Emissions Reports and Engineering take 2

[Fuzzlet]

Well I had my emissions test done today at Penrith....About the only thing I came under the limit on was nitrogen. Carbon levels were only *just* over the limit, hydrocarbons wasnt too far over, but heck its up to the engineer to decide whether I pass or fail. The test only took all of 20 mins. The car got put on a rolling road, dríven at a few different speeds, with the machine measuring levels from the exhaust. I'd say the engineer will pass me, as mates have had dealings with him in the past without problems

[JSE]

goodluck...i've never known if you fail must you fix it or can you just do the dodgy and go to another engineer?

[Boags]

Good luck Fuzz, I hope you passed!

CHANGE YOUR SIG!

Boags

[Lucky_Luke]

hey Fuzzlet....

hmm legality.. a dream in SA .. a distant dream, If you dont mind me asking, how much does a test over there cost? was that like a full enclosed emissions test?
I was looking to get mine legalised over here in SA but the transport certified engineers told me it was going to cost me like $4K to get the emissions test done, which i thought was bulls* as I'm an engineer and predicted a few hundred bucks at the most.. *sighs* SA sucks when it comes to the transport department.

Good luck with it!

[Fuzzlet]

Hahaha this is reeeeeeally gonna rub it in then.....RTA emissions tests are free for any road registered car, as if someone is so inclined, they can take their unmodified grampa mobile to get tested, so make sure its emissions still meet the manufacturer's standards. Having said that, although the emissions test is free, there is still gonna be about $500 worth of engineering. I spoke to the engineer today, and I'll be faxing the cert off to him tomorrow morning.....If he isnt happy with the numbers, well I know a few people...


Oh and boags, yeah I prob should hey

[bark]

Hey Lucky Luke,

An emissions test in SA will cost you $495 or there abouts. I have lodged an application for approval and have received approval provided that it passes the IM240 test. I'd suggest you submit an application and stress having it pass an IM240 test. Once given approval to modify you can choose if you want to pay the $495 or take it interstate for a burn and an emissions test. As long as the interstate emissions tests have the relevant accreditations then Regency will accept this and pass your vehicle (assuming it meets the 4 gas tests of course)!

Ben

[yarnmx5]

bark, let us know how you go (and what set up you have) as only a few weeks ago I was told basically \"bad luck\" in trying to get a turbo set up approved.....

[randymx5]

Yeah, bark keep us posted!

[Sean]

Well I had my emissions test done today at Penrith....About the only thing I came under the limit on was nitrogen. Carbon levels were only *just* over the limit, hydrocarbons wasnt too far over, but heck its up to the engineer to decide whether I pass or fail. The test only took all of 20 mins. The car got put on a rolling road, dríven at a few different speeds, with the machine measuring levels from the exhaust. I'd say the engineer will pass me, as mates have had dealings with him in the past without problems

If the emissions are above the allowed levels and an engineer signs off on them, the car is still not legal.

RTA have been cracking down on this sort of shonk behaviour for the last 12 or so months, so be warned an angineer signing off doesn't make it legal.

The engineer is meant to look at teh results and compare it to what is acceptable for teh manufacturing date of teh car (i beleive this is a regulation under ADR 37-00, but could be wrong on teh number).

It's kind of like having an engineering certificate that says it's legal to have a side mounted V8 in your FWD mini moke... The certificate says it's roight, but the RTA will tell you a different story.

[Fuzzlet]

Yep I spoke with the engineer and he wants them done better. Trouble is, Dave (at mania) didn't lean out the right area of the tune though. He had it fixed in his mind that it was all about WOT testing, whereas it is daily driving. The car is going to mania tomorrow to get re-tuned (as its running rich anyway), and Daniel is gonna put a second cat in there for me. ADR37 is the one. Any car built between 1983 and 1998 must adhere to the same emissions laws apparently

[Sean]

Yep I spoke with the engineer and he wants them done better. Trouble is, Dave (at mania) didn't lean out the right area of the tune though. He had it fixed in his mind that it was all about WOT testing, whereas it is daily driving. The car is going to mania tomorrow to get re-tuned (as its running rich anyway), and Daniel is gonna put a second cat in there for me. ADR37 is the one. Any car built between 1983 and 1998 must adhere to the same emissions laws apparently

If you are putting a second cat into it make sure you get the car REALLY hot before teh test and try not to let it sit around cooling down.

It's particularly hard in turbo cars to get a second cat hot, the turbo acts as a big heatsink to keep the hot exhaust that should be heating the cat.

I've heard stories of tuners claiming they have fitted 4 cats to a car to pass, but I just can't see how you are going to have enough temperature to get a 4th cat up to operating temp - A cold cat won't help you pass...


Here's a few tips from my limited expereince in getting a car passed IM240:


Hydro carbons can be caused by overly rich or lean AFRs, so don't spend too much time geting the car leaned out, too far either way will hurt you.

Make sure yor ignition is spot on, new plugs, bug gaps and good leads, a misfire will almost certainly cause you to fail.


The gas analyser CO reading the RTA use is related to the air-fuel ratio. A high CO reading would indicate an over-rich mixture (too much fuel compared to air) and conversely a low CO reading would indicate a lean air-fuel mixture (not enough fuel compared to air), but like I said above, it's not as simple as leaning it off.

RUn a perfectly clean air filter and change your oil and filter before teh test (should be as importnat on a freshly built engne, but worth it to get the certification...

[Fuzzlet]

Well when I say I'm getting it leaned out, Dave didnt exactly spend much time tuning it initially, as we were running it rich to ensure everything was ok.....it was running an a/f ratio of 10.5 - 11 at idle As for getting it hot before hand, yep my bro told me that (works for ford in melbourne in the emissions lab....he told me to give it a good flogging before the test to ensure its gonna be hot). My first test was shocking, the second not as bad. As for some people needing 4 cats to try to pass the test, Daniel told me about an old customer of his who had a s8 rx7 race car, then got dan to rebuild the engine into stock form so it could be complienced and sold....even with all standard internals, exhaust, and management, it still couldnt pass the emissions test lol

[Boags]

14.7 is the magic number. Stoichiometric is the point where the fuel will combust and eat itself and the bad bits. 14.7 is the ratio at which the cat is most effective.

11 at idle is too rich, and just not needed, even for safety. When there is no boost you can run it at less than 14.7:1, but as I said, that's the best ration emissions wise.

Boags

[Sean]

14.7 is the magic number. Stoichiometric is the point where the fuel will combust and eat itself and the bad bits. 14.7 is the ratio at which the cat is most effective.

11 at idle is too rich, and just not needed, even for safety. When there is no boost you can run it at less than 14.7:1, but as I said, that's the best ration emissions wise.

Boags

Even at stoich itwont burn all teh fuel, the walls cylinder walls and head are cooler than the combustion is and will attract a small amount of (resultingly) unburnt fuel.

[Fuzzlet]

11 at idle is too rich, and just not needed, even for safety

Haha funny u say that. The car likes running rich at idle, otherwise it doesn't like running. It will be an absolute dog of a thing to start when cold, and when running has no balls