Defected to refected..... Helpful tips.

[Irish]

Well I managed to walk the burning pit of coals (regency) and survive. I am so relieved to pass but it was a pretty close call. The one thing I will give them is that they really know what to look for. In 5 minutes they had pretty much located a dozen things that they were interested in. It took 2 hours and 5 guys to inspect my car and I was a nervous wreck by the end. There are a couple of points that I feel worth mentioning for people that have to go down the same path:

1. Be friendly, courteous and don't argue.

2. Don't lie to the inspectors (don't tell them everything but just don't lie, they know!).

3. Be on time for the appointment.

4. Your car must be STOCK mechanically and electrically.

5. They follow all vaccum lines in the engine bay and under the dash so remove them from boost controllers, gauges etc. before inspection.

6. You will need the stock steering wheel. You may be able to argue the point but even if you do win you just piss the guy off.

7. Front mounts will fail because they change crumple zones. Turbo mods are a no-no for emissions and brake upgrades will need an engineers report.

8. Dress conservatively and neatly. Try and give the impression of respectability/responsibility. I went in uniform and I would bet that it was the biggest determining factor for me passing.

9. Ask lots of questions and try and develop a repore with the inspector. Don't blatantly arse lick but try and keep them in conversation.

10. Fully degrease the living shit out of your car just before inspection. Make sure that it is dry before you are inspected so it looks like your engine bay is normally clean with no leaks.

At the end of the day I thought that the guys there were very fair and professional but I am sure that if you pissed them off they would make life very hard for you. They found everything on my car that had been modified and also checked for normal compliance stuff like child restraints, fuel filler and seat belts. The moral of the story is: DON'T GET DEFECTED! I hope this helps someone.

[EnricoPalazzo]

congrats irish. thanks 4 info

[whatsisname]

Excellent write-up Irish! Thanks for taking time to give us the full run down mate. And congrats on passing

[nismostu]

Hey Irish,

Good to hear you got through. Thanks for the write up. (It was most informative).

Stu

[SR910]

i know many people who have gone through with front mount intercoolers with no problems.

[Irish]

They didn't look too much at the intercooler on my car. I think you would only have an issue if the guy was having a shitty day or you gave him an excuse to stuff you around. Also, if your car came with a front mount from the factory then it wouldn't be an issue unless you have changed it noticably. I think what he was trying to say was that if you have cut out a heap of reo to get the intercooler in then they may have an issue with it. They even wanted me to secure my stereo speaker cables to the deck of the boot. If you have any boot mounted speakers or amps then it would be easier to take the stuff out for the day. I doubt that any sub boxes would get through the inspection. I was told by two of the inspectors on seporate occaisions that if it was non factory and non engineer aproved then there would be little chance of it passing a defect inspection.

[CheekyR32]

i know many people who have gone through with front mount intercoolers with no problems.

I have.. sounds like you needed to take a Kilo tub of vasoline into regency with you irish.. glad you got off defect...

The dude i had at regency was waaaaaaaay more chilled with me.. it literally took 10-15 minutes. He let probably about 10 things slide under the radar.

[Bl4cK32]

you can take mine through, if it ever needs to then Cheeky

[CheekyR32]

you can take mine through, if it ever needs to then Cheeky

It would be my pleasure....

[Steve]

Congrats Irish,

My new 180 goes in on tuesday, fingers crossed:(

[TIMMMAYYY]

uhh ohh steve's bought a drift car...

[Clint32]

What! Sold the 33 Steve, cops love 180s even more than skylines i think

[Steve]

havent sold the 33 yet, got alot of stocking out to do first:)

Hopefully I will be as lucky with the plods with the 180, had 3 behind me today at different times, still didnt get pulled over. More lotto tickets for me:)

[hippy]

steve its going to happen all over again ... i know u will get obsessed with the 180 haha

[Bl4cK32]

so the 3037s has a new home now?

9k rev limit like James' 180 eh

reckon u can slot a rb30det in the 180 Steve?....lol

[Irish]

It is a pretty neat car Steve. I do like the 2 page list of defects though. I think the first mod's should be a full Ralliart sticker kit and some crome, side exiting exhaust pipes.

[Steve]

It is now off defect:) only got one sticker on it though, but thanks for the idea Glenn:D

It came with a few nice bits, kazama turbo, bride brix seats, front/dump pipe, GTR fuel pump, tomei quickshifter, dual core radiator - which all stayed on when it went over - the turbo looks stock. Also has a full exhaust, which will be going back on when I can get an ECV for it, and Kei office sus and momo wheel.

Have a cooler coming for it, going 5 stud conversion, castor rods and need to find an EBC. Also sourced a power fc and I have a fuel pressure reg. Probably fit my oil cooler, boost and oil pressure guage. Should be going quite well pretty soon:p

The 3037 wont be going on though, tad too big for the SR20 IMHO. I have started stocking out the skyline, pretty depressing job though:(

[Bl4cK32]

lol...well done Steve let the mod bug run its course

[Irish]

What turbo are you going to run mate? I will try and come over one day next week so you can show me the full package. Putting a body kit on this one?

[Steve]

It already has a brand new Kazama 350 on it, kazama buy garrett turbos and mod them to their own specs, bit like HKS only cheaper:) It is around the same size as the HKS 2540 comes in nice and early with the stock exhaust on it, so should be good when I fit the aftermarket one that is waiting.

The exhaust is a N1 type, which is why I am waiting for the ECV before I fit it, its bloody loud.

It already has front bar and skirts. The bar is a bit thrashed, but it means I wont mind destroying it further;) The rear bar needs some repairs before it can be fitted back on, but only minor - then she'll be fully sick.