Roadworthy (VIC) queries; reflectors, coilovers & intake

shuey · Postby **shuey** » Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:06 pm

.. and so I'm selling my NB8B and I've got a few questions I'd like to ask with regards to roadworthy inspections before I send the car in. The car has some mods but I'd like to try and get it passed the first time (if possible). I was going through the roadworthy checklist (not too thorough though), but thought I'd check the legality for those in the forums with past experience.

1. Clear side reflectors and side signals - I take it that the clear ones is a fail and it needs to be coloured (orange) i.e. OEM?

2. Coilovers - Are coilovers in general okay at all if it meets the general brief i.e. not too low and leaking? AFAIK my Teins SS are not leaking and only lowered by an inch from stock

3. Air intake - I know any expose air intakes are a no-no. But I've got an Gruppe-M/AutoExe Ram Air intake (intake is covered in the CF shroud). Would this typically pass?

Thanks in advance. Hopefully #2 and #3 would be okay as it'll be a little annoying if I had to take it off.

Postby **beavis** » Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:43 pm

1. yes, must be orange
2. basically, coilovers should be ok but car must be legal height
3. it should pass

If you are near oakleigh, I can reccomond somewhere to get a roady.
If, in the end, you do need orange reflectors or a stock intake, I probably have spares for you to borrow. Swapping the intake is only 10mins work.

shuey · Postby **shuey** » Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:51 pm

beavis wrote:1. yes, must be orange
2. basically, coilovers should be ok but car must be legal height
3. it should pass

If you are near oakleigh, I can reccomond somewhere to get a roady.
If, in the end, you do need orange reflectors or a stock intake, I probably have spares for you to borrow. Swapping the intake is only 10mins work.

I'm in Oakleigh East, yeah.. a recommendation would be good. Thanks alot, beavis!
I do have the orange side reflectors/indicators so I can swap them out. Just the other 2 I'd prefer not to touch if possible (usually a 10min job is 30 for me

)

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Jun 14, 2016 5:16 pm

You wil most likely pass in most of those points unless the person doing the inspection is super knowledgeable. Legal or not.
It is only a road safety test. Not a blue slip.right?

It all depends on the cop who has the right to defect anything. At his/her discretion.

I go defected for a mania intake which is covered with a cone. The cops thinking was that it needs to be a box. Go figure. It was then passed by a engineer who knows it makes absolutely Sweet FA difference as long as there is a minimum amount of air within the cone or box.....or at least that what i was told. And thats how I understood this
At least I didn't get a fine. I was respectful & told the cop with respect.....what is the difference between a box & a cone apart from shape.....he still defected me though.

maybe he didn't fine me because I'm an old bloke.....not a young kid. Who knows.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Jun 14, 2016 6:18 pm

StanTheMan wrote:You wil most likely pass in most of those points unless the person doing the inspection is super knowledgeable. Legal or not.
It is only a road safety test. Not a blue slip.right?.

In vic we dont have blue slips etc, we just have a Roadworthy Certificate that only needs to be done when a car changes hands, or is being registered.

Not sure what the NSW equivalent would be, but our RWC is usually a moderately indepth exam (usually costs between $150 and $250)

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Jun 14, 2016 6:23 pm

shuey wrote:1. Clear side reflectors and side signals - I take it that the clear ones is a fail and it needs to be coloured (orange) i.e. OEM?

2. Coilovers - Are coilovers in general okay at all if it meets the general brief i.e. not too low and leaking? AFAIK my Teins SS are not leaking and only lowered by an inch from stock

3. Air intake - I know any expose air intakes are a no-no. But I've got an Gruppe-M/AutoExe Ram Air intake (intake is covered in the CF shroud). Would this typically pass?

Thanks in advance. Hopefully #2 and #3 would be okay as it'll be a little annoying if I had to take it off.

1: Indicator should be fine as long as they blink orange. Technically the lenses need to carry the relevant ADR stamps, but most RWC testers wont look at that.

2: I've not seen anything about coilovers being illegal in the specs, just make sure the car meets the ride height requirements and that the tyres dont rub anywhere (esp at full lock)
Ride height is 100mm from the lowest point of the car, on an NB a 1inch drop (25mm) can put it pretty close to that.

3: intake should be ok as long as you still have all the PCV lines hooked up as they would have been stock (ie: one pre-filter one post filter, NONE to atmosphere)

shuey · Postby **shuey** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 1:17 pm

Thanks, Nik and all for the replies :wink:

I may just swap the reflectors/side indicators just in case.. since I have the OEM ones anyway

For the coilovers, think I will measure the ride height too, so the 100mm is that laden with passenger or without? I didn't know a 1" drop will bring it close to the limit. It doesn't feel like it's really low and it doesn't brush/touch the fender by a long shot. Hoping it's still at legal height but I'll take the punt

And for the intake, all hoses/lines are plugged in as with the stock box (none to atmosphere), so I guess that should be okay.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 1:54 pm

The ride height on an MX5 is hard to judge, the pinch welds look higher than the rest of it, on mine the lowest part is the factory brace just near the sump. it was about 105mm on my old springs (25mm drop from standard)

The 100mm rule is technically supposed to be fully laden, so driver and 200kg of luggage (or whatever the MX5 is rated to carry)

But i've never seen any place load up a car to test. I'd just measure the current height on a level surface, and if it's near 100mm anywhere just wind it up a little to give yourself some headroom.

Another cheat option is to put higher profile tyres on and pump them up to 40psi, since they'll lift the ground clearance. (only really worth it if you've got the tyres handy already)

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 5:24 pm

Apart from the side reflectors ( amber ) i.e. a signal colour- the other things I would just leave it to the licensed vehicle tester. They will go though their test procedure and report accordingly. One of the tricky items can be windscreens. But you cannot really sell a registered car without a rwc.

shuey · Postby **shuey** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 5:54 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:Apart from the side reflectors ( amber ) i.e. a signal colour- the other things I would just leave it to the licensed vehicle tester. They will go though their test procedure and report accordingly. One of the tricky items can be windscreens. But you cannot really sell a registered car without a rwc.

Yes, I will be sending it to a licensed vehicle tester (have booked in a date to be inspected)
And noted about the pitted windscreen. That and a missing spare tyre screw were the only things that needed to be changed when the previous seller obtained the RWC when I bought the car. But I'm pretty comfortable that most areas will be okay as it has been properly maintained and been a garage warmer in the 3+ years of ownership. Only those 3 items popped up as possible grey areas for me. But of course if there are additional things to be replaced, then I'll do it.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 6:28 pm

The main things (other than modifications) that often catch people out on RWC are:

Battery not secured.
Windscreen pitted/sandblasted.
Oil leaks.
Brake disc thickness (and warping)
Worn pedal rubbers (check they aren't worn down, obviously accelerator not an issue for MX5s)

I'd put money on the windscreen needing to be done (unless it's been replaced very recently)
it seems that every second car that goes for a RWC comes out with a new windscreen

shuey · Postby **shuey** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 5:57 pm

Although I had the car for about 3+ years, but barely 8k km (short drives, kept in garage overnight and away from the perils of Melbourne weather).. I'd be really surprised if the windscreen needs to be replaced. But agree that seems like the roady tester's go-to for replacement. I've got NBSE polished aluminium pedal covers, I guess that may be ok?

Well.. car's going in tomorrow, keeping my fingers crossed they don't bleed my back pocket. Will let you know the outcome.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 6:28 pm

The pedal covers really depend on the tester.

Aftermarket metal covers dont usually pass, so it really depends on if the tester thinks they're OEM or not.

nomis · Postby **nomis** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 7:00 pm

Does anyone know about passing a rwc with a turbo NA?
MX5 club says all it needs to get club rego is a valid rwc but i've been told a turbo won't pass rwc?

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:51 pm

If the Club said that then they are giving wrong information. At the minimum a CP applicant requires a CPA a VESD, Photos, RWC ( and a VASS if its modifed beyond acceptable changes and maybe an agreement with the Club that supports the vehicle on its register.

Go to the Vicroads website and look up requirements for Club Permits. For a car that is old enough if the car has been modified then it will require a VASS certificate. A turbo is a major change. If you do have a VASS certificate i.e. its been modified then you probably will then need an M plate. My guess is that its going to be a big hurdle to get it onto a CP but the smart thing to do is get advice from Vic Roads by talking to them or one of their VASS certifiers. If the turbo has been fitted without a VASS I would think it would be a waste of time taking it to a LVT