Independent inspection of motor home in W.A?

[dapope]

The plus side of WA rego, is no annual inspections. At this stage.

Our Swagman was less than 700 last time. The cars cost more!
WArego will be worth maintaining to avoid issues. It may be worth checking how long you need to own the vehicle in the state of your choice before swapping rego. For example a Queensland vehicle that you have owned more than 12 months while maintaining a WA garage address can be swapped without inspection..at least, that used to be the rule..

[2Smiths]

Thanks for all the replies etc. Had the bus inspected the other day (mechanically) and it looks reasonably good, according to the mech. who checked it over...

In saying that, I may have been a bit "blinded" by how good on paper the mechanicals are...

For background, the bus is a Hino BX341e (1981), which has had the EH700 (6.4lt N/A diesel), swapped for an OM906LA (6.4 turbo-diesel), with an Allison 6-speed auto.

The relevant specs of the two motors are:

EH700: ~130KW/600NM
OM906LA ~205KW/900-1000NM

Nice power and torque upgrades, and the engine looks like it belongs there...but, what are the rules in relation to engineering engine swaps in buses/motorhomes? (It is registered as a "mobile caravan" in WA).

[jon_d]

The first thing to ask about is the engineers compliance certificate for the new engine.

Then visit your local RTA and ask them if they will accept it.

If they don't, it will need to be re-certified by an engineer in your state.

If he rejects the engineering, you've bought a lemon and will not be able to registered it until the items are resolved.... if they can be. Remember; it will cost $100+ an hour for someone to work on it.

$1000-$3000 for the engineer
$100-130 per hour for someone to do any remedial engineering plus parts
$400- 600 for the RWC inspection plus any work

Be very careful, you could blow a lot of money.

[Busman]

The most basic rule was always that you could not legally put in a bigger engine (capacity as in cubic inches or metric equivalent), seems that has been complied with.

[jon_d]

When I did mine, the engineer checked right down to summing the angles of the tail shaft to ensure the rotational speed was right.


I'm not saying there is a problem, but just to be very careful. Like the old saying, buyer beware.

[dapope]

Keep it registered in WA..