Hi all,

I have just moved from the UK to NSW (Wollongong area) and my beetle based 356 replica is on a boat on it's way over. I am now crapping myself about the rego process here - I can't see it getting through an engineers report as it is:

Disc brakes up front (non vented)
Drums rear
Red9design front beam suspension, steering etc
356 body replacement on shortened beetle chassis
and perhaps the biggest problem:
EA82T (fat 4 Subaru turbo charged engine from an old L series wagon) - around 90KW power.
Old style bucket seats - no head rest, no roll cage/bars

Basically, I really want to read up on what the engineer will look for in terms of certifying so I can make further changes before I send it in for a report. Can anyone point me in the direction of the legislation/guidelines which actually apply in NSW? I've looked at the RTA site but am a bit bamboozled by it.

Thanks - and look forward to getting into the Aussie VDub scene.
Habib

Probably best talking to Wayne Penrose ,he should have an engineer who he uses who should be able to tell you what is needed for compliance

http://www.wpvw.com.au/ 

thanks buddy

Don't freak out to much Habib
A "good" engineer will help you through the build process
You may have to change some things to suit local conditions i.e. vented front disks.
All the best
Cheers
D

and of course don't forget to bring your car to the Nationals in May

thanks for the encouragement - guess it's just a bit overwhelming when I used to basically doing whatever I like and not having to worry about red tape!

Instead of just trying to squeeze it through the Eng Cert it might be a good excuse to do a load of extra mod work, maybe add a bit of tube roll bar/cage/Ali floor, high back seats, IRS conversion (to take Porsche aluminium swing arms), front vented, I'm sure I and the engineer will think of more - it's things like side impact bars that worry me - the car just won't come up to complete modern standards and because the conversion from beetle to 356 was done in 1988 I'm worried about the standard that I will be required to meet.

After all that I'll have to get a interior trimmed too - this looks like it's getting expensive - but it'll be worth it

Oh forgot to mention that the engine is managed by Megasquirt ECU, which is great, very flexible and lots of fun - the possibilities are endless - I have a pretty basic setup it runs ignition (no distributor - which takes the strain off the right cam shaft), fuel injection, and I did have the ECU switching the cooling fan on/off but found that it's better to just have independent thermostatic control of the fan. MS ECU's can run just about any engine and control all sorts of extra such as NOS etc etc.

got any pics of this baby?

The Engineer will help you. They provide you with the requirements and guidlines to get it through for registration. You have to get an engineer's report for an import vehicle anyway, so like you said it may be a good time to look at some other areas you were thinking about working on anyway.

Keep us up to date on the forum, and start a new thread in Members Rides, or Non VW Engine Conversions. Do this when you start your process of speaking to the engineer. People here appreciate up to date and factual information, as you will appreciate finding.

Will take some photos as is now (when it arrives) and start a new thread documenting the rego process including engineer input and extra work etc.

Again - thanks for the warm welcome to the forum - look forward to meeting yo dubbers at events some time. . .

You shouldn't have too many dramas. There are plenty of manxes with shortened pans and EJ turbo motors running round NSW these days. Just ring around until you can find a good engineer. I can put you on to one if you like.

In fact...

PM sent

You shouldn't have too many dramas. There are plenty of manxes with shortened pans and EJ turbo motors running round NSW these days. Just ring around until you can find a good engineer. I can put you on to one if you like.

In fact...

PM sent

re specs.

You will need...
Proper roll over bar
Proper ADR spec belts
maybe a catalytic converter
not sure about seats and the like. they could be fine.

may have to do something to stiffen the pan depending on how it was shortened or how stiff the body is, but none of that is too hard.

But your brakes and engine should be fine. I have a 119kw 2.5 subaru in a LWB buggy and it has a disc and drum setup similar to stock beetle. Most of the guys over here have stock beetle discs on buggies with EJ20T motors.

Thanks again - replied to your PM, but the second post is very encouraging - gives me more hope

Quote:

Originally posted by habib99 Hi all, I have just moved from the UK to NSW (Wollongong area) and my beetle based 356 replica is on a boat on it's way over. I am now crapping myself about the rego process here - I can't see it getting through an engineers report as it is: Disc brakes up front (non vented) Drums rear Red9design front beam suspension, steering etc 356 body replacement on shortened beetle chassis and perhaps the biggest problem: EA82T (fat 4 Subaru turbo charged engine from an old L series wagon) - around 90KW power. Old style bucket seats - no head rest, no roll cage/bars Basically, I really want to read up on what the engineer will look for in terms of certifying so I can make further changes before I send it in for a report. Can anyone point me in the direction of the legislation/guidelines which actually apply in NSW? I've looked at the RTA site but am a bit bamboozled by it. Thanks - and look forward to getting into the Aussie VDub scene. Habib

feeling the love on this board! I'm infinitely more relaxed after all these responses

Dubcrazy - you running that motor with the stock ECU?

i was when i first got it but i later outed it for a Microtech Lt10.

ran fine with the standard with high morning start tick over the only issue (around 2000rpm for the first 10 minutes) other than that it wasnt an issue. I just wanted more control in set up so i switched.

so what part of the uk you escaping from?

steff.......

same reason I went Megasquirt route - more control - (cheapskate but quite fun to work with).

I'm escaping Wales - rainy gray cold Wales! Lovely when the sun shines - it just didn't often enough!

haha i hear that, great place but to much RAIN! escaped Brighton myself 10 years back now mind .....


welcome and enjoy

steff.........

let us know how you go with the red9 beam replacement when you go for engineering. I'd love to ditch my front beam one day.

People like me are desperate to avoid engineering because of cost and the total void of engineers for many hours in every direction. Getting there would almost cost as much as seeing the engineer and can't exactly find a couple of thousand $ on demand.

Get used to being suffocated by legislation. It's not just with cars. it's with everything! both my other half and I keep thinking that escaping to another country to escape the gov't is the way to go but it's a bit too pricey to emigrate.

I'll start a new thread - once I've got the car home and all my garage stuff sorted I'll start work and share on here.

I'm finding out about the bureaucracy and I hate it with a passion but just have to take it and get on with the good things. Just hope it doesn't beat me completely and end up giving up completely on moding VWs. We'll see - but at the moment I'm in good fighting spirits!

Hi mate,

How did you get on with this in the end? I'm about to go through a similar experience (though with a more 'standard' engine etc) so it would be good to know how things went for you.

HI Jon,

Replied by PM.

Just today I had a spare few hours to do some of the basic work up to get the car ready to go into the garage for more substantial work - roll bar and maybe even door reinforcement which is a pain but may have to be done.

Plan to start a thread documenting the conversion to Aussie road standards

I intend to 'get there in the end' but I'm it will take me some time.

Habib