Dec law change on pods

[Edge]

been told that the law is changing 31st December regarding must have pods fully boxed into a Cold Air Induction.

Does this only apply to cars imported under the new scheme or also to old scheme imports?

When I got my car identity checked when I imported it the pink slip guys faulted the fact it had a pod and said it was not dependent on whether you blue slipped it under the new or old scheme.

While the compliance shop told me it doesn't apply to old scheme imports, just about everyone else including my dynotuner is telling me to get the CAI done right away or risk police giving me a canary for it.

What is the truth?

[raz0r$harP.UK]

Just spoke to RTA Tech Line (I love those people, seriously!), and he didn't know anything about it. Said that you have to get a pod emissions tested and certified, which I knew already. He didn't know anything about the changes though, said that it was up to the engineer to stay current with changes in the standards and make sure it's all right.

So I'm not sure now. Guess I might call up an engineer later and see what he says..

Anyone know who is putting forward the change?

[benm]

Edge its bullshit.

10 days ago I was defected for having an exposed Pod filter. I was planning to change back to the standard airbox (with K&N filter) soon anyhow so didn't kick up a stink about it and just accepted the 'defect notice'. My defect notice said 'airbox must comply with standards' and he told me that it must be boxed. My only requirements were to have my airfilter 'comply with the standards', get it checked by a blue slip mechanic and my defect notice signed and then have the RTA signed the other part of the defect notice. No RTA inspection was required at all.

So 2 days later (Monday) I visited my local Ultra Tune mechanic who is 'blue slip' certified to enquire about my defect notice. He looked at my current setup and said their is nothing wrong with it. As long as the AFM is in place and is the original Nissan part then it does not matter what is 'after' the AFM. So that means I should have been told to get EPA approval of my Pod filter setup not a defect notice to box the pod or change back to the original airbox. The Ultra Tune mechanic rang the RTA Defect section and was told flat out that "anything aftermarket on the car is defect-able and is illegal', that means 'anything'.

Now my mum works in the police force so I got her to chase up the exact ruling and bring it home on paper or in a book because I was curious as to what the 'exact' word for word ruling is. Now she couldn't find anything so she got some other police officers to look into it for me (these aren't just regular behind the desk officers these are the guys that teach the entire NSW force to drive, what to do, etc etc, they are very high up in the ranks). Guess what.... no documentation could be found at all in the road and traffic law book (this thing is well over 1,100 pages of documentation, so many pages infact I couldn't even be bothered to read it) stating -anything- about Pod filters or air filters. They then tried to find any other books that might contain information about this and were unsuccessful. Their is no such book in existance (atleast at the NSW Police Training Facilities) of what police can and can't defect you for, on the other hand, "RTA" Inspectors im sure would have a book and -could- defect you but -not- Police Officers.

Afew hours later I then had a Seargent (that my mum works with) call me on my mobile and say "If your Nissan AFM is inplace and untouched you have not done anything illegal, get your defect notice signed by Ultra Tune and then signed at the RTA, you are clear".

Abuse of power? Most certainly !

Money making? Most certainly !

Oh while im in a typing mood afew more things that are true.

* For a police officer to do a "speed check" they must drive behind you for a minimum of 200m with no cars between yourself and them.

* If you are pulled over regarding this you can ask the Police Officer to check his tyre pressures with the "provided" tyre pressure gauge. Highway Patrol cars have their speedo's checked every 30 days and are very conscious of having the speedo's right. If he does not have this tyre pressure gauge with him (supplied when the speedo is checked) dob him in and you watch how red his arse is after copping a whipping from his Sergeant. If the tyre pressures say anything -but- 42psi then take the speeding fine to court and could technically be thrown out of court quicker than the police officer can wipe his own arse. If the tyre pressures are not on exactly 42psi then their is no way of prooving that his speedo was accurate when doing his 'speed check' behind you.

* Their is no way that a police officer can do a "background" check on his car computer on you whilst driving behind you -unless- he calls it through the radio for the head office (or call centre thingo) to do the check for them.

* Their is no such thing as being "black flagged", ie; if you get defected once, a cop can't just look on his computer and go "oh he's been pulled over X times lets be a bastard and get him again for something else".

* A Hwy Patrol mounted radar can reach up to 600m in a forwards or sideways view but not behind you.

* Every police officer -must- wear his/her Police hat when they are out of a vehicle, failure to do so can get very nasty if the right people are told.

* All car doors must be locked whenever the car is in motion. If a police officer is found to have a door unlocked (once again by the right people) then his/her license can be removed on the spot and then they have to re-take the entire police driving training course.

* In pursuit a police officer must "stop" at all inter-sections if it is a red light. Failure to do so will make "them" fully liable of "any" accident or damages caused at that intersection not "the police force".

* Fog lights in use during the day on cop cars (and anyone for that matter) is an offence (unless in foggy areas). You may have noticed that when cop cars have their lights on that the foglights are also automatically on, naughty naughty.

[sidewaymambo]

damm...benm..I love you..after reading through this..LOL

[benm]

hehe, more added (as I think of them).

I should keep a small diary on me at all times, everytime im out with mum and she see's a police officer doing the wrong thing she goes mental and i spend the next 30mins asking every question under the sun haha.

[Craved]

and who are these " right people" you speak of benm?

[benm]

The right Sergeants in charge of certain area's of the force (ie; reporting these matters to your local office isn't going to do anything but a letter to the correct seargeant up the chain will).

[Roy]

"Pass the man a NEW"

Thats good info, may come in handy. That said even if they are in the wrong they are still right!

[wld33r]

u legend... keep us informed

cheers

[ultimatepowder]

benm...u r a champ mate...keep grilling ure mum 4 ideas!!!

[Staunch]

good work mate!! nice

[vipermtn]

what more can i say..good stuff mate!!!!!

[MRK25T]

So if a certain someone has an air flow meter from a different car that means he/she is in trouble?

[Edge]

come come now benm, I asked for the truth didn't I; besides I'm sure I mentioned that I was getting conflicting advice from different people.

Thanks so much though for taking the time to answer.

Those RTA rego guys are a real pain, when it comes to getting the truth. The way they go on its as if its illegal to own a car, and they will only make it legal if you pay licence fees and fines.

They forget license fees are illegal and are only acceptable as a minimal charge to provide a paper certification of driving skill.

[benm]

So if a certain someone has an air flow meter from a different car that means he/she is in trouble?

Yes Mark your Z32AFM is an illegal modification, but if you have a stock airbox connected to it then 99.99% of cops won't know the difference between a Z32AFM and the standard r33 gtst AFM because all they are looking for is a Pod Filter.

[Merli]

Ben, please keep us informed as to how you go with getting that defect thrown out.

You may just set a famous legal precedence for all modified car owners.

[Merli]

Actually, I think you might have to take it to court, and get a judge to rule on the issue for the precedence to be any use for other people...

[Nismodified]

very much appreciated

[dale]

can u please define "speed check" from the first point coz i been caught twice

once driving in opposite lane for a split second got me 29 over as we were commin opp directions over a hill

the other he was behind a car in the right lane with his radar on me and i was in the left further up

Thanks

[benm]

can u please define "speed check" from the first point coz i been caught twice

This is when a police officer uses his car speedo to judge the speed that you are travelling at (ie; he doesn't have a radar installed).

once driving in opposite lane for a split second got me 29 over as we were commin opp directions over a hill

Was he using a radar ?

the other he was behind a car in the right lane with his radar on me and i was in the left further up

I don't think (my own opinion i'd have to confirm) that they can get you this way because he is hiding behind a car. Just like a radar on the side of the road can't get you when you are travelling behind or beside another car.