Getting Mods Engineered

[Steve]

Well after doing a bit of research, it would appear that there is a fair bit of difference between the costs of getting mods engineered - or engineer reports/permits.

In WA, it appears that you can get certificates for your mods when you take a car over the pits, just pay a small extra fee (aout $40?) and presto, a piece of paper with permission to have the mods on your car.

It appears that in NSW it isnt an overly expensive exercise to have these things done??? But not sure what the process is.

In SA, I have made enquiries and it appears that there are only two places in Adeliade that will do engineers reports, and look at minimum of $300 PER MOD, ie thousands to get the car done.

Does anybody have any idea what the regulations on who/where mods can get engineered, and especially, if I say get mods engineered in VIC, NSW, WA, NT, QLD - would these certificates still be valid in SA? or any other state?

If anybody knows of workshops or companies in their home states that will provide these certificates, please post up as well. With if possible price summaries:)

It may save me (and others hopefully) thousands of dollars

Thanks for any replies.

Steve

[2BNVS]

not too sure, but here in nsw im bout to get mine done, and its like 400 bucks for all mods, id say it should, www.rta.nsw.gov.au should have registered engineer's so i guess u can only find out for sure from them..

cheers...

www.freewebs.com/2BNVS_r33

[Skyrine-Dave]

i would be interested to know about this in QLD.

I will also ask my mate when he gets online and let you know what he is doing. (His VL is going to a 2 seater, manual to auto, roll cage, so engineering/mod plate required)

[GTS-t VSPEC]

Steve, In WA I think your mixing up permits for mods like pod filters exhuast etc., with mods for ADR compliance.

Any major modification will need to be certified by an engineer to insure it complies with the ADR's. Can cost quite alot, as they need to write a report.

Luckily in WA as there are insuffucient Automotive Engineers, so most Mechanical Engineers can also write these reports, and we have one as an SAU member.

[Steve]

Thanks for the replies. I did a bit more research and it appears if, after extensive emissions, acceleration, braking and chassis testing, if all goes well and nothing needs modifying, would get out of it in SA for about 2k

Hopefully, SA vehicle inspectors will allow interstate certification, might be able to get out of things a bit cheaper

Paul,

Here in SA, some of the inspectors will require certificates for anything that isnt OEM. There are only two places that do engineers certification (wich can be required for anything that isnt stock), and the cheapest is the one mentioned above. For example one guy I know of had a Z32 AFM on an R32 - inspector told him he had to remove as it wasnt OEM. A guy I work with has a stock range rover, they tried, but eventually failed, to not pass his car (rego transfer from WA) because the spare wheel on the back obscured the brake light from a particular angle.

The only way to get permits for mods such as intercooler, pod, coilovers etc in SA is to get an engineers report, even then, regency can still refuse to pass the vehicle - they do things a bit different over here. You can even get the vehicle passed by regency, but you wont get permits off them - gotta be an engineers report.

And the worst part is that they wont even tell you if they think the mod will be passed (if you apply in writing on the official application) they just say you need to bring it in after its done. Then if they decide they wont allow it (once again even with engineers cert), you just gotta remove the mod or deregister the vehicle.

They dont make it easy.

I was just hoping to find a way, say if the vehicle could have reports/permits made up interstate, that regency might let it go without the exorbitant expense of full ADR compliance engineers reports.

Something you may find funny too, the engineer that I spoke too said that if the car doesnt meet emissions standards they can always fit an air pump to bring the values into line .... sort of makes a joke of the whole process, but that is an acceptable method, as long as the emissions meet specs.

[slip]

Cheap and easy in QLD. Got two mod plates. Manual conversion and custom brakes, $180 all up I think.

[Clint32]

Steve I thought here if it was ok you didnt need a engineers certificate to pass for things like pods,coolers, coilovers etc. I know plenty who have got through with pods/cooler. You only need a certificate for engine conversions and major mods. But it think it depends on the person.

[Steve]

Originally posted by Clint32

..... But it think it depends on the person.

I do believe that is the bottom line.

In WA you can get permits for mods, so when Mr Plod takes a closer look, you wont end up with a defect notice...basically this is what I want - the confidance to be able to be pulled up and not have to worry about a full regency inspection if I do.

Slip, by the sounds of it, I need to go to queensland:D

[OVL-747]

$50 per mod is what a mate of mine was charged for his vl

turbo engine , lsd rear end , 33 manual and upgraded brakes.

$200 all up

qld is the place to be

[Skyrine-Dave]

can aftermarket computers be mod plated ?

and can we drive around with them ? i have my EMS hand controller in a visible location so i dont want to get bum poked by a copper on a bad day if he see's it.

And who does mod plating in QLD. I got told of www.kcf-rallysport.com.au

they are doin work for a friend. any others?

[MetBlue_GTST]

WA has it sweeter... It cost me $50 odd for the car to be inspected at the pits (coz i got a yellow) then $25 odd for a mod permit... I got a permit for my POD, Vent to atmo BOV, exhaust, radius rods as well as a note on the permit saying that the exhaust and BOV were below acceptable dB levels...

[hippy]

WTF? u got a permit for a BOV? i'd love to see the look on a cops face when u shove the notice in his!!! hahaha nice one!

[browny]

The best bet in all cases is to speak with your local registration authority to find out who you should be talking too. There is so much BS bandied around in forums about what is and what is not legal because people dont bother to check with the people that know the rules for the state.

If you are in NSW you should talk to an engineering signatory, the RTA should be able to provide contact details (they have a list on their web site but I think its a bit out of date). If you are in or around Newcastle I can give details of a signatory who I am very happy with (very good with older cars).

Last time I checked a full engineering certificate with everything on the car modded (ie different engine, brakes, seats & mounts, steering, diff, wheels, seatbelts, x-members etc) was going to cost $330 but this was a year ago and there was talk of a price increase due to govt regulations.

[Steve]

Engineers Cert: MINIMUM if nothing needs to be changed (emissions, handling, braking, noise) is $1770. Having this then in no way guarantees that Regency will pass it.

Anybody want to move to SA?

[browny]

Is there any chance of shopping around?

I had some contact with Paul Mullins who built RHR350 (Adelaide based). You could ask who did his engineering.

His contact details are at http://www.hr350.com2.info/

Its a good web page to have a look through as well.

[GTS-t VSPEC]

Yeah, WA is quiet lax on most mods, the pits will allow most things no problems. Major mods like roll-cages etc need an engineers certificate.

In WA there planning on providing a rolling car test at Orbital, that will do a full emissions test for about $200. Much better than the $2000 they currently charge:(

[OVL-747]

dave

well known auto mechanic Mr Chan does it for very cheap , maybe ask him to do it for ya , i heard thats where ur mate is goin to get it done

[Skyrine-Dave]

yeh Mr Chan! I still have their official banner next to me. "Twice the Rice, Half The Price"

But the place brendan is getting his engineering thru looks alright.

My main concern is to find out if a 3L is legal in my car as it came standard with an RB20det.

[GTS-t VSPEC]

Only normally allowed a 25% increase in capacity. Will have to prove the chassis has the strength and the brakes are good enough etc.

[browny]

Parts of the NSW guidelines....

Examples of minor (owner certified) modifications are:

*engine changes where the capacity increase is less than 15% above the maximum size engine available for the vehicle (providing no major structural modifications are necessary and where noise and/or exhaust emission ADRs apply, all standard equipment such as carburettors, exhaust systems, exhaust gas recirculating valves, oxygen sensors and catalytic convertors relating to noise and emission control are retained and operate correctly);

Engine modification

Original engine modified

Modifications to the original engine are permitted provided the following conditions are met:

*normal engine reconditioning within manufacturer’s limits is permitted;

*modifications must not affect compliance with any emission or noise related ADRs;

*all emission control equipment must be retained and functional;

*if the modifications result in a substantial increase in power, then the adequacy of other components to carry the increased power (brake performance, vehicle controllability and suspension systems etc.) as well as the vehicle’s continued compliance with the applicable ADRs must be considered.

Replacement engine

There are set engine capacity limits for a modified passenger car or passenger car derivative and these are set out in the table below. Owners should note that an engine might not be suitable even though it’s capacity falls within the specified limits. Owners are therefore advised to check details of a proposed engine conversion with an engineering signatory before commencing the work.

(I snipped out the relevant bit)

Mono constructed, 6cyl -

NA = weight(kg) x 4.82,

Turbo = weight(kg) x 4.0