davidimurray
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 posted on 6/11/13 at 05:36 PM |
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IVA PASS
So today was the big day at Llantrisant (Cardiff) for my Haynes Roadster to meet the man from the Ministry.
Woke up to find the rain bucketing down outside. Had loaded up the support car last night and got the Mrs to take me down and drop the support car
outside then back to get the roadster. Had planned to take the scenic route to give me a chance to bed the brakes in but took a more direct route via
a couple of industrial estates to try and bed the brakes in. Was a very wet trip!
Test due to start at 8.30 and I got there at 8.10. Examiner called me into the test bay and said he would be along in a bit. While waiting I got a
towel and did my best to try and dry the cockpit down for him and then onto the test.
Started by getting me to take the bonnet off and have a general look around the car.The VIN was checked and he was very happy with my centre punched
letters on the top rail. The car was then pushed onto the rollers and he checked the speedo - "You ain't gonna get done for speeding with
that" was the comment I got Because the speedo was digital and the declared top speed was 120, he wanted proof that the speedo went that high
- got the instruction manual out and he took a copy.
Then onto the emissions. Took a copy of my letter from Ford, although he did say the donor V5 or the Burton catalogue would have been acceptable. He
checked the engine number then in the probe went - CO2.5 and HC 600 so a pass.
Then a jig came out, he checked the headrest height, then that the aeroscreen was low enough. While climbing in and out of the car hed did comment
"how long is this steering wheel staying on for, you want to get a nice small one on here after..." The bottom of the dash was then
checked for radius and then a general look around the cockpit. Asked about the steering support frame so I got some pictures out to show him which he
was happy with - grabbed the album off me and started looking at all the build photos. Then in the car I got and operated all the lights for him and
the steering from lock to lock for anything touching. Checked the seatbelt mounts and harnesses. He was very happy with the wiring and the fact he
couldn't find a single exposed wire anywhere.
Then into the cabinet and the sphere of doom came out - he walked around the car twice then said "No point in me getting this out as
you've covered everything" and promptly put it away.
He thought the side repeaters on the rear wings looked a long way back so got the tape out and they looked touch and go - got a plumbob out and marked
the front accurately then measured back to the repeater - maxallowed 2600mm, measured at 2580mm - phew. We did have a chat about this and he generally
thought for safety they should be further forward and actually recommended putting them on the back of the cycle wings.
Opened the rear hatch and he had a good poke around in there. Then onto the ramp. First he got the wing check gauge out - all good. Then asked me to
get in while he hoisted the car up. A bit of steering and brake pumping and a few questions about how the handbrake was arranged (the half moon guide)
and then he asked where I bought my chassis and wishbones from - when I replied saying I had made and Tig welded everything myself he seemed quite
surprised as he thought they were proffesional jobs!
After 10 minutes poking around underneath and bouncing the car he lowered me down and asked me to take off a nut cover on the foot of the roll hoop.
"How are these secured", I replied, " With captive nuts welded on underneath" - "so how are they locked off?" Cock
- hadn't thought about these bolts needing locking. Luckily I had a box of nylocks with me so while the inspector went off for a smoke I fitted
the 8 locking bolts and he was happy.
Headlights next - "I bet these are out he said - they always are!". Beam tester out - "hmmm, not bad" he then then lent on
them until they were spot on - good man!
Then onto taking the measurments for the brake test. He asked about bedding the brakes in and I told him thye had only had the drive to the test (a
couple of miles). He asked if I had normal 'crappy' pads in and when I said yes he said brilliant - he reccomended to use the cheapiest
nastiest pads you can get for the test - he finds the performmance ones just don't want to bite until hot. He peered outside at the rain and
said he would give it a go on the rollers and if they struggled then he would take it outside for a spin to bed them in and repeat the test. As he
went through the various tests there were a range of little comments - "the back brakes aren't very good - that's good". Rear
imbalance was virtually nothing on the foot brake, but massively different on the handbrake "we don't measure handbrake imbalance so you
get away with that one"
With it still chuking down outside he decided to use the motorbike weight station rather than the big one outside, so weighed it wheel by wheel. He
then wedged it in the door of the inspection station and whipped out the sound meter - "we will have a go in here and if there is any problem we
will have to go out in the rain, and pop the bonnet on to make it quieter!". Fired her up revved her up and was very surprised at only 92dB.
Then there was the outdoor bits to do - we both donned our waterproofs and duly jumped in the car. Whizzed around the test station which had massive
puddles everywhere and was like hitting a wall of water whenever we hit one! The car was lined up with the test markings on the floor and the mirrors
set - all good there, although he did comment that you only need 2 mirrors, but the car wouldn't have passed without having 3 fitted. He liked
the high up position to see over the arches. Then he asked me to drive up and down at 25mph and slam the brakes on to check the wheels for locking.
Apparently all 4 were locking almost simultaneously so he was happy with that. Parked the car back in the bay and a few other testers came over. The
inspector said he couldn't find anything wrong and he needed to do some paperwork - what did that mean ???
I sat in the waiting room and was over the moon when he appeared with my Pass certificate in his hand. He was very complimentary about the build
saying he that it was built to a very good standard and well engineered and that I had obviously spent a long time with the IVA manual.
Despite the rain I took the scenic route home and the car felt fantastic. with the roadster safely back in the garage I popped down to the DVLA in
Cardiff, sorted out the paperwork so just need to wait now.
I must admit I was quite worried about the IVA but in the end was a very enjoyable and interesting day. Bob, the examiner at Llantrisant was very
helpful and happy to chat and explain/discuss things. As I left his parting shot was see you when you build the next one
Gallery 1 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.116893465324.130778.601005324
Gallery 2 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.245243755324.181913.601005324&l=a9831a9319
Gallery 3 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.440671625324.232627.601005324&l=3f0d42c523
Gallery 4 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.490098255324.297598.601005324&l=efb083b7df
Gallery 5 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150244028550325.366987.601005324&l=583fd5cd3a
Gallery 6 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150550640070325.430417.601005324&type=3&l=fe779b358c
Duratec Engine Swap https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527759580325.1073741828.601005324&type=1&l=40aae5e72f " target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527759580325.1073741828.601005324&type=1&l=40aae5e72f
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Wheels244
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| posted on 6/11/13 at 06:13 PM |
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Excellent - well done
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corrado vr6
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| posted on 6/11/13 at 06:26 PM |
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Congratulations well done 
http://r1indy7.wordpress.com/
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adithorp
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| posted on 6/11/13 at 06:30 PM |
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Nice one. It's not quite the inquisition some people would have you believe is it.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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carpmart
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| posted on 6/11/13 at 07:23 PM |
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Well done that man!
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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carpmart
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| posted on 6/11/13 at 07:23 PM |
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Well done that man!
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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Slater
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| posted on 6/11/13 at 07:37 PM |
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Sterling Effort!
All the best folk pass first time!
Why do they call Port Harcourt "The Garden City"?...... Becauase they can't spell Stramash.
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Irony
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| posted on 6/11/13 at 08:55 PM |
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Well done! Enjoyed the write up.
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avagolen
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| posted on 6/11/13 at 10:07 PM |
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Fantastic, I hope mine goes that well - eventually....
The Answer for everything, but never the last word....
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davidimurray
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| posted on 7/11/13 at 11:23 AM |
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Thanks everyone and of course thanks for all the help from various forums and people over the years.
I think the most important bit of advice from the inspector was read the IVA manual, have the build manual in the garage and read it regulalry, check
everything against the manual as you go and then finally when you've finished check everything against the manual again.
Now time to start the mods
Gallery 1 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.116893465324.130778.601005324
Gallery 2 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.245243755324.181913.601005324&l=a9831a9319
Gallery 3 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.440671625324.232627.601005324&l=3f0d42c523
Gallery 4 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.490098255324.297598.601005324&l=efb083b7df
Gallery 5 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150244028550325.366987.601005324&l=583fd5cd3a
Gallery 6 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150550640070325.430417.601005324&type=3&l=fe779b358c
Duratec Engine Swap https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527759580325.1073741828.601005324&type=1&l=40aae5e72f " target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527759580325.1073741828.601005324&type=1&l=40aae5e72f
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sdh2903
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| posted on 7/11/13 at 11:33 AM |
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Congratulations!
Sounds like you had a very sensible realistic tester aswell which is very good to hear, some of the reports lately of some of the items that are
getting failed are ridiculous.
Well done and take it easy at this time of year!!
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MP3C
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| posted on 7/11/13 at 11:41 AM |
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Congratulations mate, bet you are over the moon and as said above, thanks for the write up, was really good to read!
Matt
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RichardK
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| posted on 7/11/13 at 02:29 PM |
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Nice one mate, well done you should be proud of your achievement as it's not easy to make you own car!
Cheers
Rich
Gallery updated 11/01/2011
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b3ngy
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| posted on 7/11/13 at 07:36 PM |
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Well done on the pass!! Excellent write up, enjoyed reading it. Looking to get mine booked up early in the new year.
Oh, and I like the idea for the vin. Did you stencil it on first then go round and center punch them?
[Edited on 7/11/13 by b3ngy]
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davidimurray
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| posted on 7/11/13 at 08:32 PM |
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Yes, all I did was grind the paint off the area to be marked. Then used those cheap plastic stencils you get in stationery shops to mark it on the
chassis with a permanent marker and then followed the lines with a centre punch. Doesn't take long, about 30 min in total and without the worry
of collapsing the tube.
quote:
Originally posted by b3ngy
Well done on the pass!! Excellent write up, enjoyed reading it. Looking to get mine booked up early in the new year.
Oh, and I like the idea for the vin. Did you stencil it on first then go round and center punch them?
[Edited on 7/11/13 by b3ngy]
Gallery 1 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.116893465324.130778.601005324
Gallery 2 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.245243755324.181913.601005324&l=a9831a9319
Gallery 3 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.440671625324.232627.601005324&l=3f0d42c523
Gallery 4 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.490098255324.297598.601005324&l=efb083b7df
Gallery 5 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150244028550325.366987.601005324&l=583fd5cd3a
Gallery 6 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150550640070325.430417.601005324&type=3&l=fe779b358c
Duratec Engine Swap https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527759580325.1073741828.601005324&type=1&l=40aae5e72f " target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527759580325.1073741828.601005324&type=1&l=40aae5e72f
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davidimurray
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| posted on 7/11/13 at 09:32 PM |
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Found an photo of mid way through stamping my vin
 
Description
Gallery 1 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.116893465324.130778.601005324
Gallery 2 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.245243755324.181913.601005324&l=a9831a9319
Gallery 3 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.440671625324.232627.601005324&l=3f0d42c523
Gallery 4 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.490098255324.297598.601005324&l=efb083b7df
Gallery 5 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150244028550325.366987.601005324&l=583fd5cd3a
Gallery 6 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150550640070325.430417.601005324&type=3&l=fe779b358c
Duratec Engine Swap https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527759580325.1073741828.601005324&type=1&l=40aae5e72f " target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527759580325.1073741828.601005324&type=1&l=40aae5e72f
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b3ngy
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| posted on 7/11/13 at 10:28 PM |
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Thanks for the pic. I will be using this method if we don't have any letter stamps at work.
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davidimurray
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| posted on 8/11/13 at 09:59 AM |
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Be careful with letter stamps as it is easy to collapse the tube as they require a lot of force to get a clean stamp. A tried a test piece first and
couldn't get agood clean stamp, then considered engraving but again couldn't find a tidy way of doing it so settled on the centre punch
method as being the best looking/least risk technique.
Cheers
Dave
Gallery 1 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.116893465324.130778.601005324
Gallery 2 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.245243755324.181913.601005324&l=a9831a9319
Gallery 3 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.440671625324.232627.601005324&l=3f0d42c523
Gallery 4 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.490098255324.297598.601005324&l=efb083b7df
Gallery 5 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150244028550325.366987.601005324&l=583fd5cd3a
Gallery 6 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150550640070325.430417.601005324&type=3&l=fe779b358c
Duratec Engine Swap https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527759580325.1073741828.601005324&type=1&l=40aae5e72f " target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527759580325.1073741828.601005324&type=1&l=40aae5e72f
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b3ngy
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| posted on 8/11/13 at 10:51 AM |
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I'm going to stamp it in to a separate plate of steel first then seam weld it to the chassis for exactly the reason you stated.
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