Catalyitic converter MOT faliure after M20 engine conversion

[Finny]

I have recently put a M20 into my 316i touring and have not yet motd it, i have realised that the engine will need a catalyitic converter as the car is on a L plate.

Is there any way of getting round this?

I have herd somewhere on here that if you can prove the age of the engine its self and it is before cats were required you dont need one? Is this true?

I still have the docs for the donor car so i can prove the age of the engine.

Cheers

[Widge]

In theory you should be OK then as you are right, it's all to do with the age of the engine, however I don't envy the MOT man trying to get the computer to understand that!

[Brianmoooore]

LPG it. No proplems with emissions then - or fuel costs.

[Ziggy]

LPG it. No proplems with emissions then - or fuel costs.

But according to what I've heard, you will have problems insuring it - it's the only thing that's put me off! I've got nearly all the bits (just need a different tank), but apparently most insurance companies will only cover you if it's been fitted by an approved fitter, or there's a few who just need it to be checked by an approved guy. My insurance company were on the former list, so I've been putting the conversion off 'til renewal time... Any experience on the matter Brian? Cheers (& sorry for the thread hijack!)

[Brianmoooore]

It's true that a lot of insurance companies have been "got at" by scare stories from the LPGA, but there's still enough insurance cos out there that are happy with a certified DIY install, and a few that aren't interested at all in what fuel your car runs on.
My wife's LPG touring has been insured for a few years now with whatever "More than" used to be. They were told that it had been LPG converted, and replied that it was of no relevance whatsoever what fuel it ran on, as long as it did not improve performance.

[Jhonno]

goes by the oldest thing.. engine or car so you should be fine

[Ziggy]

It's true that a lot of insurance companies have been "got at" by scare stories from the LPGA, but there's still enough insurance cos out there that are happy with a certified DIY install, and a few that aren't interested at all in what fuel your car runs on.
My wife's LPG touring has been insured for a few years now with whatever "More than" used to be. They were told that it had been LPG converted, and replied that it was of no relevance whatsoever what fuel it ran on, as long as it did not improve performance.

Cheers Brian - I'll give mine a call & see what they say, but they're ususally arsey about that sort of thing so I'll probably have to wait 'til renewal time anyway.

[stevetigger]

If it goes on the oldest thing.......


then my '93 Cab will NOT need a cat system, Because the M50 I have is a '91 which is before CAT testing.

But M50's have always had CATs.

[Widge]

Well don't put one on then....................

[stevetigger]

Well don't put one on then....................

Thats my plan, straight through system........

If the MOT guy fails it, he will get a slap!