Modifying cars in Ireland

Niccolo

I'm coming to live in Ireland in a 2 or 3 months time. In my country one of my hobbies is modifying cars for racing. I used to drag race my street cars and won 10 trophies at the local drag strip.

If i settle in Ireland I'd like to take one of my cars there. I'd like you guys to tell me what is the insurance's views on cars with modified engines.

I'd also like to know if an engine change (obviously to a bigger more powerful engine) is permitted there.

Do you have a drag racing strip in Ireland?

Thanks for your help!

Con9903

Niccolo wrote:

If i settle in Ireland I'd like to take one of my cars there. I'd like you guys to tell me what is the insurance's views on cars with modified engines.!

Insurance companies will insure modified cars. Be sure to mention all your modifications to the insurance company. Engine swaps are also permitted, provided that you inform them.

Niccolo

even wild modifications like racing camshafts, high compression pistons, nitro, turbos etc?

What about your vehicle testing for emissions? Is it hard to pass?

Con9903

Niccolo wrote:

even wild modifications like racing camshafts, high compression pistons, nitro, turbos etc?

AFAIK they are yes. Just declare your mods to the insurance company.

Niccolo wrote:

What about your vehicle testing for emissions? Is it hard to pass?

It shouldn't be hard once you have the catalytic converter back in your car for the test. (If it was manufactured with one)

Niccolo

that's great news!

Thanks a lot!

By the way is drag racing popular there?

Con9903

I'm not sure, but I bet there are pockets of enthusiasts somewhere!. What kind of car do you have?

Niccolo

previous car was JDM Honda Civic (1992) with 1.5 SOHC vtec engine. I ran 14.8 seconds quarter mile with that.

Now i own a European Spec limited edition Honda Integra Type R (1998). Only 13,500 miles on it!

Progen

Niccolo wrote:

that's great news!

Thanks a lot!

By the way is drag racing popular there?

A good helpful site regarding Modified cars would be cruiseIRL.com.. Very helpful bunch in some categories..

A word of advice, if you're under 25, you're going to be paying mad money..

A couple example quotes that I got:


At 20 y/o, 1 years no claims bonus:
R32 GTS-T Nissan Skyline RB20DET QuinnDirect wanted 10,550 to insure me.


An AE86 Trueno (Corolla GT Coupe/Levin) Britton Insurance wanted 9,500 (but I managed to get a cheap quote of 2,400 from Quinn)

Insurance is mad over here..

Drag racing isn't much popular, although FlushBus (Irish used-to-be car mag, now event organisers) did a "Drag Warz" event last year, went down alright, I expect more! a 900bhp Escort Cosworth won that I think.

The main factor that insurance is so high is due to statistics, The way the insurance see's it is, Young guy jumps from a small liter engine car (say a 1.4l VW Golf) to a 2.6 RB26DETT R34 V-Spec II Skyline, he's gonna kill himself due to in experience in high performance cars.. or be risk and drive like a maniac and kill someone.. Not everyone's like that, but there are mindless few who do give those who have a real interest in modifying cars and not racing the sh1te out of them in public places....

it's a very touchy subject when it boils down to Modified Cars, but yes,, once the car passes it's NCT (National Car Test) which tests emmisions, your fine, centerbox and straight pipe can go on then

Niccolo

Lucky i just turned 27 years old last week!

I don't race on the road, and i take great care of my hondas. I have the full no claims discount in my country (60.5%), but i don't think i can use that with ireland's insurance companies!

This website http://www.123.ie/motor/quote_xs.htm says 990 euros insurance whatever performance car i drive if i'm between 25 and 30. My EU licence should be considered as a full licence, not provisional...

What time did the cosworth run?

m4cker

Have you taken into account VRT (vehicle registration tax) it is approx 23% of the percieved value of your car as far as I understand it. I know very little about what they will value you car at but you should check it out. I think there is a sticky on the subject on the motors forum.

Niccolo

I already know about that tax. I can avoid it as i'm an imigrant, but i don't have the necessary documents.

I did a quick search for honda integra type r prices in ireland and they sell for between 10,500 and 9,500 euros.

Crazy thing is if i sell it in my country i could easily get double that amount! If it weren't a limited edition i would sell it here and buy another one in Ireland!

Progen

Niccolo wrote:

Lucky i just turned 27 years old last week!

I don't race on the road, and i take great care of my hondas. I have the full no claims discount in my country (60.5%), but i don't think i can use that with ireland's insurance companies!

This website http://www.123.ie/motor/quote_xs.htm says 990 euros insurance whatever performance car i drive if i'm between 25 and 30. My EU licence should be considered as a full licence, not provisional...

What time did the cosworth run?

123 have a fixed excess of 5,000 I think though.. Although it does sound good!

Not sure what the cosworth now runs.. It's being tuned more at the mo..

Theres plenty of tuned cars here, Drifting is big at the mo and rear wheel drive cars. AE86s, Silvias, S13/S14s/s15s, skylines, etc.

TrackDayPerformance are a well known tuner, known to have tuned skylines above 900bhp, 15 R32's above 400bhp, etc etc.. There @ http://www.trackdayperformance.com.. Theres Predator Motorsport to, very good tuners, and Subaru specialsists..

Niccolo

If the cosworth is a street car, i don't think 900bhp are possible.
Our local cosworths have about 500 bhp and run low 11's (11 seconds).
We have a street legal escort Mk1 with a cosworth engine that runs 10's.

2 of our proper cosworth powered drag racing cars run 7.8sec quarter mile and a cosworth powered dragster ran 7.6sec.

We have a street legal toyota glanza that runs 12.5sec

Local taxes are crazy high over here, so nobody can afford cars with engines larger than 2.0L

5500

Drag racing is huge here,theres just not enough venues or events being put on.A major problem people are having trying to secure venues is public liablility insurance.

In saying that the modified show season starts back up in april so from then on expect events turning up.If you think you have something special then its worth looking at going over to santa pod in the uk.

Various outings are organised on some sites where everyone goes over for the weekend to drag race basically!

Progen

Aside from Drag racing for the minute, theres the next modified car show, April 15/16. 100% Modified at the RDS in Dublin.. My car's in that.

The quality of cars will have risen even more since last years show, which went down a storm -- and was at it's peak then!

Niccolo

Drag racing is huge here

that's great! I should feel really at home then!

theres just not enough venues or events being put on.A major problem people are having trying to secure venues is public liablility insurance.

In my country we have only 1 venue, but it's within easy reach for everyone. We have the same problem... public liability insurance. Where are your drag racing strips located??

.If you think you have something special then its worth looking at going over to santa pod in the uk.

I only have a Honda Integra Type R (euro spec 1998). Im a Honda guy and i wouldn't consider buying anything except Honda. It's modified, but since salaries in my country are really low compared to the rest of europe and racing car parts are what they are... My engine isn't that modified... Only skunk2 stage 2 cams, high compression pistons, forged con rods... and some other stuff. By the way in my country the registration taxes when you import a new car are more than the value of the car itself!! And if the car is a grey import (2nd hand) the taxes are even more exurbitant!!!

Various outings are organised on some sites where everyone goes over for the weekend to drag race basically!

This is really great!! Cant wait to come to Ireland!

5500

Unfortunatly there are no "specific" drag strips,in the past old runway/airfields have been used.Also Mondello runs a drag contest but im unsure if its a proper quater mile that its done over.

Have you any picture of your car?Have you had it rolling roaded with the cams ect?what kinda power's it producing?Also are you using a standalone ecu/piggyback

Progen

....and where abouts are you from if ya don't mind me asking?

Niccolo

Progen wrote:

....and where abouts are you from if ya don't mind me asking?

I'm from Malta, the tiny island south of Sicily.

Hey I was really impressed with the website you gave me of Track Day Performance!

Niccolo

eireal wrote:

Have you any picture of your car?Have you had it rolling roaded with the cams ect?what kinda power's it producing?Also are you using a standalone ecu/piggyback

I'll give you all the details of my Hondas (past and present) tomorrow. Tonight i'm really tired cos i spent the day 'cleaning' a car so I can sell it to raise cash for my move to Ireland...

Niccolo

Before I forget, can somebody confirm this:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Auto insurance costs in Ireland are spiralling… wait for it… downward![/FONT]

a[/FONT]nd

In Ireland, insurance is always issued to a person, not the vehicle. This means that if friends drive your car and crash into somebody, their own personal insurance is liable.

Does this mean that I can own for example 2 cars and I have to pay only 1 insurance if i'm the only driver?

Progen

Niccolo wrote:

Before I forget, can somebody confirm this:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]a[/FONT]nd
Does this mean that I can own for example 2 cars and I have to pay only 1 insurance if i'm the only driver?

If you have 2 cars, you have to have 2 policy's.

However, if you have a full EU licence, your insurance policy does entitle you to drive, with consent, another persons car which is already insured and not owned by you.

I think theres an "Open Drive" option also which allows you to drive any other car, not owned by you, that isn't insured by someone else.

As for car insurance going downward, I think the're giving better quotes these days as aposed to say a few years back.

PS, glad to hear your impressed with TDP( Track day performance) - If you ever want to enquire about parts, email the main guy and tell him Martin off cruiseIRL.com told ya about them

Abelloid

I've heard there are a good few drag runs on this year up north -

10am start

12-2pm track racing

2-4 drifting comp

4-5 drifting final

5pm onwards....DRAG RACING!!!

SWRC15 April Aghadowey
FIRE & ICE 30th April Aghadowey
Round 4 - N.I. Drift Championship 13th May Aghadowey
SWRC 24th June Aghadowey
SWRC 8th July Aghadowey
SWRC 5th Aug Aghadowey
SWRC 19th Aug Aghadowey
SWRC 23rd Sept Aghadowey
SWRC 14th Oct Aghadowey
SWRC 11th Nov Aghadowey
SWRC *25th Nov Aghadowey
Track Day/Drag Strip 11/03/06 venue tbc

7 hour drive from me but I might make it up for a few.

kev-Oakridge

hey mate, theres no hassle insuring a heavily modified car, i have one insured which has had a bigger turbo, engine work, standalone ecu and alot of other stuff done and had no problems, i had to get an engineers report done though just to keep it all above board

on another note i know a number of people in malta who are car amd aswell from over on www.toyotagtturbo.com and i've set up a small site over on www.dtdirl.com which will be organising group trips to drag racing events and hopefully when the member count goes up will be organising our own drag and track events

theres alot of illegal drag racign going on at the moment here, but the cops will be clamping down on that soon enough, so ur best bet will be to wait for the official events and also to hope like the rest of us are that someone will open a strip here

Ratchet

Niccolo wrote:

I only have a Honda Integra Type R (euro spec 1998). Im a Honda guy and i wouldn't consider buying anything except Honda. It's modified, ....!

well if you thinking about doing more mods then
tuningfactory.ie will be your place . have to say that DC2 with b20 conversion that they do is a rocket.

in regards to Irish Honda sites

www.jspeed.net
and
www.hondadublin.com with Tuningfactory forum if you have any questions

Niccolo

Thanks for all the info and websites you guys gave me! I haven't been online in some time cos I was very busy trying to sell my car to raise money for my move to ireland...

Finally the car has been sold, and I should be leaving Malta on 5th June. I still have some very minor arrangements to make. The only major arrangement I still have to do is find accomodation.

Can anybody help me with this? I need a cheap appartment for 2 people (me and girlfriend) somewhere in central Dublin. Near a bus terminus if possible, so i minimise on transportation costs till I get my own car... I can get a good reference from my current landlord, and I can pay a deposit right now...

Progen

Dublin is kinda expensive to live compared to other places in Ireland.. Do you definately want to stay in Dublin?

I've stayed in Swords and it seems friendly enough, not that far from the Airport either, and not _to_ central but has a nice town.

I don't know dublin to well but I would definately not stay in the mani city as prices would be very high.

What about Cork / Waterford / Kerry?

Niccolo

Progen wrote:

Dublin is kinda expensive to live compared to other places in Ireland.. Do you definately want to stay in Dublin?

I've stayed in Swords and it seems friendly enough, not that far from the Airport either, and not _to_ central but has a nice town.

I don't know dublin to well but I would definately not stay in the mani city as prices would be very high.

What about Cork / Waterford / Kerry?

My reasoning for choosing Dublin is this: I forgot the exact statistics, but they were something like this: 60% of the Irish population lives within 100Km of Dublin, and 80% of jobs are in Dublin. I also know that in Dublin there is a high concentration of banks, when compared to the rest of the country. Thus for me, especially since I'm a qualified banker, it's easier to find a job in Dublin that anywhere else. Better to live in an expensive area and have a job than live elsewhere and be without a job. Also a job in Dublin will be slightly better paid than the same job elsewhere.

I also want to live at the centre to minimise transportation costs. At first I won't have a car, so I will have to use public transport... I found that prices for renting an appartment vary from area to area, but not that much. On the other hand prices for buying property vary really a lot. As soon as I settle down in Dublin and get my own car I'll surely rent a flat in a part of Dublin where it's cheaper.

By the way I know that you can find accomodation from agencies or from websites, but if you find it from advertisments on one of your local newspapers i could find something cheaper... Unfortunaltly I don't have access to your local newspapers from here...

Is my reasoning flawed?

leon8v

The only attempt Flush bus had at Drag Wars was a complete and utter disaster and there was no winner and no 900bhp cossie there.
There is a reasonably big following here for cars that are set up for 1/4 mile sprinting. The faster of the 2WD or Front wheel drive cars here run into the 12's for 1/4 mile sprinting. The best event so far here in my opinion was the one run at Enniskillen last year and which will hopefully be on again this year. This was won by a Subaru Impreza. Cant remember the fastest time but its power is up around 550bhp I think it was. I think you are a little optimistic with 900bhp Slylines and 900bhp Cossies there Progen.
There are regular events up north for sprinting but unfortunately nothing really down south except a miserable attempt in Limerick at that show in September or whenever it is and Mondello's show which isnt a full 1/4 mile long but at least its 2 laned.

jehutey

hi all i am looking in to opening a drag strip but i have no idea where to start i would like some pointers and suggestions please

Junior

Get about 2 Miles of land and start from there ...