8 replies to this topic

[AndyM]

Hello all, this is my first post. I've just bought a mini again after an 8 year break. I had 3 when I was younger.
My question is this: My mini is a standard 1993 (K) 1275 Sprite with a carburettor and open-loop catalytic converter. Is it legal to remove the Cat and fit, say, an RC40 or other aftermarket system? Will it pass an MOT as long as the emissions are ok? I don't want to massively tune it, (other than changing the needle, obviously), I would just like a nicer sounding exhaust. Plus, when the time comes for replacement, I can get about 5 RC40s for the price of a standard Cat.
Any advice much appreciated. For what it's worth, Minisport told me it would be legal, whilst Mini Spares said it wouldn't .
Thanks. Andy.

[Guess-Works.com]

Yes it is legal to remove the cat....

When it comes to MOT time, the car will be tested for emmisions as if it had a cat, even if there is one there or not....

[frostie]

hiya mate,
i've just had EXACTLY the same problem....got a 1993 mini rio wiv open loop cat!what i did is ring up some MOT testing stations close to u, and ask them what they think,some say they'll pass it, and then just go to them!
the guy i spoke to said that because it's open loop, and doesn't have the lambda sensor or ECU, the cat doesn't particulary matter!

hope that helps

[Dan]

Your car WILL need to pass the tighter emissions test used from '92 onwards. The easiest way to pass this is to fit a catalytic converter, which is why Rover fitted one. It doesn't actually require a CAT so long as it will pass the test. It will be very difficult to make it get through the test without the CAT, particularly if it is tuned for better than standard performance. But the CAT does rather strangle performance on the carb'd cars, and it makes tuning the engine almost impossible (if you adjust the fueling or anything else you will very likely burn out the catalyst, which is why all the tuning points on the engine are sealed up). So it's up to you whether you risk it or not.

[MiniMoi]

Ok not legal at all, but why not keep the cat make it fit on the new exhaust and just put it up there for MOT? Piece of cake to do and you will have no problem passing. Again if they cops suspect you did this and they test your car on emissions you are pretty much nailed. The cops are pretty out on look out for this on this side of the channel, but so far they don't look out for Mini's. They are just after the local halford's tuners with their Opel's and Honda's.

MiniMoi

[frostie]

it's "grey" area, because our cars are right on the fringe of when cats were needed, some testers will let it pass as long as emissions are ok, but others won't!look around or have a word with a few pepole around your area to find a place that mot's a few older cars and they may let it pass!up to u!

[Dan]

Yes that's right, your car needs to always be able to pass the test. Not just at MOT time. There's lots of roadside Ministry testing happening in the south east at the moment, and what's even more scary is roadside emissions cameras!


But there's no such thing as a grey area! If it was built before a certain date then it's the old test, after and it's the new one. Or this rule may relate to first registration rather than build date.

There are of course slightly grey MOT's, but just because they were done by an official tester doesn't make them binding. If you get pulled by plod and tested, and they suspect that your car may not have been able to pass it's ticket when it was tested they'll tell you to get a new one from somewhere else.

Edited by Dan, 28 February 2005 - 07:06 PM.

[Guess-Works.com]

getting a certain deja-vu feeling..

[Jammy]

Roadside emissions cameras?! :erm: :fear:

I think I need to get my exhaust tested to make sure its quiet enough, I'm pretty sure it is too loud, and am quite surprised I haven't been pulled on it yet. Luckily I've been able to shift up a gear when I've seen the cops!! But theres going to be that one time.....