Fitting an SVA Engine then changing?

[Dr Peter]

A friend of mine is thinking of fitting a Standard engine in his Kit car then swapping it after it has passed the SVA
Can you do this?

I'd like a LS engine but as I understand it I would have to fit cats and get emissions complications, higher emissions equal more TAX (UK)

So could you fit a Cheep 350 just for the SVA.
How would this work with having a 2nd hand engine and getting a current number plate?
What about the exhaust's, does an LS manifold fit a 350 block?

Is it true, that if I get an engine over a certain age I can apply for tax exempt?

Sorry for my lack of knowledge, hopeful someone can enlighten me

[mkoch1]

The exhaust for the sbc and ls1 are different. All of us running the lsx have made our own exhaust. The adapter engine / trans plate may also be different. Your fueling system between a carb and efi motor are also going to be different. I am sure the swap can be done but you going to end up with a bunch of extra parts.

Mark

[thevet]

It's something I considered but chickened out of due to extra cost and hassle but bear in mind you could always advertise the spares here for other newcomers [or even oldies] who want to change later. As for the tax exempt bit I think that only applies to vehicles which use chassis and other major parts from a single ancient donor, which obviously doesn't apply to ultimas.

[steve_D]

The only way to get the current registration is to declare the engine as the one allowed major assembly that is not new. To qualify it must be re-manufactured to an as new standard. Fitting new plugs and an air filter will not do. You will be required to supply a certificate of newness from the engine builder or a whole wad of receipts if you do it yourself. My local registration office were not even happy that I build it myself.

Steve

[Boosted LS1]

Dr Peter said:

I'd like a LS engine but as I understand it I would have to fit cats and get emissions complications, higher emissions equal more TAX (UK) So could you fit a Cheep 350 just for the SVA. How would this work with having a 2nd hand engine and getting a current number plate? What about the exhaust's, does an LS manifold fit a 350 block?

I'm sure I've heard that lsx heads and therefore inlet manifolds etc fit sbc blocks. That would be pretty cool if true. Also, if the car is clean enought to pass emmissions does it have to have a cat?

Boosted.

>> Edited by Boosted LS1 on Thursday 30th March 23:14

[crafty]

What's the concern over fitting cats to an engine?

A stock LS2 will put out over 400hp with cats, and free flow cats claim to sap only 3-5hp.

Without cats it will smell like a bad fart.

[Boosted LS1]

crafty said:

What's the concern over fitting cats to an engine? A stock LS2 will put out over 400hp with cats, and free flow cats claim to sap only 3-5hp. Without cats it will smell like a bad fart.

And, if you find you need them maybe a couple of precats will do the job? Thing is, having seen the build inside a fair few lsx engines I'd have expected them to be very clean running engines compared to earlier sbc stuff. How clean that actually is, I don't know.

Boosted.

[LotusNova]

Emissions vs. engine age for SVA test:
Age of engine, ppm HC, CO, Catalyst, Lambda reading
August 95 onwards, 200, 0.5, Y, 0.97-1.03
August 86 – July 95, 1200, 3.5, N, N/a
August 75 – July 86, 1200, 4.5, N, N/a
Pre-August 75, -------- Visual smoke test only -------------

Couldn't format the above in this post, so it's a bit messy, eg.
1. If you have a rebuilt engine that was originally manufactured before August 95, and you can prove its age (engine number & manufacturers literature) then no cat required and you only need to meet older/higher emissions levels as above. The burden of proof rests with the presentor, not the inspector.
2. If you have an engine built after August 95, then a) you need a cat (no matter what), and b) you also have to meet current emissions levels.

Hope this helps.


>> Edited by LotusNova on Sunday 2nd April 09:34

[crafty]

I will be doing an emissions test in a month or so, the test will be to EURO4. - I already have the requirements of EURO4, (posted here www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=20&t=239315 ).... and have been doing a bit of surfing to see what tested values have been achieved with LS engines.

Found these results for APS's twin turbo LS1, there's a table with comparisons to ADR (Australian Design Rules) values. www.airpowersystems.com.au/ls1/emissions.htm

Below is compared to EURO4... HC is marginal failure.

First Value = EURO4
Second Value = APS tested value

CO - 1.0 - 0.318
HC - 0.10 - 0.103
NOx - 0.08 - 0.035


Not bad for a 600+ HP engine!!!

[crafty]

Oh,.... and while I am up on the LS soapbox... here's a good article
www.idavette.net/hib/ls1c.html