Hi from Australia

C

Sandy

Hi all,
I am in the process of selling all my existing toys to enable purchase of a new SLC from Fran. I thought I would start a post on here in the hope I could get help on my choices , and any advice in relation to getting one of these supertoys registered within Australia.

I am looking at a reasonably tame configuration, with a full interior. Speaking with Fran has confused me more than helped me however, as he is too helpful and gives WAY too many choices!! :)

From an engine perspective, I have to meet Australian regulations which appears to be somewhat painful...I believe I will need to use a near standard Brand new crate engine. To help with emissions I may also consider putting the car onto LPG (Similar to Propane) using the new liquid LPG injection system that injects the LPG directly into the engine as a liquid without the old style converter being required.
I will be after around 700hp from an engine configuration, running with a 6 speed transaxle. I would obviously like a setup that runs in a nice tame fashion, and has decent reliability on the street...and importantly doesn't cost too much...Very interested in hearing peoples thoughts around this...

In relation the suspension...what are peoples thoughts for the sway bars? Needed for street or overkill? any side effects from installing that I should know about? I will be installing the suspension hydraulic raising system in both front and rear, as living in Sydney Australia is a nightmare with speed humps every 50 metres, along with 2000 potholes inbetween the speed humps!

Some other questions I fired to Fran, who has probably been overwhelmed by my ineptitude :), was in relation to the side windows being made of Lexan...Have any fellow Australian builder's overcome this issue for registration purposes?
I have not seen any of the hinged side windows as yet...are these useful for a street car?

If I have the fuel tank excluded from the build, will this increase the amount of engine room at all? (LPG tanks can be mounted in different areas :) )

Australia also has a requirement for ADR compliant seats, how have people got around this small constraint?

Sorry for the long list of questions, just trying to ensure I get as much information as possible prior to travelling for 24 hours in a plane to go visit Fran!!

Cheers
Sandy
 
C

clive

G'day Sandy,

May I suggest one of the first things to do is meet up with an engineer. He will be able to help you sort wheat from chaff.

I am progressing on my build, using an (aftermarket) injected 302. I am confident that emmissions are not going to be a problem given programable injection, and using current model cats. Noise may be a more serious hurdle.

My reading is that ADR compliance for seats relates to head restraints and adjustable slides. Fixed seats mean part of the problem is solved. I will be forming up 3mm alloy buckets with light padding/covering.

Clive
 
CANTDRIVE55

Doc Kaler

Welcome Sandy!

I would also suggest that you contact RCR Australia about your concerns for compliance.

There is an athwartships aluminum 1.5 x 4 bulhead beam that tends to limit forward engine clearances, depending of course on engine selection.

You can get by without anti-sway bars for street and even occasional track days.
 
C

Sandy

Hi Clive,
I think I will have to find a friendly engineer shortly for this...my biggest problem is the fact I will be relocating in the next few months..(NSW to either QLD or ACT most likely). As such, it may be a bit of a waste of money getting an engineer onboard just yet..

I will be after obtaining moveable seats for use in a street car...Maybe I should just relocate some seats from an ADR approved car and then change back to the RCR buckets (For better fit) after compliance is met?

In relation the powerplant...I am strongly considering a LS based engine, with either a LS376 (Can put in close to stock for compliance, and then twin turbo charge at a later date to get the HP required to keep me happy), or a LSX454 which can be kept N/A in the future, with just a cam upgrade etc to enhance the power..
I looked at the LS9 and LS7 engines...but both fall a bit short on the HP level wanted, and cost a heap to procure in the first place..

Readily open to suggestions however!! especially if anyone can add pricing and required transaxle!!
I know Fran has some incredibly good contacts in relation to drivetrain prices as well..
 
C

Sandy

Hi again guys,
Do many people outsource the building component of the SL-C? I have a few investments maturing in 6-7 months, and am considering holding off purchasing the kit until then and having the additional funds put into paying a shop in the USA to correctly assemble the car to at least a 90% completed status...
I couldnt go beyond that status due to a few constraints within Australian registration (Namely things like Liquid LPG injection being the preferred fuel to help get past emissions restrictions in Australia...and that having to be installed by a certified LPG installer in Australia..).

Are there any shops I should be talking to that people would recommend? Build would be fairly straight forward standardised build, with most likely a LSX454 and a pair of turbos, and transaxle to suit...with full leather interior etc..
I would love to give those shops a quick call to discuss possibilities and pricing estimates to see whether I should purchase the kit and build myself, or wait a little bit and outsource! (To be honest, the outsourcing would result in a completed project quicker regardless of the 6 months delay in starting..I know how slack and slow I am hahaha)

Cheers
Sandy
 
Howard Jones

Howard Jones

Supporter
I think the worst idea I have ever heard is to have an independant "shop/builder" build a car that the owner was on a different continent by remote control. Especially a car that the builder has never seen, let alone build at least one copy of. IMHO........I guess I need to say that, you can't build a car over the phone unless you don't care how it is done. The builder will do it his way unless you tell him different and then check and see it was done your way. That's just life.

God bless you my son.......and good luck with that one.

Either have Fran do what you want and include it with the total cost of the deal or have the assembly done locally by a shop you can drop in on a couple of times a month if not week.

Isn't there a NZ of AUS dealer for these cars? What about them?
 
C

Sandy

Lol Alex...I dont think I can compete on Cubes with you.....so I figure moderate cubes and some forced induction will help it along a bit :)

I would throw my 13B Turbo in it (One of those unreliable things I think Dave also likes?)...except it would look lonely in the huge engine bay :( And I am not sure I could get it through the emissions standards here in Australia...Over here with individually constructed vehicles you need to pass emissions to match the current standards...
Considering the FD3s RX7 when released on much more lax rules for emissions back in 1993 -->1998 (We had them a bit longer in AUS) could not pass emissions from the factory...I doubt my somewhat modified example is worthwhile attempting to get passed!

Howard,
Thanks for the advice, it was an angle I had obviously not considered.....The reason for asking is the cost of mechanical works here in Australia is a bit on the extortionate side when you want quality works performed...I noticed their were a few workshops and equivalent "builders" who seemed to be assembling Frans toys, so figured I would throw it out there as a suggestion :)
If I was to get works performed oversea's I would obviously have to find a way to monitor works....without significantly impacting progress...definately a valid concern however...
 
D

Dalton Veitch

Sandy, I wouldn't necessarily get fixated on the LPG track. There are many powerful built-up cars around (GT40's especially) that have been registered OK here using petrol. Late model engines, with engine management systems, as mentioned by Clive. Of course, it's your build.
 
C

Sandy

The LPG setup should work out marginally cheaper than petroleum....also with the advantages of liquid lpg injection (LLPGi) you actually gain hp and torque...
Combining that with the easier emissions makes it a fairly nice choice in Australian markets....
 
R

Dave

Craysus said:
I would throw my 13B Turbo in it (One of those unreliable things I think Dave also likes?)...except it would look lonely in the huge engine bay :( And I am not sure I could get it through the emissions standards here in Australia...Over here with individually constructed vehicles you need to pass emissions to match the current standards...
Considering the FD3s RX7 when released on much more lax rules for emissions back in 1993 -->1998 (We had them a bit longer in AUS) could not pass emissions from the factory...I doubt my somewhat modified example is worthwhile attempting to get passed!
Click to expand...
Why not just toss an n/a stock port engine in the car but with all the supporting peripherals to turbo charge it, pass the emissions and inspection and then swap out the stock port engine for the preferred powerplant. If you could see how low and perfectly placed my 20b sits in the car, you might consider it. My drivetrain is lighter and sits lower than the v8's most everyone else is putting in, not too mention I will make more usable power :flameon:

On another note, I'd have to agree with Howard. Regardless of the exorbitant labor costs in AU, you may still pay more here just because you could not overlook the process at all and could easily be taken advantage of. If it were me, I'd have it shipped to AU and assembled there. Why not Craig, the AU RCR rep? Have you even contacted him?
 
C

Sandy

Almost no chance of getting the rotor passed over here Dave...Emissions would be impossible to get through even with a completely stock turbocharged 13b....let alone a 20b...
I am one of the administrators on the Australian FD3s forums, (FDRX7.com) and know that getting a stock FD to pass Australian emissions is impossible... (When defected by the police, we have to get checked out..). A 100% standard FD will not pass with stock ports, and all emissions gear installed...To get them passed normally requires extra cats, and a few other tricks performed...and they are only required to pass at latest the 2002 standards....2011 standards are tighter again...

I will stick with the tried and tested Small Block chev formula I think....I can wack the engine in, if the authorities won't let me turbo charge it i will simply install the stock crate style engine, and then force feed it later on :)

In relation the local supplier...I tried contacting him as a first point of call via email. This got directed straight to Fran (Who has been very helpful early on...).
Looking like I will get the kit over here, and farm out the work to individual companies I can trust...OR get off my fat arse and do the work myself lol...
 
Wreckage

George

CURRENTLY BANNED
Hi
700 horsepower?

And people said I was dreaming when I wanted 600 in a car like this. You sure topped that, wheres Alan Watkins n the rest of the cattle that abused me for even THINKING such a thing in a GT40 LOL!

The GT40 is around 850kg, u sure u want drag car performance on a street? 1:1 power-weight ratio is ALOT.

Looks like with that and the 600hp car I wanna make out of Carbon Fibre, everyone in australia gonna be unsafe according to the MooMoos on here (alan watkins n others). If everyone down here takes there advice and moves, we have the entire country to ourself, now that would be cool lol.

Let us know how u go with that propane idea and what it looks like, sounds interesting. Hope u can achieve it.
 
Last edited:
flatchat

flatchat(Chris)

Supporter
Best 'o luck Craig --looks like you have a couple of customers in George and Sandy there --- body chassis, light as a feather, 7000 hp -- plenty of money to hand over till you tell 'em to stop -- perfect.:thumbsup:
 
Wreckage

George

CURRENTLY BANNED
I dont know considering I want a carbon fibre chasis, that leaves tornado for me. Best of luck :)
 
T

Chris

Hi All. I'm new to this forum, and i am subscribing here as i have been bitten by the GT40 bug (well i got bitten years ago, but only now is the bit becoming an itch!).

Been thinking of importing a RCR kit from the US. NSW rego is interesting to say the least!
 
K

Keith

Moderator
G-man said:
Hi
700 horsepower?

And people said I was dreaming when I wanted 600 in a car like this. You sure topped that, wheres Alan Watkins n the rest of the cattle that abused me for even THINKING such a thing in a GT40 LOL!

The GT40 is around 850kg, u sure u want drag car performance on a street? 1:1 power-weight ratio is ALOT.

Looks like with that and the 600hp car I wanna make out of Carbon Fibre, everyone in australia gonna be unsafe according to the MooMoos on here (alan watkins n others). If everyone down here takes there advice and moves, we have the entire country to ourself, now that would be cool lol.

Let us know how u go with that propane idea and what it looks like, sounds interesting. Hope u can achieve it.
Click to expand...

Say it again George, the SLC is a modern chassis, designed for this type of performance HP with the right transaxle. The GT40 is a 1960's design and 500hp will outperform the chassis limits UNLESS you go the route that Ian Pretty has for example..
 
C

Sandy

Thunder said:
Hi All. I'm new to this forum, and i am subscribing here as i have been bitten by the GT40 bug (well i got bitten years ago, but only now is the bit becoming an itch!).

Been thinking of importing a RCR kit from the US. NSW rego is interesting to say the least!
Click to expand...

Hi Chris,
Would love to catch up and see if we can compare notes / thoughts so far...I am still a few months away from making the leap and purchasing ... (Selling up my fleet of current toys to afford the new one!)

Very interested to see what information you have found on the registration front ...To be honest I am lost on this area a bit!!
 
Wreckage

George

CURRENTLY BANNED
Sandy

RCR from what I heard weld their fuel tank to the chasis, so it is actually part of the stress the car goes through (I dont see how this is a good idea given fuel can explode?). Given this, in Australia you wont get a compliance on it done like that. So that makes RCR out, unless you find a way around the whole ordeal, or, if RCR will make it with fuel tanks not attached to chasis for you.

What are you selling to get the GT40 btw? Would be nice to see.
 
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