hi all,

well have been doing research and finally met up with an engineer, only at the end to get a shock with the price! in all probability, the price is normal, but for an inexperienced person such as myself (and having just finished uni where baked beans are expensive doesn't help) it sounds quite expensive.

was wondering what people have been paying for their engineer? this one is based on a per hour basis.

how much will i need to use the engineer during the process of a conversion?

cheers

it all really depend's on how much help you think you'll need. you can find a lot of info on here.

It really begs the question that how are you going to afford a full conversion.

I wouldn't expect to pay less than $250 an hour anywhere. do yourself a favour and research what people have done with your engine as far as conversion changes. obviously a swift will be cheaper than something that makes big big power

_________________
-doing a Degree in Mechanical Engineering,
and a few conversions:
13B Extend in a 1600
4EFTE in a mini ute (all slowly)

In this big bad world what you are actually paying for is the battle of the insurance companies, the engineer by passing your car fit for the road is actually saying that in his opinion your car is safe and if it is involved in a accident it is not the fault of the conversion/modiication.

Its a real shame but I know in the world of Clubman Sports Cars that a couple of grand plus is the normal for engineering charges and a major conversion would be about the same

Jon

_________________
Roundies and Clubbies(except vans) are both ugly that is why I have Midas and a van
1293 Mini Midas Bronze,1275 Clubman van

From what I heard most engineers certificates have worked out to be between $600 - $1500

Based on time of engineer & the amount of stuff that needs to be engineered.

_________________
Baracade
Relationships! The only time you get to sleep with the enemy!
1972 US Export Moke in Bundaberg QLD

Yep, I paid $200 just for his retainer,
so I'm not looking forward to the final bill.

That's just what it costs these days...

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Yeah I paid $900 for mine. Was to be $800 but he charged me another $100 because I asked him to do a final inspection . Still reasonable value I'd say.

Cheers

Matt

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225hp atw on 14psi. 1/4 Mile no idea. Take one 1971 Mini Clubman, one Starlet GT Halfcut, Simmer over a warm MIG Welder, and Voila Minstar! www.mpdesign.id.au

cheers guys,

was actually wanting to know how much per hour your engineers worked out to be?

also, at what points should they be involved in the process of a conversion (labour should be done by me and my uncle {an engineer, but he can't sign off anything})?

thanks

I would expect to consult with an engineer breefly if you are considering a conversion that's been done before.then when you have got it to the final test fit stage I would expect to have to explain the extent of it fully and expect that he might request something may need minor alteration.

This is assuming that you will be doing quality work and definatley not trying to cut corners.

Please bear in mind an engineer might save you money? who else has seen more conversions than a conversion shop. he's a pretty important part of any conversion. and at the end the whole thing hinges on his decision that it's safe and properly modified.

_________________
-doing a Degree in Mechanical Engineering,
and a few conversions:
13B Extend in a 1600
4EFTE in a mini ute (all slowly)

I was talking to an engineer on saturday. It's completely unrelated to minis but he tells me, he charges $5000 to engineer a modified harley. He reckons some days he will make $25000 before lunch.

_________________
Take it easy, & if it's easy take it twice!!

Money, its a gas.

Hey
Have any of you guys in Aussie heard anything about your Govt. seeking to copy how we do vehicle modification here in NZ?
I heard a rumour at the weekend that motions are underway to replicate our system in Aus-they just sourting thru royalties....any ideas?

_________________
If you idiot proof the world, only idiots there shall be!!!!!

No glenno haven't heard that rumour but I hear NZ rules are alot more flexible than Australia certainly the ACT anyway, so if it proves to be more than a rumour that would be good.

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225hp atw on 14psi. 1/4 Mile no idea. Take one 1971 Mini Clubman, one Starlet GT Halfcut, Simmer over a warm MIG Welder, and Voila Minstar! www.mpdesign.id.au

I would suggest highly unlikely given proposal that has been posted in this forum a number of times. Light Vehicle Modifiacations charter os something like that. If you combined the better rules from each state you would get the national code they are trying to apply. I'm confident its got nothing to do with the NZ system as the NZ system, is well lax at best.

everyone wants something for nothing

If some guy charges you $900-$1500 or $250/hr to tell YOU that YOUR car will not KILL YOU, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIENDS or anyone ELSE because of how YOU have modified it, then you can thank him that YOUR life is so bloody CHEAP.

What price would you have him put on YOUR life?

sure some of you don't give a rats if you live or die, but he also has a responsibility to the rest of the community - and that includes me BTW - so be thankful that the couple of hundred thousand people you drive past in the life of the car are also so cheap to NOT KILL.

/rant

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

Actually, it wasn't rumour...it was quite factual...my certifyer, and when I say that, they are only about 50 odd in the country, so nothing lost in translation, and they have just had a regional meeting.......
Lax? I think not.....i cant comment on aus so no use getting into a cock-banging argument on who is stricter, but from what i've read on this forum, the NZ system is miles ahead......
no overpriced bloke running you upto $1500 in fees...my min, with full v-tec conversion is costing only $475, and thats with everything done, one upfront fee. Inspection and reinspection should anything need attention, cyclic brake test, documentation, any non destructive tests and certs.......no attitude, just good communication.
As minstar has pointed out, the rules can be seen as flexible, or just a universal charter for the safe modification of vehicles....... the paper trail is long and somewhat frustrating at times, but at the end of the day, the car is safe and the rules are only there for honest car modifyers.....
As already stated, a consciencious person approaches a certifyer and gets opinion before attempting anything and with his help, abides by the rules in the LVVC requirement
I'll get you some more information if you like '63...no stress there mate.....

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If you idiot proof the world, only idiots there shall be!!!!!