BOV- What's the point?

[Ska]

Got a reply from QLD Transport:

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|Engineering Instructions|Vehicle Accesories | |

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Date Of 17/04/2 Date Of 17/04/20 No VA.06.04.0 Replaces/A

Issue: 002 Effect: 02 : 2 mends:

It has come to the notice of the Vehicle Safety and Industry Reform Section

that a common modification to vehicles equipped with a turbo-charger

installation is the fitting of an intercooler and a blow off valve.

Forced induction methods such as turbo-charging or super-charging have the

potential to substantially increase the power and performance of a motor

vehicle.

Apart from the engine itself, turbo-charging or super-charging affects four

main vehicle systems. These are exhaust emission controls, vehicle noise

suppression systems, braking system performance and driveline components.

Option 3 of Section LA of the Code of Practice (Light Motor Vehicles)

permits the fitting of turbo-charged and super-charged engines to light

motor vehicles in accordance with Schedule B of Section LA. A part of this

approval requires that a “Safety Upgrade” of the vehicle is implemented in

order to provide for the increase in vehicle performance.

Braking system performance and driveline components are addressed in the

upgrade requirements. Additionally, the modified vehicle must continue to

comply with the Australian Design Rules relating to emission controls and

noise levels to which it was originally constructed.

Whilst it is recognised that a large number of the vehicles referred to in

this instruction are factory fitted with a turbo-charger or super-charger

installation, considerable modifications are carried out to install the

intercooler, blow off valve and associated pipe work. The installation of

these components is acceptable, if fitted in accordance with good

engineering practice, i.e. it should not significantly affect the noise and

emission levels of the vehicle.

Installation of blow off valves/intercoolers are regarded as accessories

and do not require approval under Section LA of the Code of Practice (Light

Motor Vehicles). However, a number of vehicle owners are installing

additional “whistles” to the blow off valves (or alternative blow off

valves with whistles). This procedure has attracted Queensland Police

Service attention. A number of infringement notices have been issued to

vehicle owners for, it is understood, excessive vehicle noise. Whilst the

blow off valve in an unmodified state is of little concern, valves fitted

with a “whistle” attachment can be quite loud.

The Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Vehicle Standards and

Safety) Regulation 1999 requires that a person must not drive a motor

vehicle on a road if the vehicle’s silencing device has been modified so as

to reduce, or be likely to reduce, the effectiveness of the device. As

such, the silencing devices fitted to these vehicles have not been modified

and the noise is not attributed to the exhaust system.

The Transport Operations (Road Use Management-Road Rules) Regulation 1999

raises issues in relation to devices fitted to motor vehicles and excessive

noise emitted from motor vehicles, and is as follows:

Making unnecessary noise or smoke

S 291 (1) A person must not:

(a) start a vehicle, or drive a vehicle, in a way that makes unnecessary

noise or smoke; or

(B) wilfully start a vehicle, or drive a vehicle, in a way that makes

unnecessary noise or smoke.

Example of subsection (1)(a):

Driving a vehicle in a way that causes noise or smoke because of:

(a) disrepair of the vehicle; or

(B) the way the vehicle is loaded; or

© the condition, construction or adjustment of the vehicle’s engine or

other equipment.

Example of subsection (1)(B):

Driving a vehicle in a way that causes noise or smoke by wilfully and

unnecessarily causing the wheels of the vehicle to lose traction and spin

on the road surface.

S 291 (2) A person must not drive a vehicle to which a noisy instrument

is attached or on which a noisy instrument is used.

S 291 (3) The driver of a vehicle or a passenger in or on the vehicle must

not:

(a) ring a bell or sound a horn, except a horn or similar warning device

under section 224; or

(B) play or use a noisy instrument.

It would seem appropriate that the Road Rules legislation is relevant to

vehicles equipped with these devices and which are modified to allow

excessive noise to be emitted. The Queensland Police Service should be

utilizing the Road Rules to enforce the issue, and, the owner would need to

remove the device to avoid continually being issued with infringement

notices.

Inspectors Action:

Transport Inspectors are advised not to issue Defect Notices solely for the

reason of a vehicle being fitted with an intercooler or a blow off valve.

Any enquiries relative to this matter may be referred to the Road Use

Business Management Group on telephone number (07) 3253 4851 or (07) 3253

4778. Inspectors should telephone (07) 3253 4778 or 4308 for additional

information.

But have been talking to people with 600hp+ GT-R's running with stock BOV and they dont have any probs running with 1-2bar boost, so I'll stick with my stock :-)

Thanks guys/gals for all the info though, very educational!

Ska

[Jay95R33]

Ska - Thanks for the post - really good stuff.

LOL "Whistles" LOL Where can I get a "Whistle BOV" ???

So it looks like their main concern is the noise, although they also mention the risk or the emisions changing....

I suppose this may be (one of) the reasons why pods are illegal in some states too. Eg. noise...

Good to see intercoolers are OK

Jayson

Installation  of  blow  off valves/intercoolers are regarded as accessories

and do not require approval under Section LA of the Code of Practice (Light

Motor  Vehicles).   However,  a  number  of  vehicle  owners are installing

additional  “whistles”  to  the  blow  off  valves (or alternative blow off

valves  with  whistles).  This  procedure  has  attracted Queensland Police

Service  attention.   A  number of infringement notices have been issued to

vehicle  owners for, it is understood, excessive vehicle noise.  Whilst the

blow  off  valve in an unmodified state is of little concern, valves fitted

with a “whistle” attachment can be quite loud.

[Ska]

Yeap seems that if you get really loud after market BOV then it is noise pollution, but really after doing a lot of research on BOV's and seeing for myself a couple of R33 and R34's running big after market turbos 1-2bar and both having stock BOV I really am convinced that my stock R33 can do without, I'd much rather put the money I was going to spend on it into a 3inch cat back zaust!