QLD DOT Modifications

[FC 304 wannabe]

Hi Guys,
Have been away from the FC project for a few months and just heard a rumer that the DOT rules may have finally changed.
What would that mean for my unfinished FC with a 304 EFI in it?
Is it still allowable?

Thanks,
Shannon.

[NES304]

Hope not   

[Harv]

Shannon,

From what I understand, if Queensland has adopted the National Code of Practice, then your engine capacity constraint has changed.

The "mass" referred to is no longer the one that QLD DOT had tabulated. It is the original (unmodified) tare mass of the model vehicle fitted with the largest engine available for the model in Australia but without optional accessories (air conditioning, tow bars etc.). The mass of the vehicle, whether it is a sedan, station wagon, utility, etc., should be based on the heaviest sedan version of the model
(not station wagon version) sold in Australia.

For an FC, this would be the Business Sedan, weighing in at 2417lb (1097kg). Because this is (just!!!) under the 1100kg limit, the capacity limit (in cc, naturally aspirated) would be mass (kg) x 4.0. For an FC, this would mean 1097 x 4.0 = 4.39L.

If you can convince the engineer that the original FC weighed just 5lb more, then the capacity becomes mass (kg) x 5.0 (5.5L).

I guess the message here is that the FC in particular is borederline for a decent size V8. As always, this is subject to interpretation by the engineer that you choose... well worth the effort of a good conversation with your engineer. Some guys apparently done some interesting things to avoid the NCOP engine constraints (for example, if you can convince your engineer that the FC is a commercial vehicle (ADR Category NA and NB1) then there are no reccomended engine capacity limits at all).

Cheers,
Harv

[brett_f]

Hi Guys, Not sure if this relates to you over there. Im having issues at the moment with engineers. Some say if it has been pre engineered before the new laws they will give you some slack to finish it. Others are saying no way. Ive had to get permission from the RTA here. They want proof of pre engineering e.g must have documentation supporting inspections prior to the new laws. The only good news from all of this is that vehicles registered with mods that are no longer available will only go up in price. The negative is that people will stop modifying vehicles due to the costs and constraints. More to come later.
Brett

[FCRB26]

Yay im excited

An engineer looked at my car the other day and was happy with the current mods but wheels had not arrived and the new wheels are 18X12 and 18X7 on the front and im now told something about %30 rule for bigger than standard ?

Pete

[Harv]

Pete,

NCOP11 Section LS Suspension and Steering indicates that:

Tyres fitted to passenger cars or passenger car derivatives must not be more than 30% wider than vehicle manufacturer’s widest optional tyre. The rim width must not exceed the recommendations for the tyre fitted. For example, if the original widest optional tyre is 185mm, the maximum tyre width is 1.3 times 185mm = 240.5mm, i.e. a 235mm wide tyre. The maximum rim width for a 235mm tyre is 9 inches if the aspect ratio is 60 or below.

For FE/FCs (originally 6.4x13 rims), Table LS2 gives:
OE Manufacturer’s Widest Optional Tyre (mm – inch): W = 165 (6.40)
1.3 x OE Manufacturer’s Widest Optional Tyre (mm): 1.3 x W = 214.5
Max. Nominal Tyre Width (mm): Actual tyre size = 205
Maximum Allowable Rim Size for the Maximum Allowable for Aspect ratio of 65-85), Nominal Tyre Width (inches): 7.5
Maximum Allowable Rim Size for the Maximum Allowable for Aspect ratio 60 and below), Nominal Tyre Width (inches): 8.0

The 7's should be OK, but the 12's may need some discussion with the engineer.

Cheers,
Harv

[FCRB26]

Thanks for the in depth reply...

Ill go and have a chat to him..

[GM]

Hard to play the game when they keep moving the goal posts.............