Catalytic Convertors, When are they needed?

[robm3]

Hi,
I have a 2000 Ultima GTR that originally had a 1978 V6 twin turbo installed (was SVA'd with this engine), a couple of years back this was changed to a 1989 V8, neither of these motors run a Catalytic Convertor on them (the Ownership Documents now correctly list the V8 on them).

Question: Is my car exempt from Cats?

It's had MOT's previously and this has not been an issue.

Does anyone know/understand the legislation on this?

Thanks in advance,
Robin.

[qdos]

My understanding is that it's all based on the original spec as first registered but I wouldn't argue the case. It's a fudgy area I'd just keep my head down myself.

Cats are the biggest con trick out in my opinion, they really seldom do much good as in this country they don't get hot enough for most journeys. Since when has strangling an engine made it clean? It was all put about by the yanks with huge engines in a hot climate who do 50 mile journeys to work each day, Oh that's the ones who put the world to war over oil hmmm odd that. Lean Burn was much more sensible for Europe. Anyways we're lumbered with them now and they are hardly likely to go away.

If you've got a car that doesn't have to have one make the most of it! Me I built mine on a 72 plate even the tax man leaves me alone

[tribbles]

It's also my understanding that it's from when the car was SVA'd, so if you use a later engine which should require a cat if SVA'd now, you still don't need a cat.

[Happy Jim]

In the absence of any "standard" emissions levels being available the MOT tester has to use the results as tested at SVA (you did keep a copy of the SVA cert didn't you?) - the fact that you've since changed your engine in irrelevent.

Section 7.3 of the MOT inspection manual (dated aug 2004). Notes box "Kit cars and amateur built vehicles first used on or after 01 aug 1998 (S Reg) are required to obtain Single Vehicle Approval and should be tested to the limits stated on the registration document"

Check your V5, if there is nothing in the emissions section then you should be on a visible smoke test only.

Cheers

Jim