Mods, Coppers and Defect notices.

[Reedy]

Hi All!

I'm interested to find out what the deal is with certain mods and the need for engineers certificates and possibility of getting defected by a copper who has nothing better to do.

This has been prompted by 2 mates of mine, a Greek guy who has an STI and another tanned bloke who has an EVO. So consider at least a part of that racial profiling by the coppers.
They have both been pulled over in the last few weeks by belligerent coppers that have tried to defect their cars.

Conversation (STI owner):
Copper: "You got an engineers certificate for these mods?"
Mate: "No, the car is standard" (Truth, btw)
Copper: "Open the bonnet, what have you got here. A pod filter? Blow off valve?"
Mate: "No, the car is standard"

At this point the copper points to his underling and tells him "You know cars right? Defect it for me"

The younger cop takes a look, says everything seems to be fine. and they eventually let him go.

Yesterday, the EVO owner got pulled over for an RBT and then got asked to pop his bonnet. He has a VERY loud cat back exhaust but the cop had a look under the bonnet and then let him go.

Question:
What are they trying to find? NOS cannisters? Even if you have that then so long as you can show the hoses are disconnected there's nothing to worry about. But what else can they get you for? I know you need an engineers certificate when doing exhaust mods that may affect emissions but as far as I knew there was no big deal with installing a pod filter? If there isnt then why the hell was this asshole copper asking my mate about it?

Who knows a bit about this stuff? What are the rules & possible penalties. I'll still get my DP and SRI installed regardless but if I start getting bothered by coppers then that will give me the shits.

[SarcasticOne]

I know you need an airbox for your sri, it needs to be sealed separately from the engine, or something to that effect... you aren't allowed exposed filters, must be enclosed

I also think there is noise regulations for exhausts... ie they can't be over a certain dB reading, not sure if that's measured at idle or WOT tho...

There is also emissions testing

[SomePhoenix]

Very much depends what state you're in. Might want to start with this for Victoria:

http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/Publications.nsf/2f1c2625731746aa4a256ce90001cbb5/c90ec843f3bbbe8fca256d9f00181c59/$FILE/1031.pdf

EDIT:
Quick note that there doesn't seem to be any requirement for a "boxed" pod filter in Victoria (just other stupid rules)...

[bd581]

First and foremost the majority of highway patrol are car enthusiasts.
The cops I know have a habit of pulling cars up simply because they want to have a look at it.
Used to happen to my in my old car often.
If you act smart to them they will book you.
So most important thing is to keep your attitude under control

Ever driven down the road, saw a car and though you would love a close look at that?
Cops can, and they do.

[blackbetty]

Its true, they did that to us in Bretts old Blue RX8 he had way back in 2005. The bridge was up at batemans bay, the cop walked all the way down the line of cars and asked Brett about his car.

I think if your car doesnt look boganish or stand out you wont get hassled either for mods or speeding a little bit.

[Reedy]

Cool, I was tossing up wether to get the airbox for my SRI. looks like I definitely will now.

That victorian document is very good, a couple of notes:

1. Intakes are fine as long as engine sensors are retrofitted to the same location
2. You can modify intake OR intercooler, not both apparently (?!)
3. Exhausts are fine as long as sensors are retrofitted, all exhaust fumes must flow through all CAT's (No brainer that)
4. Atmospheric BOV's are banned.

NSW should be fairly similar, would be good our hands on those guidelines.

[Logan]

SRI in NSW without the airbox is defect worthy, however my logic is I am driving a newish car, that isnt seen on the roads much and its a Evo or WRX which are unfortunatly guilty by association with bogans. Cops are bound to look at Evo's etc a bit more than anything else. I have a SRI without airbox and have been pulled over for speeding a few times and not had any issues with cops looking under the bonnet.

As for Zaust, its measured at Idle, my mate at work got defected in his 200SX, he was driving to play golf but Summernates or whatever it is was on and cops pulled him over thinking he was going to that, they didnt believe him till he showed them his golf clubs in the back.

[rogwick]

You know what annoys me, is cops that have no clue acting like they know everything. I've heard of people getting defect stickers on stock cars cause some dumb-ass know-it-all stickered a stock car...

I think they look for dodgy mods and mods that stick out (clearly not standard) and also mods that are potentially dangerous as well as bald tyres, tint (I don't get the whole dark tint B.S)

^ That's provided they're doing their job correctly.

[rogwick]

The thing is, you're less likely to get picked up in a Mazda than you are in an EVO or STi like your mates. Hence one of the reasons I bought my stealth car to keep under the radar (a little)

[Reedy]

NSW guidelines:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati...s_nov_2007.pdf
They are very thin on details tho.

from:
Vehicle standards information sheets

I know I am driving a Mazda, not a Subaru and I am also a total Whiteboy, not a Greek brother with a carload of cousins. So I am safer than those guys are, but very soon my car is going to make a little bit more zorst noise and will have an audible bypass valve due to the SRI. Added to the fact it is the brightest blue the world has ever seen means I will be attracting just a little bit more attention.