1990 C4 Convserion - Who's the best?

[Slingray]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at buying a LHD C4 and want to convert it. I'm based in Sydney, where should I go? I'm possibly willing to ship it to Qld or Melbourne to get the job done right.

Thanks in advance everyone.

[MJ427]

u will have to find someone with a C4 raws first and i dont think there is anyone how has one

[Slingray]

Yeah I spoke to a chap in Melbourne who said it's impossible to get a Post 1987 C4 Registered due to RAWS, but he seem to think pre 87's where OK.

Does anyone know anymore about the twisted road rules that govern our fair state?

Originally posted by MJ427
u will have to find someone with a C4 raws first and i dont think there is anyone how has one

[Thunder Kiss]

I thought the date was January 1st 1989, could be wrong though.

[cosmicvette]

yeah the date is Jan 1st 1989....the car must have a build date prior to Jan 1st 1989.

What do you mean you can't register a car because of RAWS?

Doesn't this RAWS thing just stop you from being able to personally import a vehicle prior to a build date of Jan 1st 1989?

If the car is later than 1989 and already in the country then I assume all you have to do is find a LHD to RHD conversion place....and I believe that alot of places no longer convert earlier c4's anymore.....but there are still a couple places.

Just my thoughts......Im not an expert on the matter.

[jolinari]

Try this fella Corvette Alterations & Conversions
his name scott
tel:99718218
Just be warned that he might sound like a god...the only one who could do the job and any other jobs are compromise!!! he is helpfull but you could be waiting for 6 months for the job

he is based in the northern beaches
try this www.corvette.net.au

Originally posted by Slingray
Hi Guys,

I'm looking at buying a LHD C4 and want to convert it. I'm based in Sydney, where should I go? I'm possibly willing to ship it to Qld or Melbourne to get the job done right.

Thanks in advance everyone.

[87Z51]

Read the fine print.

1. Vehicles built before 1 January 1989 -
Vehicles built before 1 January 1989 may be imported to Australia without restriction. An import approval is still required and the enclosed application from should be used.
The vehicle must be built prior to 1 January 1989 unless it meets the transitional arrangement below:

 If you made a financial commitment and purchased a 1989 or 1990 vehicle prior to 7 February 2005 you may apply to import your vehicle until 31 December 2005; but if the vehicle is a 1990 year of manufacture you may only apply on or after the month when the vehicle turns 15 years old, eg a vehicle manufactured in September 1990 can be applied for import in September 2005 provided there was a financial commitment before 7 February 2005.

 vehicles built during 1989 (or later) that meet the specialist and enthusiast vehicle criteria for entry will need to qualify under RAWS as meeting the Australian Design Rules that applied at the date of manufacture.

Nobody to my knowledge has spent the money to get the RAWS Certification  for '89 -96 C4s therefore they can not be complianced therefore they will not issuse an import licence.

See www.dotars.gov.au/transreg/str_sevs.htm

John Bondok in Bris had to send his unconverted '90 that has been in the country for several years to NZ and back just to get the right paperwork to allow him to convert it,
Import paperwork incorrect =no rego.

I believe Corvette Alterations & Conversions  in Dee Why don't do C4 conversions , mainly C3 work

[87Z51]

"Doesn't this RAWS thing just stop you from being able to personally import a vehicle prior to a build date of Jan 1st 1989?"
After -NOT prior to Jan '89

"If the car is later than 1989 and already in the country then I assume all you have to do is find a LHD to RHD conversion place....and I believe that alot of places no longer convert earlier c4's anymore.....but there are still a couple places."

Other way around , before Jan '89 build  old rules  apply, after Jan '89 cars have to meet ADR  that would have been relevent to that car if it was sold here new when manufactured- nobody  has certification for late C4s

[Slingray]

Thanks for all your help and info guys. Makes sense now, well I don't know that any of the actual laws governing it all make any sense but I understand why there's one or two very nice LHD post '90 Corvette floating around nice and cheap.

What a shame.

[Slingray]

I've heard Greg Morris does some of the best conversion work around, has anyone had any experience with his conversions?

Thanks again.

[Panther]

thread is a bit old now

cockpit dash is a difficult conversion so no one wants to do them, to set up to do your RAWS on C4 is not worth the outlay, didn't know Greg was doing conversions again, he used to do I beleive mostly C3

[Slingray]

Yeah evidently Greg Morris is still doing conversion in his own workshop out in Blacktown. I've head pretty different accounts on the qulaity of his work but for the most part his work seems decent?

I can understand the cockpit dash being difficult, but the older (pre '91?) dash doesn't look too bad (as it's symetrical) but still a big job no doubt.

[Panther]

Iam in Blacktown, would be interested in were Greg is

and yes flat dash is much easier, if you don't need raws approval there is always Torque chev in Hornsby ph 9477 1888

and I am happy to talk off line M 0412 261 210 Kim

[jolinari]

Originally posted by Slingray
Yeah evidently Greg Morris is still doing conversion in his own workshop out in Blacktown. I've head pretty different accounts on the qulaity of his work but for the most part his work seems decent?

I can understand the cockpit dash being difficult, but the older (pre '91?) dash doesn't look too bad (as it's symetrical) but still a big job no doubt.

any updates...?

[Slingray]

A mate has his details, I'll chase them up for you guys asap, give me a few days. Cheers guys.

[cosmicvette]

Originally posted by Slingray
I can understand the cockpit dash being difficult, but the older (pre '91?) dash doesn't look too bad (as it's symetrical) but still a big job no doubt.

conversions might be a big job.........and they charge you for them!

good luck with your search slingray ;-)

[jolinari]

good luck indeed!

[daniel42au]

When i went to register my 87 after conversion by John Bondok, the QLD Motor Registry asked to see the DOTARS Vehicle Import Approval (and duely photo-copied it for their records).  So an approval is a "must have" in QLD.

When it comes to issuing an approval, DOTARS warn against importing a vehicle BEFORE the approval has been issued by them.   I believe that such vehicles have two options, re-export until an approval is issued or crushed for scrap metal.

Conversion cost is also an issue when considering conversion of early C4 dashes vs later cockpit dashes.  The flat dash mirror conversion costs about $14,500 vs. about $24,000 for the cockpit.

Regarding complexity, even the flat dash is reasonably complicated process.  Pics of my 87 conversion can be found at.... http://www.ozemail.com.au/~daniel42au/

[coradict72]

Nobody is touching any vettes after 1988 due to approval documentation costs.Greg Morris who is based in Bankstown off stacy street only converts 84 to 88 corvettes he has a mile of work and is not interested in 89 and up models.He also does one offs of interest he can fill you in on that.He has 30 yrs in vettes he is the best around in depends on what he has to start his work with, junk or condition 1 vette.I have helped out over a few weeks and wouldnt hesitate getting my early c4 converted there Greg conducts a very professional set up and the back up after completion.Like all conversions they take time and I believe Scott takes longer.If you need further details speak to Greg Morris  0418440131