How to get a L28 through VicRoads

We got our roadworthy this morning, took it to vicroads, every thing went well until the guy saw the engine number. Won't accept a L28 in a 260z as that model does not have the matching engine numbers.

We "debated" it with him for an hour unsuccessfully.

He requires either confirmation that this motor was available in this model or an engineers report.

Spoke to 2 engineers, if you have a later year motor then all emission junk must be on the motor. Pretty hard with triple webers.

Anyone had the same trouble?

Anyone know where we can get 280z formal spec's to prove the S30 came with the L28?

 

 

Take it too another VicRoads centre for inspection.

This is the first time I've heard of this, must be some idiot at the centre. +1 to taking it elsewhere

weird... I've never heard of that before. I know people who have gone through the oakliegh branch without a problem, barely looked at it.

That kind of makes sense, Bit harsh thou.

 

Engineers report = $$$$

 

LH Torana 6cy and throwing in a 5L = Yes cause they came out that way.

 

L26 motor L28 Motor pretty much the same but larger = No, cause the 260z didn't come out with one..

 

We all know they are the same, But some noob at the RTA is going by the book..

 

So do what the others are saying and take it to another RTA..

 

Does that make sense !!!

90% chance the spoonhead at VicRoads has made a note on the file to check for Engs Cert.  Did he mention anything similar? 

 

These pesky bureaucrats are ... well .... bureaucratic!!

According to our man head office would question the discrepancies unless he could justify. We are in Geelong, the nearest other office is Ballarat.

We never expected this problem. We had trouble with first roadworthy with 8 inch wide wheels and had to install a carbon cannister on to the weber carbies (well it looks like it is connected)

If we can't convince them we would have to put a L26 in then change back after. Or one suggestion is to file eng. no off and restamp using a sacrificial L26 motor.

Either way is a lot of stuffing around. First I will try finding specifications and try and convince them

Hey Mate,

 

Here is a document issued by vicroads-

 

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/CC48FC10-4D57-4F04-82E1-3BD72EF88340/0/VSI8.pdf

 

“an engine that is not the same type as offered by the manufacture of the vehicle as original, but is similar in power,weight and emission standards to that of the original engine, may be fitted to such a vehicle.”

 

Ben

Carbon canister on the webbers  wtf! I'd definately go to a different branch, they sound tight. Just put the original back in, like MaygZ said there's prob a note on the file...... then do as you please.

 

Also book for late in the day, that way they are sick to death of inspecting cars and itching to get home! 

Benji is right, however he missed a bit.  You will have to be able to establish that your suspension, steering and brakes are uprated to 280Z specs (prob 280ZX as no 280Z here).  Not exactly sure how you could prove that without engs cert.  Maybe a note signed by Lurch??

 

Note to self:  Stay away from Geelong VicRoads!!

I like Benji's comments

 

"an engine that is not the same type as offered by the manufacture of the vehicle as original, but is similar in power,weight and emission standards to that of the original engine, may be fitted to such a vehicle.”

 

Except for similar "power and emissions", but I will be throwing this at them if we do try again.

 

Thanks guys for your supportive comments. The fresh light of day may find a way!!!!

Excuse my ignorance of current VIC rules, Ive not lived there for 20 odd years, but why do you need to present your car for inspection.....?

 

In other states Ive lived in all you need is your road worthy and some cash

Haven't you heard.. we're the nanny state! 

 

 

Yes an NZ follows whatever happens in vic = we are a nanny country lol.

 

Re the brakes and suspension 260z with the 55 strut tube 75+? is the same spension as that installed in the US 280z but if aus new with harder spring rates

if someone local to you has the CAMS homologation docs this shows that the differences between a 260Z and 280Z were the engines only, and that a L28 could be fitted to a 240Z shell as an option for racing. It also shows that a 260Z was sold in the US with and L28 and called a 280Z, not ZX.

 

Dat2kman, Jason may also be able to help as he has built a "propoer" 280Z for Group Sc racing.

 

This may or maynot help your cause, my first Z a 260 got through in NSW on the difference in capacity rule that was used way back when, can't remember exactly what it was but something like a 10% increase was fine.

 

If you need a copy of the relevant docs in the next couple of days I maybe able to scan and send to you. depends where I'm at as I will be prepping my car for the weekend and then I'm off out in the Southern darling Downs for a week or two.

If you contact Nissan, they have approved the L28 to be fitted in the 240/260Z. When I had the RB installed, I chased all this info up and Nissan haven't approved for the RB to be installed..yet. Contact Nissan (I'm assuming head office) and ask them for that letter.

 

Good one Dimitri!!

If you get a copy of that letter can you post it up on the forum.

I imagine this issue will crop up again in the future.

cheers

Bruce

 

If you contact Nissan, they have approved the L28 to be fitted in the 240/260Z. When I had the RB installed, I chased all this info up and Nissan haven't approved for the RB to be installed..yet. Contact Nissan (I'm assuming head office) and ask them for that letter.

 

Exactly what I was going to say.  Nissan approved the fitting of L28 engine in the 240/260 z in the 1980s. As the manufacturer of the car has approved the fitment of the engine it is classified as effectively standard equipment (orig) therefore is no requirements to upgrade steering/brakes to 280z specs.  You may need to maintain emission control paraphernalia.

 

Geelong vic roads are absolute idiots, they held the old man up for over 90min looking for a chassis number stamped into the firewall (does not exist) on a 1978 Lotus Esprit, which he has owned and been rego at same address in geelong all its life. Reason - could be stolen!

Thanks guys, I thought we might be on a winner. Rang Nissan head office, spoke to an uninterested person there who quickly palmed me off to the local dealer. Spoke to the service dept. That guy was probably related to the Vicroads guy. Said he knew all about this problem but the only way forward would be an engineer cert. or go bush to another VR office. But as someone said earlier, it may be flagged on the computer. I spoke to an ex-cop I work with, he was also stunned. He didn't like my idea of restamping numbers. Seems they can detect false number impressions. (Not that I would resort to that!!)

I would have thought, since Nissan had approved it, that logically, there would be a note on the VicRoads system which would appear when they tried to register the details.... Oh wait.. I see the problem.. Logic and Vicroads don't go together very well 

 

I've gotta go pick up some parts from the Ballarat Nissan dealer today anyway, so I'll have a chat to the bloke in a couple of hours and see if there's anything from Nissan's end that we can do.

 

Cheers.

Speak to Trevor at brighton Nissan. Im sure he'll be more helpful...

Just spoke to Trevor.. thats a no go all the oldies from Nissan head office were laid off approx 18 months ago!! Also spoke to two people at Nissan head office with no success. Maybe some documentation from the US?? or unless someone in AU has it!!

 

Ben

all the oldies from Nissan head office were laid off approx 18 months ago!!

That explains why here in NZ I have no luck getting S30 parts now (orders for Nissan Japan must now go via Nissan Australia and they don't even try to price up the part or contact Nissan Japan my local Nissan guy used to talk to Japan directly but now he must go via Australia)

 

If it is any help I will try Nissan in NZ and see what they say?

worth trying!!