Modification plates
 

This is a tricky one on a Forum such as this so may involve some PMs ...

As we improve or otherwise modify our engines with alloy heads, cam changes, induction systems and even superchargers ... what are the requirements for a new engineering inspection and additional modification plate? For example for a supercharger or something more obvious than a cam change?

I would assume that once the Cobra is built and complianced, then any modifications away from that would require the blue mod plate.

Play dumb?

I guess it is the same with any car that is modified. But to have to go through 'engineering' again ....

Strictly any modifications away from standard should be engineered.

Realistically though, changes such as forced induction, ie big HP increase, are when you should revisit the engineer.

That said how many have made such changes and seen the engineer too, not many I'm guessing.

This then poses some insurance risk amongst other issues eg EPAV fine of about $10,000 for modifying a car's emission system.

How does say supercharging play with emissions, do they really alter?

Cheers

Well I would have thought that there would be negligible effect on emissions from a supercharger ... but the issue is whether to seek re-engineering inspection processes for head/cam work or a low-boost supercharger. Maybe I will call and see ...

in vic it used to be (and may still be) any modifications that result in 10% or more power gain would require engineering, and cam/forced induction would require emissions testing, that is for a production car, but I would say an ICV would have the same rules.

of course, the copper does not know that the blower was not there at reg time.

This is a moral challenge as well ... going to call my engineer tomorrow. Emissions testing is not required in QLD.

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PM sent

LB

Argh Merv..... this very question of legalities v insurance v fun v beauracrtic BS etc is the essence to why I went to my new project.!

It all just gets too hard and the fun gets lost.

SpookyPT

P.S. Put in an offer on a house at Castaways a few days ago!

And it sounds like some are making it way too hard. A 5 litre is still a 5 litre whether it has alloy heads, big cam or what ever. Just build the F%%kin' thing and worry about changes later cause usually what seems like a good idea now changes down the track along with the rules that govern us.

Cheers

Getting intrigued now Matt .... as to what that project may be.

Hope you get the Castaways house - nice area.

I have spoken with my engineer at length and can give details by PM to anyone interested in QLD. Basically BJ's view ("A 5 litre is still a 5 litre whether it has alloy heads, big cam or whatever...") is sustained within reasonable limits .... and some suitable arrangements.

Interesting - that variance in engineering between the States in action yet again.

I did talk on the supercharging subject to my engineer during my testing and I recall him saying it would need to be re-engineered if I went down that track.

I'd need to do this to stay within the letter of the law as re-reading my engineering sign-off does state standard AU motor with matching AU ECU etc.

Personally I don't have an issue with such mods. but I know the way those bastard insurance companies work. If I did go supercharging I wouldn't want to be put out on a limb in terms of insurance decline in the event of an incident.

Merv

Having ridden in Barry Nelson's 5L supercharged cobra I can recommend it, particularly as at the time he had just put the boot into it at the start of the main straight at Sandown racetrack.

Thankfully Barry's car's handling is as immaculate as its performance and that first bend came up might quick but there were no dramas cornering either.

Mind you it was drizzling on the way to the track and just after Barry picked me up we got onto a main road and only under modest accelaration he changed into second gear and the car developed wheel spin.

Makes me ask, with supercharging, how does the increase in power gained match any change in torque?

Anyway Merv if you can do it go for it!

Steve

Thanks Stephen. Have sent a PM. The answer is 'yes' and 'no', depending on the motor that you have and what you plan to do.

Slowy, here's a good textbook answer:

http://www.epi-eng.com/piston_engine...and_torque.htm

The point being that power is a calculated value based on torque and RPM figures. Took me a while to get my head around that when I first read it.

On the topic of supercharging, all I know is that the numbers get very big very quickly! **)

Sambo

Thanks Sambo

Might print that out and read it again more closely to get my head around the concept.

And yes not only larger numbers more quickly but evenly over the rev range too unlike turbos.

Barry's wheel spin in the wet episode was testiment to rapidly increasing torque as we were accelerating.

Slo

I checked with my insurance company and was advised that it is best to note on the policy any changes to a standard Ford Mustang 5.0L HO (and I specifically asked about new heads/Mass-Flow or a small supercharger, e.g., a Kenne Bell). In either case there would be not an increase on my policy premium.

Who was that with Merv? I'm with Lumley Special Vehicles for our 3 cars and they're very reasonable about it all too. Modified daily driver, windscreen cover, salvage rights, choice of repairer, agreed value and extremely competitive on price.

I am with the other major insurer of Cobras Sambo. Also a good company to deal with.

Merv