Tango SVA Result !
Discussion
Well actually guys it was a fail
My main objective was achieved though - namely drive the car 30 odd miles and get her tested under the SVA rather than IVA and its potential unknowns and higher price - so for me even though a fail major result and another milestone in the build!
Now for the good news - car drove great.....obviously needs a geo but above 20-30mph realy started to feel good......gear selection was interesting though - needs minor adjustment to cleanly select 2nd & 4th - clutch 'n' brakes all good and temp rock steady.....under clip temp was really v.good helped a lot I expect by the full Zircotec coating......all in all the drive there was more than I could have hoped for!
Arrived at the centre in Norwich to be met with 2 car transporters unloading 3 very trick Lotus Motorsport Team 340r? race cars - nice bits of kit with sequential g/boxes.....and firt one off was orange with black wheels
My Dad was with me and immediately struck up conversation with the Lotus guys - he was team mechanic in 57/58 with Mr. Chapman in Hornsey.....actually was probably best part of the day for me listening to the 'then & now' banter!!
Anyways to the test itself - well the VOSA guys (and Lotus guys) were very impressed with the car and very complimentary about the build quality and the Ultima 'Brand' and loved the way it sounded! Car flew through the test with couple of minor fails on the interior for edges - all easy fixes - no rear grill and brake warning test switch not function. Other than that she failed on emmissions at idle - shouldn't be a big problem.
Main issue though was a fuel leak from the factory change over valve assembly - not a big issue as such just a pain in the arse to fix as tanks will need draining!! Had a chat with Richard and Dave at the Factory & we've got a couple of options so hopefully get this sorted asap....
So all in all very, very pleased and can't wait to get the car retested and on the road!
PS - VOSA guys at Norwich get a big, big from me - really nice guys who wanted to see the car pass and didn't let the fuel leak get in the way of the testing.......top guys.
Here's a couple of piccies from the happy day and one showing the final engine install....
Who is that guy? Needs a good haircut and a shave!!
My main objective was achieved though - namely drive the car 30 odd miles and get her tested under the SVA rather than IVA and its potential unknowns and higher price - so for me even though a fail major result and another milestone in the build!
Now for the good news - car drove great.....obviously needs a geo but above 20-30mph realy started to feel good......gear selection was interesting though - needs minor adjustment to cleanly select 2nd & 4th - clutch 'n' brakes all good and temp rock steady.....under clip temp was really v.good helped a lot I expect by the full Zircotec coating......all in all the drive there was more than I could have hoped for!
Arrived at the centre in Norwich to be met with 2 car transporters unloading 3 very trick Lotus Motorsport Team 340r? race cars - nice bits of kit with sequential g/boxes.....and firt one off was orange with black wheels
My Dad was with me and immediately struck up conversation with the Lotus guys - he was team mechanic in 57/58 with Mr. Chapman in Hornsey.....actually was probably best part of the day for me listening to the 'then & now' banter!!Anyways to the test itself - well the VOSA guys (and Lotus guys) were very impressed with the car and very complimentary about the build quality and the Ultima 'Brand' and loved the way it sounded! Car flew through the test with couple of minor fails on the interior for edges - all easy fixes - no rear grill and brake warning test switch not function. Other than that she failed on emmissions at idle - shouldn't be a big problem.
Main issue though was a fuel leak from the factory change over valve assembly - not a big issue as such just a pain in the arse to fix as tanks will need draining!! Had a chat with Richard and Dave at the Factory & we've got a couple of options so hopefully get this sorted asap....
So all in all very, very pleased and can't wait to get the car retested and on the road!
PS - VOSA guys at Norwich get a big, big
from me - really nice guys who wanted to see the car pass and didn't let the fuel leak get in the way of the testing.......top guys.Here's a couple of piccies from the happy day and one showing the final engine install....
Who is that guy? Needs a good haircut and a shave!!
looks like a great job and I hope everything goes well with the finishing touches! What could be the cause of idle emission fail?Well done.
As you say it is pretty much a pass as the items should be an easy fix and the retest will take just a few minutes.
What aspect of the fuel valve was leaking? I'm thinking of using the same valve so very relevant.
Was the grill a fail on all the sharp edges they could now reach inside?
Steve
As you say it is pretty much a pass as the items should be an easy fix and the retest will take just a few minutes.
What aspect of the fuel valve was leaking? I'm thinking of using the same valve so very relevant.
Was the grill a fail on all the sharp edges they could now reach inside?
Steve
thanks for confirming that the pollock valve the factory is offering is crap, look at this valves I have them ordered and they are the quality that matches your built.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Very very well done Simon, top result given the pressures etc. I'm somewhat relieved to hear it passed emissions, at least on one bank! Wish I could say I was hot on your heels but alas I think mine will be an IVA. Would be interested in seeing the emissions results (having the same engine and all) so I can compare with what may be required under the new regime.
Russ.
Russ.
Great looking build! Congrats.
Had the same problems with the pollock valve. When we first started the car it was leaking fuel and gave us quite a fright. Had to remove it which was a colossal pain. Decided to get rid of the boxy alu casing altogether, fixed the fuel line connections going in and out of the valve ports and finally stuck it back to the car without the casing. So far so good. At the very least it has not ever leaked since.
Had the same problems with the pollock valve. When we first started the car it was leaking fuel and gave us quite a fright. Had to remove it which was a colossal pain. Decided to get rid of the boxy alu casing altogether, fixed the fuel line connections going in and out of the valve ports and finally stuck it back to the car without the casing. So far so good. At the very least it has not ever leaked since.
Great news and well done...
My LS7 failed first time on emmissions...on Lambda reading (too lean > 1.03 ). It turned out to be a minor air leak in one of the exhaust slip joints. I believe because of the higher pumped velocities of an LS7, it's a bit more sensitive to the leaks. An easy fix if thats what it is...
Liam
My LS7 failed first time on emmissions...on Lambda reading (too lean > 1.03 ). It turned out to be a minor air leak in one of the exhaust slip joints. I believe because of the higher pumped velocities of an LS7, it's a bit more sensitive to the leaks. An easy fix if thats what it is...
Liam
Out of interest are you running cats in your exhaust system?
Lovely looking car. It also looks very nicely built. Should hopefully be fine on the re-test! Do you have removable windows or have they not been fitted yet? I am just making some aluminium frames for mine to see if opening windows will work..
Congrats!
Mart
Lovely looking car. It also looks very nicely built. Should hopefully be fine on the re-test! Do you have removable windows or have they not been fitted yet? I am just making some aluminium frames for mine to see if opening windows will work..
Congrats!
Mart
Congratulations on a fantastic looking car - in my opinion you couldn`t have done a better job with the colors.
What I find rather disturbing though is a failed emission test on an engine that should pass today`s emission regulations with ease. I`ve built and registered 4 LS7 powered Ultimas so far and haven`t had a single issue with the engine / exhaust system (with the TUV authorities that is). Why should there be a faulty reading on one cylinder bank - I thought the engines were thoroughly dyno tested. Any issue you`re having now should`ve shown then? A properly tuned LS7 should run in such a fashion that you hardly need any cats at all to pass emission tests.
Anyway, all the best of luck for your next approach!
What I find rather disturbing though is a failed emission test on an engine that should pass today`s emission regulations with ease. I`ve built and registered 4 LS7 powered Ultimas so far and haven`t had a single issue with the engine / exhaust system (with the TUV authorities that is). Why should there be a faulty reading on one cylinder bank - I thought the engines were thoroughly dyno tested. Any issue you`re having now should`ve shown then? A properly tuned LS7 should run in such a fashion that you hardly need any cats at all to pass emission tests.
Anyway, all the best of luck for your next approach!
Edited by SchimmS on Thursday 23 April 22:06
Congratulations Simon, it may not have passed first time but the best cars never do 
That first drive is something that will stay with you for a long while but press on mate and let us get on with it 'eh?
I don't know about the new BLACK but it does look sweet in that hue for sure
See you on Saturday
That first drive is something that will stay with you for a long while but press on mate and let us get on with it 'eh?
I don't know about the new BLACK but it does look sweet in that hue for sure
See you on Saturday
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