Repowers

I note in various threads that people are often talking about repowers. I thought that these days this wasquite an exercise with compliance certification inspections being quite tough.Is there some sort of conversion that is easier to do with no bureaucratic fall out. Like same type/make motor just a bit bigger, (say going from 1.3 to 2 litre)or do you only get approval if you upgrade brakes and suspension as well.

http://www.lvvta.org.nz/documents/suplementary_information/LVVTA_LVV_Cert_Threshold.pdf

That tells you what you can do in terms of modification without needing a certification.

Generally, the only repower you can do without needing a cert is repowering with:

- An engine from the same manufacturer AND
- An engine from the same seriesas original AND
- Same or less capacity AND
- Power less than 120% of the output of the original engine.

Outside of these, you'll need to go through the certification process. This may or may not need bigger brakes etc, but that's up to the certifier's judgement, depending on the increase in performance/weight etc.

Yep, heaps of vehicles are running around with larger engines from the same engine family in them - uncomplied. A lot of them are difficult to pick the difference - spot the difference between say a 2L and 3L series Hilux engine . they look damn near the same in all respects but the 2.8 goes better than the 2.4. A lot of the V8's are the same also . difficult to spot something masquerading as something else. A lot of cars will take an engine substantially bigger than OEM as long as something stupid is not selected. A Hilux chassis (and at a guess most if not all of the other jappa ute chassis's) is judged big enough to support a big block. You might have trouble getting a Honda pass the certifyer with the same engine fitted though. Where a lot of effort has to be put into pass LVV stuff is in the brake department. Its hard to pull up a screaming small block on the 3rd pass with single pot calipers for instance and you can just about forget it with a big block. Its $$$ to fit decent brakes inside of 15" rims also whereas the larger rims take them no worries. Only a little portion of things to consider!

Plenty of repowers have been done on registered cars without certification, as they only have to pass a WOF. Many inspectors can't tell the difference between a 1.3 and a 1.6 engine or a 1.6 and a 2.0. Going from a 1.3 to a 2.0 is a bigger step and may be noticed.

Insurance accident claims along with the serious accident investigation team, can tell the difference

Typo correction = 20% MAX
(Not 120%)

.
Oh I wish it was some days

No 120% is correct in that context (120% is a 20% increase over standard)

Yeah, and these cretins will use anything they can to weasel their way outta paying you.

The problem with the 120% explanation is the BR's will apply that "on top" of std.
20% increase on top of OEM is the official statement

In some cases, yep fair enough
Eg: 1.6ltr DOHC basic version replaced with a 2ltr DOHC sports version & tappet covers swapped over with no brake / tyre or suspension upgrades