In the UK, emissions requirements can be based on the year of the engine, or the car, whichever is oldest.
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_730.htm


You wont find cats on my car

But do be aware about trying sneaky things with vehicle identities. The DVLA are already intent on making stupid changes, which could make it very difficult, if not impossible to make highly modified cars legal for road use.

This topic has been covered in a few car mags, most notable classics, as even standard restored classics could fall foul, as they have been rebuilt with so many non-original parts, and the DVLA say that the vehicle is no longer original anymore, and may require a Q plate.
Whats worse, is that they may then require an SVA test, which apparently many old cars would never pass.

 

in the us (at least in massachusettes) its which ever is newer
but most people with older vehicles (in mass older than 85) dont really have any trouble. im in illinois right now and they seem to have it tougher. in diff ways.

 

Pete, your car is gonna be something else. Awesome to see, would love to have a car like that on a N.Z street it would certainly make the rice boys wonder wtf was going on, sound wise.

 

Just got back off holiday and these were waiting for me, courtesy of Duncan Wortz Wortec eng. and Greens of Rainham..................



They`re from a Holden HSV, probably Commodore, I would think. Gonna give `em a try tomorrow, see what mods I might have to do.

 

Tried the headers, they sit too far away from the block, need to add some in the bends by the flange so that they come in tighter, then get `em ceramic coated.

 

Hello guys, having problems with the steering rack at the mo. so no updates

The pinion on my rack needs to be around 4" further outboard cause it hits the starter motor housing on the gearbox. I`m struggling to find a wider one, may have to strip it down, lengthen the shaft and put it in a steel tube instead of a cast ally one, this means shortening the drivers side arm too

I`ve declared my project now on www.astra-sport.co.uk where I am a moderator.
Please feel free to have a look at the declaration, the link .........................
http://www.m1gst.com/vb/showthread.php?t=71689

 

Man oh man, I love following builds. Keep us updated with the pictures and thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see it finished. Sounds like it was quite the runner before this conversion. I like your style!

 

Could you swap the front hubs, left to right, then use a front mounted steering rack ??

It would require a rear mounted sump of course, and some alterations to the bracing you have already done up front.
My mounts basically sit above the rack, and at an angle, rather than your flat mounts. ( Mines also bolted solid )

 

Hi Stevie, we`re looking at making a raised tunnel through / over each side of the subframe and doing away with the rear arm of the wishbone / suspension arm,replacing it with a front tie rod / compression arm, and mounting the rod end from underneath by way of a rose joint, to get over the height problem.

Who would make a rear steer rack approx 680 mm min - 700 mm max between knuckle joints, with the pinion within 100mm from the drivers side knuckle ?

 

Hmmm havent a clue about that one....

But another option, although not too sure how awkward or crappy it would be, would be to use a steering box.

I think some mid 90's BMW's still used a steering box ??

 

Found out today that LCP Automotive have all car makes steering rack on the shelf, so I`m going there with a tape measure and a prayer

 

Hi Pete
Have just had a read of your thread on the astra-sport site. Nearly a legend & the cars not turned a wheel yet.
Has Craig from Birmingham been in touch? Small world. I was in his place today. Next time you speak to him ask if his found his keys.

 

Hello mate, yeah, and next a knighthood

Do you mean Craig Taylor ?
If so, we have swapped gearlevers already.

 

This conversion is amazing, and the pace of is incredible! Are you some kind of fabricator by trade?

I noticed from the other forum that you ditched the GTO rear suspension and went with one from an Omega instead. What exactly is the difference between the two that makes the Omega narrower? Are the control arms and sub frame all narrower? Do they share any common parts at all?

Also do you know who manufactures the GTO and Omega differential carriers, I’m guessing it’s either Getrag or ZF? WOuld you happen to know of any LSD’s available for the Omega, I ask because I’m looking for one for my Catera (North American version of the Omega).

 

Yes we are talking about the same bloke. The gear change was off my engine & Gear box which is sitting in a crate in his place in Brum. Which is one day going in to a RX7 shell.
Craigs a good bloke to know especially when it comes to getting engines to work.
I’ll keep in touch via this site.

 

Yes Hans, I`m actually a boat builder by trade.
It`s come to a standstill at the moment tho. cause the steering rack wont fit, trying to source one from LCP automotive, who deal directly with all the manufacturers
The differences between the 2 axles are , the diff on the GTO is 70mm wider and the drive shafts are each 20mm longer, but the GTO drive shafts are 28mm dia whereas the Omega ones are 33mm. You`d think it would be the other way around.
I`m trying to find an LSD for mine mate, they are as rare as rocking horse sh*t, and I`ve no idea who makes `em

 

Check out Woodward, if you can't find a solution there there isn't one.

 

Do you know the size of the ring rear of the Omega axle?

Since the manual transmissions in the omega's were from Getrag and the steering gear were from ZF, I figured that the diff carrier would be from one of those 2 suppliers. If so, something similar would likely have been used in a BMW, Audi or some other european build car, thus finding an LSD should be easier and cheaper. Odd that the differential has no marking that identify who manufactures it.

 

It`s not odd mate, it`s just that, I haven`t had a look

But I will tomorrow.

 

99% certain we`ve sorted the steering rack problem.

Found a Rover 100 manual rack, which is 100mm longer than my O.E. one with the pinion in the right position to miss the starter motor, coupled to a Vauxhall Corsa C power column, which will mount behind the dash.

I`ll post some pics tomorrow eve.