Quote:
Originally Posted by Modena
As part of my continuing recon into committing myself to a build, I had a phone conversation this morning with a well known, well liked, well used VASS engineer that has engineered more than a couple of Cobra's on this forum down here in Vic. My questions started around engine choice, and I was blown away by what he had to say.
They have just recently received advice from VicRoads that the rules are about to change......and an ICV will be able to use ANY engine from 1997 onwards (sorry you blokes that rushed your LS1's through, turns out there wasn't any real hurry!). The but, and there is a but, is that whatever engine you use (even if it's a 2010 model 4 cylinder) will need to undergo a cut-down version of the full ADR emissions test. There is currently only one place in Victoria that can do this test, some company in Port Melbourne (not Holden, but I can't remember the name), cost for this test according to the VASS engineer should be about $500-$600. The aim of the emissions test is to ensure compliance with ADR 3701, you could technically use a carby if you wanted to, as long you pass ADR 3701.
I enquired about mandatory ESC, and the feeling is that ICV's will definately be exempt from that, no problem. There is nothing in writing yet from VicRoads, and probably won't be until someone actually tries to register an ICV after the introduction of mandatory ESC.
This is all of course meaningless to all you blokes who are already registered, but the engine point is interesting nonetheless.
Ben
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I'd heard about this too. A consortium of manufacturers got together and made this happen. Fantastic to see.
I've also been told that this will open the door to legal modifications. Want a supercharger, heads cam, a/m ecu etc then just pass the test. You could even use a big block if it passed. It's a static at idle and 1/2 of max hp rpm test i've been told. So what this all means is anything with EFI and cats that is tuned properly should pass. Finally some common sense!!
This noise issue is a concern though. My engineer made me do a drive by noise test which was a waste of time. He wanted me to "floor it" as I went past which of course i did
. When I asked him what it was all he said was it only just passed but he wouldn't answer directly just what the meter did read. All of this was a waste of time b/c it was not a requirement for rego, just something he wanted to do.
There is an answer to this though, a mate of mine has just finished a very neat and compact exhaust bypass valve on his cobra. Works a treat. Runs off engine vaccuum but he also installed a solinoid in the line which is manually operated as well as controlled by the ecu. So depending on load and rpm or if he flicks a rocker switch he can have either a sidepipe sound level or a factory car noise level. Very cool
sometimes we need to get smarter to keep ahead of the revenue collectors. Plus it's no where near as tiring on a longer trip