KIZZA

I spoke to an engineer 18months ago in melb about my cosworth engine into my 75 mk2 and he was fine to sign it off with no cat converter!
 

That cannot possibly be correct, and it would be illegal would it not???
Remember reading somewhere a case where a pre 27a MK1 Escort with a Zetec was passed by engineer with aftermarket ECU and no catalytic converter. Owner got busted somehow and the argument that followed resulted in the engineer losing his licence and a hefty fine for the owner. Was a QLD car if I'm not mistaken.
 
If the car is passed by a dodgy engineer not following the book 100%, and the state registration authority doesn't pick it during the final inspection, can the owner can still get in the ****??

It isn't difficult to get brake mods passed if they're done correctly. The pre adr31 thing is more of a cost issue than anything else. When we worked out just how many hours of setup, transport and testing were needed on an adr 31 car, it worked out cheaper to buy a pre adr31 shell. The testing consisted of failng the front circuit, failing the rear circuit and failing the booster then seeing if the car still passed the predetermined limits. Pre adr31 was basically a check to see that the brakes worked and that was it. 5 minutes max. No messing around with boosters and circuits and no setup times or testing costs.

My advice would be this.
Contact the relevant govt authority in your state and have them provide you with the name/s of engineers certified to sign off on any mods you intend to perform. I would also request from them the latest documents relating to the mods that you want to perform. Having the info supplied by the authority gives you piece of mind and allows you to be informed before discussing the intended mods with an engineer. Try and find someone in the authority that is helpful. Get their name and use them to help you with the info required. If you find that the info is not clear seek clarification before starting on the mods. Get this in writing from the authority. Very important! Sometimes it may seem like a long winded process but it will be worthwhile rather spending money for nothing. Remember at the end of the day it's the authority that signs off the engineers report and if they are not happy your pride and joy will sit idle in the shed :-(
Cheers
Craig