New Emissions Testing

[stormtrooper]

"Vehicle Safety and Standard's Information Bulletin Changes to Emission Testing of Light Vehicles in WA (April 2009)

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform you about changes in testing requirements to assess compliance with emission standards. Background The Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002 specify the in-service requirements for vehicle standards in WA, including maximum emissions levels. These standards refer to the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), which are the national standards applying to vehicles at the time of manufacture and are administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Australian emission standards for vehicles are generally based on European regulations, with acceptance of selected US and Japanese standards. In recent years Australia has been improving its emissions standards in line with more recently adopted European standards. New vehicles are much "cleaner" than they were a decade ago.

Testing In WA

Engine modifications may substantially affect emissions, particularly the addition of turbochargers and superchargers. Vehicles conversions from petrol and diesel to dual fuel, LPG or NG, or certain imported vehicles may also require testing in some cases. However, the lack of practical options for in-service testing of vehicle emissions has been an impediment to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure's ability to ensure that the WA community is able to benefit from the improvements to the standards applying to new vehicles.

Although there is at least one company in WA capable of performing full ADR emission testing regime, these tests are expensive ($3000 or more per test). Authorities throughout Australia agree that in most cases it is unreasonable to expect that such expensive testing be required when assessing modified vehicles or imports. As a result, some jurisdictions have instead specified an IM240 test (for petrol or LPG powered vehicles) or a DT80 test (for diesel). These are abbreviated tests which approximate the ADR test regime but are simpler and cheaper to perform.

Until recently, WA needed to rely on 5-gas analyser tests, as IM240 and DT80 test facilities were not available in this State. However, with the recent establishment of at least one IM240 test facility and the proposed opening of a DT80 test facility in the near future, WA will be able to specify testing procedures that are nationally accepted as a reasonable approximation to the ADR testing requirements used for new vehicles. It is intended to gradually "phase in" the new testing requirements, beginning with the more critical applications, such as turbocharger or supercharger fitment, and progress to other applications over time.

IB-124A (Mar 09) Application date Apr 09 page 1 of 2 IB-124A IB-124A (Mar 09) Application date Apr 09 page 2 of 2

Policy

DPI Vehicle Examiners will require the applicant to provide evidence that an IM240 test has been performed on the vehicle and that the test results have been approved by DPI Vehicle Safety Standards as indicating that the vehicle meets appropriate emission standards for its type and year of manufacture. It is planned to implement this policy over time, using a phased approach as follows:

The following applications will require an IM240 test after 20 April 2009: o Engines modified by the fitment of a supercharger or turbocharger

o Individually constructed vehicles (ICVs)

o Engines that have been significantly modified to enhance performance (eg: with the fitment of a high performance camshaft)

o When there is evidence of reprogramming of the electronic control unit (ECU, the engine management computer), or a chip swap.

The following applications will require an IM240 test from 1 Aug 2009:

o CNG and LPG conversions on vehicles manufactured after 2002 where the owner cannot supply evidence of certification testing (that is the kit installers will need to request copies of test reports from the kit distributors and pass these onto their clients to show the vehicle examiner).

o Major modifications to the exhaust systems - where the catalytic converter has been replaced with one not OEM or where the operation of the catalytic converter has been affected by aftermarket modifications (such as extractors).

In addition, the following applications require an IM240 test from 1 December 2009:

o Newly imported vehicles manufactured prior to 1989.

Vehicle Examiners will require the applicant to provide a bone fide IM240 test report for the vehicle, along with all pertinent checklists required from the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (VSB14).

See http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa.....;/vsb_ncop.aspx.

In the case of major engine modifications and ICVs, a covering letter from Vehicle Safety and Standards shall also be provided, verifying that the vehicle has met the pertinent emission standards.

A vehicle which had a CNG/LPG conversion, a catalytic converter replacement, or is pre-1989 and has been imported,

will not require a letter from Vehicle Safety and Standards if the report states that vehicle has met the pertinent emission standards.

In some circumstances, Vehicle Safety and Standards may rule that an IM240 test is not necessary for the particular vehicle (e.g. an ICV that uses latest-model OEM engine and exhaust equipment, configured exactly as per the original manufacturer's specifications.) If this is the case, Vehicle Safety and Standards will provide the applicant with a signed letter to this effect. This letter must be provided to the Vehicle Examiner at the time of the examination.

Vehicle owners who attempt to license their vehicle without approved test reports will be directed to the Vehicle Safety and Standards Section. The above policy will be closely monitored over a 12 month period and adjustments will be made to address any unforeseen difficulties."

ohshit.

(PS: Mods feel free to move/delete etc this as necessary, I was not able to find it anywhere else)

-Chris

Edited June 30, 2009 by stormtrooper

[bubba]

lets hope we get e85 soon then!

[Nic_A31]

Not as harsh as I was dreading. Means I have to either repair factory, or get a test before I can take the Ceffy over the pits.

Anyone know where this can be done yet?

No mention of V8s or displacement of any kind in that, just another hoop for imports to jump through.

Suppose now cops will want to see permits for exhausts, turbo's, etc along with every "random" breath test.

[Mr. Keets]

pffft get a defect then switch to low boost and put in a cat for the IM240...one facility, bet he'll be busy lol

[Nic_A31]

Where did you pull this info from?

Up top it says "to assess compliance", it contradicts itself, and I've contacted the DPI for a full list of whats needed to go over the pits (funny how they answer two different questions with the exact same answers), and they've never told me to get an emmisions report.

Sure this is legit ?

And like Keets said, one centre to service basically all of WA, he'd be busting his chops 9-5, and laughing all the way to the bank after hours.

[DRIFTT]

Basic breakdown on IM240 test is,

The following applications will require an IM240 test after 20 April 2009:

o Engines modified by the fitment of a supercharger or turbocharger; So a DE to DET type of conversion on any car IM240 test will be required, I know of a JZA Supra which was 2JZ-GE and now fitted with a Super Charger requires a IM240 to be registered.

o Individually constructed vehicles (ICVs).; The one off cars like a Cobra when they fit older 302's or 350's will require a IM240, a new motor fitted in a Cobra as per a friend used if the OEM computer and Cat's are fitted you "might" get a waver.

o Engines that have been significantly modified to enhance performance (eg: with the fitment of a high performance camshaft).; Any mod in other words as Cams are minor these days.

o When there is evidence of reprogramming of the electronic control unit (ECU, the engine management computer), or a chip swap.; How may cars don't have the ECU modified or replaced even with only a few mods fitted.

The following applications will require an IM240 test from 1 Aug 2009:

o Major modifications to the exhaust systems - where the catalytic converter has been replaced with one not OEM or where the operation of the catalytic converter has been affected by aftermarket modifications (such as extractors). Again any car these days fall into this area.

Below is info that is 90% from the horses mouth or first hand as you would say.

IM240 Emissions Test is to be done at Kostecki (Web Link)

The test alone is from $600 and on top of that one of their cats fitted are at a cost of $800 or other non OEM ones are from $600 for a high platinum one. Any Cat with under 15,000 klm and isnt a high end or OEM one the car wont pass........... A fact not an assumption.

The dollars people have spent getting there cars past I will not go into as it is all second hand but it has a few Zero's.

Not as harsh as I was dreading. Means I have to either repair factory, or get a test before I can take the Ceffy over the pits.

Anyone know where this can be done yet?

No mention of V8s or displacement of any kind in that, just another hoop for imports to jump through.

Suppose now cops will want to see permits for exhausts, turbo's, etc along with every "random" breath test.

It's not about imports aside from old Vette's and Mustang's which require it for registration, 10 second drag cars and big HP supercharged commodores have already been tested and passed but a couple of cats were required at $800 each.

pffft get a defect then switch to low boost and put in a cat for the IM240...one facility, bet he'll be busy lol

It is far from being that simple, $1,200+ for prep, new high platinum Cat and the test is what you will be looking at, last I heard there was 10 Cars waiting and they had 8 of there Cats but the supplier in the UK had no stock.

Where did you pull this info from?

Up top it says "to assess compliance", it contradicts itself, and I've contacted the DPI for a full list of whats needed to go over the pits (funny how they answer two different questions with the exact same answers), and they've never told me to get an emmisions report.

Sure this is legit ?

And like Keets said, one centre to service basically all of WA, he'd be busting his chops 9-5, and laughing all the way to the bank after hours.

The way this person just cut and pasted it from a PDF makes it more confusing for people so I guess some key board warrior has a lot of time on there hands or just wants to build there thread count up.

It is legit and people will find it very hard to get info out of anyone they usually deal with as it is relevant to ADR's and VSB 14 (National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification) which are federal before you even deal with DPI requirements.

It goes on from here including getting a 4 gas test done to work out how far off you are as most dyno's don't record it as per the ADR being in parts per million and % of relevant particles and gasses.

[stormtrooper]

Yeah apologies for not mentioning the source, I figured I would probably get flamed/shot or something Was pulled from LS1 forums.

[Ehgriez]

Theres a huge thread on it up on antilag as well.

Cross that bridge when I come to it imo.

[DRIFTT]

http://www.hitman.hm/emissions.htm is worth reading.

[gazza750]

Kosteki's is one of the 2 places that do it

[Pattygtst]

So how come i didnt have to get one when i passed the pits a month ago?

DPI Vehicle Examiners will require the applicant to provide evidence that an IM240 test has been performed on the vehicle and that the test results have been approved by DPI Vehicle Safety Standards as indicating that the vehicle meets appropriate emission standards for its type and year of manufacture. It is planned to implement this policy over time, using a phased approach as follows:

The following applications will require an IM240 test after 20 April 2009: o Engines modified by the fitment of a supercharger or turbocharger

o Individually constructed vehicles (ICVs)

o Engines that have been significantly modified to enhance performance (eg: with the fitment of a high performance camshaft)

o When there is evidence of reprogramming of the electronic control unit (ECU, the engine management computer), or a chip swap.

[Mr. Keets]

Some interesting info there Drift. Is this an issue we will have to face each time there is a defect issued? if so this is how I see the madness unfolding...

"Random" traffic stop, plod comes out with the usual "what's that? a BOV?"..."no officer it's a pod filter". So the defect for a BOV, but now under educated plod can fark with you a little more and add..."I suspect this car has an ECU or camshaft or -insert spurious alleged defect here- you will be taking this over the pits and you will need to get this IM240'ed smart arse". Then comes the the trip to the tuner for the soft tune and a near new cat. So if you dont have the soft tune or dont road tune yourself, it's the what?an hour on the dyno + new cat + whatever minor transgression you've committed against the ADR's + the plods usual nonsense list + usual time off work + fees...this is going to cost...this is of course based on the $1200 Drift calculated.

So we have the inconvenience and the excessively high cost of compliance. What is going to happen when you get defected for IM240 and there is no cat available and/or the Kosteki cash register is booked for a month, vehicle deregistered?? Even with two centres (cheers Gaz) for this testing the back log will be immense.

Now this 1200 bucks, sure a new cat (one off purchase), some dyno time but $1200. The UK has the MOT system and I recall seeing some show a little while ago and I'm sure the test itself was only around $100. If you have a decat pipe or a cat and keep a IM240 spec cat in the garage it wouldn't have thought it would be that big of an impost. Just a little more screwing around than usual.

discuss

[SKYRYAN]

discuss

Nah you're doing a good job rambling on your own there, mate

[Mr. Keets]

zing! lol

...brad give him another 5 laps...making fun of the team principal

[SKYRYAN]

zing! lol

...brad give him another 5 laps...making fun of the team principal

*school girl outfit*

Mr. Principal, I'll do ANYTHING for grades!

Damn those new emissions laws are going to cost us

[ossie_21]

$600 for a 4-minute test, well done on cornering the market for Kostecki, as the only other place in WA that can do these tests isn't open to the public, at least not when I was looking into it when I was looking to get an emissions test done.

[260tech]

$600 for a 4-minute test, well done on cornering the market for Kostecki, as the only other place in WA that can do these tests isn't open to the public, at least not when I was looking into it when I was looking to get an emissions test done.

So.......how much does one of these ADR approved gas analyser jobbies cost & where would the unemployed get retrained/certified? SAUWA (silent partner/stealth) sponsored testing franchise(s)? Loaner cats, fit yourself? $300/4 minute tests? Manned by semi-retired rev heads? Cash?

Just wondering is all...............

GW

[Ehgriez]

more than its worth im sure.

Pretty sure car has to be on the dyno, then emissions tester machine-o, then gl trying to get the government to allow you to do it.

[DRIFTT]

A key feature of the I/M 240 test procedure is the use of a special inertia dynamometer to simulate vehicle loads at various speeds during a 240-second drive cycle that includes acceleration, deceleration and cruise modes. The test can catch emission problems that often escape notice during a simple idle emissions test, but it requires a trained operator to "drive" the vehicle while it is on the dyno, and the special dyno that is required is very expensive. A single I/M 240 test lane can cost upwards of $400,000! Again the $400,000 cost is not an assumption or personal opinion but a fact.

People are making statements that are way off the truth or are pulled out of there.......... The test is about 15 years old and is not an easy way to make money if people think that is what it is about.

The test isn't hard to pass, takes more then 4 minutes and look into it before you get on the soap box, or just look at what the guys in SAU NSW have to say.

I passed another car through the IM240 Emission's test today, this one was road tuned around a industrial area in cardiff and went on to pass the test the next day!Goes to show if you build a car and tune it properly you can make your car legal and get it engineered.This car has 300rwkw.

[Mr. Keets]

A key feature of the I/M 240 test procedure is the use of a special inertia dynamometer to simulate vehicle loads...

Well that explains the cost, the UK test I saw performed was a probe in the exhaust pipe

The test isn't hard to pass, takes more then 4 minutes and look into it before you get on the soap box, or just look at what the guys in SAU NSW have to say.

I passed another car through the IM240 Emission's test today, this one was road tuned around a industrial area in cardiff and went on to pass the test the next day!Goes to show if you build a car and tune it properly you can make your car legal and get it engineered.This car has 300rwkw.

Nice one Driftt.