Fitting a non-catalyst engine to a '94 car

[PhilD]

I have run a 1985 Maestro 1.3 HLE for the last 15 years and been very satisfied with its overall reliability and low running costs. The engine and gearbox (not the original ones) are in very good order with no odd noises and low oil consumption. However, the bodywork is now showing signs of age with rear arch and cross member corrosion, which I believe will shortly require welding work. With this in mind I have recently obtained a 1994 model 1.3 Clubman, which has low compression on one cylinder, with the intention of transplanting the transmission from my old car into this newer body shell.

The question I now have is whether the newer car would pass an MOT emissions test without the catalytic converter which is currently fitted to the vehicle. According to the Haynes manual, there is an overlap in the emissions limits, which are 1.5-3% on non-catalyst and 1-2% on catalyst engines. I could, of course, fit the good engine and leave the catalyst exhaust system in place (assuming the converter is viable that is with 116000 on the clock and a damaged engine), but I think that this would mean that I would no longer be able to use the Miller's VSP lead substitute I currently add to unleaded petrol to keep the engine in top condition. Any thoughts or ideas on the best way to proceed and prolong my Maestro motoring experience would be appreciated

[G Force]

I have run a 1985 Maestro 1.3 HLE for the last 15 years and been very satisfied with its overall reliability and low running costs. The engine and gearbox (not the original ones) are in very good order with no odd noises and low oil consumption. However, the bodywork is now showing signs of age with rear arch and cross member corrosion, which I believe will shortly require welding work. With this in mind I have recently obtained a 1994 model 1.3 Clubman, which has low compression on one cylinder, with the intention of transplanting the transmission from my old car into this newer body shell.

The question I now have is whether the newer car would pass an MOT emissions test without the catalytic converter which is currently fitted to the vehicle. According to the Haynes manual, there is an overlap in the emissions limits, which are 1.5-3% on non-catalyst and 1-2% on catalyst engines. I could, of course, fit the good engine and leave the catalyst exhaust system in place (assuming the converter is viable that is with 116000 on the clock and a damaged engine), but I think that this would mean that I would no longer be able to use the Miller's VSP lead substitute I currently add to unleaded petrol to keep the engine in top condition. Any thoughts or ideas on the best way to proceed and prolong my Maestro motoring experience would be appreciated

Hi & welcome to the forum :thumbup: You have a few choices but the main thing to remember is the 94my Maestro will have to meet the emissions test for the year of vehicle manufacture not year of engine manufacture. This means you will need to have a catalyst equipt engine.

The best way to go is to find out what is causing the low compression on the 94 engine because this engine is compatable with unleaded petrol.

If the low compression is caused by anything related to the cylinder head then this will need to be repaired because the cylinder head on your 85 engine is not compatable with your 94 engine and catalytic converter.

If the low compression is caused by something related to the pistons / bores then it would be possible to use the engine from the 85my Maestro as long as you fit the 94my engine cylinder head to it.

The CO settings quoted in the Haynes manual are taken before the catalytic converter this is why there is not much difference. The MOT test takes the gas sample after the catalyst at the tail pipe and this figure is much lower.

Cheers Gary :)

[mike maestro]

afraid gary is right and if you can cure the low comp and use the engine then it will also keep it original and maybe later you will want to preserve the other and you will at least have eveything for it .

[Roperman]

as far as i know that isnt true. they do the test for whichever is older, the car or the engine.

see here: http://www.ukmot.com/manual/6-4.htm

think you have to prove that the engine is older though, but a photocopy of the V5 with the engine number on, in the old shell should probably do. easier than trying to prove that 12HA / 12HB is a 1985 engine.

hope this helps

danny

[dave-mg]

roperman is right,when i was working in the rover dealership there was an nreg westfield(or chateram) it came in for a mot.the guy had replaced the engine with a recon rover v8 and we checked with the inspecorate because this car didnt have a catylist fitted and it didnt have to meet the emision standard for a car of that year because of the older engine.

[G Force]

Yes my appologies :o , Bizzar that I even checked the same website to check the facts before I posted but must have stopped at the modified engine bit.

Gary:hide:

[F690OTF(RIP)]

I've just taken the cat. off a 1993 Clubman and the MoT man was fine with it. It does sound like different stations interpret the rules differently.