Emissions vs engine age

[WilliamBall]

Hi
I know there's something about pre 95? engines not needing cats, as when I was for huting engines and engine parts for the MegaBlade pre 95 fireblades seemed to command a big premium over post 95. What exactly are the regs? Is it just cats or does the whole emmission basis change depending on engine age? More importantly, where do I find the actual regs - is it an MOT thing, SVa or what?

Thanks

WB

[PeetBee]

Roughly speaking, the car has to be fitted with a cat and comply with the equivalent regs for a post '95 car if it has a post '95 engine.

This is for SVA so you could check the topic on this forum for SVA info, or of course check out this month's issue of KitCar which has a very good article in it about SVA.

for Den!

[kitcarman]

I see my mate PeetBee has beat me to it, but I'm not going to waste all those emoticons.

Hi William,
I can tell you don’t read my magazine you bad boy, because we covered this point in the latest issue.

Never mind, the free document giving the detail of the regs is available here

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=53166&f=30&h=0

In simple terms, the emissions must meet those applicable when the engine was new. The SVA test draws the line at August 1995.

If the engine is younger (ie post ’95) it will be tested to ensure it produces less than 0.5% CO and 200ppm HC, whereas older engines are allowed 3.5% and 1200ppm HC

BIG ADVANTAGE IN OLDER ENGINE

Den

[Ex-Biker]

Must admit, I thought that there would be concessions for bike engines. Especially as even brand new motorbikes are not required to have a cat fitted.

[kitcarman]

Ex-Biker said:

Must admit, I thought that there would be concessions for bike engines. Especially as even brand new motorbikes are not required to have a cat fitted.

I think their allowing bike engines in cars is a concession.

For my next money making venture I’m going to design a ‘smart’ car using two (pre ’95) Suffolk-Punch lawnmower engines. Just to confuse the SVA testers.

Den

[Ex-Biker]

Going on from that point.

What if someone decided to fit a big 2-stroke bike engine in a car?

[PeetBee]

kitcarman said:

For my next money making ventureI’m going to design a ‘smart’ car using two (pre ’95) Suffolk-Punch lawnmower engines. Just to confuse the SVA testers

Dang, and I just sold a couple of those lawnmowers, if I'd realised they were going to be the next big thing I'd have bunged them into my Dutton instead of that old fashioned pig iron, er I mean pinto!

>> Edited by PeetBee cos I felt obliged to remove the emoticons in case PetrolTed runs out!

>> Edited by PeetBee on Monday 27th October 20:44

[kitcarman]

PeetBee,
You haven’t got a Pinto have you

You’d better read this before you boast about it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3208501.stm

Den

[PeetBee]

Well, that would explain the desire to own a sportscar then!!

and yes a Dutton counts as a sportscar!

>> Edited by PeetBee on Monday 27th October 21:12

[kitcarman]

PeetBee said:

Well, that would explain the desire to own a sportscar then!!

The SPAM bots didn’t get you then?

Me neither

Dan

[Avocet]

The SVA emissions regs apply to the CAR as a whole. Yes, they go on the age of the engine fitted to it but VOSA don't give a stuff what the engine came from as long as it meets the emissions limits. They won't give a concession for bike-engined cars because the regs are written for cars - not bikes. Likewise, you could use a jet engine or a steam engine -as long as you meet the emissions requirements.

[andycanam]

Ahhh..... but what about a duel fuel car, which one would they test?

[Avocet]

They have actually got this one covered! ...but I don't know which fuel gets tested first - I'm not sure it matters as the engine must be up to operating temp when the test is done. And YES, they do have to pass on both fuels!