Rego requirements in South Australia?

[xb-60]

Hi all,
I am thinking of importing a Cobra roller kit from ERA (in USA) to South Australia.
Has anybody done anything similar and can advise me where to start at this end for registration regs I need to comply with?
I know there is emissions compliance to overcome, but what else is there?
Cheers,
Glen

[boxhead]

I would imagine since it is a roller your bringing in, the requirements would be the same as teh new kits that have been bought in.
Ie torsional beaming tests, seat belt anchorage tests, seat mounting, meet all current ADR's, emission compliant engine required, in SA probably no side pipes? Would also need to convert to R/H drive.

All the same stuff that any new builder needs to meet.

Check some threads and builds by guys who have done it, Albany Dave with his Daytona, Jethrow has just bought in a FFR Cobra. But these guys are in WA, so there will be slightly different engineer requirements.

[Dimis]

Here's the problem...

There is no correct answer!

AS far as I can decipher, the laws of each state are open to interpretation as are the ADRs, despite been written in "English" and as such, there are infinite answers to your question, and at the same time no real answer!

Can it be done? YES

What needs to be done? Only your engineer can confirm, and even he needs approval from the governing authorities who'll sign off at the end.

Question really becomes - how deep are your pockets?
...because in the end, you can get it done if you are willing to throw money at it.


This, I have found to be the sad reality that is our hobby in OZ.

...But Glen - Don't despair & Don't let the Bastards get you down.
I say go for it!

PS: Just for the record I'm planing a similar path!
Now, just need to line those pockets with money so I can make it happen!

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by boxhead

I would imagine since it is a roller your bringing in, the requirements would be the same as teh new kits that have been bought in.
Ie torsional beaming tests, seat belt anchorage tests, seat mounting, meet all current ADR's, emission compliant engine required, in SA probably no side pipes? Would also need to convert to R/H drive.

All the same stuff that any new builder needs to meet.

Check some threads and builds by guys who have done it, Albany Dave with his Daytona, Jethrow has just bought in a FFR Cobra. But these guys are in WA, so there will be slightly different engineer requirements.

Thanks. Is there a difference with a kit of Australian origin? Does an Aus. kit have to be individually tested or does the manufacturer do that? If so, which ones?
I will start checking build threads as well. Thanks again.

Glen

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Here's the problem...

There is no correct answer!

AS far as I can decipher, the laws of each state are open to interpretation as are the ADRs, despite been written in "English" and as such, there are infinite answers to your question, and at the same time no real answer!

Can it be done? YES

What needs to be done? Only your engineer can confirm, and even he needs approval from the governing authorities who'll sign off at the end.

Question really becomes - how deep are your pockets?
...because in the end, you can get it done if you are willing to throw money at it.


This, I have found to be the sad reality that is our hobby in OZ.

...But Glen - Don't despair & Don't let the Bastards get you down.
I say go for it!

PS: Just for the record I'm planing a similar path!
Now, just need to line those pockets with money so I can make it happen!

I am trying to find those laws you mention so I can try to interpret them but no luck on the Transport SA website so far.
Should I be talking to a compliance engineer now? Hmm...probably answered my own question
Glen

[boxhead]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Thanks. Is there a difference with a kit of Australian origin? Does an Aus. kit have to be individually tested or does the manufacturer do that? If so, which ones?
I will start checking build threads as well. Thanks again.

Glen

Most of the Australian kit suppliers still around do supply all this required paperwork.

I know CR, Harrison, DRB & GeForce do, from what I am hearing Venom does not, but may do now?

The first 4 are probably the biggest sellers in Oz.

There are many more suppliers but I can not remember them from the top of my head, nor do I know what they supply.

[boxhead]

Originally Posted by xb-60

I am trying to find those laws you mention so I can try to interpret them but no luck on the Transport SA website so far.
Should I be talking to a compliance engineer now? Hmm...probably answered my own question
Glen

Yep, talk to an engineer,
Even beter would be to attend a SA Cobra club meeting and talk to people there, they will giove you engineers contact numbers who have done Cobra's in the past, try and ask them what Cobra kits they have done before (so they have some previous knowledge) and then research the kits they mention.

[Merv and Sharon]

Glen and earlier thread has a lot of this and Craig of RCR listed the various compliance issues as:


"So even if your Cobra kit is Australian made, it still might not have the basic certification paperwork required for registration in your state.

And if you make significant changes, these may require additional certification.

Remember it is all about safety, I believe we have the safest kit cars in the world due to our regulations.

If you look at the basic chassis/body/suspension package you could be required to provide the following certification documentation(just expanded Merv's list):

* Torsion and Beaming Certification for Chassis. Needs to be performed to state guidelines. We seem unique in our requirements here, overseas tests will not be performed to the same requirements.

* Fibreglass Body Tests - Flexure, Hardness, Tensile.

* Certification for anti-intrusion bars

* Lane Change Test - required for each unique suspension configuration/construction.

* Fabricated Suspension Components Certification, this should also include suspension mount points in chassis. If there is any welded steel components, also certification for any welds or by examination.

* Seat Belt Mount Certification.

* Seat Mount Certification.

* Suspension Bump Steer Certification.

* Internal Bumper Bars.

* Door Hinge & Mount Certification.

* Door Striker Mount Certification.

* Etc.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

Glen and earlier thread has a lot of this and Craig of RCR listed the various compliance issues as:


"So even if your Cobra kit is Australian made, it still might not have the basic certification paperwork required for registration in your state.

And if you make significant changes, these may require additional certification.

Remember it is all about safety, I believe we have the safest kit cars in the world due to our regulations.

If you look at the basic chassis/body/suspension package you could be required to provide the following certification documentation(just expanded Merv's list):

* Torsion and Beaming Certification for Chassis. Needs to be performed to state guidelines. We seem unique in our requirements here, overseas tests will not be performed to the same requirements.

* Fibreglass Body Tests - Flexure, Hardness, Tensile.

* Certification for anti-intrusion bars

* Lane Change Test - required for each unique suspension configuration/construction.

* Fabricated Suspension Components Certification, this should also include suspension mount points in chassis. If there is any welded steel components, also certification for any welds or by examination.

* Seat Belt Mount Certification.

* Seat Mount Certification.

* Suspension Bump Steer Certification.

* Internal Bumper Bars.

* Door Hinge & Mount Certification.

* Door Striker Mount Certification.

* Etc.

Thanks Merv. That's the sort of broad information I'm after at this early stage, so I know what I'm up against.
Bit daunting, but hey if it's worthwhile, it shouldn't be easy, right?
I'll have to convince myself of that...
Glen

[400TT]

Glen, SA has some lessor requirements for rego, so you will not require everything on that list.

One of your first hurdles will be getting the chassis stiff enough. 6000Nm is the most common torsional requirement used by our state transport departments these days and the ERA chassis from the numbers I have seen would be around half that using our chassis testing method. But contact a local SA engineer as I expect you won't need that sort of number there going on the information I have.

You will also need to meet the door strength requirements, including hinge points and suitable door latches.

ERA is a beautiful bit of kit, nice body shape as well. Good luck with it.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 400TT

Glen, SA has some lessor requirements for rego, so you will not require everything on that list.

One of your first hurdles will be getting the chassis stiff enough. 6000Nm is the most common torsional requirement used by our state transport departments these days and the ERA chassis from the numbers I have seen would be around half that using our chassis testing method. But contact a local SA engineer as I expect you won't need that sort of number there going on the information I have.

You will also need to meet the door strength requirements, including hinge points and suitable door latches.

ERA is a beautiful bit of kit, nice body shape as well. Good luck with it.

Thanks Craig. We met at Springfield last April-ish. There were a lot of people there but I had a plaster on my nose...
Anyway, so ERA quote 3500lbft/deg which is around 4700Nm/deg, so yes a bit short of your figure.
And just for comparison, what is the stiffness figure for an RCR-40?
If you have any recommendations for a local compliance engineer, can you PM me?
Cheers,
Glen

[400TT]

RCR-40 is 12,235 Nm/degree bare chassis without roll cage or actually anything attached including drivetrain etc.

The chassis testing method used here in Australia for registration compliance is not a strict chassis test, so it is impossible to compare numbers with overseas chassis tests. Expect lower numbers when tested here. You can compare figures within Australia, but even the suspension attachment method and design affects the final numbers produced.

The body attachment method used by ERA will make for better torsional results.

Also a heads up in case you have not noticed, but ERA offset their tunnel, so less room on the right hand side of the cockpit for pedals etc.

Glen, thanks for the heads up on meeting you down there. Nice talking to you again.

Have PM'd you the details of the engineer we use in SA.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 400TT

RCR-40 is 12,235 Nm/degree bare chassis without roll cage or actually anything attached including drivetrain etc.

The chassis testing method used here in Australia for registration compliance is not a strict chassis test, so it is impossible to compare numbers with overseas chassis tests. Expect lower numbers when tested here. You can compare figures within Australia, but even the suspension attachment method and design affects the final numbers produced.

The body attachment method used by ERA will make for better torsional results.

Also a heads up in case you have not noticed, but ERA offset their tunnel, so less room on the right hand side of the cockpit for pedals etc.

Glen, thanks for the heads up on meeting you down there. Nice talking to you again.

Have PM'd you the details of the engineer we use in SA.

Got it, thanks Craig.