21 replies to this topic

[GTiRsalter]

I think i will buy the SVA inspection manual and have a read up.

Also Z CARS sent me a email saying that. "we are very shortly going to build a demo car using a full fibreglass shell which is purpose built to take our kit without any mods at all to the shell,our aim is to be able to supply a full kit in very much the same way that kit car manufacturers do with say the lotus seven replicas etc."

With regards to the door locks i could fit ones from another car say a renault 5 that i have seen fitted to a mini.

And the steering column, i think that ive seen a mini fitted with a universal joint where it meets the rack and he said he needed it to keep the testers happy.

Alburgular, i did mean the rear drive shafts that z cars supply, are they one piece i.e. not two different ends welded together.

Also Dan, to not be issued a Q plate you need proof of purchase for every part with a certificate to prove its newness. so if they ask where i got that bolt that holds that bit together or where did you get that dash from and i have no proof its new or recon or how old it is. they would not no the full history of the parts.
My car maybe safe but some parts could be older than others.

Ive got a grey import pulsar GTiR that needed SVA'ing but as they make UK sunny GTiRs it only takes 10mins to check its had a fog light fitted, and mph to kph converter.
There making ot harder to import modded grey imports now so alot have to be converted to standard to pass the new tests, then all they goodies put backon when there sold............getting a bit off topic sorry.

Ian.

[Alburglar]

Alburgular, i did mean the rear drive shafts that z cars supply, are they one piece i.e. not two different ends welded together.

They are bespoke, so not a bodge job.

[GTiRsalter]

At least i know tho's will pass an SVA :cheese:

Ian.

[Dan]

I think the door locks are OK, they have been anti-burst since Mk3. A lot of kit cars use Mini door latches 'because they're cheap. They're in some of the kit component catalogues anyway.

And you can make the column pass by using a collapsible hub with an aftermarket wheel. I think Mountney do one, and maybe some of the others.

I know what you mean about needing all the reciepts, you should see the folders full of paperwork I've got! But if you don't have the paperwork, you won't pass the SVA anyway AFAIK.

But from what you've said it does sound like the new Z-cars toy will be a properly SVA-able kit anyway. Since they need to put one through the test to prove it can be done (or else no-one would buy one) why don't you ask them if you can be their ginea pig? They might even give you a discount!

[andyps]

It would definitely need an SVA as the chassis is being changed - this is the criteria for that part of your question. It may be possible to get round the steering column part by making the column two part, with an appropriate angle in it (sorry I can't remember what the angle is). There would probably be lots of things wrong with a standard mini which would make it difficult for one to get an SVA - not sure about any of the fibreglass shells though.

As for the Q plate - it depends on the amount of components which all came from one source. A way around it which can work, is to change the registration docs for the car to include the new engine first, then when it comes to registration after the SVA is completed that engine was part of the donor and counts as one of the items from that car which helps generate an age related plate rather than a Q plate. There does appear to be a bit of luck according to the views of the person from the DVLA who actually makes the decision on the day. I know someone who got an age related plate on a kit car based on sierra parts, but using a bike engine - the parts which counted were front and rear suspension, transmission (the diff) and that was about it. You will not get the reg number from the donor car, but an approriate age related one.

When a car passes the SVA it can then be registered and whether it gets a Q, an age related, or a new plate it will not need an MOT for 3 years.

Sorry for the long answer!

[GTiRsalter]

Dont worry about the answer Andyps, the more help the better.

I got the SVA inspection manual today theres alot in there, just need to go though each section and check if the mini will pass that section or not, and if not how can i make it pass.

For the front impact i think having the engine in the back is a good thing as it gives a decent amount of crushable area in front of the steering rack which is what they want.

As for the steering column i will look into those crushable mounting hubs and see if they provide enough deformation to pass, for the two part column(offsetstyle) the angles need to be at least 30 degrees.
maybe i could use a LHD rack and two UJ's to bring the wheel to the RHD side, just a quick thought not looked into it yet.

If the door locks look like they will pass that should save some hassle.

I think the sheel should be fine as it will be a deseamed shell :grin: , so no sticky out flanges to worry to tester with.

My other concern at the moment is the roll cage,it states that no rigid roof sticks or ribs should project downwards more that 19mm....................but does not apply to parts coverd with a non-rigid material.........im guessing i could apply roll cage padding?. This is the biggest thing i need to check as no rollcage means no R1 mini.

Ian.

[andyps]

I can't imagine a roll cage being a problem, most lotus seven type cars have a roll cage of some sort (it would be really silly not to if you like having your head attached to your body :saywhat: ) and that is never a problem for SVA - it probably refers to bolts pointing downwards from the roof, or maybe a bolted together type cage.