SVA Worries - Cobra Kit
Discussion
Just been reading the SVA guidelines.
I have a few questions. Do any of you lot have any ideas before I call up the SVA people?
1) Windscreen De-mister. I do not have a heater/blower - can I just remove the windscreen for the test?
2) Exhausts - they are the ones that go down the side of the car, like a caterham - is this OK?
3) My steering wheel 'arms' have holes. Can i just make fabric covers for them?
4) Noise - I'm fairly sure my cobra will be more than 101db @ 4500rpms.. anything I can do to change it or is it destined to fail?
5) Emissions - same, its a 1970's Rover P6 engine.. doubt its going to pass current emissions regs.. any ideas?
and lastly, this 'radiusing' - how does it work, I dont get it.
edit: pic of the car - can you spot anything that'll fail?
I have a few questions. Do any of you lot have any ideas before I call up the SVA people?
1) Windscreen De-mister. I do not have a heater/blower - can I just remove the windscreen for the test?
2) Exhausts - they are the ones that go down the side of the car, like a caterham - is this OK?
3) My steering wheel 'arms' have holes. Can i just make fabric covers for them?
4) Noise - I'm fairly sure my cobra will be more than 101db @ 4500rpms.. anything I can do to change it or is it destined to fail?
5) Emissions - same, its a 1970's Rover P6 engine.. doubt its going to pass current emissions regs.. any ideas?
and lastly, this 'radiusing' - how does it work, I dont get it.
edit: pic of the car - can you spot anything that'll fail?
Edited by Altrezia on Thursday 6th December 18:53
You can just remove your windscreen, as long as they belive you're not going to re-fit it after the test 
The exhaust is fine - all modern Cobras and Seven types have side-exit exhausts, so that's not an issue. Sounds like you may need better silencers though! And check for radii on those heat shields! The steering wheel could be covered or, just as easily, replaced. Finally, as long as you can prove the engine's year of manufacture, it will be tested for emissions on the basis of its age.
The exhaust is fine - all modern Cobras and Seven types have side-exit exhausts, so that's not an issue. Sounds like you may need better silencers though! And check for radii on those heat shields! The steering wheel could be covered or, just as easily, replaced. Finally, as long as you can prove the engine's year of manufacture, it will be tested for emissions on the basis of its age.Get yourself over to theCobra Clubwebsite. Their a friendly bunch, someone will know what needs to be done to a BRA to get it through an SVA test.
And some one will probably come and take a look at the car in the flesh and offer help and advice.
And some one will probably come and take a look at the car in the flesh and offer help and advice.
These are the points I'd look at.
-Remove the windscreen
-Remove exhaust heat shield
-Fit 2.5mm radius to the exhaust outlets
-Remove spinners from wheels
-Fit a rear fog light, but you don't need a reverse light
-Check all round the car for sharp edges and put edging on anything sharper than 2.5mm radius
-If you can prove the engine is pre 1973 you only need a smoke test for emissions
-Make a cover for the steering wheel (or fit an approved one)
-Noise may be a problem so it'd be worth trying to borrow a meter from somewhere to find out how loud it is
I'll keep my fingers crossed that you just need to push some paperwork back and forth with the DVLA though because it looks like a great car!
-Remove the windscreen
-Remove exhaust heat shield
-Fit 2.5mm radius to the exhaust outlets
-Remove spinners from wheels
-Fit a rear fog light, but you don't need a reverse light
-Check all round the car for sharp edges and put edging on anything sharper than 2.5mm radius
-If you can prove the engine is pre 1973 you only need a smoke test for emissions
-Make a cover for the steering wheel (or fit an approved one)
-Noise may be a problem so it'd be worth trying to borrow a meter from somewhere to find out how loud it is
I'll keep my fingers crossed that you just need to push some paperwork back and forth with the DVLA though because it looks like a great car!
Reversing lights are not needed for SVA.
from the picture i can see problems with:-
Wheel spinners (Take them off) (You do not need to replace them with a centre cap).
Exhaust heat sheilds look like they have a sharp leading edge.
Simple rule of thumb for exterior projections.
Grab a large size roll of 1" masking/sello tape and walk around the car touching as many edges as possible, anything you can touch with the tape should have a min radius of 2.5mm. (Vents are exempt and they usually let wiper arms etc through).
There is just so much stuff you need to check it would fill a book.....Infact there is a book!!! The SVA Guide... Do a search on the net for thr "draft" copy. you won't go far wrong with that.
See you on the Cobraclub site ;o)
Bugger, note to self...Learn to type faster.....
P.S. I would have thought peak power of an old Rover engine was around 4000 rpm, in which case they will test it at 3000rpm. ;o) Downstairs for dancing!
P.P.S. the biggest problem on the car in the pic is the height (or lack of for the upper seat belt anchorage. This needs to be around 500mm above the seat cushion.(Looped over the back of the seat will not suffice.)
from the picture i can see problems with:-
Wheel spinners (Take them off) (You do not need to replace them with a centre cap).
Exhaust heat sheilds look like they have a sharp leading edge.
Simple rule of thumb for exterior projections.
Grab a large size roll of 1" masking/sello tape and walk around the car touching as many edges as possible, anything you can touch with the tape should have a min radius of 2.5mm. (Vents are exempt and they usually let wiper arms etc through).
There is just so much stuff you need to check it would fill a book.....Infact there is a book!!! The SVA Guide... Do a search on the net for thr "draft" copy. you won't go far wrong with that.
See you on the Cobraclub site ;o)
Bugger, note to self...Learn to type faster.....
P.S. I would have thought peak power of an old Rover engine was around 4000 rpm, in which case they will test it at 3000rpm. ;o) Downstairs for dancing!
P.P.S. the biggest problem on the car in the pic is the height (or lack of for the upper seat belt anchorage. This needs to be around 500mm above the seat cushion.(Looped over the back of the seat will not suffice.)
Edited by Dave Dax builder on Thursday 6th December 23:15
JimSuperSix said:
Make sure you state the correct engine rpm limit on the application form, as the noise test is performed at 3/4 of this value IIRC.
I put my rpm limit as 4800, noise test was at about 3000rpm, which it passed easily...
It may be worth testing the noise beforehand as you may get a quieter reading at fairly high revs than at mid range. engine rpm limit on the application form, as the noise test is performed at 3/4 of this value IIRC.I put my rpm limit as 4800, noise test was at about 3000rpm, which it passed easily...
Edited by JimSuperSix on Friday 7th December 20:07
When I took my Rush to be SVAed last month it only read 97db at 3800 but i certainly sounds louder than that number would suggest (I'm using a 3.5 litre Rover V8 from a P6 too). I think the limit is 101, over twice as loud, so I wouldn't be too worried about that. I proved my engine was from a 1973 car (or at least I was 99% certain it was, as I didn't have a V5 for it) and was granted a visual only check, so as long as the exhaust isn't black from oil it passes. If you can do the same then it means your MOTs will be easier too in the future.
Edited by gingerpaul on Saturday 8th December 20:09
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