Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 02:30 pm, by: Michael Sinay(Mikey)
I was defected last year for a number of things including a GTR frontmount intercooler. The EPA guy busting me told me that seeing the intercooler is not standard, emissions from my soarer could 'potentially' be changed , and therefore it is not legal to use anything other than the standard item. He said that if I did want to keep it on there legally, I needed to pass an RTA emissions test with the GTR intercooler inplace, then I can legally keep it on my car as the emissions are still within the acceptable limits.
What I would like to know is, when you get this emissions test done, on the paperwork they give you after you successfully pass there is nothing listed regarding any modifications whatsoever done to the car. How then can I prove that the intercooler was or wasn't on the car at the time of testing? I know getting it engineered would accomplish this, but I'd rather try and save the $600 or so if possible, and seeing as the EPA guy told me just passing the emissions test was all that's required, I'd like to know what to do...
Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 05:25 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
At least in VIC and previously in NSW you are allowed one intake modification ie FMIC as long as you do not have a pod filter, or pod filter but no other changes.
Either the laws in NSW have changed or you have more than one intake modification or they are having a lend of you.
Reading through the NCOP, that's crap. As it's essentially just a replacement of a factory-fitted intercooler, then there is no requirement for emissions compliance. However, they may have a case that it needs to be engineered from a structural standpoint. Essentially, since all an intercooler does is cool the intake air, it's no different from just going driving on a really cold day.