What do RTA Check?

[ZenArcher]

Well, i have left the Nations Capital (Canberra) and moved to Nowra in NSW.

I was told I had to get a blue slip etc etc to transfer my registration to NSW. No problems there. Aside from a discussion with the mechanic about style bars and roll cages. He tried to tell me I needed a engineers report/certificate for the style bars I had but I succesfully changed his mind in that they were style bars and not a roll cage/bar.

Anyway, went to the RTA in Nowra and all was going well until they then said the computer decided that I was to be one of the lucky people that day to have to drive up to Wollongong to do a inspection at the RTA up there. But they wouldn't tell me what the reason was.

Now I do have a import NA6 mx5 but it has all the compliance plates attached to the firewall. The car has had an engine change and was originally registered in NSW (I bought it in Sydney). So the engine numbers listed on the NSW RTA computer didn't match to the new number on the 1.8 engine. Also have a wolf computer installed to run the engine.

So can anyone tell me what the RTA might be looking for ? One source at the RTA hotline says they will just check numbers and do an identity check. Another says they will go over the car with a fine toothed comb.

If things go really sour, I might end up buying another MX-5 and selling mine off for parts - stand by ebay to get flooded with lots of parts if that happens. Or the wife has said she will let me buy a series 6 RX7 that I have been looking at instead. But with the time and money invested in my current MX, I would sooner keep it, though if it winds up being too much money to get it passed again, that might no be an option.

[Mactype]

If you've already got the blue slip you'll find its an identity check.

[ZenArcher]

Cool,

But what is the ruling on the ECU? for NSW. If they notice that I don't have a AFM installed, I will then have to tell them about the Wolf-3d ECU.

[Sean]

Cool,

But what is the ruling on the ECU? for NSW. If they notice that I don't have a AFM installed, I will then have to tell them about the Wolf-3d ECU.

probably. I can give you an AFM to dummy install to get it pAssed if you need?

[Fuzzlet]

Yep if they find out you have an aftermarket ECU you'll be sent for an emissions test...its much easier to put in a dummy AFM

[Bevan]

Mine was lucky enough to be a random check as well. Mine was a bone stock Aus-delivered 2001 model though so it was basically an identity check. I would defintely put an AFM in and make the wires look like they go somewhere if I were you. As soon as they notice there's no AFM, they'll send you to get emissions tested and that won't be fun.

[ZenArcher]

Thanks everyone.

I don't think I will take the chance. I intend to hunt up the parts I need and return it to standard specs for the inspection.

If things go sour, I'll be stripping the MX of all it's goodies and selling them all off and then buy either another MX or maybe a series 6 RX7 that I have my eye on instead.

I've just started a new job and can't afford more time off and who knows how much money just to get the MX registerable again. I've sunk too much cash into it as it is. Weird though that I have found a stock standard Series 6 Twin turbo RX7 which is what I was after if I do buy something else.

I've got a 1.8MAF coming - thanks to Neil d. Just need to get wire it all back up again.

[Fuzzlet]

As for wiring it up, see if u can get a spare plug and loom for it....Plug the dummy loom in, and send the cable through to the firewall, with some method of fixing it in there.....Will look the part for sure

[Bevan]

Yep, Fuzzlet is right. You don't actually have to connect it anywhere. Just poke it through the firewall and tape it to an existing loom so it LOOKS like it's connected.

It really is just an identity check with a national register to make sure it's not stolen or illegally rebirthed.

[ZenArcher]

Thanks guys, but I've decided not to take chances and am seeing MX5 Mania this saturday to get a wiring loom and get things connected up. I just don't need the hassles - especially when I have only started a new job (2nd week) and I can't keep telling the boss I need time off to get my car tested and registered etc in the event that things go pear shaped.

Just lucky at the moment that it is school holidays (I work in a college). Still at work sorting out the I.T. systems, but I can take a day off to get this inspection done.