Melbourne or Ballarat certified engineers

[minux]

Wondering if anyone has had any dealings with any of the approved engineers listen on the Vic Roads site (found here http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rd...0Dec2007.pdf)?

I am looking at having the new suspension approved for insurance(seeing as your car is unroadworthy lowering from standard without one) so has anyone had any experience with any of these guys at all if so what were they like etc?

[Reaper]

I had a chat to one guy about importing a car from the states at one stage and found him more than helpful (He was far from complimentry about vicroads though). I think it is a matter of ringing a few till you find somebody helpful.

Reaper

Ps. I beg to differ about every lowered car being not roadwhorthy without an engineering cert.

[minux]

I had a chat to one guy about importing a car from the states at one stage and found him more than helpful (He was far from complimentry about vicroads though). I think it is a matter of ringing a few till you find somebody helpful.

Reaper

Ps. I beg to differ about every lowered car being not roadwhorthy without an engineering cert.

I have rang a few, most sound to busy to want to talk.

Regarding lowering, can you please find me where it says i can lower my car without the need of an approval certificate? I am trying to keep a 100% roadworthy vehicle, I have been told the second you change springs from factory standard you require an approval certificate as you are altering the suspension components.

[VN_Luke]

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rd...340/0/VSI8.pdf

VSI 8 - section 5.

I've dealt with Sanjay before, as have a few friends - more than helpful. (might be a bit out of your area though)

Sanjay Bhide (VASS No.1021)
Ph:
Mob: 0402 407 839
WANTIRNA LV
SOUTH VIC
Sanjay Bhide (VASS No.1021)
Autoteam Consultants Pty Ltd
6 Mosman Close Email:autoteam_au@hotmail.com

[Reaper]

I have rang a few, most sound to busy to want to talk.

Regarding lowering, can you please find me where it says i can lower my car without the need of an approval certificate? I am trying to keep a 100% roadworthy vehicle, I have been told the second you change springs from factory standard you require an approval certificate as you are altering the suspension components.

VN_Luke beat me to it. Read sections 4 & 5. It's a very handy document. In short you have to have at least 100mm of ground clearance (fully laiden) and keep at least 2/3 of the original suspension travel. Odviously taking a gas axe or similar to your springs is not allowed either. How low are you looking at going?

Reaper

[Grennan]

I do see what minux is saying that, they pretty much contradict everything by saying "An approval certificate is required for any modifications to axels, suspension or steering components." which is the first sentence in section 6.

Youd think VicRoads would be easier to understand.

[VN_Luke]

"An approval certificate is required for any modifications to axels, suspension or steering components"

But because minux would be replacing a few of his suspension components, rather than modifying (i.e. cutting) - it should all be fine!

but basically, at the end of the day - if someone is picky enough to want to canary your car (i.e. in THEIR OPINION deem the car unroadworthy) - they will do so, regardless of an engineers certificate.

[jules]

minux, ring VRoads directly to get clarification of whether you need a certificate.

lowering can retain all of the same components and pickup points (other than springs) and may not be considered a modification. it's subjective, but VRoads would make the call.

[minux]

minux, ring VRoads directly to get clarification of whether you need a certificate.

lowering can retain all of the same components and pickup points (other than springs) and may not be considered a modification. it's subjective, but VRoads would make the call.

Vicroads have said i must have an approval certificate. As has my broker.

Reason being is the components are not staying the same, the Teins set-up must be approved and have the certificate to match. Apparently according to both broker and Vicroads if the new springs etc are not the same as what come from factory. Replacing with stock would be fine, however they class replacing with aftermarkets that differ from original as modifying. Much like changing a cam, it is modifying to put in a different one from stock.

[minux]

if someone is picky enough to want to canary your car (i.e. in THEIR OPINION deem the car unroadworthy) - they will do so, regardless of an engineers certificate.

With an approval cert for every major mod, it is a simple visit to Vic roads to have it remedied. Do not need to take things out and replace etc.

[jules]

that's strange, the national modification code doesn't recommend lowering be certified if you meet specified requirements (which don't look too hard to meet).

of course the code has no status in law, VR word is final.

[Grennan]

of course the code has no status in law, VR word is final.

Vicroads word changes 50 times a day, and with every idiot there that answers the phone.

[VN_Luke]

Vicroads word changes 50 times a day, and with every idiot there that answers the phone.

Completely right.

If you have a few hundred dollars that you're happy to part with, I think the idea of an engineers is a fantastic one. It SHOULD eliminate those grey areas that might come to bite you in the ass, should you happen to take out a truck carrying 2 million dollars worth of vodka.

I don't think it would act as a "get out of jail free" card if you were to be canaried, but it's a good starting point for negotiations.

I'd also consider waiting a little bit, if you have more mods planned for the car - migth be far more worthwhile getting them all certified in one hit!

[minux]

Completely right.

If you have a few hundred dollars that you're happy to part with, I think the idea of an engineers is a fantastic one. It SHOULD eliminate those grey areas that might come to bite you in the ass, should you happen to take out a truck carrying 2 million dollars worth of vodka.

I don't think it would act as a "get out of jail free" card if you were to be canaried, but it's a good starting point for negotiations.

I'd also consider waiting a little bit, if you have more mods planned for the car - migth be far more worthwhile getting them all certified in one hit!

That's the plan, been told the new planned brake setup will require engineering plus when i go cam, exhaust etc I want it to meet all emission targets etc. No idea why i care, but hey, I prefer to know that i will never be void for insurance

[VN_Luke]

when i go cam, exhaust etc I want it to meet all emission targets etc.

that's the killer I reckon! apparently the cost of emissions test is real high ($2-3k+ for adr 37/00 (vl/vn/vp/vr emissions standard, pass or fail.) - i assume it only goes up for the more stringent emission levels on newer cars (and of course, it'd be much harder to meet the emission levels).

rumour has it that testing in NSW is free! Which is of particular interest - as a few days driving holiday could save you quite a bit of cash! - but more on that in an other thread, another day!