Ozzy Car Laws

[dvk-kp]

Hey. i have just been reading through some of your guys projects and every now and then i see stuff like "ke70 with a 13b turbo wont be legal" whats up with that? :) how do they work out what can and can't be done? cheers guys. by the way, i live in nz and we seem to be able to put anything in anything as long as its certifyed after...

[dvk-kp]

surely someone knows? :)

[irokin]

Its just the limits the boffins tell us. Give it a few hours till there's more people on. Sunday arvo isn't a peek time for us...

[WinKE55]

Probably power to weight ratio figures. Australia is cracking down on hooning and is probably going to only be getting more strict in a few years.

[SeptemberSquall]

there's a new national code of practice for light vehicle modifications being formed / has been formed? which dictates certain guidelines for what capacity engine you can fit to your car based on a few criteria, including:

original engine no of cylinders

tare weight

body construction, ie. full chassis or monocoque

 

capacity for rotary is swept capacity x (multiplier)

minimum legal weight for forced induction is higher than for naturally aspirated engines of the same capacity

 

etc etc

[7shades]

GVM : CC

 

Kerb weight x 3 for n/a motor, x 2.5 for forced induction, will give you the maximum cc engine you can install into the vehicle.

 

For example

 

Max cubic capacity for a KE70

(with engineer's approval, subject to other upgrades like brakes in accordance with the uprated engine output)

 

910kg x 3 = 2730cc n/a

910kg x 2.5 = 2275cc turbo/supercharged

 

And since rotary engines are calculated by doubling the actual cc (for instance a 13B is treated as a 2.6 Litre engine) the 13BT is not permitted.

 

Also, the engine you convert to must have been made in the same year or newer than the car you're putting it into.

 

 

There's a lot more to it, but thats the nutshell version.

[dvk-kp]

damn thats gotta suck! and whats the deal with having stuff sticking through the bonnet? is it legal? i know that over here you can get your car certd to run no bonnet...

[7shades]

No idea on the bonnet laws... but I assume they're not permitted either. Probably something to do with a pedestrian hazard.

 

Yes, the laws are draconian and possibly a little over regulated... however, its still possible to build a stupidly quick AND completely legal street car, you just have to do the mods properly and get your engineer to tick them off one by one through the process of the build.

 

Basically, no dodgy ghetto shit.

 

At the end of the day, there's nothing better than being pulled over by some smart arse cop, expecting to issue you a nice pile of tickets and a defect notice... then you pull all your certificates out of the glovebox and shove them in his smarmy, shiteating face as you drive off.

[dvk-kp]

oh ok. even then does it still have to abide by the cc laws etc? say a rwd starlet that came with 1000cc 2k. weighs like 700kgs (i think), you wouldnt be aloud to put a 20b turbo in it even if it was up to an engineers standard? cheers guys for ya help. ive been wondering for ages!

[strola]

May I suggest you spend sometime looking at the vehicle modifications guideline within your state. Most state Registration departments do have these on their websites in rather detailed forms. As far as the bonnet issues it all depends on what is poking out and the year of the vehicle. A simple rule of thumb is don't let anything stick out of the bonnet.

 

Cheers :)

[dvk-kp]

i don't have a state. i live in new zealand. i was just wondering as i see it pop up on forums and magizines every now and then. cheers for ya help guys. :)

[strola]

i don't have a state. i live in new zealand. i was just wondering as i see it pop up on forums and magizines every now and then. cheers for ya help guys. :lol:

 

Hey dvk-kp,

 

surely there is a roads authority in the country. In there there will be a guidline of some description. I am positive that even NZ would have some sort of ruling on what is safe and exceptable, mind you I have recently found out that you have 100 points to play with on your license where we only have 12. :P:

 

Cheers

[Palmy]

i always thought that if u had an air filter pokin out the top of the bonnet, it can't exceed a certain measurement.

mainly because if u hit someone and they go over the bonnet, u would most likely cause them more damage with air filter.

[dvk-kp]

there are rules. but basically you can have anything you want as long as it passes a cert check. they check things like mounts, x member etc. to make sure its done to an acceptable standard. can have things through bonnet as long as its not hot or can tangle someone up (belt drive on supercharger for example must have a guard).but yea, if you can make it fit you can do it. I'm starting to like this country a bit more... :lol: how many points do you get tho? we get like 25 for no seat belt. 50points if your doing more then 30k over the speed limit etc. more then 40kph over the limit is instant loss of license. this is quite interesting the differences between the to countrys. oh and we have to pass a warrant of fitness test every 6 months... don't think you have them?

[7shades]

Our rules vary state to state... in QLD at least you only have to get the car inspected (roadworthy/safety certificate) when the vehicle changes owners.

 

And yes that does mean that there are datsuns that grandad bought new in 1975 still getting around that have never been inspected... :lol: