How "underground" Is The General Car Tuning?

[Gearhead13]

Yep, so how underground is it, if it is at all? I'm sure there are some laws governing engine specifications for thai roads. A friend has just told me he has seen pimped-out engines pulled over by cops, just by driving by and looking into the car hood. What are the laws on engines and body alterations?

But those people that bring their rides to drag strips and circuits in Thailand or even those that just want added racing performance simply driving on thai roads, they gotta have some place to get the tuning done. So, those tuning businesses, do you think they make good money? What are your perceptions on this? Whats the nature of the relationship between the thai police/government on these tuning shops?

What I mean by the tuning is adding performance hardware (like racing cluthes, turbochargers, frame alterations, etc).

Thanks all very much

[Skyline]

Hi Gear,

I dont think there are any rules/regs concerning tuning cars or bikes here.I remember the police cracking down on bikes with loud exhausts,but that was about it.I have a policeman friend who has 2 tuned Cefrios and hes never mentioned to me about modified car rules (probably doesnt know anyway).

The more succesful tuning shops are those that specialize in certain things.For example,there is a garage on SriNakarin that does fantastic bodywork mods.They are always busy and the owner has a few nice cars so business cant be bad.Secondly,there is a shop that solely sells JDM Honda parts,they also have a loyal following because its hard to find the parts outside of Japan.

Considering how big the tuning scene is in Bangkok,the police would be hard pushed to clamp down on it I think.

Ever get out to Khlong 5?

[Thaiboxer]

There's a place not far from us that specializes in exhaust systems and they even advertise rollbar installation on their business cards. I would imagine that you could put together some "Road Warrior" type vehicles without spending a fortune.

[MrSnrang]

I doubt there are any laws. If police pull them over it's because they want to get some money out of them; speeding, license, seat belt, etc.

[matter]

The main issue you face is when u register the vehicle and tax it. That is theoretically when the vehicle inspection is done. We have done an EJ22 bottom end into a new chassis Impreza, a 2JZ into a Cefiro and a 1UZ into a BMW and no problem with registration.

If you're driving a car that looks like it's held together with string, then of course you will get stopped.

[Gearhead13]

Thanks everyone. I will constantly be reading this topic for more of your opinions.

[happylarry]

In the UK its more a case of the insurance companys not covering a car thats been modified. So youd do better checking with the insurance co's over here first.

[matter]

In the UK its more a case of the insurance companys not covering a car thats been modified. So youd do better checking with the insurance co's over here first.

In Thailand I think what you will find is that the insurance company will just value the car based on it's current cost as a standard car. They will not take into account for example, that it is a Nissan Cefiro with a 3 litre Toyota engine, they will insure you for the value of the Cefiro.

My only experience is with cars that are too old to get first class insurance anyway. The problem is that if I have paid 500,000 for the car and then done another 400,000 worth of modifications, then the most I am covered for is damage to other people.

Some insurance companies here offer slightly upgraded insurance package now, which covers you for a couple of hundred thousand if another car damages you on the road.

With respect to the OP's original discussion, as long as you have insurance and all the registration papers in place the polis will not harass you, unlike in Australia, UK, USA.

Generally you just have to watch out for these 'deep under cover' type police woman. I have attached a photo so that if you see them you will know to slow down and keep your blow off vlave under control.

[monty]

My only experience is with cars that are too old to get first class insurance anyway.

Cut off age for getting first calls is 10 years! Anything older, regardless of the value will generally be refused for first class insurance.

So you better make the other car's insurance pay for the damage when in an accident