SVA emissions and engine mods
Discussion
I currently own a 355 Fezza as my weekend adrenalin rush, but I used to own a Sebring Silver C5, which I modded with some mild bolt-ons (Borla exhaust, which I had personally imported from the US, Halltech intake, Diablo Predator, etc). GREAT, great car. Used it everyday (was my daily driver for over 12 months doing 20k miles in that time). Not a single thing went wrong with the car and that included a run up to Santa Pod for a RWYB day! Sexy as hell, v.fast (G Tech 0-60 in 4.74 and ET of mid-13's) different, amazingly practical AND cheap to run. So, as I'm sure you've guessed, I miss the Vette! The 355 is fantastic and I love it, but I'll passing custodianship to someone else this year and I'm very tempted to import a C6 (or, possibly another C5) from the US.
I'm familiar with all the SVA requirements and all the processes involved in importing a Vette from the States. However, what I'm not confident about is what level of engine mods I can get away with (from an emissions standpoint) and still pass the dreaded SVA.
The plan will be to find and import quite a seriously-modified C6. Anything with an aftermarket cam in it will probably be out due to its affect on emissions. However, I might get away with a mild grind (MTI Stealth cam, or similar on a 114/115LSA, etc)? Much more likely, I'll be looking for a forced-induction set-up... probably an ATI or Vortech blower. The car would also have long-tube headers and a cat-back system. Cats will have to stay in place, obviously, but they might be sports cats. The extent of mods I'm thinking of will probably raise the LS2's output to IRO 500-600RWHP.
So, does anyone on here have any first (or second) hand experience of importing a modern US car that has been modified in the 'go fast' department, but still needs to pass SVA? The last thing I would want to do is import my dream Vette and have it fail SVA emissions! I certainly do not want to get myself into that nightmare scenario of having to to a heads or cam swap back to stock in order to pass.
Just to pre-empt the suggestion, for obvious financial reasons, I do not want to import a stock C6 and modify it post-SVA.
Cheers,
Ian.
I'm familiar with all the SVA requirements and all the processes involved in importing a Vette from the States. However, what I'm not confident about is what level of engine mods I can get away with (from an emissions standpoint) and still pass the dreaded SVA.
The plan will be to find and import quite a seriously-modified C6. Anything with an aftermarket cam in it will probably be out due to its affect on emissions. However, I might get away with a mild grind (MTI Stealth cam, or similar on a 114/115LSA, etc)? Much more likely, I'll be looking for a forced-induction set-up... probably an ATI or Vortech blower. The car would also have long-tube headers and a cat-back system. Cats will have to stay in place, obviously, but they might be sports cats. The extent of mods I'm thinking of will probably raise the LS2's output to IRO 500-600RWHP.
So, does anyone on here have any first (or second) hand experience of importing a modern US car that has been modified in the 'go fast' department, but still needs to pass SVA? The last thing I would want to do is import my dream Vette and have it fail SVA emissions! I certainly do not want to get myself into that nightmare scenario of having to to a heads or cam swap back to stock in order to pass.
Just to pre-empt the suggestion, for obvious financial reasons, I do not want to import a stock C6 and modify it post-SVA.
Cheers,
Ian.
ian_uk1975 said:
I'm familiar with all the SVA requirements and all the processes involved in importing a Vette from the States. However, what I'm not confident about is what level of engine mods I can get away with (from an emissions standpoint) and still pass the dreaded SVA.
So, does anyone on here have any first (or second) hand experience of importing a modern US car that has been modified in the 'go fast' department, but still needs to pass SVA? The last thing I would want to do is import my dream Vette and have it fail SVA emissions! I certainly do not want to get myself into that nightmare scenario of having to to a heads or cam swap back to stock in order to pass.
Just to pre-empt the suggestion, for obvious financial reasons, I do not want to import a stock C6 and modify it post-SVA.
Cheers,
Ian.
Hi IanSo, does anyone on here have any first (or second) hand experience of importing a modern US car that has been modified in the 'go fast' department, but still needs to pass SVA? The last thing I would want to do is import my dream Vette and have it fail SVA emissions! I certainly do not want to get myself into that nightmare scenario of having to to a heads or cam swap back to stock in order to pass.
Just to pre-empt the suggestion, for obvious financial reasons, I do not want to import a stock C6 and modify it post-SVA.
Cheers,
Ian.
May I first point out that I don't have "first (or second) hand experience of importing a modern US
car that has been modified in the 'go fast' department".
However, I have just imported a stock C6 and all the advice I got from the specialists was to leave
it that way until after the SVA. "No wheel changes, no new exhausts, no engine mods".
At the time I thought this all sounded a bit over the top, but my car went through SVA this week and
initially, he failed it - why? Because his 'stock' notes said a red light would come on on the dash.
When mine showed the standard GM applied 'Brake' message, he failed it despite being told of his
error. True 24 hours later he reversed his decision after he'd gone away and consulted other papers,
but that is how tough they appear to be.
I hope for your sake others may have better news and loop holes, (vetteheadracer may be a good
person to speak to as far as mods) but from my experience, they will pass stock only.
Best of luck.
Cuban said:
Hi Ian
May I first point out that I don't have "first (or second) hand experience of importing a modern US
car that has been modified in the 'go fast' department".
However, I have just imported a stock C6 and all the advice I got from the specialists was to leave
it that way until after the SVA. "No wheel changes, no new exhausts, no engine mods".
At the time I thought this all sounded a bit over the top, but my car went through SVA this week and
initially, he failed it - why? Because his 'stock' notes said a red light would come on on the dash.
When mine showed the standard GM applied 'Brake' message, he failed it despite being told of his
error. True 24 hours later he reversed his decision after he'd gone away and consulted other papers,
but that is how tough they appear to be.
I hope for your sake others may have better news and loop holes, (vetteheadracer may be a good
person to speak to as far as mods) but from my experience, they will pass stock only.
Best of luck.
Thanks for the info... all I can see at this stage is BUGGER. Hopefully, someone has better news to share!May I first point out that I don't have "first (or second) hand experience of importing a modern US
car that has been modified in the 'go fast' department".
However, I have just imported a stock C6 and all the advice I got from the specialists was to leave
it that way until after the SVA. "No wheel changes, no new exhausts, no engine mods".
At the time I thought this all sounded a bit over the top, but my car went through SVA this week and
initially, he failed it - why? Because his 'stock' notes said a red light would come on on the dash.
When mine showed the standard GM applied 'Brake' message, he failed it despite being told of his
error. True 24 hours later he reversed his decision after he'd gone away and consulted other papers,
but that is how tough they appear to be.
I hope for your sake others may have better news and loop holes, (vetteheadracer may be a good
person to speak to as far as mods) but from my experience, they will pass stock only.
Best of luck.
From your profile, I notice you used to own a C5 and a Cerb (you're also in my neck of the woods, so you might see me about and vice-versa!). How does the C6 (M6?) compare in the straight-line performance and handling departments to the C5 and Cerb? I test-drove a 4.2 Cerb when I was looking to sell the C5 and liked how it drove (v.light flywheel, heavy clutch, high rev ceiling, point and squirt machine), but I hated the kit car-ish build quality (MILES behind the C5) and the exhaust note (flat-plane AJPV8 doesn't sound as good as an LSx with a decent exhaust, IMO. Ferrari have the winning formula in the flat-plane crank V8 audio department).
Cheers,
Ian.
Edited by ian_uk1975 on Saturday 26th January 00:22
Edited by ian_uk1975 on Saturday 26th January 00:28
Quite right. A mate's Z06 failed due to stock Z06 wheels protruding by a gnat's wotsit outside the wheelarch. And that's with standard wheels! It also failed due to straight through Borlas.
He put my wheels on and somebody else's stock exhausts and it went through. But if they can be that picky about wheels and mufflers, then you can be sure they'll be picky about emissions due to engine mods. That said, I do think it depends on where you take it and who you see...
My advice would also be to bring in stock and modify once here, but obviously it's your call and you don't want to do that...
He put my wheels on and somebody else's stock exhausts and it went through. But if they can be that picky about wheels and mufflers, then you can be sure they'll be picky about emissions due to engine mods. That said, I do think it depends on where you take it and who you see...
My advice would also be to bring in stock and modify once here, but obviously it's your call and you don't want to do that...
Mello said:
Quite right. A mate's Z06 failed due to stock Z06 wheels protruding by a gnat's wotsit outside the wheelarch. And that's with standard wheels! It also failed due to straight through Borlas.
He put my wheels on and somebody else's stock exhausts and it went through. But if they can be that picky about wheels and mufflers, then you can be sure they'll be picky about emissions due to engine mods. That said, I do think it depends on where you take it and who you see...
My advice would also be to bring in stock and modify once here, but obviously it's your call and you don't want to do that...
Oh dear, this is v.quickly looking like a no-go due to the typical British red-tape and stupid (for us petrolheads) compliance issues. Seems absolutely ridiculous that you could bring a car in stock with all the bits to modify it in the boot, get it through SVA, then immediately get it modded so that it would never have a hope in Hell of ever passing an SVA test and it's totally legal and legit.He put my wheels on and somebody else's stock exhausts and it went through. But if they can be that picky about wheels and mufflers, then you can be sure they'll be picky about emissions due to engine mods. That said, I do think it depends on where you take it and who you see...
My advice would also be to bring in stock and modify once here, but obviously it's your call and you don't want to do that...
If money was no object, I'd happily import stock and modify once in the UK, but that approach would be 'financial suicide' when thinking of resale.
ian_uk1975 said:
Cuban said:
Hi Ian
Thanks for the info... all I can see at this stage is BUGGER. Hopefully, someone has better news to share!From your profile, I notice you used to own a C5 and a Cerb (you're also in my neck of the woods, so you might see me about and vice-versa!). How does the C6 (M6?) compare in the straight-line performance and handling departments to the C5 and Cerb? I test-drove a 4.2 Cerb when I was looking to sell the C5 and liked how it drove (v.light flywheel, heavy clutch, high rev ceiling, point and squirt machine), but I hated the kit car-ish build quality (MILES behind the C5) and the exhaust note (flat-plane AJPV8 doesn't sound as good as an LSx with a decent exhaust, IMO. Ferrari have the winning formula in the flat-plane crank V8 audio department).
Cheers,
Ian.
Didn't pick up on you being just down the road, small world!
I had both the 4.2 and the 4.5 Cerbs (neither of which gave me any problems)
but they were very different cars.
The 4.2 was raw in every sense including interior (like a stripped out race car)
but it had an awesome kick in the back 0-60. Controlled tail sliding it around
corners and out of roundabouts was a pure joy.
The 4.5 was far less heavy on the clutch and actually not as quick 0-60 as the
4.2. TVR had a way of cooking figures on the 4.5 and the reported 420bhp actually
panned out to be 345bhp on mine and this was an average figure.
You had to chip a 4.5 to get it even close to 400, but that said, once you hit 70,
it just stream rolled past and moved away from the 4.2.
The C5 gave me all the things the Cerbera didn't, peace of mind, low overheads
(each standard service was about £1k less for the Vette!) and it was a monster
when you wanted it to be and yet, was comfortable with every day use and great on
very long journeys (2500 miles was a typical drive for me!)
There was no raw aspect though, but plenty of brute force when heavy peddling
However, taking out the traction control could easily have been costly as it seemed
happy to snap away beyond the control limit if you were not careful.
So what does the C6 do for me? Well being totally honest, I've not even had a
chance to put my own one through the paces yet, but being off on a 2500 mile
trip in 3 weeks will sort that out! However, I have had use of a C6 on a tour, I
felt more in control and at one with the car than the C5.
I had planned 100% to have a manual this time, but having the paddle shift
and auto option is a joy, giving the best of both worlds and on paddles, it's
easy to get into a more 'progressive' style of driving.
First time out in one, I really gave it some stick in California to the degree
my business partner said he'd never seen me drive quite like that in the C5.
Up in the hills in a hot and sunny California, instantly, all my old racing moves
came out as it sat on the road so much better than the C5 - It was one of those
drives you never forget, simply blew me away and that sold me the car rather than
waiting to get a Z06.
My new one also has the Z51 performance pack, so brakes will be sharper and the
ride even more dialled in than the stock C6 on progressive driving.
Sure it won't be to the Z06 level, but for me, it also won't be so costly given
the high miles I will do with tyres etc being a premium on the Z06 (although I
still intend to have one)
Audio wise, due to the SVA, it's a stock exhaust right now, so totally dumbed
down, but I loved the CORSA system my C5 had, so I'll be adding that and when I
have been out on our tours, I've yet to find a Ferrari, Porsche, TVR or
Lamborghini owner who has not commented on how awesome it sounds when at full chat.
Sorry the above is all a bit long winded, but I hope it helps a little.
If you want to meet up when I am around between tours to see the car, just let
me know.
There is a Regional Corvette meeting on Sunday if you are about, but sadly due to
that 24 hour delay on the SVA pass, I fear the DVLA didn't get the paper work out
in time, so my C6 won;t be there - tomorrow's post will tell!
Cheers
Graham
ian_uk1975 said:
Mello said:
Quite right. A mate's Z06 failed due to stock Z06 wheels protruding by a gnat's wotsit outside the wheelarch. And that's with standard wheels! It also failed due to straight through Borlas.
He put my wheels on and somebody else's stock exhausts and it went through. But if they can be that picky about wheels and mufflers, then you can be sure they'll be picky about emissions due to engine mods. That said, I do think it depends on where you take it and who you see...
My advice would also be to bring in stock and modify once here, but obviously it's your call and you don't want to do that...
Oh dear, this is v.quickly looking like a no-go due to the typical British red-tape and stupid (for us petrolheads) compliance issues. Seems absolutely ridiculous that you could bring a car in stock with all the bits to modify it in the boot, get it through SVA, then immediately get it modded so that it would never have a hope in Hell of ever passing an SVA test and it's totally legal and legit.He put my wheels on and somebody else's stock exhausts and it went through. But if they can be that picky about wheels and mufflers, then you can be sure they'll be picky about emissions due to engine mods. That said, I do think it depends on where you take it and who you see...
My advice would also be to bring in stock and modify once here, but obviously it's your call and you don't want to do that...
If money was no object, I'd happily import stock and modify once in the UK, but that approach would be 'financial suicide' when thinking of resale.
Well a supercharger can be fitted without too much mechanical knowledge, just patience and a will to read the instructions.
A few guys on the covetteclub forums have done this as as V10 BAT.
So you could bring in a stock corvette and supercharger and fit it yourself.
Labour rates here are pretty high, but a supercharger kit is probably about £3000 with all you need to plug and play.
Thats probably about the most cost effective way to get a powerful c6 IMO
A few guys on the covetteclub forums have done this as as V10 BAT.
So you could bring in a stock corvette and supercharger and fit it yourself.
Labour rates here are pretty high, but a supercharger kit is probably about £3000 with all you need to plug and play.
Thats probably about the most cost effective way to get a powerful c6 IMO
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