if the car is a 2002.

When checked with TECH2 (or any tuning software), ALL VY variants - regardless of when they were plated - will come up as 2003. ALL VYII will be 2004 etc. etc. While it is true, they just put the TECH2 comment in there to entice customers.

Generally, the following applies to Australian LS1's:
Any VTIII is 2000,
Any VX is 2001,
Any VXII is 2002,
Any VY is 2003,
Any VYII is 2004,
Any VZ is 2005,
As for VE's, I have no idea....

As Phil said, it seems a little pricey to me, I think you could do better. If you are going to get an engine from the US, make sure it's an LS6 (later version of LS1).