Kirkham 668 build

[Modena]

Regardless of the Merc, go and read the ADR if you want to fall asleep - there is no such restriction anymore. The problem is getting your sidepipes quiet enough to pass noise levels.

[Lexluther]

They are definitely sold here in SA
Any one know where one is to get the number off the compliance plate?
Suppose I better have to read through the ADR's (just thinking about it ....yawn.....)

Cheers
Kent

[Lexluther]

Ben is abesolutely correct, the side exit part of the ADR has been removed, confirmed by my engineer this afternoon , so that is one hurdle. Challenge is still to pass noise test, I believe many have tried before me.
I would be interested in any one who managed to pass with live side pipes and what it takes to shut them up.( I won't tell anyone )

Cheers
Kent

[eldo]

Hi Kent

I had no problems getting my Birkin Clubman thru Regency with the exhaust exiting the left hand side pipe......I had to make up a heat shield to stop dumb@rses burning their legs (which accidently fell off as I turned onto South Road !!

Noise may be more of an issue with the Cobra............the local Birkin dealer who put my car thru Regency for me wacked a heap of baffles inside the muffler to get it passed .....[and they fell off after as well...........



Good luck

Eldo

[Chook]

How about a set of cheap narrow exhaust pipes for the test and then replace with the actual side pipes? OR there's been plenty written about steel wool theories in posts/threads previously.

[Paintwerks]

So, when they conduct the noise test on vehicles with left and right exit side pipes, do they use one microphone or two?

[Modena]

I believe the testing setup documentation states to place the microphone a set distance at a set angle from the exhaust outlet and at a set height off the ground, so for a car with a single tailpipe that is easy, for a car with dual-tailpipes I would guess equal distance from both, for a sidepipes I would guess they can only do one, but don't worry it still won't pass

[renovationinnov]

hi guys as I have just had mine pass qld regs & have live side pipes my biggest problem ways meeting db reading which I did but turning the inner muffler around so that the fish scale face forward to in trap the sound & not face backwards as per lukey mufflers suggested & it passed by 1 db a pass is a pass so on the road we are
rob

[Modena]

Rob were you testing to 89db, so you got 88db?

[Mike Read]

Interesting to read that Eldo got through Regency with a left hand exiting exhaust ... the statement of 17 requirements from Regency on my car, issued on 6 November 2013 said:

"13. That the vehicle's exhaust outlet does not exit to the left hand side of the vehicle."

My understanding was that in SA nearside exiting exhausts are not allowed on cars manufactured after 2005. I picked up the information manual from Vehicle Services at Regency for Individually Constructed Vehicles (it's dated March 07) and it quotes:

ADR42/.. General Safety Requirements, Section 8 Exhaust Outlets "The exhaust outlet, if to the side of the vehicle, shall discharge to the right hand side and downwards at an angle to the horizontal of not less than 15 degrees and not more than 45 degrees".

I had read on the forum that the rule on left hand exiting exhausts no longer applied, but in the absence of actual proof ... ie sight of a Gov document amending ADR 42 (issued on 23 September2006) allowing left hand exiting exhausts, I chickened out and had the side-pipes on both sides run under the car to additional silencers in the wings behind the rear wheels and exiting out the back.

So does anyone actually have a document that allows left hand exiting exhausts in SA?

I'm going to phone Regency in the morning and try and get a definitive answer.

The static noise test at Regency for V8 cars is not greater than 90db at 3,300 rpm.
My car passed it at 85db (every 6db is roughly double the volume). The test was conducted with one microphone at the rear of the car and one set about half way down the car pointing at the side-pipe. It was done on one side (the right) of the car only.

Regards, Mike

[damage]

Originally Posted by Modena

I believe the testing setup documentation states to place the microphone a set distance at a set angle from the exhaust outlet and at a set height off the ground, so for a car with a single tailpipe that is easy, for a car with dual-tailpipes I would guess equal distance from both, for a sidepipes I would guess they can only do one, but don't worry it still won't pass

Mine passed. Wasn't that hard.

[boxhead]

Chicken wire is handy too.

[mando s]

You're right Boxhead, I remember having enough chicken wire in my exhausts to build a chicken coup!

Regards.

[leroy17]

Originally Posted by mando s

You're right Boxhead, I remember having enough chicken wire in my exhausts to build a chicken coup!

Regards.

Hey Mando, how about a photo update on what you have been up to. Last I saw you were changing fittings and so on.

C'mon...... You know that no one will be disappointed.

[deano59]

you placed a order for a new car yet Leroy or did you buy a hot rod with more seats ?

[Mike Read]

Hi Kent,

I went to the SA.gov.au website and looked up Transport, Exhaust Systems and noise. This is what I found

SA.gov.au website:

Transport: Exhaust systems and noise

Modifications to exhaust systems are permitted if they do not conflict with the requirements of any other rules or regulations.

Vehicles also must meet the following requirements:

Vehicles may be fitted with extractors provided that any emission control devices which were originally fitted to the original manufacturer's exhaust system, including catalytic converters, are re-connected and operational.
The extractors must not foul any part of the steering, suspension, braking or fuel systems.
Catalytic converters and exhaust sensors that have been replaced are to be positioned in the same exhaust flow location as in the original system.
The exhaust outlet exit must be behind the last door or window opening on the side or rear of the vehicle.
The exhaust outlet must be as close as possible to the outer edge of the vehicle, but not outside or underneath the vehicle.
If the exhaust system is not underneath the vehicle and can come into contact with people, it must be shielded.
The exhaust outlet must extend at least 40 mm beyond the furthermost outboard or rearmost joint of the floor pan that is not continuously welded or permanently sealed and which could permit direct access of exhaust gases to the passenger compartment, but not beyond the perimeter of the vehicle when viewed in plan.
The side exhaust outlet must discharge to the right hand side of the vehicle and downwards at an angle between 15 degrees and 45 degrees from horizontal.
The exhaust outlet, if to the rear of the vehicle must discharge at not more than 10 degrees above or 45 degrees below the horizontal.
The vehicle must have 100mm ground clearance.

Extractors and aftermarket exhaust systems may be fitted provided that the sound levels specified in the Road Traffic (Light Vehicle Standards) Rules 2013 Rules are not exceeded.

For passenger cars, passenger car derivatives and panel vans manufactured:

before 1 January 1983, the stationary noise level when tested must not exceed 96 dB(A)
on or after 1 January 1983, the stationary noise level when tested must not exceed 90 dB(A).

That doesn't help much with left hand exiting exhausts, but it clears up that so long as an exhaust exits behind the last door, it should be OK on a Cobra. The bit about 40mm beyond the rearmost joint refers to the floor pan only, so as that is sealed from the cockpit, it should not be a restriction to your exhausts.

So what about left hand exiting? I phoned Regency, Transport Services Division and spoke to Vehicle Standards. I was told that left hand exiting exhausts were now allowed but couldn't be given a definitive reference for the allowance. I was just told that the requirement had dropped out for MA class vehicles. However, the guy also said that the vehicle had to meet all appropriate requirements of the Road Traffic Act, and this still states that side exhausts must exit on the right. So it may or may not be OK!

The conversation ended with the advice that, if I wanted a definitive answer, I should send in an email to: dpti.vehiclestandards@sa.gov.au

I might just do that, though it won't save me the $850 I paid to have the pipes run to the back!

Cheers, Mike

[damage]

Kent,

Why not ring the Mercedes dealer in SA and ask them if they have to do anything special to the AMG G63 in order to sell it in South Australia. Clearly that car complies with the ADR which is why it sells and registers in Australia.

[Mike Read]

Originally Posted by damage

Kent,

Why not ring the Mercedes dealer in SA and ask them if they have to do anything special to the AMG G63 in order to sell it in South Australia. Clearly that car complies with the ADR which is why it sells and registers in Australia.

Hi Damage,

You'd think it would be that simple ... I brought in a 2003 VW Touareg and Regency failed the car on its rear seatback child seat attachment points because they were sprung. I asked the local VW dealer if they could issue me with a letter confirming that they were ADR approved, since exactly the same fixings were on all 2003-2011 Australian Touaregs. The VW dealer went to VW Australia, who replied (paraphrased) "its a personally imported car, sod off"! So I had to have the car inspected by an engineer, who looked at the fixings for less than a minute, said "yes they are ADR approved, that will be $400 please". Plus retest and extra day rego fees.

They have to recover the $3 billion lost by State Bank somehow!

Regards, Mike

[Donunder]

Originally Posted by Mike Read

Hi Kent,
The conversation ended with the advice that, if I wanted a definitive answer, I should send in an email to: dpti.vehiclestandards@sa.gov.au

Mike you might like to proceed with caution here. A barrister in court proceedings only asks questions to which he already knows the answers.

If the person you were talking with had said yes I can confirm that what you're asking will be approved and if you'd like to send an email I'd be happy to put it on paper for you for future reference .... then that's one thing.

Asking the question and not knowing what answer you're going to receive is asking for trouble. Suppose the answer comes back no, under no circumstances would what you're asking ever be approved? Once something is in the system, and even it's something that has been compiled by a junior clerk, it's almost impossible to have the decision revoked on appeal. That's just how bureaucracy works! Let's get you off the phone and have you apply in writing, then we can all sit around and pick your request to pieces with some old grumblebum who's been there for years and can't see past what's been done in their backward-looking department for the last century. Something new, something different, something innovative, what's that?

You've already seen how their devious little minds work with your experience with the VW. For your present predicament, substitute "ICV" for "personal import". You don't have the political clout of a manufacturer, especially MB, a luxury vehicle manufacturer, to progress your car through the labyrynth of state transport impediments.

Damage's suggestion sounds logical and straightforward to we people who consider ourselves sensible and logical in our dealings. It's OK for that car, therefore, same situation, it must be OK for my car. Wrong!!! Be sure you're going to get the answer you want before asking the question.

[Lexluther]

Thanks for all the comments and sugestions,
Damage: I called the Mercedes dealer and asked if they did sell the g63 in SA as per European specs, I got a very short "of course we do" I think he thought he was getting a sale when he answered the phone

The problem is no longer the exit points it will be the noise, it seems no one has successfully made a set of side pipes that comply without stuffing them full of dirty laundry and chicken wire and anything else that will fit up the pipe, not really my cup of tea.......I would like to know your trick Damage....

I have had a long conversation with my engineer, his suggestion was "save yourself some grief and probably money, modify the fuel tank or new one, put an under car system in, regency park inspectors will be happy and so will you be"

So I have ordered some cheap shorty block hugging headers , the NEW stainless tank will be ready next week, then back on to Low Tow to exhaust technology
One step forward.............

Cheers
Kent