[Che]

Just wondering if I can legally run my zook (90 Sierra) in WA without a cat converter - keeping in mind i'm running straight LPG - not dual fuel, but 100% gas. I'm not sure where to start looking for relevant info.

I've put off replacing the back half of the exhaust until I had to, but put it off anymore and i'll be seeing it doing acrobatics in my rearview mirror.

Without a CC it'll cost me $300 - 400 for a new 'extractors to tail pipe' exhaust section - not too costly at all. Add a CC and you're doubling the price straight up.

I'm 95% sure it's legal to ditch the cat here in QLD with my setup, but no point going this option if it's a no-no in the wild west.

Can anyone gimmie a heads up?

[jakeyr]

i didn't think sierra 's every had cats on them

[Moph]

Sounds a bit exxy? I paid $770 for Genie extractors, cat convertor, triple flow muffler, 12" hotdog, 1.5" mild steel press bent pipe (stainless extractors to muffler) and exhaust tip. That was just over 12 months ago.

Not saying $300-$400 is wrong ... but ring around and get a few quotes. Mine without the extractors would have been $550 including cat.

Re legalities, ring the Department of Transport - Vehicle inspection bookings on 1300 782 713 and try to get an answer from them. I spoke with them before moving to WA (when I though my car needed to go over the pits - I had owned it for more than 12 months in SA so it didn't) and asked about my 2" body lift. Bloke in there said it would be fine so long as I provided the NATA test certificate for the female bolts and that total lift wasn't greater than (something) mm.

[MacDaddy]

I am pretty sure, it is illegal to take the Cat off, no matter what fuel you are using, it has to have a Cat !

[alien]

i'd call these guys: http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/aboutus/15761.asp on 13 11 56

[BlueSuzy]

Keep the cat.

What if you want to run normal fuel again?

I know you got rid of the whole system..

Why are you changing the whole exhaust?

[shep]

mine is legal aussie wide with no cat. dunno about yours.

[BlueSuzy]

shep wrote:

mine is legal aussie wide with no cat. dunno about yours.

Yours is pre 88'

I think thats when they put cats in them, can't remember.

I know my 88' has a cat.

[shep]

BlueSuzy wrote:

shep wrote:

mine is legal aussie wide with no cat. dunno about yours.

Yours is pre 88'

I think thats when they put cats in them, can't remember.

I know my 88' has a cat.

86 mine is a 85

[Che]

BlueSuzy wrote:

Keep the cat.

What if you want to run normal fuel again?

I know you got rid of the whole system..

Why are you changing the whole exhaust?

The exhaust is just getting old and wearing out, I got a couple of rusted through mounting points and it's a hell of a lot louder than it was three months ago - just been putting off the fix. I got new extractors I can fit myself, but the back half of the exhaust will be someone elses job.


Nah, won't be running petrol again. LPG is a godsend, not once have I regretted switching. Too many upsides - cheaper to run, more reliable, less engine wear, less parts to maintain, virtually service free, a mile more ground clearance, better power band, higher top speed, non stalling, and should I wreck out or catch on fire my LPG setup will be a safer bet than a petrol equivilent (not vice-versa like many assume).

But, if I wanted to run normal fuel again, i'd probably source a donor car and switch back that way.

[Che]

Thanks for the phone numbers too guys - calling around now

[Che]

I've spent a fair whack of yesterday on the phone trying to suss this out, but no joy. Mum and Dad even gave me the number of the exhaust shop across from their shop in Wangara but they couldn't help, and they just gave me the same numbers to call i've already been trying.


Can anyone confirm EXACTLY when cat converters became standard issue? We got a good guess at 1988 already happening, just want another confirm on this.

[ball]

my money is on 1986

[atari4x4]

my lpg/petrol 1988 GQ pootrol didn't have one standard.

[shep]

atari4x4 wrote:

my lpg/petrol 1988 GQ pootrol didn't have one standard.

someone probably took it off then.
unleaded fuel was introduced in 86

[royce]

86 for passenger vehicles but like the intrusion bar thing often commercial vehicles didnt have to comply for years after

some rodeos didnt have cats in 92, but this is sierras so it depends when they were fitted to them, nothing else

[ball]

atari4x4 wrote:

my lpg/petrol 1988 GQ pootrol didn't have one standard.

There may have been a grace period to the introduction.

ADR 37 is where you need to look. It was introduced 01/01/1986. It refers to tail pipe emissions. If your car has that on the compliance plate it will need to comply with it.

It has been superseded by ADR 79 (I think).

I don't have my ADR book here at work so I can't confirm that.

Just put the cat back on. If you don't, chances are you will end up with a copper or transport inspector nailing you, then it will be up to you to prove that you are not required to keep the cat.

Much less hassle and expense to keep it, than having to deal with yellow stickers, even if you can technically get away without a cat.

[royce]

Car is straight lpg, so the question is about that part of the emmisiosns systems still being required, not about the year and adr requiring it

[ball]

royce wrote:

Car is straight lpg, so the question is about that part of the emmisiosns systems still being required, not about the year and adr requiring it

Car has been modified from standard, must still comply with all ADR's relevant at the time of manufacture.

An emissions test would probably prove that the cat wasn't required. An emissions test will cost you more than a new cat.

[Crunched]

Here's one for you:

My ute is an '83 model, but has a 1.3 motor out of a '94 model in it. Am I required to run a catalytic converter? Car is pre '86, motor is post '86.

[ball]

Crunched wrote:

Here's one for you:

My ute is an '83 model, but has a 1.3 motor out of a '94 model in it. Am I required to run a catalytic converter? Car is pre '86, motor is post '86.

You are supposed to comply with the emission standard for the engine's year.

A late model engine in an early car is supposed to have all the emission related equipment fitted as per the engines original home.

[tanshi]

Crunched wrote:

Here's one for you:

My ute is an '83 model, but has a 1.3 motor out of a '94 model in it. Am I required to run a catalytic converter? Car is pre '86, motor is post '86.

Yep you need a cat, This for the same reason that you generally are not allowed to put an engine older than your vehicle in it. because the engine often wont meet the required ADRs

[royce]

ball wrote:

royce wrote:

Car is straight lpg, so the question is about that part of the emmisiosns systems still being required, not about the year and adr requiring it

Car has been modified from standard, must still comply with all ADR's relevant at the time of manufacture.

An emissions test would probably prove that the cat wasn't required. An emissions test will cost you more than a new cat.

how about the likes of XF on Falcons being approved for v8 conversions only if they run straight gas?

Gas has special exemptions on the rules

[ball]

royce wrote:

ball wrote:

royce wrote:

Car is straight lpg, so the question is about that part of the emmisiosns systems still being required, not about the year and adr requiring it

Car has been modified from standard, must still comply with all ADR's relevant at the time of manufacture.

An emissions test would probably prove that the cat wasn't required. An emissions test will cost you more than a new cat.

how about the likes of XF on Falcons being approved for v8 conversions only if they run straight gas?

Gas has special exemptions on the rules

In QLD,

the example you have used is a common conversion so it is known to QLD transport.

He specifically asked about WA. They have some strange ideas over there.

[Crunched]

ball wrote:

Crunched wrote:

Here's one for you:

My ute is an '83 model, but has a 1.3 motor out of a '94 model in it. Am I required to run a catalytic converter? Car is pre '86, motor is post '86.

You are supposed to comply with the emission standard for the engine's year.

A late model engine in an early car is supposed to have all the emission related equipment fitted as per the engines original home.

But that same motor was available pre-86, so what's to stop me from saying I got it out of a pre-86 car?

Sorry to hijack the thread...

[ball]

Crunched wrote:

ball wrote:

Crunched wrote:

Here's one for you:

My ute is an '83 model, but has a 1.3 motor out of a '94 model in it. Am I required to run a catalytic converter? Car is pre '86, motor is post '86.

You are supposed to comply with the emission standard for the engine's year.

A late model engine in an early car is supposed to have all the emission related equipment fitted as per the engines original home.

But that same motor was available pre-86, so what's to stop me from saying I got it out of a pre-86 car?

Sorry to hijack the thread...

Probably nothing, I doubt they would be checking engine numbers for the original vehicle's manufacture date.

[ball]

royce wrote:

how about the likes of XF on Falcons being approved for v8 conversions only if they run straight gas?

Gas has special exemptions on the rules

Another thought with the XF, up until ford started fitting v8's in their cars again there was no option to fit a late model petrol v8. Now there is I would bet that you could get an xf approved with a new ford v8 on petrol as long as all the emission crap was fitted.

[royce]

ball wrote:

royce wrote:

how about the likes of XF on Falcons being approved for v8 conversions only if they run straight gas?

Gas has special exemptions on the rules

Another thought with the XF, up until ford started fitting v8's in their cars again there was no option to fit a late model petrol v8. Now there is I would bet that you could get an xf approved with a new ford v8 on petrol as long as all the emission crap was fitted.

Yeah you can if its all fitted as per the donor car, or run straight gas and they dont even look twice

thoe whole later engine thing, there is s grey area around fitting an engine as a replacement, cause of reco exchanges and stuff, but being an 83 it was a 1 litre so would have to have it as part of the conversion and mod plate

[Che]

Just wanna bump this along. Still haven't resolved what I can/can't do here after quite a few phone calls.

I can't find any online information, and the WA dept of transport is about as helpful over the phone as any other government agency...

Tried looking up ADR 37, but not specific enough to find what comes outta a 90 Sierra's tailpipe.

[alien]

to be honest dude - just drive it.... of all the modified 4wds in WA that by law are illegal i'd doubt even 1% are engineered/certed to be legal.

drive it - if you get a canary, fix it, pay $80 to go over the pits and get back on the road.

If you can get in writing that no one is answering your question, then you can produce that when pulled over and maybe avoid the yellow sticker too - all you need is reasonable doubt.