A blessing in disguise?

[That Ozzy Guy]

Ok ok I must fess up.

I have been researching a Chev 350 transplant for my Z.:disappoin

Unfortunately, or maybe a blessing in disguise, the RTA's rules prohibit me from going ahead with this project. They have a formula for acceptable engine upgrades which goes like this...

Tare weight x 0.294 = acceptable maximum engine capacity.

In this case using NSW's Tare Weight of 1020 I can go as big as 299.88ci. Nowhere near a 350 Chev. If it wasn't going to be a 350 it wasn't going to be anything so I'm bailing on that idea.

A couple of things...

Prior to finding out that I can't legally do it I had a nostalgic moment working on my engine where I actually felt sorry for it and started to second guess my decision. The fact that I can't do it was a load of my mind.

Fianlly, I feel reborn in a strange way and have more respect for my car. I can't describe it and I don't want to belittle my feeling by trying to put it down in words so I won't try...

phew, had to get that off my chest

[sjcurtis]

350 is a great engine. I drive one every day, as my daily driver. The RTA really Suck with the 229 ci limit it equates to not enough cubes. I reckon the vh45de would have been nice to try here in NSW, not know.

My 2c

cheers

Steve :classic:

[That Ozzy Guy]

Originally posted by sjcurtis

350 is a great engine. I drive one every day, as my daily driver.

What's that Steve?

Yeah I have to agree with the great engine bit. Getting performance out of them is easy and cheap too.

[Ivan]

Originally posted by That Ozzy Guy

Tare weight x 0.294 = acceptable maximum engine capacity

is that without having to get it certified or that's it full stop?

Wonder what the cobra kit builders do, they must have either 350's or 427's in their kit's?

[Brett240]

to go bigger you need to have it engineer certified, then its OK.

[That Ozzy Guy]

No guys, unfortunately that's it. That is the maximum capacity I can legally get engineered.

For forced induction engines there is another formula. I'll post it up tonight as I've left the info sheet at home.

[Brett240]

where did you get your info from? ive seen a few V8 240'z in New south Wales cert engineered and registered.

[Brett240]

i know there is a mzximum size engine the RTA will let you have WITHOUT getting a cert, from memory in a 240 you could change to an L26 but an L28 was too big.

[That Ozzy Guy]

Brett, you can fit an engine 15% lager than stock without engineering cert. Anything bigger and up to limit, it has to be engineered.

The reason you have seen big V8's in NSW with engineering cert is because they would have been engineered pre '96. The rules changed around that time but these cars are still around and can still be registered. Lucky them!

I've spoken to the RTA tech department, engineers and have downloaded some information from the RTA site itself.

Here is the RTA information on light vehicle modifications

[Brett240]

george,

thats a bloody joke:angry:

how can they only allow only a 4.9L Atmo engine and yet you can run a turbo/supercharged engine up to 4 Litres?

so they wont let us have a 5 Litre V8 but we can happily drive around in a twin turbo 4L making 500hp at the wheels?

the same thinking applies to the dickheads at Eastern Creek Raceway,

you can no longer run a supercharged car at the street drags but you can happily run a turbocharged car.

:cross-eye

[26ounce]

Those new rules don't seem particularly well worked out. But then again your average mug like me would have a greater chance of success swapping an old carbed V8 than attempting a newer EFI turbo type motor. No nasty electrickery to muck around with.

Anyway, by my calculations are right then you might be able to put a 350 in a 260Z. Assuming the 260Z weighs 1200kg then the max cubes is 352.8 and you just make it.

Not that it helps you Ozzy Guy. FWIW If you want to stick with carbs you could consider the P76 Rover V8.