QLD P Plate Mod Restrictions?

[Stressball]

Hi all,

I'm curious as to exactly what is and is not allowed under the current Queensland P Plate restrictions when it comes to engine output and modifcation.

According to the QLD Transport site (http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home...restriction/);

High-powered and performance vehicles include those with:

eight or more cylinders
a turbo-charged or super-charged engine that is not diesel powered
an engine that has a power output of more than 200 kW as per the manufacturer's specifications
a rotary engine that has an engine capacity of more than 1146cc as per the manufacturer's specifications
a modified engine that must be approved under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 1999, section 30.

I noticed it says a 'modified engine that must be approved' and not generalising all modifications. After looking at the regulation in question (http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LE...OpRUVSSR99.pdf) I'm unsure as to whether or not it is allowable to drive a car that is modified but otherwise meets the restrictions.

The passage relevant is:

A person must not modify a vehicle, it's parts or equipment in a way that adversely affects the safety of the vehicle.

I'm not entirely certain how to read this.. On one hand I could read it as any increase in power output is compromising the safety of the occupants, on the other you could read this as only modifications which weaken or otherwise lessen the effect of safety devices etc from the factory.

For example, let's say I had a VSII (Here's hoping, shortly ) that puts out 147kW. Would I be allowed to do very minor things such as a CAI or exhaust modification, as long as the power output remains below 200kW?

Is anyone able to give me a clear cut answer as to whether or not minor modifcations such as a CAI, exhaust etc are allowable for a P plate driver, as long as no other rules are broken in the process?

[TVR-190]

in N.S.W it says no performance enhancing modifications are permitted, i assume that means the same, Either way it sorta comes under the discretion of the officer, he could claim ur K&N filter was a performance enhacing mofication and fine you. so yeah.

Either way i just put a CAI on my VP, if they ask its just for engine efficiency.

[Elliot Bout]

Yea i get really confused with all the rules they have.
I've done the same as old mate, i just say everything is for efficiency.
I've got pacey extractors and a cai. If they ask its just for efficiency.
But if you get a clear explanation of what exactly is allowed mod-wise, please let
us know.

[glavas]

that makes no sence you can drive a 195kw sv6 in queensland but you cant drive a old v8 even tho the new sv6 is faster

[maldotcom2]

Yep. I see P platers in brand new VE SV6's (thankyou mummy and daddy). But if you get caught driving a flogged out old 253 you're stuffed.

[VZSV605]

Yep. I see P platers in brand new VE SV6's (thankyou mummy and daddy). But if you get caught driving a flogged out old 253 you're stuffed.

I have a VZ SV6 (not from mummy and daddy thank you very much) and I am just entering the 2nd month of my P's. I am not proud of it, but sometimes I will have a little drag from the lights, but I try not to break speed limits. My SV6 left a VS Clubsport for dead like it was a Hyundai. The SV6 gets approved by police, and the VS clubby doesn't. But I suppose it would be hard to make such rules for car restrictions...

[Darren_L]

Unfortunately when it comes to legislations, there often isn't clear cut answers as the legislations cannot possibly cover every scenario and often rely on the individual officers interpretation and discretion.

however, in a nutshell, it's saying that you cannot drive a car with an engine that has modifications that require a modification plate. The majority of CAI's and exhaust mods don't require a mod plate so they would be acceptable. An engine swap (non-factroy option engine), forced induction etc do require a mod plate and therefore would be deemed as unacceptable.

QT has no standard measurement for engine output - chassis dynos would never be accepted as an accurate measurement device. So they aren't going to test your car's output in order to determine if it exceeds the 200kw limit. The 200kw limit is based purely on the manufacturers measurement from factory. So the likes of most late model V8's are out as are the latest V6 SIDI 210kw.

I work as a QT officer, and that is the way I interpret the legislation. Of course the legislation can be interpreted differently by each individual QT or QPS officer, but I'm not aware of a case of a P plater being penalised for driving a V6 Commodore with an exhaust and CAI. Obviously if your exhaust is particularly loud and doesn't comply with the vehicle safety standards the vehicle would be subject to a defect, and consequently you may also be penalised as a P plater for driving a non-compliant vehicle.

So my advice is, any mods you do undertake - keep them subtle and you should avoid any problems. Don't go overkill on the exhaust for example. It's going to attract uneccessary attention either way. Sensible exhaust mods and CAI aren't likely to cause you any problems at all.

[holden_calais_VT_1999]

hay guys i brought a complely stock standered VT calais i am currentrly on my red ps and since i have had it i have completely changed my exhaust lowered it and put a cai and k&n filter on it and have had no hassle wat so ever with the cops but they doo look tho lol

i say do wat u want to the ur car the avage cop has no idea wat he is on about but if u get one that does thats the risk u take

[Black_VK]

have to agree. had a 253 in my prem and couldnt drive that but could go buy newish commodore and would leave it for dead.
rules are crap.

on my l's after 5 hrs of driving. i drove a car with more horsepower then most people on this site would have ever driven.
and im building a 1000 hp car and im not even on my p's yet.

but i cant buy a v6 supercharged which under 200kw cause its supercharged.

[BMW 318]

Hi guys, completely off commodores, but still relevent,
I have a 318i BMW and i want to swap the engine to a 328i M52.
Would i need a mod plate for this? and would i be able to drive this on my P's
drops about 220hp and weights 1200kg

Is this possible to drive on p's?

[acarmody]

You would need a mod plate for the car to be legal, I'm pretty sure.

And I'm also pretty sure that would classify as a engine mod, so no.

[DAKSTER]

have to agree. had a 253 in my prem and couldnt drive that but could go buy newish commodore and would leave it for dead.
rules are crap.

on my l's after 5 hrs of driving. i drove a car with more horsepower then most people on this site would have ever driven.
and im building a 1000 hp car and im not even on my p's yet.

but i cant buy a v6 supercharged which under 200kw cause its supercharged.

OMG there is a reason for that mate. Please tell me you aren't going to drive a 1000hp car anyplace for a few years... or at least let me know which part of Brissy to avoid, I dont want to die with you..

When are P platers going to learn that being able to operate a clutch, brake pedal, and steering wheel is not sufficient to make you a good driver? Some are better than others of course, but there is no subsitute for experience, and dare I say it - a little maturity. Some people are mature at a young age, granted, but experience isnt something you are born with or can buy.

I know it sucks, but its part of life.

Yes the laws are silly. They should be based on power to weight ratio, not number of cylinders, kw, or induction method.

[matt-chops]

I'm not on my P's and while I don't agree with the specific laws for P platers in QLD I agree with what they're trying to do... IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY... but I certainly don't think this should be the only measure, and shouldn't only target P platers (I'm a car enthusiast too and I understand your passion).

I think (know) there's a lot of drivers out there who aren't confident enough, skilled enough, paying enough attention etc. to be in charge of any kind of motor vehicle. I drive 40,000km+/year in everything from peak hour to lazy Sundays and have seen the worst of them.

I'd be happier if it was much harder to get a license in the first place, even if this excluded some people from ever driving. It's not a right to have a license and if you're not capable you shouldn't be on the road.

Another option is more classes of license. No P plates altogether, rather an entry level license restricting drivers to a small low powered 4cyl. After 12 months you have the OPTION to complete more driver training and upgrade to a mid license (6cyl etc), then a large license (hi-po 6cyl, standard V8s, 4WDs), then various levels of high-power license, each requiring higher levels of driver ability. This wouldn't be a restriction on just current P platers, but all kinds of people. Incapable soccer mums in large 4WDs wouldn't have large 4WDs, ########s with too much money wouldn't buy M3s and Porsches without being able to drive them, it would put all drivers in cars they are capable of driving. Could then have license add-ons like a towing certification or an offroad cert (for beaches etc).

Like I said, the P plate rules a dumb, but there needs to be something in place.

In the mean time, OP, just get a VZ SV6 and enjoy it. It's what I own and its got enough poke to get off the line pretty quick. High flow air filter and an exhaust for a nice note and it's all you need for the next 3-5 years.

[DAKSTER]

I've long advocated exactly such a system.
I'd base it on power-weight ratio rather than no's of cylinders or aspiration types.
Each level of license would require an additional level of training and a higher level of experience to attain. Trucks do it. So should Mr and Mrs Average and their 17y/o son.

[Drawnnite]

what you have said is pretty much how it should be matt.
but i have to agree with dakster by it being power to weight classes. which is alot more accurate.

but onto another bit of news.
reading the carsguide in the herald sun the other day and someone wrote about a first car.
they suggest sv6, and the editor guy just shut them down and said to get a corolla (not saying they are bad)
i mean. does he know each and everyones personal situations? eg they may when on greens have a boat to tow? or he may already be a race driver? =P
and tbh an sv6 doesnt have that much power =P

but next bit id like to say.
i personally do not see the reason to modify a v6 while your on your p's (lowering, exhaust etc) even though yes i have put 2 spacers in.
unless for better fuel economy.
just enjoy the car, fix it up if you want, and go from there.

but yeah as matt and dakster have said would be the logical thinking.
but as we know it just wont happen