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Just thought i'd let you know what's happening.
Last week I consulted the expertise of an RTA approved automotive engineer. I know this is something i really should have done from the start of the build, but thankfully hasn't turned out too bad for the moment.
He turned up last week for initial consultation. He was very pleased with 'how' the car was built. He was very thorough- inspecting EVERYTHING, including the underside of the car, intercooler mounting and plumbing, radiator and bumper supports, body, brakes and chassis among everything else.
I did however get picked up on a few minor things.
*seatbelts - as you might remember, i was using harnesses. This was only for show and while I know they are illegal - i did have every intention to put the standard belts back in.
I sent the whole set across the other side of the country to be rewound with black belts and matching black buckles on Friday of last week, and expect them delivered in the next 10 days or so. So that's done.
*Blow off valve - At this point the one i was using is an atmospheric version - illegal in this state. I have done some shopping and hope to purchase a plumb back version today.
So that's that one.
*Steering wheel - The engineer states that since new laws passed in 1998, no sharp edges are legal on aftermarket wheels. Unfortunately i have no intention of purchasing a new wheel, or changing the design. For engineering purposes, i have temporarily changed the wheel with a stock item. Not completely the right thing to do, but i'll live with that.
*Gear knob - All replacement gearknobs must have the shift pattern on them, or a label attached near them to indicate shift pattern. All I have to do here is find a sticker to replace the current one. No big issue.
*tyre placard - I needed evidence to show the standard application of wheels, tyres and ratings, so as to see if the wheel could have been engineered. Since the placard was removed when we painted the car the 2nd time, i have found one we can use which brings me to the next problem.
*Wheels and tyres - Our state law indicates that the any car under 800kg can 'legally' increase wheel width by 1" at a height no greater than 5% rolling diameter. This is increased to 2" in width up to 1200kg, and 3" after that.
As you know, the 2nd gen Festiva (Aspire) is 925kg (on my papers) so given that the stock wheels are 13" by 4.5"- I can only go up to 6.5". This is a pretty big problem seeing as 90% of our wheel manufacturers WILL NOT make a 17" wheel with less than 7" (what I am currently running).
I called 9 manufacturers yesterday, only 2 can make them, at a cost of $800 PER CORNER.
I can hardly afford it, this late in the process- but 'may' consider it down the track.
For the time being we will borrow and engineer the car with a 16" by 6.5" wheel with a 205-45-16" tyre combo.
*Speedometer calibration - is required once the wheels are fitted. We will do this after the seatbelts arrive (we can legally drive the car to said repairers and shops for this).
*Seat lever for rear passengers - As standard, our Festiva's do not have this option - however, if i am to legally replace the seating it must be added.
This feature gives the the rear passenger easy access to a lever to roll the seat forward to get out of the vehicle.
I will do this mod myself by tacking on a small peice of metal with a pad on the back attached to the existing side lever. Depending on how it turns out the lever may remain after enginnering or be removed??
And finally
*Emissions test - This can ONLY be done in 2 places in NSW. Both RTA headquarters.
Thankfully we have one in our very vacinity. I had to book the car in for this (the cost is free), and could not get in till 9th march at 10:20am.
We will change plugs and give the car a good run in the day before and hope to pass.
So all in all, not too much really. After this is done, we simply get the engineer back out at which point he will issue the ticket. We then drive the car to an inspection station for a blue slip (checking 'roadworthy' things like braking, lights, indicators etc) and then to the RTA to pick up the tags.
I am hoping for registration BEFORE my birthday in May. I can't see a problem??
I knew there was going to be work, but I have to admit- it's not that much.
Last week I consulted the expertise of an RTA approved automotive engineer. I know this is something i really should have done from the start of the build, but thankfully hasn't turned out too bad for the moment.
He turned up last week for initial consultation. He was very pleased with 'how' the car was built. He was very thorough- inspecting EVERYTHING, including the underside of the car, intercooler mounting and plumbing, radiator and bumper supports, body, brakes and chassis among everything else.
I did however get picked up on a few minor things.
*seatbelts - as you might remember, i was using harnesses. This was only for show and while I know they are illegal - i did have every intention to put the standard belts back in.
I sent the whole set across the other side of the country to be rewound with black belts and matching black buckles on Friday of last week, and expect them delivered in the next 10 days or so. So that's done.
*Blow off valve - At this point the one i was using is an atmospheric version - illegal in this state. I have done some shopping and hope to purchase a plumb back version today.
So that's that one.
*Steering wheel - The engineer states that since new laws passed in 1998, no sharp edges are legal on aftermarket wheels. Unfortunately i have no intention of purchasing a new wheel, or changing the design. For engineering purposes, i have temporarily changed the wheel with a stock item. Not completely the right thing to do, but i'll live with that.
*Gear knob - All replacement gearknobs must have the shift pattern on them, or a label attached near them to indicate shift pattern. All I have to do here is find a sticker to replace the current one. No big issue.
*tyre placard - I needed evidence to show the standard application of wheels, tyres and ratings, so as to see if the wheel could have been engineered. Since the placard was removed when we painted the car the 2nd time, i have found one we can use which brings me to the next problem.
*Wheels and tyres - Our state law indicates that the any car under 800kg can 'legally' increase wheel width by 1" at a height no greater than 5% rolling diameter. This is increased to 2" in width up to 1200kg, and 3" after that.
As you know, the 2nd gen Festiva (Aspire) is 925kg (on my papers) so given that the stock wheels are 13" by 4.5"- I can only go up to 6.5". This is a pretty big problem seeing as 90% of our wheel manufacturers WILL NOT make a 17" wheel with less than 7" (what I am currently running).
I called 9 manufacturers yesterday, only 2 can make them, at a cost of $800 PER CORNER.
I can hardly afford it, this late in the process- but 'may' consider it down the track.
For the time being we will borrow and engineer the car with a 16" by 6.5" wheel with a 205-45-16" tyre combo.
*Speedometer calibration - is required once the wheels are fitted. We will do this after the seatbelts arrive (we can legally drive the car to said repairers and shops for this).
*Seat lever for rear passengers - As standard, our Festiva's do not have this option - however, if i am to legally replace the seating it must be added.
This feature gives the the rear passenger easy access to a lever to roll the seat forward to get out of the vehicle.
I will do this mod myself by tacking on a small peice of metal with a pad on the back attached to the existing side lever. Depending on how it turns out the lever may remain after enginnering or be removed??
And finally
*Emissions test - This can ONLY be done in 2 places in NSW. Both RTA headquarters.
Thankfully we have one in our very vacinity. I had to book the car in for this (the cost is free), and could not get in till 9th march at 10:20am.
We will change plugs and give the car a good run in the day before and hope to pass.
So all in all, not too much really. After this is done, we simply get the engineer back out at which point he will issue the ticket. We then drive the car to an inspection station for a blue slip (checking 'roadworthy' things like braking, lights, indicators etc) and then to the RTA to pick up the tags.
I am hoping for registration BEFORE my birthday in May. I can't see a problem??
I knew there was going to be work, but I have to admit- it's not that much.
It's a good thing you don't read the stickies, you might of learned something.
Poverty produces creativity
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