Getting the thing legal...

[SomeGuy]

Ok, assuming you have successfully refitted an engine and made your retro beast, how would you go about actually getting the thing road legal?

Do you keep the original rego, as if it hasn't been modified and risk it

or is there (i assume there is) a test or a set of criteria that you must conform to.

Does anyone have info on what is required? i.e. power/weight ratios and ilk.....

Thanks :)

[LJ03L]

Depending on what you have done, talk to your local/state RTA and see what they suggest. It might be just get it inspected by them, or you may need a eningeers certificate.

[SomeGuy]

what would the engineers certificate be?

like a big stamp saying the thing won't blow up or what?

[DeMenTia]

Engineers cert. proves to the DOT/RTA that your car is safe to drive on public roads. It is a piece of paper, that piece of paper gets you mod plates in your engine bay hence, making the car legal.

Depending on state there is different rules.

First thing to do is call a local performance workshop and ask if they can do engineers certificates, if they can't they should be able to tell you where to call next. Once you get in contact with an engineer you'll be able to get things in motion.

Have fun
:D

[Paydirt]

I suggest you get it leagised by an engineer, if not there is the case whereby you have a serious accident and you can be charged with copious amounts of offences which could even lead to you being behind bars. Even if it is not accident related, if the DOT or RTA pull you over and realise what you have done, you may aswell drop you pants and get f***ed over there and then as it it would be less painful then seeing the fines you will cop. If you are going to do something you might aswell do it properly, that being legally too.

[RB30DEVL]

Do you live in N.SW ?
I had the same problem months ago with doing a twin cam head transplant onto a VL 3 litre engine.
In New South Wales when doing an engine swap (i.e. with a standard motor) the RTA now rely on mechanics to do a blue slip,you need either proof of purchase for the engine or if it is yours & its from another car or you bought it off a mate,you need a copy of the rego slip from which car it came from to prove it isn't stolen,the blue slip is then taken to the RTA where the engine number on their computer system is changed.
I asked my local mechanic about the twin cam head swap & he said it is straightforward in getting it passed for the RTA as long as the engine block & number stays the same you shouldn't have any problems,also it means I can turbo it as a VL was released with a turbo engine,providing I upgrade my brakes,etc.
He also said there are many cars going around which no one would pick to be modified but are heavily,a good example would be a Holden 383 stroker V8,a cop would think it is a 5 litre but would in fact be a 6.3 litre.
Once you go & fit a low volume motor like an RB20DEt,it may then need an engineer certificate,as it was not a locally produced engine,an RB26DETT definitely needs one as no Holden was released with a twin turbocharged engine,what some people try is to deny that the engine is not a 3 litre but if they traced it back & found out it was a 2 litre then the insurance would be wiped in an event of a crash.
Go and ask a few mechanics ,they will tell you how to go about it.