LOL I think I've found the "aspect of the LA3 code" that might be the issue - LA3 deals with adding Turbo/Supercharges to vehicles where that model had it available as an option. It is subtle, and not 100% clearly laid out that way, but the mod must be made available as an option by the OEM.
When you consider that MX5, as a model, did have an option for turbo, you'd wonder if that makes it ok? Obviously I'm not aware of the NA6 ever being made OEM with a Turbo? Does anyone know?
In any case, LA3 requires all other associated upgrades to be performed too (eg brakes, transmission etc), which all kinda makes sense.
So you'd be stretching the rules a bit to cough up the LA3 option - you'd never be able to get a Supercharger done that way.
I'm thinking the LA1 (engine swap) is even more of a stretch, as technically you're also only allowed to swap out an engine within 10% power or same OEM offered engine. And even if no equiv is available, you have to demonstrate that your different swap (ie a rotary instead of 1.6) is primarily due to the lack of 1.6 engines being available.... LOL so that route is even more hilarious to offer up as being legit.
The funny part is that the guide has a section dedicated to Street Rods !! yep, that's right, you can legally grab a 1940s car and drop in a V8, updated brakes and suspension etc, and then legally drive that potential death trap on the road????
Obviously this area is 1) lacking clear/straight forward guides and 2) isn't being enforced to the point that you need to show strict compliance.
Even more bizarre is how upgrading/making improvements to your vehicle is heavily regulated (to the point where making it safer is illegal) whereas you can legally drive any 1960 car on the road with no ABS, substandard tires, substandard suspension, and do all the same speeds on roads with cars 10x safer and more capable. And that's 100% ok according to the government! go figure??
G
