anyone know the cheapest way of doing the above?

I'm hoping to get my kit tested at pre- 95 levels. its a 1993/4 bmw m3 3.0 engine, it did have a cat fitted but some of the early ones didn't.

Or does anyone know if my engine is in the IVA testers engine bible?

If you have proof the engine is pre 95 then it only has to meet the pre 95 limits. They are <3.5% CO and <1200ppm HC. CO+HC can only be reliably checked with an exhast gas meter. You can try using a ColourTune but it's not entirly reliable.

Cheers for that, I can prove its pre 95 as I have the v5 etc as it was my 'single donor'.

I thought it would be those higher limits it'd be tested to but some have said if the original car/donor was in thier 'bible' it might be tested to those limits.

would it be worth ringing local test places to find out what they say?

It gets tested to the level for the vehicle if there is an exact match in the list. Your kit won't be in the list. It isn't a BMW so it can't be tested as one.

You've made me a very happy boy

Not sure the V5 is proof enough any more...is there a Haynes manual or something detailing years of engine manufacture against serial number?

Alternatively, letter from manufacturer...

I would have thought old mot's/original v5/engine number etc etc would have been enough?

Just had mine done and the V5 was sufficient proof of age ( the engine number matches that in the V5 )

I just had mine done, and me saying 'er, it's a 93' was enough for my tester