The Camaro Club (UK)

Just saw a piece in Classic Car Buyer about the proposed MOT changes that'll possibly come into effect in Jan. 1st 2012.

The AA http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/ca ... -2012.html has a page about them - most significant for us, I think, are:

• Warning lights
  As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;
  
  Headlight main beam warning light
  Electronic power steering warning light
  Brake fluid level warning light
  Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
  Air bag warning light
  Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light
  Steering & suspension
  The new test includes a check on the presence and correct function of the steering lock where fitted as standard.
  
  Missing, or split/damaged dust covers on steering and suspension ball-joints will result in failure if they will allow dirt to enter the joint.
  
  Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir.
  
  Electrical wiring and battery
  An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte.
  
  Visible wiring that is insecure, inadequately supported or likely to cause a short will also result in a failure as will wires bared by damaged insulation.
  
  Seats
  It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft.
  
  Exhaust
  A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure.

Just a bit of a warning - I have no idea if this IS going to come in or not.
But for now, I'm thinking of changing my front seats and pricing up a catalytic convertor, as I had mine de-cat'd about 18 months ago.
I knew I was going to have to get around to a new exhaust sooner or later - might just force my hand to a new stainless 2.5" system and Cat then.

I think most of those practical tests, like steering & suspension, loose battery, dodgy wiring, etc are very fair, and most likely checked already by a half decent tester...

Issues I've seen come up in other forums regarding MOT changes are the airbag SRS warning lights and electric seats, as in many mid 90's cars have issues with things like this, and good see many good cars scrapped, as no-ones gonna get these things fixed on a M reg Lexus/BMW/Volvo worth £700 for example, that's otherwise in good condition..

_________________
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

It's a bit of a mixed bag.
Of course, it couldn't be engineered to stop people from keeping 10+ yr old cars on the road, could it? To encourage us all into anonymous jelly mould euro boxes?

Yet more unnecessary regulations from the OCD afflicted minions of the Government...

Been reading about these for a while....

So any 2nd gen is going to have to have cats fitted now? I know the current database isn't that good to pick up on imports so its just done on year (post 95) for CAT test. Is that going to still be the case I wonder?

_________________
My '80 progress thread - hugger orange! Now with LQ9 power - forged pistons, LS2 rods, 236/242, .621/.612, flowed and milled 317 heads. MS3X

4L80e, 12 bolt, 4.11, Moroso brute strength posi, steel shafts.

Subframe connectors, g-braces, solid body bushes, carbon hood and front bumper, custom door cards, Autometer gauges.

This is just all so contradictory - we have 1 law stating that you must have your car as it came from the factory, even if you want to make it more safe i.e better brakes aren't allowed, then this thing tells you have to do something like add a cat which didn't come on the car from the factory. Dear government, f*k off and deal with more important things like the fact that we're still 3 years into a recession. Rant partially over.

_________________
How to post pics: When writing a message, scroll down and use the "attach file" option. Where possible, a photo sharing service can be used such as Flickr, Imgur etc. The image location (usually ending in .jpg) can be copy and pasted between the ][ brackets that appear when you click the 'Img' button (you can find this button at the top of the message box).

How to post youtube vids: Click on the 'youtubeHD' button at the top of the message box and in the middle of the ][ brackets that just appeared, copy and paste everything from the youtube web address that appears after the = sign i.e if this is the url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cNqaPSHv0 just copy "K2cNqaPSHv0").

I can't see how they could possibly ask for non-factory items to be retro fitted, that would be madness.. CAT's weren't mandatory until 1993 I thought (but could be wrong) ....

The modification thing is what worries me the most, as with most 1st & 2nd gens, most of the popular mods increase safety and reliability in real terms.. (whilst unfortunately making the car quicker )

_________________
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

They wouldnt ask for a retro fit but CATs were factory fit on most American cars from the early 70s. Although most were removed long ago. So I wonder if the system is going to pick these up or not?

_________________
My '80 progress thread - hugger orange! Now with LQ9 power - forged pistons, LS2 rods, 236/242, .621/.612, flowed and milled 317 heads. MS3X

4L80e, 12 bolt, 4.11, Moroso brute strength posi, steel shafts.

Subframe connectors, g-braces, solid body bushes, carbon hood and front bumper, custom door cards, Autometer gauges.

That's a good point, 1975 over there I think....

_________________
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Stu's right:

"The year 1975 was also the first for the catalytic converter, which was designed as a much more efficient way of reducing emissions than the previous air pump and other smog gear, allowing for finer tuning of engines to permit improved drivability and fuel economy. However, the converter spelled the end of true dual exhausts and mandated the use of lower octane unleaded gasoline"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_ ... eneration)

On a personal note, will be putting together the exhaust system from scratch soon - what should i do as it's a post 75'er?

_________________
How to post pics: When writing a message, scroll down and use the "attach file" option. Where possible, a photo sharing service can be used such as Flickr, Imgur etc. The image location (usually ending in .jpg) can be copy and pasted between the ][ brackets that appear when you click the 'Img' button (you can find this button at the top of the message box).

How to post youtube vids: Click on the 'youtubeHD' button at the top of the message box and in the middle of the ][ brackets that just appeared, copy and paste everything from the youtube web address that appears after the = sign i.e if this is the url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cNqaPSHv0 just copy "K2cNqaPSHv0").