Passed the SVA at last

[gdr]

Finally got round to putting the GTR in for it's SVA. Had to bring it back for a retest as I had neglected to lock out the brake balance bar properly first time around. No big deal.
Aberdeen VOSA station pretty good but I guess a bit remote for most of you with builds in progress to consider. Inspector (Davy Spence) was enthusiastic and helpful - had no problems with me sorting out some minor details during the test, although I wasn't equipped to sort the brake balance thing first time. Very complimentary about the kit - they see some horrors apparently. I think this is the first Ultima he had SVA'd. Time from submitting the application to Swansea to getting test was less than 2 weeks for the Aberdeen test centre.
Paperwork now with local DVLA office so I should be road legal imminently...........Two years after inserting the first rivet.

[gdr]

As a matter of interest. How did you block out the brake balance bar? I had a look at the bar and couldn't figure out an easy way to put on locking nuts without fouling the balance mechanism.[/quote]

I got a locking device from Ultima which was a short tube with a couple of lugs that slipped over the threaded rod and held in place with a nut such that the bar could still pivot. Unfortunately this assembly was a bit long as the SVA man also wanted some positive no go at the each end of the bar so I fabricated a shorter version. Then drilled bar and inserted small roll pins in each end so impossible for the thing to completely unscrew itself even if my lock nut loosens. Overkill perhaps, but SVA man was happy. I might fit the racer's adjustment knob later.

[gdr]

I purchased the SVA book from the VOSA part way through the build. This is quite useful and includes the engine dates for which various emission regulations apply. I'm away from home now so don't have access to book but can post the details later. I believe any angine manufactured after 1994 must have a cat. Early engines (like my 1974 block) require only visible smoke check. The use date that block was manufactured to determine age.
My SVA tester in Aberdeen was satisfied with the certificate provided by Real Steel who built the engine which certified the age of block. The tester also confirmed that he would let DVLA know that the engine was effectively new due to complete recon. and lots of new bits. So my engine is 1974 for purpose of SVA, 2003 for DVLA! Seems a ridiculous situation that if you built an identical engine but used a new block, a cat would be needed but that is the case.
Other stuff the SVA man looked for - ensure no cockpit or external sharp edges, use domed bolts (I was asked to change a couple of hex bolts in the front air intake securing the grill - even though we agreed that if a pedestrian had got any part of his body in there he was already in big trouble regardless of radius on bolt head!). Don't connect both brakelights (follow the factory wiring instructions!, outer brake otherwise too close to fog). Mainly minor stuff. If you construct the car the way factory intended, should be no problem

[gdr]

Checked the book
Pre Aug 75, visible smoke only
Aug 75-Jul 86 up to 1200 ppm HC, 4.5% CO
Aug 86-Jul 95 up to 1200 ppm HC, 3.5% CO
Post July 95, needs cat and generally tighter HC and CO limits, also lambda 0.97-1.03
So problem getting LS1 through without cat I think
ps I have sorted e-mail in profile

>> Edited by gdr on Friday 19th September 21:03

[gdr]

I'm sure the LS-1 (particularly if fuel injected) can be built to meet the later emissions regs - it does in production cars but these will be fitted with cat. The regulations are clear in that if your engine is post August 1995 it must have cat fitted. And as far as I know, the LS-1 came out in 1997.
There may be some method of getting round this of course, but I'm not aware of it unless car is put through SVA with an older engine and the LS-1 "sans cat" is retro fitted.
Incidently are the mountings locations for old SBC and LS1 the same?

>> Edited by gdr on Saturday 20th September 12:15