17 replies to this topic

[maston]

Hi All,
Picking up a J reg, 1991 Rover Mini Cooper (carb model) today (can't wait) which needs a bit of work.
Anyway, the seller says it needs a new CAT converter (it has a straight through DTM exhaust on it at the moment)

My question is will it NEED a CAT for the MOT etc. ?
My other mini, a mini city 998cc doesn't have one and it passed the emissions test no problem.

Sorry if I'm being dumb but does the cooper need one when my city doesn't ???

Thank you for all your replies

Regards

Ian

[Wil_h]

Sounds dodgy to me. You can't have a CAT and a carb. The first minis with CATs were the SPi.

[maston]

Sounds dodgy to me. You can't have a CAT and a carb. The first minis with CATs were the SPi.

Thanks for your reply. That's what I thought although looking at other posts and looking at the Haynes manual I think post 1990 coopers had a CAT and a CARB ???

Anyone like to clarify ???

[bobs]

Sounds dodgy to me. You can't have a CAT and a carb. The first minis with CATs were the SPi.

^False^

Open loop CATs were fitted to carb models from 90 onwards... the Sprites/Mayfairs had them much longer until they became SPI in 93-94.

Edited by bobs, 21 February 2011 - 09:54 AM.

[1275GTS]

The carb coopers did come with a cat which are apparently restrictive (my 998 flame import also has one). They can be removed as they are not tested at mot time. My R.S.P. had one fitted which I removed over two years ago and have had no problems at mot time.
Hope this helps.

[maston]

Sounds dodgy to me. You can't have a CAT and a carb. The first minis with CATs were the SPi.

^False^

Open loop CATs were fitted to carb models from 90 onwards... the Sprites/Mayfairs had them much longer until they became SPI in 93-94.

Does that mean I WILL need to source a CAT otherwise it will fail the MOT ???

[maston]

The carb coopers did come with a cat which are apparently restrictive (my 998 flame import also has one). They can be removed as they are not tested at mot time. My R.S.P. had one fitted which I removed over two years ago and have had no problems at mot time.
Hope this helps.

Thank you 1275GTS, that is really helpful )

Many Thanks everyone for all the replies

Ian

[bobs]

The carb coopers did come with a cat which are apparently restrictive.

Meh, open loop CAT, you'll probably not notice the difference. If made before August 93 (iirc) and CARB (not SPI) rip it off, OK for MOT

[maston]

The carb coopers did come with a cat which are apparently restrictive.

Meh, open loop CAT, you'll probably not notice the difference. If made before August 93 (iirc) and CARB (not SPI) rip it off, OK for MOT

Thank you bobs, excellent news )

[Stevee]

this is so simple

cause you own a 1275 sprite with carb and cat, you can bin the cat and it go though an MOT

if its Single piont injection you can't


simple.

[bobs]

this is so simple

cause you own a 1275 sprite with carb and cat, you can bin the cat and it go though an MOT

if its Single piont injection you can't


simple.

I disagree...

My 1275 Sprite wont go through an MOT without a CAT, infact it wont run that lean, so the CAT needs to be on to help lower emmisions. Registered in October 1993 they test me on 0.3% not 3.5%

Not so simple, but only four bolts, two thumb screws, four screws, a needle change, gas tester hookup and a slight mixture tweek once a year.

[charie t]

this is so simple

cause you own a 1275 sprite with carb and cat, you can bin the cat and it go though an MOT

if its Single piont injection you can't


simple.

No car needs a cat to pass an MOT, the cat helps lower the emissions thats all. There is no part of the test to check the cat is A. present or B. working correctly, If you can get the emmissions low enough to pass the MOT, you can do away with it if you really want to.

[Stevee]

look i worked for 1 year and half in a MOT garage

its your car is running carbs with no form of emmissions control like the mini you do not need a cat on your vehicel

only if it has emmissions controls on the carb, and if it has an ecu to control it all

i was told all this by an MOT tester who's been testing cars for donkeys years.

also if ur car runs worse with out the cat then go get it retuned simple

[bobs]

only if it has emmissions controls on the carb,

I'm not doubting your knowledge.

Next time you get a chance, have a peek under the bonnet of a 93 Carb-CAT Sprite with a HIF38.

Car is Stage 1 tuned, like the OP's, runs fine without CAT, it's lowering the emmissions that causes problems without a CAT fitted to get it's CO2 low to pass the MOT.

[Stevee]

only if it has emmissions controls on the carb,

I'm not doubting your knowledge.

Next time you get a chance, have a peek under the bonnet of a 93 Carb-CAT Sprite with a HIF38.

Car is Stage 1 tuned, like the OP's, runs fine without CAT, it's lowering the emmissions that causes problems without a CAT fitted to get it's CO2 low to pass the MOT.

okay im down the mot station later so ill have alook at the 92 sprite and the 93 cooper and the MPI and see what i can see

but what he told me and my mates one gose though mot every time no cat on it