Transport Approved Fiberglass Bonnet

[Magpie]

After earning an infringment notice for my GV Fibreglass bonnet I learnt that as the bonnet is an intrusion panel it needs to comply with the relevant ADR's etc.

I contacted BLITS (on the Gold Coast) and received the following response:

Hi sorry we don’t have a bonnet for that model if you want to get a custom one off one we can do that , we would need a metal one to mould from ( we give it back in the same condition it was given in) then we make a fibreglass one up and put the vents that you want into it the price for this one off custom transport approved bonnet would be $2500 unless you can find 5 other people who also want this model bonnet then the price will come down to $880 but they need to all put their deposit down at the same time of at least $200 and then over the next 3-4 months complete the transaction if you have any other questions please ask me
Thanks
Wendy
BLITS

Carbon Miata (forum sponsor) does offer a fiberglass bonnet (OEM) for $380 US (excluding shipping), however this would not be legal in QLD and the infringement cost is $110. Therefore you could afford the infringement costs a few times before the cost of a legal bonnet is reached. However after a few times the police may get a little more picky!

Is there any interest on the forum in having a fiberglass bonnet designed for a NA that is legal in QLD? As the reply states vents can be placed where needed however a decision would be needed on if it is to be secured with aerocatches as it would be better to make this part of the design (and support added) than cut them in later. Further would be deleting the 'normal' bonnet catch be worth it?

Painting would be another cost that people will need to factor into their decision as well as if it is legal in other states.

[sailaholic]

Given that you they seem to just be largely coping the factory bonnet have you looking into getting your bonnet certified?
That might be the cheapest option over all given that you already have it and it's painted

[hks_kansei]

I'd assume getting something ADR approved would require designs and manufacturing processes/materials etc to be submitted to whoever deals with approval.

It's unlikely that a pre-made bonnet can be certifiied outside of the manufacturer (ie: thye'd be the only ones with the design drawings etc)

[plohl]

^I know with seats you just supply the item and, they bolt it down and test it to destruction...

They might be able to approve the bonnet, but it wouldn't surprise me if it comes back in pieces

[Magpie]

My thoughts would be to get a close copy to my GV and then have a certificate that I can use for both

[deviant]

Seats are not tested to destruction. They are tested to the limit of the ADR's...if it fails before that point then yes it has been destroyed but the intent is not to see how much it takes to destroy it.

The same would apply to testing of a fibreglass panel. The NCOP actually gives you a good idea of what can be done and how to get something signed off by an engineer:

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/ ... 011_v3.pdf

[Beelzeboss]

I learnt that as the bonnet is an intrusion panel it needs to comply with the relevant ADR's etc

From VSB-14 (NCOP), section 2.7.1

"The thickness, of non-intrusion panels, with gel coat removed, must be at least 3.5mm.
Bonnets and guards are examples of non-intrusion panels."

???

[Okibi]

What is BLITS doing that CarbonMiata.com isn't? Could CarbonMiata.com modify theirs to suit your requirements or do they need to be a locally endorsed company?

[Magpie]

If carbon miata can supply a certificate that is acceptable to the department of transport in Queensland that the bonnet complys with the relevant ADR as an intrusion panel then there is not a problem. To be honest I have not asked.

[sailaholic]

Need to sort out if it is or isn't a intrusion panel first by the looks of it


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[Magpie]

In Queensland it is an intrusion panel, I will do the ADR research over the next few days to confirm. I assume that the Queensland police know the rules, if not I did not need to pay.

[sailaholic]

Sorry mark. Direct from a transport inspector "police don't know sh*t about what's legal". Same goes for defecting on a trailer ;).


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[Magpie]

Well it looks like it is research time and look at the laws for myself.

In Queensland the bonnet and guards are NOT intrusion panels, however they must be at least 3.5mm. Therefore I stand corrected in my previous statements and 2.7.2 does not apply. Further as the vehicle is not pre 1971 4.3.2 does not apply.

I can remove my Aerocatches and see what the thickness of the bonnet is, however the GV may fail on the fixing issue as it uses small bolts than standard. The police could have only seen this if they opened the bonnet. If my bonnet (and the Carbon Miata) is 3.5mm or thicker (excluding paint and gel coat) then I should be able to use it legally.

If my bonnet is less than 3.5mm thick then my infringement notice is correct, however there is no way that the police could have measured it, but irrespective the infringement notice is valid and the police had luck. If the bonnet is thicker than 3.5mm then I will need to find a way to have it certified and therefore legal.

For Carbon Miata can confirm the bonnet thickness then this issue can be put to bed. Thanks Sailaholic for making me check the facts, would a longer drive of my car be sufficent thanks?

Section LH Body and Chassis - Version 2.0 - 1 January 2011 (http://tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Vehicle-standards-and-modifications/Vehicle-modifications/Light-vehicle-modifications.aspx#ncop)

1.1 BASIC MODIFICATIONS NOT REQUIRING CERTIFICATION
The following basic modifications do not require certification under the LH Codes, if they are carried out in accordance with the requirements specified in sub-section 2 General Requirements and sub-section 4 Modifications Without Certification.
 Bonnet scoops and projections;
 Bonnet pins and mascots;
 Customised and replacement panels;
 Inner mudguard modifications; and
 Glass and surface films.

2.7 FIBREGLASS
2.7.1 Strength and Thickness
The thickness, of non-intrusion panels, with gel coat removed, must be at least 3.5mm. Bonnets and guards are examples of non-intrusion panels.

The strength and thickness of structural components such as floorpans and bodies that incorporate seatbelt anchorages, door hinges and latches etc., must be certified by a signatory.

The fixings for replacement fibreglass panels should have the same positions and must have at least the same strength as the fixings used for the original panels. A combination of steel and
neoprene washers of a minimum 20mm diameter should be used with all fixings.

Seat and seatbelt anchorages, door hinges and latches must only be affixed to fibreglass panels, floorpans or bodies that have been reinforced to take the loads such components are
capable of generating both in normal use and in a crash.

2.7.2 Testing of Fibreglass Structural Components
All fibreglass used in structural components must comply with and be tested in accordance with the requirements of British Standard 2782 Part III, methods 320E and 335A. The test panels
must reach minimum acceptance levels of 85 MPa in tension and 152 MPa in flexure. The Barcol hardness value must be greater than 25 and the fibre to weight ratio must be at least 0.29.

Fibreglass panels presented for testing should be laid up under supervision in order to verify the consistency of lay up when referenced to the vehicle components being constructed. These test panels should measure approximately 600mm x 600mm and be free of gel coat. Flat (planar) test panels are required to comply with test procedures.
Testing must be carried out by a NATA certified testing laboratory.

Where the modifier has quality management processes accredited to ISO AS/NZS 9000, testing of the components need only be done once to prove the general design.

4.3.2 Fibreglass and Other Composite Replacement Panels
Original bolt-on metal bonnets and mudguards for pre 1971 (ADR 10) vehicles may be replaced with fibreglass or other composite panels that comply with sub-section 2.7, providing the modification does not increase the rigidity of the front structure of the vehicle and the collapsibility of the steering column on ADR 10 vehicle is not compromised.

The catches and/or the design of the replacement bonnet must prevent it from being propelled through the windscreen into the cabin area in the event of a frontal collision.

[bruce]

Seems to me a waste of time. You have to go to all this effort to submit a bonnet which may fail. Then if it passes, you will still get fined by the Police (who are ignorant of things).
In the end it sounds like the glass bonnet will weigh more than the aluminium original anyway, and will be much inferior in regards quality/durability/fit/cost.

[Aussie Stig]

Use common sense - get a cheap bonnet and chop it up the way you want. Plenty of vent options around.