mx5cartalk.com

Hey guys!

Just wanted to get some views on the legalities of swapping my current stock BP1.8 motor out of my 99NB and installing a completely stock SE turbo motor with SE gearbox and SE computer. I'm in Victoria.

I haven't bolted on my AVO kit as it won't be legal/EPA in Victoria so I haven't bothered going this route. My thought and understanding was that if I swap my 99 model engine with a newer factory SE turbo engine the emissions will be better than what's legal/required for a 99NB.

The question I'm asking is will I need an engineers still or EPA test for Vic roads to be legal?? Or can I just inform them that it's a stock factory turbo from a later model mx5 with newer better emissions??

Regards

Vicroads unfortunately have some very big grey areas in this regard.

There's a rule that basically allows you to put in a larger engine from the same model, as long as you also do any other modifications that that model had.

It's often done with MGBs and similar, where they will swap the inline 4 for the V8 from the GT model.
THey also put in the V8 springs, and whatever other parts.


The grey area for the NB is that its not clear if Vicroads go by the basic chassis, or the year.
If they go by year then you're stuffed since the SE only came out after the nb8a

If they go by chassis, you might be ok.


Annoyingly enough, even if you do it right, in Victoria you can still be given a defective vehicle notice, and it's up to you to prove the car is legal.

It's a garbage system, and far behind that in NSW or QLD.



SHort answer, talk to Vicroads, then talk to an engineer.
*note: Vicroads answers arent binding, and they are often wrong (people have been told something is OK only to have the car taken off the road later because the Vicroads person was wrong)

Thanks mate for the reply and input, really appreciate it!!!

The 99NB8a is the same body/chassis as the NB SE.. Basically the only difference is that one is turbo and the other isn't.

Being that the SE engine is a 2004 model this would have better emissions in stock form compared to that of my 99 model NB8a.

I was always led to believe that as it's a newer production engine (2004 SE) with better emissions it would be EPA legal as it's going into the same model shape (NB) and chassis which is a 99 model.

The main thing is will I still need to get an engineers cert and EPA check?

Regards

Regards

It really depends on if Vicroads agree that the 8A and 8B are the same, I doubt it since the VIN changed from P1 to P2/3

Part of the non-engineering option also requires you to fit any other mechanical parts the factory provided on the better model.
SO in the SE case that would be Brakes, ABS system, suspension, and probably a few other ancialliary bits.



I really think the best option is to speak with an engineer in person, they should be able to give a much more accurate answer to your question. Especially since they're the ones Vicroads will send you to anyway.

the Vicroads VASS approved engineers list is here:
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registr ... ertificate


When you get an answer I'd love to hear it, since I've considered the same thing myself.
For me it would likely work out cheaper to just buy an SE and sell my car though.

Yeah il get onto the engineer and see what they have to say.. Either way it seems like you will have to get an engineers report at least.

I'm with you on it's just easier and hassle free to sell and buy an SE.

Il let ya know what I find out mate!

Thanks again mate!

Regards

Here's the latest Vicroads Guide to modifications for motor vehicles:
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/~/media ... ashx?la=en
located on this page:
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety- ... nformation
See: page 2 (note paras 3 & 4), page 3 (para 6.1, which mentions engines), & page 6 (para 12.2, dash point 3, which mentions turbos).
As you will see it comes down to interpretation - speak with a Vicroads engineer, as well as a good VASS engineer. Regarding EPA, in this instance it's not an EPA test as such that you may require, but an IM240 emisiions test at Vipac at Port Melbourne that might be required as a part of the engineering process, if it's determined that engineering is required. If required, engineering & IM240 will be $1.5k-$3k (IM240 alone is $715).

hks_kansei wrote:For me it would likely work out cheaper to just buy an SE and sell my car though.

marky210 wrote:I'm with you on it's just easier and hassle free to sell and buy an SE.

Unless you have a particular attachment to your current car, then in Victoria, this is the only sensible option......