Legality

[Adz2332]

Hey all

Recently my brother has bought a R31 station wagon.

Started its life as a non turbo, but has been converted on the same non turbo block to a turbo.

does it have to go through regency now?

Can i just tell motor reg its now a turbo?

Will the insurance company be ok with it being a turbo?

cheers

[Ben C34]

No one will be happy with that.

[Adz2332]

so wont be easy running it over to regency?

[Adz2332]

did any wagons have a turbo engine in them from factory?

[jrm]

I was surprised about a year ago when I found that SA Transport webpage does now list guidelines on modifications, and what is and isn't illegal. For this particular change - adding a turbocharger:

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/transport-travel-and-motoring/motoring/vehicles-and-registration/vehicle-standards-and-modifications/aftermarket-components

Turbo-charging/supercharging petrol engine vehicles

Turbo-charging or supercharging an engine increases the power of the engine and may increase the exhaust emissions, fuel consumption and reduce the service life of the engine.

Passenger cars and passenger car derivatives (car type utilities and panel vans) manufactured prior to 1 July 1976 and fitted with petrol engines can be fitted with a turbocharger or supercharger to the original manufacturer's engine without DPTI approval.

For cars manufactured on or after 1 July 1976 the fitting of a turbocharger or supercharger requires one of the following:

• the vehicle is fitted with a Second Manufacturer's plate to demonstrate compliance with all Australian Design Rules
• the vehicle to pass an IM240 emissions test
• the converted vehicle is identical to the production turbo/supercharged vehicle.

In all cases a statement of requirements is required and the vehicle must pass a roadworthiness inspection.

Certification from a professional engineer may also be required. See list of qualified engineers recognised by DPTI - MR426 Chartered Professional Engineers 409.4 KB .

I'd imagine these sorts of engineering changes would include checking over whether the brakes are adequate, any changes to the fueling system are within specifications, that adequate exhaust & emissions systems are in-place, etc.

[Adz2332]

• the converted vehicle is identical to the production turbo/supercharged vehicle.

No wagons came turbo did they?

[Ben C34]

No r31 came turbo

[R31 drift pig]

HR31 did.

But yes, no australia delivered R31 cam factory equipped with a turbo engine.

Edited January 21, 2016 by R31 drift pig

[djr81]

HR31 yes but a 2 litre turbro. Not the 3 litre local version of the RB.

Guessing you have turboed the 3 litre motor as per (Sort of) the Commodore?

[DanMac34]

Just a question I'm about to do this to my 34 would I be in same boat or would I get away with it as I'm using all stock parts out of 34

[Sklyn]

still need to meet the requirements and have it all approved.

converting NA to turbo you need to prove the car is still safe and can control the extra power.

[jrm]

I thought the general consensus with these cars was to keep N/A's that way, as they're then still P-plate legal, and those are in-demand. Also - the cost, engineering, legalities, and extra police attention of a converted car (and they're probably worth less than a factory turbo, or plain N/A) making it generally better to just buy the turbo car instead.

[Sklyn]

I thought the general consensus with these cars was to keep N/A's that way, as they're then still P-plate legal, and those are in-demand. Also - the cost, engineering, legalities, and extra police attention of a converted car (and they're probably worth less than a factory turbo, or plain N/A) making it generally better to just buy the turbo car instead.

Yes, i thought so too. But people still want to do it for some reason..

I guess for them its not about the money or the legalities its about the project, and they can then complain about the whole process and unwanted attention.

[admS15]

Yes, i thought so too. But people still want to do it for some reason..

I guess for them its not about the money or the legalities its about the project, and they can then complain about the whole process and unwanted attention.

Only makes sense if u have a wreck that u got for fu*k all with all the required parts to raid. Still lots of work though. I still wouldn't do but each to their own.

[DanMac34]

Ya I understand what you guys are saying iv had my car for 6 years since on my L's and know that I can drive a turbo I was going to turbo it it more because I have spent a lot of money on it makeing it look they why I want it to look and have growin a attach meant to it and don't think I could sell it I pretty much have all the stock parts to turbo it so know it almost time to take it to the machines to get down