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Miscellaneous items

13-1 Engine and transmission

Reasons for rejection

Condition

1. An engine, gearbox, transfer case, differential or other driveline mounting is insecure.

2. A chain sprocket:

a) is loose, or

b) has excessively worn teeth.

3. A drive chain:

a) is excessively loose, or

b) has excessively worn links.

4. A driveshaft is bent or severely damaged.

5. A driveshaft flange:

a) is insecure, or

b) has a bolt or nut missing.

6. A rubber doughnut-type driveshaft coupling:

a) is worn or damaged beyond manufacturer’s specifications, or

b) is split or delaminated so that its mechanical integrity is affected, or

c) securing bolt is loose or missing.

7. A driveshaft universal joint spider (cross) bearing:

a) is worn so that the movement in the joint is beyond manufacturers specifications, or

b) caps have loose or missing cap bolts or circlips, or

c) is damaged, displaced or the seals between the spider journals and bearing caps are missing.

8. A driveshaft slip joint (spline) is worn beyond manufacturer’s specifications.

9. The universals in the driveshaft are not fitted in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.

Modifications

10. A modification (Note 1) affects the engine and transmission, and:

a) is not excluded from the requirements for LVV specialist certification (Table 13-1-1), and

b) is missing proof of LVV specialist or accepted overseas certification, ie:

i. the vehicle is not fitted with a valid LVV certification plate, or

ii. the operator is not able to produce a valid modification declaration or authority card , or

iii. the vehicle has not been certified to an accepted overseas system as described in Technical bulletin 13.

Note 1 Definitions

Modify means to change a vehicle from its original state by altering, substituting, adding or removing a structure, system, component or equipment, but does not include repair.

Repair means to restore a damaged or worn vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment to within safe tolerance of its condition when manufactured, including replacement with undamaged or new structures, systems, components or equipment.

Note 2

LVV certification is always required for the fitting of a supercharger or turbocharger as a modification, or the upgrading of a supercharger, turbo or wastegate, or the re-chipping of electronic engine control units on turbo vehicles.

Table 13-1-1. Modifications that do not require LVV certification

Fitting of or modification to:

LVV certification is not required provided that:

Substitution of engines

  • when compared with the OE engine, the replacement engine:

– is of the same or less cubic capacity, and

– has equal or less weight, and

– has the same or less power output, and

– uses the same fuel (petrol, diesel), and

– uses the same unmodified attachment points, ie it bolts in, and

– uses the same ancillary equipment (accelerator linkages etc).

Minor modifications to OE engine

  • the modifications result in not more than 20% more power than the OE engine, which may include the fitting of:

– extractor or free-flow exhaust manifolds, or big bore exhaust systems

– changed intake manifolds

– changed or multiple carburettors

– modified fuel injection systems

– changed ignition systems

– alternative cold air box induction systems.

  • See (Note 2)

Gearbox substitution

  • the gearbox cross member has not been heated, cut or welded, and
  • the OE gearbox cross member mounting to the OE body or chassis members is unchanged, and
  • no replacement gearbox cross member is used, and
  • the OE driveshaft or drive chains are unmodified.

Fitting of or modification to:

LVV certification is never required:

Any modification for the purposes of law enforcement or the provision of emergency services

  • in-service requirements for condition and performance must be met.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation
Condition and performance

1. The vehicle must be safe to be operated.

2. The components and materials must be fit for their purpose and within safe tolerance of their state when manufactured or modified.

Modifications

3. A modification that affects the engine and transmission must be inspected and certified by an LVV specialist certifier, unless the vehicle:

a) is excluded from the requirement for LVV specialist certification (Table 13-1-1), and

b) has been inspected in accordance with the requirements in this manual, including those for equipment, condition and performance.

Page amended 1 April 2024 (see amendment details).

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