Hi all
Just an update.
I have been talking with the race shop where I built my Cobra and they were telling me that more and more of the cars are being put off the road. They have had six or seven customers in for changes.
It appears that the inspectors look for obvious changes to an engine. Then if there are changes, the information/engine number/rego details are then checked on computer or records and the correct EPA pollution equipment is identified for that engine.
If your records show that an Engineer has approved your engine with a turbo then no problem there. They just look for something else.
They then look for these changes based on the records of your car.
The obvious things are;
Incorrect air filters,
Blow off valves on turbo cars
Addition of turbos as after market,
Addition of headers/extractors as after market
Big bore exhaust systems
Bonnet scoop
Under body lighting
Exhaust flame throwers
Non original looking fittings/lines etc. etc.
Fuel systems not having carbon cannisters and closed loops etc.etc.
The majority of the cars that have been served with notices have these types of fittings and have removed/blocked off the pollution equipment.
$600 fines are being issued for exceeding the dBA levels and fines up to $3,500 have been issued for removal of pollution lines etc. etc.
Vehicles are photographed with registration numbers etc. recorded. (See above "Posts").
Yes this checking is only new and we will see more of this as the EPA move around Victoria with both Police Highway Patrol, Drug Squad and VicRoads support.
No doubt we will hear more about this in the auto magazines.
Bernie