Emissions tests for cars built in the 90's
 

I though this would help people when choosing a donor.
“The lack of a catalytic converter is not an automatic fail in itself, but a vehicle may struggle to meet the required emission limits without one. Prior to 31 July 1992, a spark ignition engine is required to meet limits of CO<=3.5% and HC<=1200ppm. Between 1 August 1992 and 31July 1995, the limits will depend on whether or not the vehicle is listed in the current edition of the In Service Exhaust Emission Standards for Road Vehicles book ( currently the Ninth Edition) which all MOT stations are required to hold. If there is an exact match in this book for the vehicle ( regarding engine number/type, model, chassis no, etc. The exact requirements vary between manufacturers) then the vehicle will be tested to the limits in the book. If an exact match cannot be found, the vehicle will again need to meet limits of CO<=3.5% and HC<=1200ppm. I have looked up your particular model and engine and, as stated in your e-mail, this combination is not listed and therefore the vehicle would need to meet limits of CO<=3.5% and HC<=1200ppm. From 1 August 1995, the requirements again depend on whether or not the vehicle is listed in the Emissions book. As your particular combination is not listed, vehicles of this age would need to be tested to the following limits: Minimum oil temperature : 60C Idle (450 - 1500rpm) CO<=4.5% Fast Idle (2500-3000rpm) CO<=0.3% HC<=200ppm Lambda= 0.97 to 1.03 There is one possible exemption to the above requirements. If the customer can provide a letter from the manufacturer, quoting the chassis number and engine number of the vehicle, stating that the engine as originally installed could not meet the relevant UK emissions limits. In this case, the vehicle can be tested to the next lowest limit.” Hope this clears things up...

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43072

The best thing to do when picking your engine, is referring to the IVA hand book. The test information varies against that given for checking MR2 imports during an MOT.

Ultimately, for the IVA, you need to prove your engine was produced before August 1995, to avoid the Cat test.

This is interesting, I thought if your donor had a cat you'd automatically have to fit a cat. Mine was made in 1993 (k plate) so hopefully it'll pass without one :)

Excellent info and very topical at the minute.

Thanks
Leigh

I built a VW Corrado G60 engine pushing out 220whp with a 2.0 litre block (original was 1.8) and no CAT running digifant engine management. It used to fly through the 3.5% CO 1200ppm HC idle test. It always had 0.5% co and 200ppm apart from when the lambda signal wire had broken.:rolleyes:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ne-build/page3

Came across this while digging, there's an excel link at the bottom for what I think is the contents of the emissions book. Unfortunately the cvh comes up as needing a cat as the co2 limit is 0.5% :(

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/inservice...vehicles. htm

As suggested by DeeZee above it's what is in the IVA manual that matters.
So long as your haynes roadster is fitted with an engine from a pre August 1995 donor which the CVH is then no cat is required. The rules are different how ever for imports and rebuilt production cars.
The haynes roadster is not listed as no production haynes roadsters have ever existed and therefore no type approval emissions data submitted by the manufacturer.
No exact match means no cat required before Auig '95 - It's all in the IVA manual.

BV.

Ah I mis-interepeted it then, I thought it would be based on them matching the donor not the roadster :)

I think this catches quite a few people out.
Whether IVA or MOT it is the vehicle 'as presented' and as the haynes roadster isn't a mass produced car then there will be no match.
This means they have to follow a chart which eventually leads them to non cat emissions test.

Once the car hs been IVA'd the required emissions test should automatically come up on the MOT computer.

BV.

If this is the case then, if my build is not made up from a donor car just a pile of bits all i need to do is prove that the engine is pre 1995!! and shove it on a Q.
Bob

Yep that is correct. It is the date of the engine that matters now, the date of the donor is irrelivant with regard to emissions. That was one of the main changes from SVA to IVA.
Building from one donor will allow you to apply for an age related plate which some people prefer. Q plate allows you to build it from whatever parts you want.

BV.

Hi Everyone.

I must be reading the IVA manual wrong. It seems to say pre-Aug 1986 was the CO<=4.5%, 1 Aug 1986 to 31 July 1992 CO<=3.5% and post 1 Aug 1992 CO<=0.2%/0.3%.

My Reg Certificate says my MX5 donor was first registered on 23/02/1995, which according to this post means I don't need a cat and CO<=4.5%, but from the IVA manual I need one and need to meet the 0.2/0.3%?!?

Am I being thick?

erm..... well..... yes :p

Read it again its the difference between 1986 and 1995

Erm... I see now. I should have had my coffee and read it again before posting.

According to the flow chart, they do a BET test first based on the tighter standards and if it fails then they go on to CAT1?!?

Anyway, thanks.

Don't worry, even the testers get confused! As mine did! :rolleyes: They always seem to run the BET test even though the car doesn't qualify for it, I think it's so they can say "well you passed the BET test so the car now has to pass the BET test in future!" Or something, I don't know and I don't think they do either!:)

Thanks. That makes me feel slightly less stupid! 😎

Just re read my comment glad you never took offence to my tongue in cheek comment

Nah, I'm thick in the skin as well as the head!

Same as mot test emissions regs,they select from menu and do what machine tells them .

And don't forget the 1200.ppm HC reading,you can have low CO and high HC.

after you pass iva and reg your car the test std for emmissions required of your car is printed on your v5 so just take it with you to mot test :D

I used a pre 95 zetec that was a cat engine but run no cat.