Club Cobra - Working side pipes now legal in South Australia

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Working side pipes now legal in South Australia

Yes its true, a cobra can now be registered in SA if it meets noise,and shielding requirements. This of course is a big benefit to owners because of the extra clearance under the car and the removal of heat from under the floor. The car needs to be under 90 db of noise measured at both sides of the car. This has been possible since 2005 because of a change in ADR 42/04 however it has not been widely known. Recently a car has been registered here and therefor some enquiries made to establish and confirm the present position.
I can report I have seen documentation from Transport SA confirming that MA category (ICV) read Cobra ,Clubman, are not restricted under the ADR. However this is only for later 3rd edition vehs ie. post 1/7/88 approval, and not vehs that operate under the Road Traffic Act.
As a background I believe there were other changes to ADRs at that time, such as 1.Ok for central position of speedo in mini cooper cars 2. Reversing light not being center of car. 3 Rear red fog light, chrome instrument bezels etc

How about getting South Australia to do a "training course" in common sense for the NSW RTA.

Same as what MVR in NT wanted when mine went through, same as WA.

Mando, where for art thou?

hrm interesting, it seems this may be the case.

the full ADR is here (PDF), updated as recently as January 2011;

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F20...4-45f84a9787d4

The relevant extract is below - note that there are requirements listed for LE (trikes), MD & ME (bus), and N (goods vehicles). There are no requirements listed for MA,MB,MC which are the passenger vehicle classes;

10. EXHAUST OUTLETS
10.1. Enclosed LE vehicles must meet the following requirements:
10.1.1. the exhaust outlet must extend at least 40 mm beyond the furthermost
outboard or rearmost joint of the floor pan which is not continuously
welded or permanently sealed which could permit direct access of
exhaust gases to the passenger compartment, but not beyond the
perimeter of the vehicle when viewed in plan;
10.1.2. the exhaust outlet, if to the side of the vehicle, must discharge to the right
hand side of the vehicle and downwards at an angle to the horizontal of
not less than 15 degrees and not more than 45 degrees; and
10.1.3. the exhaust outlet, if to the rear of the vehicle must discharge at not more
than 10 degrees above or 45 degrees below the horizontal.
10.2. Omnibuses (MD and ME Vehicles)
10.2.1. the exhaust outlet must be as near as practicable to the rear of the vehicle;
10.2.2. except in the case of vertical exhaust systems, the exhaust outlet must
discharge rearwards or to the right of the vehicle, either horizontally or at
no more than 45 degrees downwards, and must not extend beyond the
perimeter of the vehicle when viewed in plan; and
10.2.3. when the exhaust outlet is vertical, it must be located behind the rearmost
portion of the passenger compartment and may discharge either vertically
upwards or rearwards at any angle above the horizontal.
Federal Register of Legislative Instruments F2011C00102
Australian Design Rule 42/04 – General Safety Requirements 8
10.3. N-Group Vehicles must meet the following requirements:
10.3.1. the exhaust outlet must be behind the rearmost seating position and at
least 40 mm beyond the furthermost outboard or rearmost joint of the
floorpan which is not continuously welded or permanently sealed, and
must not extend beyond the general perimeter of the vehicle when
viewed in plan. In the case of permanently enclosed vehicles not fitted
with vertical exhaust systems the outlet must extend to the perimeter of
the vehicle when viewed in plan;
10.3.2. the height of the outlet must be either greater than 150 mm above the
maximum height of the cab or less than 750 mm above the ground;
10.3.2.1. for above-cab exhausts, the direction of discharge must not be to the left
of the vehicle and must be above the horizontal ;
10.3.2.2. for other exhausts, the direction of discharge must not be to the left of the
vehicle and must be between the horizontal and 45 degrees downwards;
and
10.3.3. any exposed section of an exhaust system discharging above the cabin
must be shielded to prevent accidental personal contact in areas where
contact can occur during normal operating and servicing conditions.
10.4. Vertical exhaust systems, where fitted, must meet one of the following
requirements:
10.4.1. the orifice must be a horizontal cross-section of the exhaust pipe and
must direct the exhaust gases vertically upwards; OR
10.4.2. the orifice must be a horizontal cross-section of the exhaust pipe and
must be fitted with a rain cap such that in plan view the hinge of the cap
makes an angle of 90 degrees ± 10 degrees with the longitudinal
centreline of the vehicle, with the rain cap operating in a fore-and-aft
direction; OR
10.4.3. the orifice must be angled and orientated so that the principal flow of the
exhaust gases is directed rearwards, within 0o and 45o the longitudinal
centreline of the vehicle.

Gettiing sidepipes to comply with noise (ADR 83/00) might be another issue.....

VicRoads is one empire, NSW RTA another - and all other states don't come under their radar. It really needs some one with common sense to tell them we use the same dollar and speak the same language...

Particularly when we can drive across this great country!!

I was just told that Western Australia does not recognize Club Cars and not to drive my friends car there.

Hell, not to mention that as a customer we are treated like second rate people by a number of staff that need a personality transplant. Just go into a branch and witness their staffs behavior. I had the unfortunate situation of being in one of their metro branches recently assisting a disabled
person recently with their Chev car club rego - 1930 tourer..:eek:

It's true WA has set up machine gun posts to stop people entering by road. Put the car on a leaky boat and you will be welcomed with open arms. You will also be given a free house, medical and food stamps.

Live sidepipes are the only way to go.

Where NSW get you is VSB 14 says you can't have them... But it also lists a load of old ADRs which are way out of date too. I've raised the question with them to please clarify, with nil response to date.

Department of Infrastructure are on the same page, ie side pipes acceptable, so NSW is te odd one out at this point.

Treeve

Can I just check on this - the various regulation codes are getting confusing ... in QLD can you run live side pipes on a new or existing car?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treeve (Post 1173254)

In NSW it's just too hard...I can guess you have heard of the Hot Rod litigation episode. That one started the whole fiasco. Bureaucracy and "cover the ass" syndrome has created this monster......there is absolutely no interest or enthusiasm there any more. They are all desk jockeys and have no interest in automobiles.

Much simpler! Just got news that live side pipes are good to go in NSW!

Treeve

New and existing cars?

Much simpler! Just got news that live side pipes are good to go in NSW!

I just fainted...........there has to be a catch ?

this is great news, but has anyone actually got live pipes which will pass the noise test?

Definitely new cars, and if new cars can have them, you meet the requirements of the most recent ADR, hence old cars can too....

Noise isn't that tough, if you take your time and address the root cause.

Treeve

its difficult depending on the cam and compression of the motor you are running. I got Bernies pipes down to about 98dB from memory but that was a worked motor. I reckon a stock motor is do-able but it will choke the motor up more than a well designed full under body system for the same noise level.

Cheers

Fair comment Mike, I won't disagree.

Getting down to the required levels may take some interesting measures.

Treeve

13 pot scrubbers each side got mine down to 82 db.

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Cobber* (Post 1173895)

13 pot scrubbers each side got mine down to 82 db.

That's good info... But I've always wondered how they don't get blown out :LOL:

They'll keep the inside of your mufflers clean though!!!

Mike's point about choking the motor has two edges to it as well. If someone was inclined to insert a drilled disc at the collector to retain a bunch of steel wool for the purposes of a dB test - hypothetically - you will obviously lose performance but will also heat the exhaust valve and possibly blow out exhaust gaskets.

Short drive at low rpm for the day is one thing.
Sustained driving to get to the dB testing facility - look at towing it there.