I'm sure this has probably been asked but I couldn't find anything when I searched.

I believe that I ought to look for a pre-1995 Fireblade because of the emissions tests. Is this because a post-1995 will fail emissions tests or is it just that they are more stringent?

Would I therefore have to fit a Cat? Or do I just fit this for MOT?

I'm a bit confused but if I'm building a car with mostly new parts then it seems a shame to use a 12 year old engine in it.

Thanks for your help.

You don't have to fit a pre-95, but it makes life easier.
The problem is emissions.
As soon as a bike engine is fitted into a car, it becomes a car engine and thus subject to car emission regulations.
A pre-95 bike engine, therefore becomes a pre-95 car engine and relevant pre-95 emission levels apply. HTH.

[Edited on 13/8/07 by Confused but excited.]

As "confused" mentioned, it is all about emissions tests.

Car manufacturers all switched over to fuel injection and catalytic converters by 1995. Bike manufacturers stuck with carbs. But as we are building a car, we have to use the car engine rules.

Getting a post 95 engine through a CAT test whilst using carbs is tricky, although not impossible. Therefore people tend to avoid post 95 bike engines. However very recent engines, R1, ZX10, ZX12 etc now have throttle bodies instead of carbs. Meaning they can be run with fuel injection / catalytic converter.

Be aware that if you pass your SVA with a trick set up to get a bike engine on carbs through, you'll be OK for the first three years, but then come MOT time, you'll have to get it through at the same emissions as you were tested on. (theoretically, unless you can find a friendly MOT station etc etc).

Mike

Mike, is your last sentence strictly true if you are on a Q plate?

I was under the impression that you can get away with a "visual smoke test" if you have a Q plate.

Simon

Hmm, I ask because I am now considering an MNR or, if the budget can stretch, a Westfield.

Now Westfield only 'officially' do Fireblade, Blackbird or Hayabusa engines which poses a problem. Can I get a post-1995 fireblade engine with 'Throttle Bodies' or is it too much hassle to get it through the tests? Of should I look at a Blackbird, or does this have the same problems with emissions?

I appreciate that an MNR doesn't have any of the issues with engine choice so maybe that's the way forward.

Thanks again

I'd go MNR given a choice, then get them to fit whatever engine you want. They've probably already got cradles for most of the engines anyway! The SVA isn't that hard to get through, just trickier with a later engine. You can still fit a CAT to a carb'd engine if you want.
Do MNR do a SVA service at all? IE give it to them, they give it back with an SVA?

i have a complete except fairing fireblade for sale which is 1994 if interested

The more modern blade engines do use throttle bodies - not carbs.

2001 onwards

see here and click on 2001

http://www.simonreid.net/fireblade/information/versions01.htm



New engines also have more power - but at a higher cost.

[Edited on 13/8/07 by Dangle_kt]

Sorry for being thick but are you saying that if it's a 2001+ Fireblade engine with throttle bodies then I shouldn't have any problems with emissions?

Assuming I get a Westfield, what engine would you advise I go for? (again another often answered question , sorry!) I'd just like a newish engine to match the planned new parts in the car.

none of them are difficult to get through emmision with a cat and correctly setup
i would say the fuel injected ones are easier using a power commander as you can have an emmisions setup and a power setup and interchange between the two in seconds for sva and mot, get the newest engine you can afford, if you go for a ride out in a carbed car and a fuel injected car im sure you will find as i have the fuel injected is a smoother engine to drive, if westfield dont do mounts for your engine you want buy the kit un powder coated weld in the mounts for you chosen engine then powdercoat

cheers

marc

quote:

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Originally posted by Mag1caltrev0r
Sorry for being thick but are you saying that if it's a 2001+ Fireblade engine with throttle bodies then I shouldn't have any problems with emissions?

Assuming I get a Westfield, what engine would you advise I go for? (again another often answered question , sorry!) I'd just like a newish engine to match the planned new parts in the car.

---

Just because Wesfield make a Megablade, don't assume that you can fit any Blade engine. I think you are limited to the earlier engines only... 893 and 919 ring a bell.

Cheers for all your help. I'm pretty sure I understand it all a lot better.

I think I'm pretty likely to go for an MNR with an R1 engine based on the inflexability (is that a word?) of the Westfield and the price of the MNR is more competative.

I think I'll be giving Chris a ring at MNR to discuss further. Although he's helped a lot with my other questions! Cheers Chris!

Your welcome to pop over the Severn brdge and have a look at my chassis - I'd suggest that it'd be enough to convince you.

TC