Would i be right in thinking that if i use a pre '93 engine in my car, when i have the SVA test done ill be able to use that cars registration number then due to its age the car will never need another emissions test for its MOT in the future. If so, what would happen if they say it has to be a Q reg would it then be classed as brand new? Sorry if youve heard this a million times before!!
this is really screwed up and wrong - you havnt got things straight.
Any ENGINE later than a certain date (93 - 95 - dunno) HAS to have a cat fitted - regardless of registration date or whatever.
The reg plate you get depends. Usually, if you can prove your parts, inc engine, come from a single donor in the main, and have receipts for the
chasis or steel to prove its a new chassis, you will get a plate of the same age as the donor - ie E reg gets an E plate.
The only way you get a new reg is if all parts are NEW and can be proven NEW - with the exception of a single item - usually engine.
A Q is given if the above two things cant be proven.
You can NEVER keep the VIN or reg numbers from the donor. Technically you can have the number plate transferred, but whats special about that and it
will cost you a couple hundred quid more.
atb
steve
ps
DVLA web site explains most of this,
So why are so many people telling me to put it through the sva on a crossflow engine then when its passed put the vauxhall or zetec in? How do they know if the engine is a pre '93 if its not out of the donor car, and if its a Q plate what year will it be classed as for the mot whether i need a cat or not? Thanks
If you're trying to get an engine through an easier emission test you will have to supply documentary evidence of its age, based on the engine
number. This has to come from some official source, e.g. Ford Technical Services.
If you don't have the evidence, you get tested as if it was a brand-new engine - no matter whether it's a Zetec or a X-flow! And
there's no way that a X-flow will pass...
Mind you, this is only if the tester's in an awkward mood, as they should know when they stopped making X-flows... but they may simply have to
follow the rules issued by their bosses.
Safer to get the document.
David
quote:
Originally posted by andrew-theasby
So why are so many people telling me to put it through the sva on a crossflow engine then when its passed put the vauxhall or zetec in?
Thanks, thats what i needed to know, will it make any difference to the emissions my engine puts out if i change it over to carbs then rather than injection?
Yes, it will be worse. injection engines run cleaner than carbed engines.
Originally posted by andrew-theasby
Thanks, thats what i needed to know, will it make any difference to the emissions my engine puts out if i change it over to carbs then rather than
injection?
Technically it doesn't matter how old the engine is - you dont have to have a CAT. I went for my test on 9/4/3 with a new rover K series
engine & they were supprised when i informed them that a CAT was fitted. As long as it is nicely tuned then you can pass the emissions test
without a cat.
Having said that i failed the emissions test since the engine was running too ritch & i didn't have my laptop with me to turn it down a bit
Hence it's not always true that injectors run cleaner than carbs 
It'll only be the case if youre running closed loop with a lambda
sensor.
It's nothing to do with how awkward the inspector is, he will want to see your proof of engine age. He will also photo copy your paperwork.
You will be enormously lucky to get a post 93 engine through an emmission test without a Cat. You will definitely fail on carbs. If the inspector is
suprised about your Cat it is because most people avoid Cats by fitting earlier engines.
Most modern factory fitted injection systems are closed loop type. Can't think of one that isn't. Mapable systems probably can be run so
lean as to get through without a Cat but such luxuries are rare on Locosts!
After your SVA, and for future MOTs' the test is only visual anyway.
quote:
Originally posted by david walker
After your SVA, and for future MOTs' the test is only visual anyway.
Swopping engines later is much easier said than done - particularly to go from Ford to Vauxhall. (Don't forget the Pinto has the exhaust / carbs
on the opposite side to most others.
Why don't you fit your Vauxhall now? Is it post 92? If so fit an earlier Vauxhall for emmissions purposes.
if 1989 counts as modern, the lucas / bosch efi fitted to the jag V12 in 1989 didnt have a lambda sensor on uk models - but at that time the car
didnt have cats. That came 2 years later with a lambda sensor.
atb
steve
PS
if you have ever been behind a 5.3 litre car like the jag you will know what emissions are......a few times I spotted people winding windows behind me
- even tho engine was in good tune its the equivalent of 3 family saloons coming at you with fumes.
Is it definitely 93 not 95 for the cat, and if i get a pre cat vauxhall 2.0 16v (if there is such a thing) then will it still be ok after ive taken the injection off and put carbs on or would this make it fail? Thanks
Steve, no by modern I meant injection systems designed to run with Cats for post 92 emmission controls. Yeah i know what you mean about those
XJS' - isn't that why they did about 10 to the gallon!!!
Andrew, use a Vauxhall 2.0XE, it's the best one anyway and doesn't need a Cat (from 89 to 92 Astra) - if you do though make sure you plan
ahead as it won't fit into a bog standard book chassis (too tall and too wide at the top ....)