1993 'L' Reg Skyline R33 GTS-T Catalytic Converter Question

[V8 Disco]

Hi, I am about to buy my 1st imported car, as per the title, it's a '93 Skyline R33 GTS-T. I have a question regarding the cat - as far as I can tell, this car had one fitted originally from the factory, however it's no longer there (no surprise!)... What's got me confused is the new MOT regs -

1st question:

The Skyline was definitely 1st used (not in the UK though) before 1993, so do I need a cat for the test?

2nd question:

If I have to fit a cat, can it be an 'aftermarket' one as the standard exhaust system is long gone (hence nowhere to fit one)

Apologies if this has been asked before - I did use search but couldn't find anything specifically answering my questions.

Cheers.

[V8 FOU]

The date for cats is 1992.
It doesn't matter what the cat is so long as the emissions are correct. You will probably find that a sports cat (200cpi) will be fine. New regs state that even if the emissions are correct, if there is no cat it will fail. Real stupid.

[liner33]

Yes you need a cat , I got my r33 through 2 mot's without a cat as the emissions werent listed in the mot handbook , this was corrected about 5 years ago and as already stated since Jan you need to have one either way , at least it needs to be fitted for the mot;)

[anonymous-user]

I thought the Cat Requirement was up until '95 on imports?

[V8 Disco]

Thanks for the replies - so I'll have to get underneath and see if the system has a de-cat pipe fitted where I can put a cat back in. If there's just a plain pipe, can I just cut a small section out and clamp in one of the 'sports' cats as advertised on fleabay?

[Dr Meat]

You'll be able to get one from the skyline owners club or the gtroc(maybe even borrow one) if not just stick the emissions pipe up an astra!

[gareth_r]

Read the regs. There's a flowchart that will tell you if you need a cat.

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s07000001.htm

As far as I can see, the car will not require a cat test.

The presence of the cat is checked only if the vehicle requires a cat test.

Edited by gareth_r on Sunday 24th June 23:58

[Honestherbert]

Find a friendly mot centre;)

[liner33]

gareth_r said:

Read the regs. There's a flowchart that will tell you if you need a cat.

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s07000001.htm

As far as I can see, the car will not require a cat test.

The presence of the cat is checked only if the vehicle requires a cat test.

Edited by gareth_r on Sunday 24th June 23:58

I dont know where you see that!! A cat is required on all petrol cars that originally had a cat from the factory (Since Jan), and the GTST was added to the mot manual some years ago so there is an exact match in the emissions book

section 7.1

A catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard

Flow chart here

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s07000309.htm

[blackcossiestu]

As its an import, it was not intended for the UKDM, as such there will be bugger all VSI on the VT32 regarding the vehicle. As the tester cant prove it should have a cat, the benefit of doubt is given to the presenter.

[liner33]

The relevant data IS in the emissions book

[gareth_r]

liner33 said:

The relevant data IS in the emissions book

If that is the case (apologies, I had assumed that it wasn't from previous experience of Toyota imports) a cat test will be required.

If it's not the case, and a cat test is not required, then the cat isn't required. The documentation says that the tester should look for a catalytic converter only if the vehicle has to have a "full cat emissions test".

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s07000101.htm
Method of Inspection
3. On vehicles that qualify for a full cat emissions test, check the presence of the catalytic converter.
Reason for Rejection
3. A catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard

Edited by gareth_r on Monday 25th June 14:54

[V8 Disco]

Appreciate the replies - it looks like I will need to have one fitted for the test - no problem now as since my 1st post I have discovered that its a 'decat pipe' and located a friendly R33 owner who will lend one for a while.. however, I would like to avoid messing about for the next test, so am either going to buy a standard cat (if I can find one) or... buy a 200cpi 'sports cat' and weld it into the decat pipe.

So, at the risk of opening up a can of worms, when the MOT manual says 'presence of a catalyst where one was fitted as standard' will the 'sports cat' be acceptable? My guess is yes (as the MOT manual doesn't specifically state 'OEM') however I have seen references to 'Type Approved' Cats being required on some vehicles...

[Mastodon2]

I think a sports cat would do it, assuming that it lowers emissions enough to pass the test, how is the tester going to know whether or not it's an OEM cat?

[gareth_r]

V8 Disco said:

Appreciate the replies - it looks like I will need to have one fitted for the test - no problem now as since my 1st post I have discovered that its a 'decat pipe' and located a friendly R33 owner who will lend one for a while.. however, I would like to avoid messing about for the next test, so am either going to buy a standard cat (if I can find one) or... buy a 200cpi 'sports cat' and weld it into the decat pipe.

So, at the risk of opening up a can of worms, when the MOT manual says 'presence of a catalyst where one was fitted as standard' will the 'sports cat' be acceptable? My guess is yes (as the MOT manual doesn't specifically state 'OEM') however I have seen references to 'Type Approved' Cats being required on some vehicles...

First thing I'd do is confirm that there is an exact match for your car in the analyser database or the In-Service Emissions book...