Thread: legally modifying cars

Originally Posted by dobbo

A few threads have come up of late about the legallities of modifications. ... Does one sit down with the engineer first up and discuss the issues involved in performing the task at hand? How much is the average costs of such meetings? What sort of modifications require engineering, Helpful web links, books etc...

You don't get out of an engineers office without paying several hundred dollars. By getting the engineer involved early you may avoid costly mistakes that have to be rectified at the end.

If what you plan are pretty standard certification wont be much of a problem, however it is wise to make contact with the engineer early as they may want to see welds etc before they are painted then they will want to see the finished product.

Diana

In WA you are required to gain permission from Transport before starting.
Basically fill in a form telling them what you want to do.They then say yes or no and what conditions you need to follow.
I read in saturdays west the WA 4WD industry assoc is trying to get eastern states laws adopted here in relation to suspension lifts.
Over here its an engineer report and possible lane change test for anything over 50mm TOTAL.That includes a combination of wheels/tyres,suspension,body lift.
Fully engineered kits ex east are illegal here despite been accepted as a bolt on mod that only needs a pit inspection over east.The vehicle becomes illegal once entering WA!!!!!
Andrew

In WA you are required to gain permission from Transport before starting.
Basically fill in a form telling them what you want to do.They then say yes or no and what conditions you need to follow.
I read in saturdays west the WA 4WD industry assoc is trying to get eastern states laws adopted here in relation to suspension lifts.
Over here its an engineer report and possible lane change test for anything over 50mm TOTAL.That includes a combination of wheels/tyres,suspension,body lift.
Fully engineered kits ex east are illegal here despite been accepted as a bolt on mod that only needs a pit inspection over east.The vehicle becomes illegal once entering WA!!!!!
Andrew

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Fully engineered kits ex east are illegal here despite been accepted as a bolt on mod that only needs a pit inspection over east.The vehicle becomes illegal once entering WA!!!!!
Andrew

So much for national standards!

Even unregistered vehicle permits issued in NSW are legal in every state and territory except WA.

Has Western Australia succeeded from the Federation already?

Despite the NCOP Dobbo, there are differences in state rules as has already become apparent and this will cause a lot of confusion in these threads.

It's probably not a bad idea if you make it absolutely clear in the thread that this is for NSW only or whatever.

How have I done it previously and currently???

Know the guidelines back the front and inside out and work within them. If its something not commented on in the guidelines, then chat to the engineer that you want to certify... eg using airshocks instead of coils. Make sure everything is done to a high standard that you and the engineer will be happy with. Get the engineer to certify everything, even the stuff that does not specifically need certification.

One of the issues that I see, is that engineers are certifying vehicles which are still outside of the RTA guidelines. The owners think that the vehicles are all good due to the engineering, but the engineer has no authority to approve this. A great example is many of the trucks getting around with 5/6/7" suspension lifts. The guidelines state specifically that you can not lift by more than 1/3 metal to metal travel in the suspension, which is about 3" in a Discovery (which I personally have interpreted as being from the maximum ride height specification rather than delivery height - but this is no doubt debatable). Some Engineering signatories will approve a 5/6/7" lift.... but it is outside of their ability to do so according to the RTA and now NCOP.

I am going through it at the moment in Victoria.

Because we dont have to get a roadworthy every year (only when you sell) engineering is not used as much down here, which also makes it a lot more expensive when you do do it.

I am engineering a Range Rover ute with max lift (150mm) and 33" tyres, 4.6 motor and lpg. All up it won't be much less than $2k.

Most important thing is to know what you plan to do before you start and then to go over it with the engineer before you do anything. He will tell you what he is happy with and what not. Take plenty of pics as you do the work so if there are any questions later on about what you did you will have evidence.

What he said....

I have in the past caleld up Vic roads, got an Engineer who knows that type of car and then ask them what i can do. Give them an idea on what i want and then cough up lots of cash to have what i want engineered...

Originally Posted by walker

I am engineering a Range Rover ute with max lift (150mm) and 33" tyres, 4.6 motor and lpg.

Is that max lift 150mm and 33's or max lift 150mm with 33's?