The Epa Thread/Roadworthy Thread

[V-Spec]

r32 gtr

trust adjustable cam gears

epa or rw problems?

[R31Nismoid]

the do alter emissions, minor

but more to the point, with the cover on... you cant see them so i fail to see how you could get picked

[junga]

Hi guys,

I got pulled over on Stud Rd, and they tested my car for noise on the 14th of Nov

I got a notice from the EPA for my car being too noisy, and they sent a notice to get it fixed before 27th of Jan

I then received a fine for noisy car from EPA a week later

Has this happened to anyone else? I thought I got a chance to clear myself before I was issued a fine.

Cheers

Mike

[Raikkonen]

My mate in his WRX just got done around the same time on a sat night is some big EPA sting at Knox, he wasn't even near it, the cops pulled him up about 3km away and told him to follow to the parking complex where they proceeded to test his car (stock as a rock except for exhaust).

It was his second offense, EPA fined him $564 for his car being to noisy gave him a big green sticker and sent him to get retested in Mcloud.

[R31Nismoid]

Hi guys,

I got pulled over on Stud Rd, and they tested my car for noise on the 14th of Nov

I got a notice from the EPA for my car being too noisy, and they sent a notice to get it fixed before 27th of Jan

I then received a fine for noisy car from EPA a week later

Has this happened to anyone else? I thought I got a chance to clear myself before I was issued a fine.

Cheers

Mike

Was it your first offence?

If they did the full test then and there... its not the same as the EPA Letter where it says "we suspect you to be over, come in for a check"... where by people change exhausts etc to try and get around the fact they are driving around illegally

So techically you were busted red handed breaking the law... Look into it, but i dont see why you should be given a chance to fix it. You dont for a defect notice (you get fined), so same applies here far as i see it.

[junga]

Was it your first offence?

If they did the full test then and there... its not the same as the EPA Letter where it says "we suspect you to be over, come in for a check"... where by people change exhausts etc to try and get around the fact they are driving around illegally

So techically you were busted red handed breaking the law... Look into it, but i dont see why you should be given a chance to fix it. You dont for a defect notice (you get fined), so same applies here far as i see it.

Cheers Nismoid

Yes, it was the first offense,

Same here, he told me to follow him to knox and a evo x tried to pull me over as well =( such a horid night

WOR, I guess that's logical, time to work a little more

[Do-Luck]

This is mainly a question for Ash, as I know he has gone through engineers before.

Basically when I get my car back (It's nearly ready!), I basically want to have it engineered and re-registered as a 2-seater (due to the cage). Basically what I need to know is to get those such things passed, do I need to have the whole car inspected? Or just the modifications in question?

I have 2 intake mods, but will be changing that back to a standard airbox shortly, plus I believe I'd have to hide my boost controller or remove it?

[R31Nismoid]

Just the mods pertaining to the 2-seater... Ie the back seats removed, mounting/ancor points for belts removed etc etc and that the cage is VicRoads approved or is constructed in that manner which i assume you've done already as thats pretty common knowledge.

They wont look for general RWC items like a EBC mate.

I dont even think the whole pod/EPA crap will come into question. Even if it does you're not asking them to sign off on that part as they will only be listing the seater conversion points in the report so thats all that matters

Who are you going through?

The guys in Braeside i went with were very professional and one of the cheapest for a VASS. Some places wanted an extra $200 to do the same job as they are not required to operate to a specific pricing scheme

[Do-Luck]

I'm just in the very early stages of thinking about it.

Basically just want to drive the car a little more on the street, so want to try and make things as legal as possible, this also includes scrapping my pod for an airbox (which will flow better anyway). I have piping that comes through the battery tray too, so I will get that reinforced and get the engineer to sign off on that aswell.

The cage was built by Brown Davis, so there won't be any issues in it getting passed. I may also go to the length of having my 2-inch harness passed so I can use it on the street, as I don't really like the lap-sash seatbelt with my seat.

[cosmokram3r]

Ive i get done for POD and FMIC whats the best way to clear it? I cant fit the airbox because of the way my cooler piping is made, and i cant remove my front bar to make adjustments to the FMIC or anything because its like bolted to the car (dont ask)

I was just wandering if i did get defected for it what would be the best way to clear it up to get a RWC?

[R31Nismoid]

well fix one or the other - there is no way around it

[R33-RB26DETT]

I really need some help here guys, I got pulled over and informed that I dont have a Catlytic converter and that I would recieve a $1500 fine in the mail and that I would need to fix this up and take the car in to an EPA testing station to have this cleared withing 14 days.

Now the thing is that its not my fault since when I purchased the car it came with a roadworthy certificate and I havent removed it since then.

1. Can I try and contest this, even though I purchased the car 5 months ago? I still have the original roadworthy forms etc.

2. Do I need to remove my Apexi Pod filters and place the stock airbox?

3. Currently my 02 Sensors are disconnected do I need to fix this in order to allow it to pass emissions testing?

4. I have leaking injectors in the engine bay, would I need to fix this as part of compliance with emmisions?

I am really stressed about this, since the guy sold me the car without a cat convertor and with a roady, therefore and any help would be appreciated thanks.

[cosmokram3r]

well fix one or the other - there is no way around it

Yeah obviously, but how would be the best way to fix it? Take out pod and somehow get the airbox in?

[Count Grantleyish]

I really need some help here guys, I got pulled over and informed that I dont have a Catlytic converter and that I would recieve a $1500 fine in the mail and that I would need to fix this up and take the car in to an EPA testing station to have this cleared withing 14 days.

Now the thing is that its not my fault since when I purchased the car it came with a roadworthy certificate and I havent removed it since then.

1. Can I try and contest this, even though I purchased the car 5 months ago? I still have the original roadworthy forms etc.

- Not sure it would work but it won't be hurt to try to contest this.

2. Do I need to remove my Apexi Pod filters and place the stock airbox?

- If you have standard Intercooler in place, you don't have to providing the apexi filter is paper element not oil, if you're not sure, put stock airbox in place.

3. Currently my 02 Sensors are disconnected do I need to fix this in order to allow it to pass emissions testing?

- Yes they have to be connected, EPA requires all factory emission gears in place.

4. I have leaking injectors in the engine bay, would I need to fix this as part of compliance with emmisions?

- I'd fix the leaking injectors, you wouldn't want your car to be burnt, better safe than sorry.

I am really stressed about this, since the guy sold me the car without a cat convertor and with a roady, therefore and any help would be appreciated thanks.

Hello,

Read bold sentences, hope it help with your questions and good luck with all this. These things are never fun to do.

Cheers

Grant

[R33-RB26DETT]

Hello,

Read bold sentences, hope it help with your questions and good luck with all this. These things are never fun to do.

Cheers

Grant

Has anyone ever tried to contest these catalytic converter fines before and won?

I have am telling the truth when I say that is how I was sold the car, but how can I prove it? Doesnt it basically come down to his word vs. mine?

Also, thanks grantregarding the questions, yeah I thought I may need to fix the 02 Sensors.

I think I am going to need to hire a lawyer to settle this matter as I am not paying $1500 for something I didnt do!!!!

[Count Grantleyish]

Harry,

I don't know anyone who has contest the fine regarding catalyic converter (others might), for this, sorry I can't be more help to you. Might try to contact the mechanic who did roadworthy or previous owner and see how they feel about it (doubt if they care but at your situation, it is never hurt to look at all options).

After quick read on VSI26 (Roadworthy requirments) states that all exhaust and emission controls that the said car are equipped are to be there when the inspection is being taken place, I suspect the previous owner chucked the standard exhaust system to pass RWC then swap back (pretty common).

You could use this to agure your case if you were to 'lawyered up' (talk to solictor/lawyer/legal aid about this and see what they say), Write a well written letter explaining your situation or call/go there and discuss first before the next step further (this is what I would do).

Again, hope it helps. 'R31Nismoid' could help you as he know about EPA and such better than me.

Cheers

Grant

[R33-RB26DETT]

Again, thanks for you advice so far, im really pulling my hair out at the moment so i appreciate it!

R31Nismoid you are always a gun, so your advice/input would be appreciated here...

I am currently thinking there are two possible avenues to dispute this.

1. Since the car was purchased without a Cat & Roadworthy was supplied by his dad's workshop, I can try to contact the previous owner and tell him the situation and request that he pays the $1500 fine, or I will summons him to court. Hopefully he will do the honerable thing and pay the fine otherwise it will be difficult to prove this in court.

2. I can contest the fine through EPA and write a very well written letter explaining that I purchased the car in the current state and that I should not be held liable. Also, how do they know its not a high flow cat? The police officer took a photo of it underneath the car at night for proof but never actually opened the pipe to check inside. For all we know it could just be a high flow cat? The outside of a de-cat and high flow look very similar dont they? Wouldn't it then be up to them to prove that its not a high flow?

I should not be held liable for this and its just so unfair!! I might go and consult lawyer, does anyone know any lawyers in melb that would specialise in traffic law?

[R31Nismoid]

Yeah obviously, but how would be the best way to fix it? Take out pod and somehow get the airbox in?

Thats a question only you can answer as i have NFI what your setup is and how much work is involved fabrication wise

[Legumis]

1. Since the car was purchased without a Cat & Roadworthy was supplied by his dad's workshop, I can try to contact the previous owner and tell him the situation and request that he pays the $1500 fine, or I will summons him to court. Hopefully he will do the honerable thing and pay the fine otherwise it will be difficult to prove this in court.

2. I can contest the fine through EPA and write a very well written letter explaining that I purchased the car in the current state and that I should not be held liable. Also, how do they know its not a high flow cat? The police officer took a photo of it underneath the car at night for proof but never actually opened the pipe to check inside. For all we know it could just be a high flow cat? The outside of a de-cat and high flow look very similar dont they? Wouldn't it then be up to them to prove that its not a high flow?

I'm not a lawyer but I'd assume that since you signed the purchase papers and had ownership of the vehicle transferred to you, legally you'd be responsible for the condition of the vehicle at the time you got nabbed. EPA peeps can't go and wrastle with previous owners, they can only go after the current owner.

IF the RWC was dodgy, you could try going down that path. But I'd imagine that the onus would be on you to prove that it WAS dodgy, not on the tester to prove it wasn't.

You could still take action against the previous owner, but it would have to be a separate process to any EPA action you're embroiled in. Also, I'm not sure how much recourse the buyer has for disputing private purchases (Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware).

[R33-RB26DETT]

In relation to point 2.

2. I can contest the fine through EPA and write a very well written letter explaining that I purchased the car in the current state and that I should not be held liable. Also, how do they know its not a high flow cat? The police officer took a photo of it underneath the car at night for proof but never actually opened the pipe to check inside. For all we know it could just be a high flow cat? The outside of a de-cat and high flow look very similar dont they? Wouldn't it then be up to them to prove that its not a high flow?

How can they prove that it wasn't a high flow from a picture? Couldn't I contest this? Then it would be up to them to prove it?