Drive tunnel modification

[hsmidy]

Hi

My question is what are the rules regarding replacing a drive tunnel and firewall in a car?

Can you just reshape some 1mm sheet steel and have it welded in place?

Can you cut the drive tunnel and gearbox cross member mounting points out of a donor car, weld that into place and use the gearbox cross member points to mount in the new car its being welded into?

e.g rx7 S4/5 drive tunnel welded into a ke30 and mounting an rx7 gearbox to the original rx7 mounting points that have been welded into the ke30 as part of the drive tunnel?

sorry if that is confusing, any direction would be appreciated.

Regards

Hayden

[Rob]

Hi Hayden
You could cut the drive tunnel and gearbox cross member mounting points out of a donor car and weld them into your ke30. Any part of a firewall, floor, gearbox tunnel, or other structural section of a low volume vehicle that has been cut or removed to provide room for engine/gearbox conversion clearance must be adequately re-strengthened.
There are also welding requirements that must be followed with such a modification.
Welding used in any structural or safety-related application may only be carried out within a low volume vehicle provided that:
(a) the welding is carried out by a person who either:
(i) holds a relevant current qualification or trade certification for the type of welding undertaken; or
(ii) has demonstrated to the Low Volume Vehicle Certifier, by application of an LVVTA-approved welding test procedure, a satisfactory level of competence in the method of welding undertaken; and
(b) for the purpose of confirming compliance with 18.7.1(a), either:
(i) a report is supplied by the person who carries out the welding to verify that the requirements of (a)(i) have been met; or
(ii) the Low Volume Vehicle Certifier verifies that the requirements of a)(ii) have been met.
Another point to consider are seat and seat belt anchorages. I'm not sure if these will be affected in your case. I suggest you have a talk with your local LVV certifier.
Regards
Rob