Engineer's Certificate for custom built coilovers QLD

[gjgnz]

I’m building coilovers for my KE70 and I’ve been told by the Mod Plate certifier that I will need an engineering certificate for them. It’s a pretty standard setup with weld-on steel perches and alloy sleeves. What’s involved in getting the engineers cert? Any idea who in Brisbane does this and approximate cost?

[marvis]

Will be a mod plate and I wouldn't even bother.

I only had mine done because I was doing cage, fixed back, no rear seats etc.

Mine was $100 and he came to my place of residence.

[gjgnz]

The car is getting an engine conversion so I’m going to mod plate everything anyway. When I asked the guy from AVCS about it he said:

Hi,
The surge tank is ok, new hoses and clips will be ok as well.
Custom coilovers will need an engineer certificate stating the strength is adequate .
Race seats are OK if they are ADR approved , I have done Cobra Clubman and Sparco streetfighter, the mounts should be the same brand s the seat and just use 50 x75 plates underneath the car., 8mm ht bolts and nylocs.

I’m just not sure what he means by “Engineer Certificate” or where to get one / what’s involved?

[marvis]

I'd ignore it. Mine are custom.

AVCS?

[gjgnz]

All Vehicle Certification Services, had a few people recommend him. You had any experience with him or other certifiers?

[marvis]

Nope.

[Jim621]

What coilover coversion are you using? can the supplier provide any documentation to show the strength of the coilover?
An Engineer would have a look at the final product and give it a tick of approval providing its a reputable company that manufactured the weld on coilover part, and that the weld was undertaken by a certified person.

Get what documentation you can from the supplier, then make your welds as profesional looking as you can(i presume you are doing the work yourself?) - then see what the Mod plate person says.
Steve.

[Driftspec]

Pretty sure he's got his wording mixed up.

A quick search yielded this:

If you follow the links to the 'Body' section, the only mention of maintaining component strength is in reference to modifying other parts of the car that will change the weight, wheelbase etc, in which case the suspension etc components need to be evaluated.

What you really want is Section LS, which states the following under "Basic Modifications without Certification":
4.4 SHOCK ABSORBERS
Replacement shock absorbers (including struts and strut inserts) may be used provided that
they have been manufactured as replacement units for the particular vehicle model and have
compatible mountings and dimensions.

So my interpretation of that would be, as long as they are designed for the car or are from another model that are stronger than your car, there shouldn't be a reason for needing certification for them. As the fronts are effectively coliovers anyway you're not changing the original design enough to require re-certification.

TL;DR: As long as you can prove the replacements were either designed for the car or stronger than the car's originals, no mod plate required.

[gjgnz]

I bought the car as a rolling body and I'm building it with new motor, suspension, brake upgrade etc. I want it 100% legal and will obviously need to be able to pass a RWC to register it.

When I say Mod Plate and Engineering Certificate I'm talking about two different things.

I will be getting a Mod Plate for the coilovers under code LS3/LS4 in addition to whatever is required for the engine conversion. The issue is that the Mod Plate Certifier has said I need an engineering certificate for the coilovers BEFORE he will consider issuing a mod plate.

What I'm asking is who issues these "Engineering Certificates" and what is involved?

[Driftspec]

Still doesn't sound right. I would honestly be very surprised if it needs engineering. I'll see if I can dig up the bloke I used a few years back to mod plate my car.