Coil Conversion advice

[GusB123]

Hi everyone,
Im not sure if i should buy a coil conversion kit for my cruiser or if I should DIY it. I want to keep the build fully road legal and I am not sure if doing my own coil conversion will make it more difficult to get road legal in queensland.
Thanks

 

[Chatty]

I would have thought that a modification as substantial as that would require engineer certification.

At least with a kit you will get a system that has (hopefully) been engineered, so making the certification easier.

 

[Lost1?]

I'm no engineer. But will make an assumption that to certify your own system you would need to draw the system to a level of detail that would also record material specs and provide calcs that would satisfy an engineer your design could support differing dynamic load profiles that would occur during the full range of suspension movement.

You could buy a CAD program that does most of that through simulation. Not sure of the cost for software or the complexities of learning to use that software.

Or like Chatty said, just buy a kit off the rack. Kits like that aren't cheap for a reason. The company that produced that kit have invested a shitload of resources into producing a safe system that is accepted by multiple state government registration authorities.

The other option could be a money pit that results in you spending almost as much.

 

[Chatty]

You could buy a CAD program that does most of that through simulation. Not sure of the cost for software or the complexities of learning to use that software.

Speaking from my experience as an engineer - about $5k for a very basic system to $20k+ (car manufacturers use systems costing 6 figures) for something relatively useful for the software. Allow four years full time at university to get your engineering degree (about $50k now I think) and then another six or so years to become fully proficient in using the software as well as obtaining your certified engineer status - about 10 years all up.

I'm no engineer. But will make an assumption that to certify your own system you would need to draw the system to a level of detail that would also record material specs and provide calcs that would satisfy an engineer your design could support differing dynamic load profiles that would occur during the full range of suspension movement.

Let's not forget that the road authorities have a very short list of engineers who are approved to undertake the assessment and certification of vehcile modifications. To get on that list you have to be a Chartered Professional Engineer - that takes about 10 years from start to finish, plus you have to have demonstrable experience in the field - that could be as long as another 5 to 10 years.
Then don't forget in some states you will need to be registered with a professional standards board.
Oh, and did I mention that you will need Professional Indemnity and Public Liabiliity Insurance for your business as a certifying engineer? There's another $30k a year.

 

[discomatt]

Speaking from my experience as an engineer - about $5k for a very basic system to $20k+ (car manufacturers use systems costing 6 figures) for something relatively useful for the software. Allow four years full time at university to get your engineering degree (about $50k now I think) and then another six or so years to become fully proficient in using the software as well as obtaining your certified engineer status - about 10 years all up.

Let's not forget that the road authorities have a very short list of engineers who are approved to undertake the assessment and certification of vehcile modifications. To get on that list you have to be a Chartered Professional Engineer - that takes about 10 years from start to finish, plus you have to have demonstrable experience in the field - that could be as long as another 5 to 10 years.
Then don't forget in some states you will need to be registered with a professional standards board.
Oh, and did I mention that you will need Professional Indemnity and Public Liabiliity Insurance for your business as a certifying engineer? There's another $30k a year.

So short answer is no, get a professional and approved company to do the job

 

[Rusty Panels]

Keep an eye on the Aldi catalog, you never know!