General Modification Guidelines for NSW

[bennjamin]

hi all. With car ownership comes the need to modify and what not...make it original...your own

But there are rules. STRICT rules....lets keep a nice little guide up , for people to come back to and see the latest rules etc.

For starters ,

Here is the latest car modification guideline for RTA .

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati.../vsi/vsi06.pdf


Relevant to NSW.

Also , relevant in NSW for engine conversions ~

A car can replace its engine with the same layout (IE 4cyl for 4cyl)
to a engine same age or NEWER , and also within +15% capacity increase.
You need to take your car to a AUVIS , to change the engine number over.
You will then take the documentation to the RTA and change engine number over

[kid_dynamite]

Also , relevant in NSW for engine conversions ~

A car can replace its engine with the same layout (IE 4cyl for 4cyl)
to a engine same age or NEWER , and also within +15% capacity increase.
This will NOT attract a blueslip. You will only need to
change the engine number over at the RTA

Actually you need to get it certified by an AUVIS though, and then take the 'change of details' blue slip to the RTA. Cost is around $40. Had to do that a couple of years ago when I had a motor replaced with a second hand one.

[bennjamin]

to be exact , AUVIS yes

*edited

[Bayani]

NSW Rims and Tires Information:

ADR 24 CEASED TO HAVE EFFECT: 1 January 2005.

Re: Accuracy of Speedometer & Legal Rim/Tire Combinations
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati...vsi09_rev4.pdf

Up until July 2006 the Australian Design Rules required new cars to have speedos that are accurate to within 10% of actual speed when traving over 40km/h. The current Rules disallow under-reading, and permit over-reading by up to 4kmh + 10%

Wheel/Tyre Combinations:
When selecting your combination, you must take into account your stock recommended rim/tyre combination from Honda/Car Manufacturer.

This information can usually be found on a Placard found on the inside of the Driver Side Cabin Door.

In NSW you may only have an increase of less than 10mm of your TOTAL DIAMETER. That is, the length around your wheel + tyre.


Example: (Ru$ki's Original Post)

For the purpose of an example, a vehicles' stock wheel and tire combination is 185/60/14

Said vehicle can legally use 205/35/17
- The rolling diameter is decreased by 0.3mm

Because: the speedometer is 0.4% faster and as a result, if the Speedometer is reading 60km/h your actual speed is 59.42 km/h.

This vehicle cannot legally use 205/40/17:
- rolling diameter increased by 18.2mm

Because: the speedometer is 3.2% slower and as a result, if the Speedometer is reading 60km/h your actual speed is 61.92 km/h

Wheel / Tyre Combination Calculators
These tools will help you calculate what diameter your wheels and tyres are or will be, and also tell you how much difference there is on your speedometer.

http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbi...yre_bible.html
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[Bayani]

NSW Window Tinting:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati...vsi03_rev3.pdf

Front Windscreen:
You may ONLY have a band at the top, provided it is no more than 10% of the height of the front winscreen, and is not in an area swept by the Wipers.

If Vehicle was registered on or after August 1, 1994:
35% Visible Light Transmission (VLT) Minimum on rear, and sides.

If first registered before August 1, 1994:
35% Visible Light Transmission (VLT) Minimum, unless darker already fitted.

NO Metallic Tinting. AT ALL.

[Bayani]

NSW Ride Height
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati.../vsi/vsi05.pdf

As many car enthusiests do for both styling and performance reasons, Lowering your Vehicle is one of the more common options. However, some are not sure what is legal and what is not.

In NSW the lowest point of your vehicle may only be
1. At least 100mm from the ground within 1 metre of any axle.
2. At least 1/13th of the distance between the centers of adjacent axles at the midpoint between them, and
3. at any other point - the distance that allows the vehicle or combination to pass over a peak in the road, the gradient on either side of which is 1:15, when the wheels of one axle of the vehicle is on one side of the slope on one side of the peak, and the wheels of the next axle are on the slope on the other side.

This includes Chassis, Bodykit, and the Exhaust System.

However, this is not the only thing that is checked. Some vehicles, even when lowered to the legal ride-height can still be defected on the grounds of their Headlights.

Headlights? Yes. That's right. Headlights must sit a minimum of 600mm from the ground.

[Bayani]

NSW Tachmeter Installs

Installing a Tachometer into your car can prove difficult when you are trying to place it.

Gauges outside the car, on the Bonnet, commonly seen in Autoshows are not legal.

Gauges on the A-Pillar are not legal.

[Bayani]

NSW Pod Filters & Noise Control

Pod Filters

Air filters that are not enclosed are deemed a fire hazard and are therefore in 99% of cases not allowed.

In the context of Noise:Section 20, NSW Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2000
A person must not cause or permit a motor vehicle’s engine, or its air intake or exhaust system, to be modified or repaired in such a manner that the maximum noise level of the motor vehicle after the repair or modification (regardless of the noise level of the motor vehicle before the repair or modification) exceeds the maximum noise level specified in Schedule 1 for that kind of motor vehicle.

For those who missed it. Pods' are legal, so long as they are enclosed. Not just Covered. ENCLOSED. The enclosure is a noise reduction device; removing it may result in a fine from the RTA, a Defect, and may result in cancellation of regisitraton.

Noise Control Devices must not allow noise emissions that are higher than the OEM devices.


Noise Control:
Exhaust noise from vehicles should not exceed the prescribed exhaust noise levels. These are given in Schedule 1 of the Regulation. Levels are established from a set testing procedure also described in the Regulation.

Schedule 1, NSW Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2000 States:
Before 1 January 1983: 96 dB
On or after 1 January 1983: 90 dB

Testing proceedures:
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fr...2000+sch.2+0+N
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is currently considering how the implementation of the new Australian Design Rule 83/00, introducing new vehicle noise limits for vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 2005, will affect NSW noise legislation.

Vehicle owners and operators should ensure that their vehicles are not fitted with defective mufflers.
Section 18, NSW Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2000 States:
1) A person must not cause or permit a motor vehicle to be used on a road or road related area if the motor vehicle’s noise control equipment:
(a) is not securely in place, or
(b) is defective.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units in the case of a corporation, 50 penalty units in the case of an individual.

(2) A person must not:
(a) remove, or render less effective, a motor vehicle’s noise control equipment, otherwise than for the purpose of repairing or replacing it, or
(b) replace a motor vehicle’s noise control equipment with noise control equipment that is less effective than the original noise control equipment fitted by the vehicle manufacturer.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units in the case of a corporation, 50 penalty units in the case of an individual.
(3) For the purposes of subclause (1) (b), defective noise control equipment includes:
(a) equipment that allows the emission of more noise than the original noise control equipment fitted by the vehicle manufacturer, or
(b) equipment that has, in the opinion of an authorised officer, been modified in a way that makes it less effective than it would have been if not for the modification, or
(c) equipment that allows gas to escape from a place other than the intended exhaust outlet, or
(d) if the equipment concerned comprises a system of mufflers—the system contains fewer mufflers than the original system fitted by the vehicle manufacturer.

[kid_dynamite]

Just a suggestion. It would be fantastic if ppl who post can support these with guidelines / legislation, especially the roadworthiness related ones (eg the pod filter / suspension height)...

For window tinting: VSI03
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati...vsi03_rev3.pdf

For wheel and tyres: VSI09
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati...vsi09_rev4.pdf

VSI15 engineering signatories
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati.../vsi/vsi15.pdf

Here's a general link for the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP)
http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/s.../vsb_ncop.aspx

[Bayani]

NSW, Before you Modify!

This is a very useful document that generally explains what processes you may need to go through for some modifications

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati.../vsi/vsi06.pdf

When carrying out Modifications you may be required to contact a Engineering Signatory. A list of Signatories can be found here:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati.../vsi/vsi15.pdf

ADR's are Federal Requirements, State Requirements superceed ADRs and should be followed.

Ignorance is not a valid plea in court.

[Bayani]

Carbon Fibre Bonnets / Trunks / Panels

Are they legal? This answer is not as simple as Yes and No.

These are the conditions:

A Carbon Fibre Panel (being a Hood, Trunk or Fender) may be only fitted if it is ADR Approved, OR it if there is an Engineering Signatory that has signed off on said panel attached to your vehicle as being within the rules of the relevant safety guides.

The issues lay with the following:
Hinges : The area connecting to the Hinges to the Bonnet / Trunk must be sturdy & safe.
Latches : The latch / catch system used to prevent the bonnet / trunk opening. (Well know systems include the Bonnet Pin System)

To ensure your Carbon Fibre Panel is complaint, look for ADR approved Caborn Fibre Hoods. Do NOT buy cheap imitations. Whilst they are tempting as cheap alternatives to the real-deal, they are a CONSIDERABLE risk to both your safety, and the safety of others.

This was RTA Confirmed.
There is no legislation proclaiming that CF panels are illegal, but they MUST conform to particular standards.

[joyride]

i found this which is helpful for ppl who get defected and need EPA to clear it:
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/esdsmoky/rights.asp