Engine Conversion - old motor into new(er) car

[TuffRR]

Does anyone know about engine conversions in Victoria? I have heard (and read) that you can't put engines into cars that are newer than the motor ie 89 Rangie must have at least 1989 motor.
What if i just use the block from something older (specifically Leyland 4.4) and bolt on all my EFI equipment (or Wolf, Motec etc)
If it passes an emissions test is it alright?

Or can i just put the bugger in and not tell anyone!

[spazbot]

its gotta meet the pollution requiremnts of atleast the current engine that was in it

[TuffRR]

Does that mean that it will be tested after its finished to see if it meets them? I've heard (from an unreliable source) that its really expensive to have emission testing done. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Oh, and happy 100th post to me!!!

[bogged]

Vicroads engineer.

Kevin Williams.
9434 7687.


Call him he will tell you facts.

[HSV Rangie]

emission test is not expensive.

You cannot put an engine in a car that is of of an earlier build, put it on full gas then no worries.

Extract form vic roads site.

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrne/vrn ... 1BCD2A5F8F


An engine which is of a type offered by the manufacturer as an option for that vehicle may be fitted provided that:-

All other related components including structure, suspension, brakes etc., are equivalent to those fitted to a vehicle of the same model supplied with that engine type as optional original equipment by the manufacturer, and
Acceptable evidence is supplied which certifies that these components are fitted in accordance with factory methods and the vehicle in its modified form is safe and complies with the applicable regulations for that model vehicle.

An engine which is not of the same type as offered by the manufacturer of the vehicle as original, but is similar in power, weight and emission standards to that of the original engine, may be fitted to such a vehicle. If alteration to the vehicle's frame or structure is involved and specially fabricated supports or structures are used an Engineer's Report must be supplied.

Where it is intended to fit an engine which is significantly different from that offered by the manufacturer as original or an option, (e.g. four to six cylinder or six to eight cylinder), then a comprehensive Engineer's report is required on completion of the modification providing evidence that the vehicle in its modified form is safe and meets all the applicable construction and emission regulations for that model. It is recommended that an Engineer is consulted before commencement of this type of modification.


Regards
Michael.

[HSV Rangie]

Other vic roads approved engineers.

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrne/vrn ... ment&Area=[Online+Information+&+Services]

regards
Michael.

[TuffRR]

I am so confused.....I called about 6 approved vicroads engineers this morning and got a different answer from each one.
The first guy i called said no probs, i can even run it on fuel/gas as i am now. Second guy said its not possible full stop. Third guy said maybe depending on many things.
In the end two engineers said they would be happy to pass it as long as i brought it in and they gave it the once over. Problem is the once over includes everything else as well. Now my problems also extend to getting the rest of the vehicle approved if i want this motor. That means body lift, bigger tyres etc etc. D'oh!

[N*A*M]

ah... now you get to my dilemma. getting a rig fully engineered is a pita.

there is a provision in the vicroads regulations for putting in a engine of the same "family" if it was available from the factory. so upgrading to a later model 3.9 might work out cheaper.

[TuffRR]

The only mod that would perhaps cause me a problem is the bodylift. There is so much conflicting advice on these, perhaps i'll have to speak to the engineer again. Tyres shouldn't be a problem, i still have the standard 29 inch Michellens in the garage.
Why isn't anything easy.

[Wendle]

you'll be right... Body lift they'll certify no worries, bigger tyres aren't a problem to get certified as long as your speedo is accurate and they are within the body, etc.. Need mudflaps down to 300mm off the ground for the entire width of the tread, Make sure all your lights and indicators are within legal height, nothing protruding in front of bull bar/bumper, etc. As long as you haven't done anything too wild it will be pretty easy...

[TuffRR]

Update: just called the engineer about the body lift. Apparently, it is possible to have just the motor approved without having to certify the body lift, however he wasn't all that keen on it. He said that handling characteristics basically determine whether it would be passed. Nothing some temporary stiff springs/shockers wouldn't fix I'm guessing.

[Wendle]

OK, this is the problem that people don't forsee. You can go and have the engine swap certified, and he can turn a blind eye to whatever you want. Whatever isn't put in the report he is not liable nor responsible for.

You then get two copies of the report after you shell out your $ for it.

Then (this is the hard part) you have to take the vehicle to whoever you state agent for the RTA is, (vicroads, there, I believe?) And they Inspect the whole car for ADR compliance and basic roadworthyness. So, if you have modified things that aren't on the report, they will send you straight back to have them added. You can tell them to get notted at this point if you like, but as soon as they have seen the unapproved modifications they put a bar on you renewing your rego untill they are happy with everything...

[Wendle]

sorry, forgot..
One copy of the reoport stays with the RTA, so if you get defected, or sell the vehicle, or whatever, they already have a record of the modifications.

Keep any receipts for buying the engine, as you need to prove ownership to have the engine number changed on their paperwork.

[TuffRR]

Thanks Wendle. I just called Vicroads to find out what they require. Apparently you need to to bring the car in with the certificate from the engineer and the receipts for the motor and they just make sure everything is legitimate. They said that they do not do a RWC when you bring it in.
It may be different in NSW though.

[Wendle]

It may depend on who you get on the day as well. Obviously if something is blatantly dodgy they will pull you up on it as well.

Last time I went through to have a report checked off, they just checked all lights and indicators and did a brake test.

[bogged]

I am so confused.....I called about 6 approved vicroads engineers this morning and got a different answer from each one.

Then pick one of them, and go with him. You know what he is going to expect from you, so as long as your car is passed by that one person you should be fine.

[landy_man]

as i said before

STROKE THE BASTARD

[CRUSHU]

playing with your pecker isnt going to fix the problem!

[Andrew_C]

I was at Vicroads a few weeks ago to get my trail bike rec registered. When I got there none of the lights would work and when after putting it under the roof, I told the checking guy, he said "Vicroads doesn't do roadworthys". and registered it with no lights. With rec reg in Vic, you don't need a Roadworthy so basically nobody checks to make sure the bike meets the regs. Cool for anybody trying to rec register a bike. (Bit off the subject though - You know what im getting at)