Calling Vauxhall 2l owners

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

I'm trying to find out which version of the VX 2.0l engine people have managed to get through the non Cat SVA emissions test.

[fingers crossed]

Hopefully lots of you have C20XE powered cars on carbs and no Cats.

[/fingers crossed]

[Leon B]

ive got a C20XE, built in 93 so gets through SVA without having a CAT.

[scruffythefirst]

I was assured by peter at dax that if your using an engine that came from a pre 95 but post 93? car then you'll have to pass with cat emmision test if the original car had a cat, but you can create thick clouds of smog if the orginal car didn't have a cat.

Hope thats of some help....

Scruffy

Edit: Just read your other post....

it's just the line saying you don't need a Cat type test if your engine was manufactured before '95 and didn't originally have a Cat that worries me. It sort of implies that if it did, (which mine did. but plenty of VXs' didn't) then I will have to meet Cat type emissions requirements.

I think you should be meeting cat emmisions test (according to dax anyway), but I can't see how the SVA man can determine wether the car your engine comes from had a cat or not, unless it says it on the paperwork from vauxhall proving engine age?

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

unless it says it on the paperwork from vauxhall proving engine age?

Unfortunately, it seems from what people have said, that the letter Vauxhall produce gives both the date of manufacture and the car model the engine was originally fitted to.

Additionally, (I understand) all 20XE units that had Cats on there original installation, have an engine number starting C20XE followed by the number. Whereas the no's on cars that didn't have Cats as standard start 20XE.

But the fact that Leon got his car through SVA with C20XE no. gives me hope  

[scruffythefirst]

I'm in a simmilar predicament, the 4wd cossie engine is pre 95 but they all had cats, so therefore i need a cat test.  However, I also need a(nother) sierra donor, and as my engine is in bits to be built round a new block, I can use the engine number from the donor sierra, even though its not strictly the same engine...

If you can't get the C20XE through cat free, have you considered using another engine number on the cat engine?  Is that legal?

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

I did wonder whether the block is the same as the standard 2 litre 8v unit.

If it is I might just swap blocks, I'm rebuilding the engine anyway, so...

[jeff oakley]

I stand to be corrected but I don't think the log book says cat equipped at all. There were many cars which were available with a cat as an option like the Vauxhall. If it is produced before the age when cats were compulsory then it should be tested as per a non cat car. IIRC on mine it was 3.5%. If in doubt before the guy gives you the letter ask him to ommit any mention on cats.

Jeff

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

I don't think the log book says cat equipped

I'm sure your right, but Vauxhall begin the engine number with a C on those models fitted with a Cat as standard - or so I've been led to believe  

I'm much happier though to see some "proof of the pudding" votes though, by VX owners with C type engine no.s that have made it through        

[Westfields Rock On]

i had a dog at the time does that count?

[scruffythefirst]

i had a dog at the time does that count?

Depends if it will fit in an exhaust      

[Leon B]

Yep the C bit does mean it had a CAT fitted but I was lead to belive that if its pre 95 you won't need a CAT whatever.  Anything newer than that does require one.  Mine got through no questions asked with a 93 CAT model from a Calibra which was fitted with one originally.

[bofus]

If the engine was built prior to July 95 then you do not need a cat for an amateur built car, regardless of whether it had a cat in its first life.

The 2.0 XE wasn't built after 94 because it falled to achieve the euro emissions required for the 96 model year.

Calibra/Cavalier went to the X20XEV ecotec ( basically a detuned XE with smaller valves and a poorer head design, no sodium filled exhaust valves or steel crank)

The Astra GTE/GSI 16v became a boring 1.8 Sport 16V with an ECOTEC X18XEV

[Mike H]

I think bofus may be right, in a way.  For you to need a cat test with a pre 95 and post Jul 92 effective date, your exact make/model/engine of car being tested has to appear in the 'emissions list'.  A Westfield with a 2.0l Vauxhall engine would not have had cats during that time and therefore won't be on the list.

My local centre advised me similarly over my V8 - they said a Westfield V8 of that period would not have a cat and therefore wouldn't be on the list.

As it is my engine if from Oct 92 and because the engines in all 'amatuer built' cars have an effective date of 1st Jan in the year the engine was manufactured, my engines effective date will be 1st Jan 92 and is therefore pre 31st Jul 92 anyway and is outside the dodgy Aug 92 - 95 period.

If in doubt phone your local test centre and get their opinion.

Mike

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

       

Never been happier to be proved wrong

       

[Glen_I]

Dave, please keep me informed of how you get on.... I am having a bl**** nightmare at present, i had to buy a engine just for its identity. So got a early 20XE sent number to VX and today they informed me that the number is no good/not reconised:angry:

I explained the situation, that i need to prove this engine was built before July 1995, and almost pleaded that can he come up with something, i know damn well this engine was never produced after July 1995 as Bofus as said...

Does anyone know if when DVLA check details before issueing a log book, do they see if the engine number already exists elsewhere?? We have to register aload of cars tommorow at work, so hoping the admin girl is going to ask without raising suspicions???

A very hacked off Glen.