Well, we did it! Straightforward? No, absolutely not. I aged years in a very short time. It was a real nail biter and without Byron's will to get it through it could have failed on several counts. The guy is a real star, very fair and constructive.

I was always worried about the driver's mirror because of the restriction in view caused by the o/s wheel arch. He spent a lot of time deliberating and finally to my relief said the obstruction to view fell within the acceptable limit.

Next was the brake balance bar. I'd roll pinned the locknut rather than the yoke and this meant that the the shaft can rotate within a restricted range. He had to test the brake balance at both ends of the range. As he got out of the car, he shook his head and said that it didn't look promising. These results are fed into a computer that takes into account the c of g etc and to my immense relief, the brakes passed.

The headlights needed adjustment but he was happy to let me adjust the lamps and he told me when they were correct.

Emissions, boy the stress. The plugs oiled up and the engine was running really badly. Byron produced a wire brush and said "You take the plugs out and I'll clean them", which he did and we got through with plenty of latitude both on CO and HCs.

Noise. This was okay just at 99.6 decibels. More noisy than I would have liked but it's a pass.

I was worried about the speedometer calibration. This is a mechanical one that I got Speedy Cables to calibrate. I had no idea if it was right but it passed.

So all in all, a very pleasing result.

Byron did say that it will need an MOT because they have just realised that you can pass SVA on bald tyres so long as the speed rating is correct. So MOT it is then.

It has been a long road to get this far and I would like to thank everyone on this Forum who has, with their advice and encouragement, helped me build a car to pass SVA.

A very happy Christmas to you all.

Kind regards

John

Well done John. Good result. Look forward to driving it on slippery roads in the new year!

Congrats and well done!!!

Steve

What a nice xmas prezzie, well done

Congratulations on your SVA pass

It's nice to know the tester at Exeter is helpfull as that is my nearest station.

Once again well done

Ronnie

Well done that man! Have a beer!

Congrats,

Why should it need an MOT? I thought the MAC meant no MOT for 3 years?

Has something changed?

Steve

Well done John.

Now you WILL have a happy Christmas.

ATB
Paul G

Congratulations!

Plenty of time to iron out any niggles before the good weather arrives!

Geoff

Well done, Now you can plan all your mods and upgrades and spend a load more money
Steve,

Congratulations John!!!

Really pleased for you.

quote:

---

Originally posted by coozer
Congrats,

Why should it need an MOT? I thought the MAC meant no MOT for 3 years?

Has something changed?

Steve

---

Well done. Good to see another Phoenix on the road, it makes a change from all these locosts

Congratulations, now the real work can begin, UPGRADES, oh and go steady out there.

Excellent news John!

Well done!

ATB Fozzie

Good news John - it's a great feeling, isn't it!

BOF note of caution - take it easy for a while, as they roads are nasty at the moment, and it would be a shame to bend it (or yourself).

Have fun though, and enjoy learning how it handles!

David

Congratulations!
Now relax and have several beers.

I am absolutely overwhelmed by all your messages of congratulations and good wishes. This forum is one very good family.

Thank you one and all.

John

Well done chap, I have to agree that Byron really is a top bloke at Exeter, he was very keen to help me achieve my first time pass.
Just take it easy as everyone else says, there great fun but can catch you out on r/abouts!!
cheers colin

Well done

Well done, nice to know the Localish!! Testing station is good

Just need to start something first, book is coming for Christmas

Excellent result John and well deserved. I take it that AJ eventually got it together and produced a decent map. These days I take mine up to Dave at Mech Motorsports 07711896878 at Cheltenham. Longish trip from Plymouth but absolutely top bloke for Omex maps. He lists Gems on his website. Give him a ring if you need a top rolling road session. Take your software and lead.

[Edited on 22/12/07 by Dusty]

quote: I take it that AJ eventually got it together

Hi Dusty, Yes after a fashion but only set up to pass emissions at SVA. This is because the engine is newly rebuilt and has only the Haynes test track miles on the clock.

For the complete mapping, I have spoken again to Mark Shillibear who built my engine and he is prepared to get the GEMS software and do the job. He is a top man and I know he will treat the engine sympathetically. Thank you for your advice and comments off line.

atb

John