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In need of an engineer!

Tech Talk for Suzuki owners.

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In need of an engineer!

Post by TomZook »

I have heard there is an engineer towards bendigo way that has had a lot to do with the engineering of zooks? Just wondering if anybody had a contact for this engineer or one they have used in the past.

i am in dire need as i cant continue my build. do want the zook to be registered.

any help is appreciated.
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Post by Gwagensteve »

I'm not currently working with an engineer so I can't provide specifics, but there are a couple of engineers club members are using here in Vic atm, they might supply contact info.

The 400lb gorilla in the corner though is how far you are into the build. They generally won't take on 1/2 completed projects.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
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Post by TomZook »

I see, well basically all i need is foe an engineer to view the car before i proceed with the engine gearbox combo. the rolling chassis is complete i.e. suspension axles etc. i was going to proceed with the build until finish purely because it will have the ability to be on the road once engine done. the rest i was going to do after engineers, for eg. tray and other things.
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Post by greg »

are you in melbourne, or in bendigo?

what's the engine and gearbox?

has your suspension work been bolt on or was fabrication involved?
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Post by TomZook »

am in sunbury, suspension work is all welded brackets, crossmembers.

engine and box are from silvia ca18de
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Post by cj »

What year is your Sierra and what year is the new engine? Just what suspension changes have you made? How high have you lifted it? Brakes, emissions check, noise check, handling test..........these are some of the issues you will need to deal with and that is not getting in to whatever welding you have done. Most Engineers won'twant to know about it but if you can put a good case forward you may find somebody willing to have a look but they still may request a number of changes. You're just going to have to work your way through the VASS list and you might get lucky. Have a look at the NCOP and see how what you have done fits in for a start but that won't be all.
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Post by TomZook »

Thanks, Its a 96 but putting in a ca18 not sure of age?

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic145888.php
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Post by greg »

TomZook wrote:Thanks, Its a 96 but putting in a ca18 not sure of age?

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic145888.php
I think CA18's finished in 1990ish Tom.

An easy check would be to look up Silvias or 180sx's on www.redbook.com.au to see which year the 1.8L engine finished, and the 2.0L engine started. I think that would be your answer.

Two possible work arounds - find and buy another LWB sierra chassis that pre-dates your engine. Or, get a later model engine (i.e. SR20) that post-dates your chassis.

Note: I could be wrong about this - you have a ute so the rules are a little bit different.
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Post by Gwagensteve »

Pay attention to Cj and Greg Tomzook. These guys are both dealing with (Different) engineers as we speak with sierra builds.

Sorry to sound smug but "not sure what year" probably equals no chance of a cert. WHEN the engineer asks you what year the engine is from, you can't say "not sure."

As Greg pointed out, the last year for the CA18 was about 1990-1991. It was well and truly replaced by the SR20 by 1996 - and your enigne will need to be 1996 or newer, and installed with all of it's pollution control equipment ( EGR, Catalytic converter, sealed fuel filler, carbon canister air box etc) in order to be legal.

You can try for an older motor, but the engineer is going to ask for an ADR emissions test. That's $3500, and you pay every time you test, fail or not.

Engineers can be very picky about bracketry welded to the chassis. They're all going to insist on doubling plates where anything is welded to the chassis, and generally, no plate welded to the chassis should be more than 50% thicker than the stock chassis. (Sierra chassis are 2.5mm thick)

They'll also have rules about mounting to more than one surface of the chassis for things like shock mounts, retaining/replacing crossmembers etc.

You might find an engineer that will pass your suspension work... but not your engine.... or pass the engine, but not the suspension. That's just the way it is. You'll need to work out what you REALLY want and what you'll live without.

Unfortunately, even though they are working to the same book, they all have things they like/don't like so they all have a slightly different interperetation of the rules - Example - there's no conrete limit on power or capacity in a 4WD/commercial, but one engineer who will look at all sorts of chassis work won't entertain more than 100Kw in a Sierra.

Best of luck. Be straight up with them when you are talking to them and have the answers for their questions. Importantly - they know more than you will ever know about building a car. If they say "I want you to do X", don't argue with them - they are not obliged to pass your car so do what they say if you want to keep dealing with them.

Be prepared to rework lots until they are happy.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
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Post by Jacked »

i think maybe you should just buy a 60 and trailer it tommy!! :lol:
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Post by Remydog05 »

hows the build going? any luck with engineering? or a pain the but
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Post by TomZook »

engineering is a pain in the ass, but build is on hold till i can actually get someone to have a look at the vehicle. unfortunately i have had three engineers turn me down! not for any particular reason stated but just flat turned me down. i dont really understand?
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Post by Gwagensteve »

I assume you have told them you've already started? Are you telling the you have a 1990 engine you are trying to put into a 1996 model car?

Have you sent them some photo's of your work to date?

Time is money - these guys aren't going to want to drive out to look at your car and then tell you they're not interested in a 1/2 completed car.

Maybe offer to email them some photos of where you are at. If the work is clean, and you sound like you know exactly where you are heading with the build, they might come and have a look.

These guys don't want to hold your hand. They'll tell you what they want to see and what they won't allow. Beyond that, They need to know that you have the skills to complete the task and you'll see it though.

Maybe tell them you don't have an engine for it yet and you are looking for some guidance. You'll then know what you'll have to work to to meet their expectations. It will be same or newer year, but they might also say 100kw maximum for them.. or whatever.

It's often in the approach.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
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Post by Gwagensteve »

I assume you have told them you've already started? Are you telling the you have a 1990 engine you are trying to put into a 1996 model car?

Have you sent them some photo's of your work to date?

Time is money - these guys aren't going to want to drive out to look at your car and then tell you they're not interested in a 1/2 completed car.

Maybe offer to email them some photos of where you are at. If the work is clean, and you sound like you know exactly where you are heading with the build, they might come and have a look.

These guys don't want to hold your hand. They'll tell you what they want to see and what they won't allow. Beyond that, They need to know that you have the skills to complete the task and you'll see it though.

Maybe tell them you don't have an engine for it yet and you are looking for some guidance. You'll then know what you'll have to work to to meet their expectations. It will be same or newer year, but they might also say 100kw maximum for them.. or whatever.

It's often in the approach.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
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Post by TomZook »

yes i have given them ALL of the information about the car, have told them that i have this engine, have sent them photos of rolling chassis etc and have not had the opportunity to be able to explain my intentions or whether i am flexible with the build.

This may help... (excuse format)

Engineering of a Suzuki Sierra Stockman

My intention for this vehicle is to modify the standard Suzuki by creating something which will better the original manufacturing design. In doing this the vehicle has an updated suspension system, very much alike the later models of the Suzuki Sierra which are coil sprung, improved stance via wider axles (taken from a 1985 Toyota Hilux) and lengthened wheelbase. The suspension system incorporates longer shock absorbers with modified mounts. The driveline has been converted to Toyota drive shafts and a Suzuki transfer case with strengthened reduction gears (soon to have mounts for case strengthened). I am proposing to better the power and strength of the engine and gearbox via a transplant to a more advanced combination. The torque of the engine will not exceed that of the specified amount in which the Toyota axles and differentials were designed for.
My plan is to build this vehicle abiding by all safety regulations and ADR’s in order to achieve an engineering certificate and registration.

Specifications are as follows:
Suzuki Sierra Stockman (Ute) 1995
(Original Specifications)
• Body type: Ute (or tray) 2 seats, 2 doors
• LOA: 4010mm (4110mm), width: 1540mm (1595mm), height: 1710mm (1760mm), weight: 870kg (unladen)
• GVM: 1370kg
• Wheelbase: 2375mm, track: 1300mm/1310mm, ground clearance: 220mm
• Engine: F10A 970cc petrol 4-cyls SOHC
• Power: 34kW at 5500rpm, torque: 74Nm at 3000rpm
• Emissions: ADR37/00
• Suspension: beam-leaf/beam-leaf, brakes: disc/drum
• Tyres: F78-15-4LT
• Fuel-tank: 40L
• Manufacturer: Maruti Udyog Ltd. India

(Existing changes made)
• Wheel base: 2616mm, track: Front Track 1430mm/Rear Track 1410mm, Ground Clearance 205mm
• Axles: Toyota Hilux, Disc brakes front, Drum brakes rear. Strengthened via gusseting.
• Suspension: coil sprung, front four link/rear three link a frame. Longer shock absorbers with modified shock mounts.
• Toyota power steering unit
• Tyres: Wheel Dimension 205Rx16C (Factory Toyota Hilux wheels/tyres)
• Fuel tank: custom stainless fuel cell 50L
Toyota Hilux Specifications
• Year 1985
• Engine Size 2.2 litres (2237 cc)
• Fuel System CARB
• Cylinders 4
• Gearbox: G52 & G54 5 speed 84 - 88 (first gear ratio 3.93)
• Power 69 kW
• Torque 179 Nm
• Weight to Power Ratio 20.65 : 1 (kg/kW)
• Kerb Weight 1425 kg
• Towing Capacity 1400 kg
Engine (Nissan Silvia CA18DE) Specifications
• The CA18DE is a 1.8 L DOHC 16v (1809 cc) engine produced from 1987 through 1989. It produces 131 hp (98 kW) @6400 rpm and 159 N•m (117 ft•lbf) @5200 rpm
• Gearbox: Jatco 4spd automatic transmission (first gear ratio 2.458)
• Nissan Silvia kerb mass: 1200kg
Transmission Specifications
Make Nissan Silvia Toyota Hilux
Transmission Jatco 4N71B 4spd Auto G52/54 5spd Man
1st Ratio 2.458 3.93

Torque x Transmission 1st gear

159 x 2.458 = 390.882
179 x 3.93 = 703.47

Emissions

Standard Date Introduced # Exhaust Emission Limits (petrol vehicles) Source Standard / Test Method
HC CO NOx
ADR37/00 1/2/86 0.93 g/km 9.3 g/km 1.93 g/km US '75 FTP
ADR37/01 1/1/97 - 1/1/99 0.26 g/km 2.1 g/km 0.63 g/km US '75 FTP
Based on the vehicle being a 1995 model it will fit ADR37/00 requirements of emissions from the specified engine being of the same timeframe for this ADR.


[/b]
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Post by Eff »

Hilux diffs would be the nail in the coffin?? I would think no engineers with em.

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Post by Gwagensteve »

Can't see the problem with hilux diffs - I've even heard them recommended by engineers to cert a bigger tyre.

I'd say the problem is the amount of work already done.

(PM sent)

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Post by Remydog05 »

BUGGER!!!

Was curious what is being OK'ed and what is not.
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