It's out of the car and it's a TT. I just bought the engine and when I was cleaning it up I noticed the num/letters were ground off. The serial # is still on the engine untouched but that doesn't mean anything really. I'm assuming the num/letters are just a part #. I don't see any reason to grind them down but regardless of that, if I need to go through an inspection when I go to get registration I'm sure I'll get questioned about it. IDK though.. Thanks for the reply to I appreciate it.