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I think they will struggly with this one. While i partyl agree IF it was a safety thing... note everyone knows what they're doing so you can't ensure thats mods are done safely... manufacturers do a hell of a lot of crash tests these days and all the little things they do on the body / suspension etc do help so it can be seen as making it unsafer to undo this. However, the cars we have in this forum and the majority of cars that get modified are done to improve things... e.g a brake upgrade from drums to discs can only be a good thing (if done professionally of course). I remember when my jeep had no master servo and nearly went into the back of a beemer as i didnt see the traffic stopped ahead because of a hump bridge. After being quite shaken up installed a master servo and the brakes were a lot better and made me more comfortable driving. I think a lot of mods help, an out there example is if you were to fit an airbag to your car, that's a mod but surely more safe now. I think the list can go for performance parts (thinking of handling, suspension, braking etc) that enhance the safety of your car and passengers. i wonder what everyone else thinks? Also on the note of defining a mod, putting vinyl stripes on your car is a mod so would that count? how would you define a stripe vs. decals etc. What if you changed gearknob or even more anal, the stereo so that you can listen to your ipod? playing devils advocate here so over to you guys!
Unfortunately there'a law already in existence that now prohibits any major structural changes to a car. It's based on an 8 point system, with your car having to score a minimum of 8 points to comply with legality.
Scoring components
The following values will be allocated to the major components used:
* chassis or body shell (body and chassis as one unit - monocoque ie direct replacement from the manufacturer) (original or new) = 5 points
* suspension = 2 points
* axles = 2 points
* transmission = 2 points
* steering assembly = 2 points
* engine = 1 point
If you cut into the monocoque of the shell, lets say to put in bigger wheeltubs, your car can be deemed to be illegal, as it wouldn't allow the 8 points to be made, losing 5 for modifying the monocoque. Also if someone modifies the structure of the car in any way it would also fall foul of the 8 point system. Cut into a bulkhead to fit a bigger engine?? deemed to be illegal !!
As you can see the bodyshell carries the most points, but if you change a combination of parts & you can't reach a total of 8 points from the original car, your car becomes illegal. ALL illegal cars would have to go for a BIVA test. Unfortunately, at the moment, no American car can pass BIVA because the glass doesn't meet the EU specification.
Not looking good for those that have tubbed, 3 linked, changed axles, suspension & engines etc is it??
cheers...Nige
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