Street Legal

Alex · Postby **Alex** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:18 pm

If you just stick it in then NO

Will you get defected for it, maybe, 2 forum members were defected for their BD rollbars (only half-cage style) this year, but then lots of us have never had a problem.

Can you make it legal, YES, you will need to get an RTA approved engineer to do a certificate to make it legal, it might required modification or padding of the cage to be legal or in some cases it might not be possible to make it legal. It will cost money, not sure how much, give them a call to find out, all contact numbers can be found on RTA website after some searching.

Smacca · Postby **Smacca** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:45 pm

Hey,

It is legal to fit a roll cage in a NSW registered vehicle, provided it meets vehicle standards (as stipulated by the RTA) and above all, ADR's.

A roll cage is considered a major modification, which means an engineering certificate is necessary for the RTA to approve it. Common issues with roll cages are the welding points and how they're attached to the subframe, any interference with airbags (not really a problem in the MX-5), obstructions to visibility and occupant impact concerns. If you can address all these and get a certificate to confirm it, you'll be sweet.

As for getting defected, police can defect any vehicle if they reasonably believe the vehicle (or its modifications) do not comply to RTA or ADR standards. It doesn't always mean that the mods are illegal, just that there is a doubt or uncertainty over their compliance. An engineering certificate is the best way to show police the mods are compliant and you'll escape a defect.

In saying that engineering certificates aren't always a guarantee either. Especially when motorists use a mate or friend of a friend in the business to get a certificate to sign off dodgy or non-compliant mods. All certificates have to be approved and stamped by the RTA to be recognised. And police can even continue to defect a vehicle if they know the mod is illegal, regardless of the owner/driver producing a certificate. I would know, cause I'm a cop and I've done it. And I must admit, getting a defect for the BD bar sounds a bit harsh. Even in my books.

So make sure you get a certificate from a certified workshop with a good, street legal rep. Cause that piece of paper doesn't come cheap. Some places charge over $500 for their signature.

If you're after more info online from the RTA about vehicle standards and similar stuff, check out:

http://163.189.7.150/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi_06_-_guidelines_for_light_vehicle_modifications_nov_2007.pdf

Hope this helps.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:41 pm

Illegal in every State. Needs to comply and have an engineering certificate.

Fuzzlet · Postby **Fuzzlet** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:20 pm

Smacca wrote:I would know, cause I'm a cop and I've done it. And I must admit, getting a defect for the BD bar sounds a bit harsh. Even in my books.

I asked my engineer about it, and he said to comply it must be fitted with 10mm of padding where there is a risk of a passenger hitting it, which is the sections between the seats. Unfortunately 10mm of padding would mean the BD bar wouldnt fit

So make sure you get a certificate from a certified workshop with a good, street legal rep. Cause that piece of paper doesn't come cheap. Some places charge over $500 for their signature.

My engineer was gonna charge me $800 for my NA, but that was to also do the turbo system etc

irwin83r · Postby **irwin83r** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:26 pm

Fuzzlet wrote:
Smacca wrote:I would know, cause I'm a cop and I've done it. And I must admit, getting a defect for the BD bar sounds a bit harsh. Even in my books.

I asked my engineer about it, and he said to comply it must be fitted with 10mm of padding where there is a risk of a passenger hitting it, which is the sections between the seats. Unfortunately 10mm of padding would mean the BD bar wouldnt fit

dont need to pad the whoel way round the bar though.

you can buy roll bar padding from clark rubber. the hole in the tubing for the bar to go through is offset so it has like 2-3mm padding on the side away from the passengers.