Have read and heard that owning a pre ADR (is it 06/1977?) vehicle is an advantage when it comes to modifying. But what about when installing a modern (1990 onwards) engine and driveline? Is it still an advantage to have a pre '77 vehicle? Certification still requires the use of the standard ECU, emmision system, etc from the year of the modern engine does it not? Even the brakes require certification if modified more than just a brake disc spec change is what I've read.
 
And apparently from 01 January 2011 any vehicle (even pre '77) that has to be certified for mod's now MUST have a collapsible steering column! Where does this leave the MK1/2 Escorts as they have collapsible steering wheels that Ford used to get around that rule?
 
Basically what are the advantages, if any?

esc-078

Have read and heard that owning a pre ADR 31 (is it 06/1977?) vehicle is an advantage when it comes to modifying. But what about when installing a modern (1990 onwards) engine and driveline? Is it still an advantage to have a pre '77 vehicle? Certification still requires the use of the standard ECU, emmision system, etc from the year of the modern engine does it not? Even the brakes require certification if modified more than just a brake disc spec change is what I've read.

And apparently from 01 January 2011 any vehicle (even pre '77) that has to certified for mod's now MUST have a collapsible steering column! Where does this leave the MK1/2 Escorts as they have collapsible steering wheels that Ford used to get around that rule?

Basically what are the advantages, if any?

The problem is that rules still vary wildly between the states. So what goes in one state doesn't in another. Other than talking to a local engineer you should only speak to people from your state who have actually done mods and had them engineered.
 
Cheers

There's a blanket set of rules that applies for all states.. National Code of Practice or VSB 14 I think. Yes true that speaking to a local engineer will be worthwhile. But with the knowledge that's available on this forum thought I'd ask the basics so that all can learn without bugging the local engineer for an hour asking the basics.
 
But essentially what I'm asking is if there's any advantage to owning a pre '77 car when it comes to replacing the engine with a more modern one?
 
RS 200, how did you get around the collapsible steering column issue? This is now mandatory and you've only recently got your RS certified.

I would think no advantages whatsoever. Pre ADR27A cars are only advantageous if you want to get power by using big carbs. Post ADR27A cars get emissions tested and would more than likely fail with a pair of DCOE's hangin off the side. Am I on the right track here??

esc-078

There's a blanket set of rules that applies for all states.. National Code of Practice or VSB 14 I think. Yes true that speaking to a local engineer will be worthwhile. But with the knowledge that's available on this forum thought I'd ask the basics so that all can learn without bugging the local engineer for an hour asking the basics.

But essentially what I'm asking is if there's any advantage to owning a pre '77 car when it comes to replacing the engine with a more modern one?

RS 200, how did you get around the collapsible steering column issue? This is now mandatory and you've only recently got your RS certified.

In SA there is no collapsible steering column requirement. In SA you apply to rego department to have a vehicle modified stating mods you would like to perform, and rego department issue you with 'Statment of requirements' stating what needs to be done for the car to be legal. Although an engineer performs relavant test and compiles an overall report that mods were performed to industry standards etc etc, Its the rego department that decides what tests are required and which rules it has to comply with. So basically if you are in SA it costs you nothing to fill out an application to mod vehicle and send it off to reg department, at least you will know exactly what is required to get car legal. If you dont go thru with the mods you just continue to use the car as per normal.
Like I said states still vary wildly with their rules and procedures. However pre 77 car will more than likely be cheaper to engineer as it will require a lot less testing (again largely dependant what state you live in).
 
Cheers 

esc-078

And apparently from 01 January 2011 any vehicle (even pre '77) that has to be certified for mod's now MUST have a collapsible steering column! Where does this leave the MK1/2 Escorts as they have collapsible steering wheels that Ford used to get around that rule?

 
Hi
Looking into this the above only applies if no other relavent ADR is imposed - in the case of my June 1980 RS2000 ADR 10B refers to the applicable steering column standard for the vehicle.
This is stipulated under the "Mandatory Safety Equipment Upgrades for pre ADR vehicles" within VSB 14 (Updated Jan 2011) and applies to vehicles manufactured after 1st Jan 1973.
Further more the RTA for example (Guidelines for Light Vehicle Modification - VSI No 6) stipulates that if the engine has a capacity >45% of the largest optional power plant and is pre ADR10 then a collapsible column must be fitted.
In short - this does not apply to any vehicles complying with ADR 10 (Escort included )
 
Also, in general I don't think there is any advantage to a pre emission vehicle if you intend to install a later alternative engine. The only advantage would be to modify the original engine or maybe fit a BDA etc and argue it "was" and option somewhere in the world The onus is on you to provide conformance regarding ALL the relavent ADR's for the chosen vehicle regardless of the year of build - just some of the older ADR's are more relaxed in their intention etc.

Pretty sure ADR's are Australia wide (hence the A...)
 
Emission controls for Escorts were introduced in 2 stages - ADR??? in 1973 when ADR's came into being, and the stricter ADR27A which cam in on 1 July 1976 (hence why I specifically sourced an April 76 shell for my car and had it engineered)
 
In Australia ADR's must be complied with. They must be met for the newer of the engine or the chassis... So a 1973 mk1 with a 1996 zetec engine must meet emmision controls for the 1996 zetec engine.... ie factory injection, unleaded, cats and all emmision control gear.... Just occasionally you can get an engineer to sign it off without some of these things (or an expensive emmissions test to demonstrate it does meet the emmisions requirements) as I have seen it done...
 
PS - all the original Aussie rs2000's now fitted with twin carbs are post ADR27a and therefore do not meet ADR emmision controls... Only a pre ADR27a chassis (1 July 1976 was when ADR27A came in) can run legally twins and the engine must also be a pre ADR27a too.... (ie TC cortina engine...)

Ok... so we've established that there are no advantages in having an Escort build before 1 July 1976 if a modern engine swap is your plan. Are there any other areas where it might be an advantage to have an earlier shell? Full brake system replacement including bias adjustable pedal box maybe?
 
Back on the engine, many people have replaced the motor for a modern EFI motor and had the car certified with an aftermarket ECU. And without having done the full emssions test... HOW? That's not allowed anywhere in Aus as far as I'm aware.

No we havent established that at all.
 A pre 77 shell is the only shell that you will pass emmisions with a heavily modified motor, modern or not. Post 77 shell simply will not pass relavant emmisions test. So there is a huge advantage in having a pre 77 shell just in that. It will also be a lot cheaper to engineer with less testing in other areas.
 
 
Cheers

Also if installing modern engine that is completely standard but has aftermarket ecu, in SA the rego department only requests a minor emmisions report. This might be different in other states, interstate guys may be able to fill the gaps.
 
Cheers