Kooda
Member
- Posts
- 18
- Location
- New Forest
I looked at the new regulations regarding Historic vehicle's and engine conversions when I was planning to change the engine in my Mk2 Gilbern invader. There were so many differing opinions floating around the internet that I decided to go to the horse's mouth and read the Act of Parliament itself.
There were a couple of very stretchy loop holes like Safety reasons, parts supply & environmental reasons, the latter could be used to justify a more modern engine but given the climate of opinion I doubt that would fly with a diesel. Then there is the maximum 15% (I think that's the number) BHP increase. If a more modern engine with lower emissions was fitted but had more than 15% more BHP, would it fall foul?
It came down to interpretation and what the interpreter wants to achieve through their interpretation. I figured this would come down to if a cop on the roadside wanted to find a reason to be problematic then they would chose an interpretation to suit that purpose.
When it comes to the 15% BHP like that is bit more difficult for them to utilise at the roadside than something as obvious as an engine swap.
I concluded that to be safe I would stick with the Essex V6, tune it a bit & fit a 5 speed gearbox.
I rebuilt the 2.25 in my previous truck some 25years ago when I was a spotty teenager. These engines are super simple so, I'd suggest you buy the Haynes Manual and do it yourself. It's an enjoyable process & a nice feeling to be driving and engine you built yourself.
My '82 Stage 1 V8 has a 300TDi/R380 and drives very nicely, pulls well, returning 27mpg on mixed driving. I like it. But I will put it back to V8 + LPG prior to it becoming Historic in a few years time.
There were a couple of very stretchy loop holes like Safety reasons, parts supply & environmental reasons, the latter could be used to justify a more modern engine but given the climate of opinion I doubt that would fly with a diesel. Then there is the maximum 15% (I think that's the number) BHP increase. If a more modern engine with lower emissions was fitted but had more than 15% more BHP, would it fall foul?
It came down to interpretation and what the interpreter wants to achieve through their interpretation. I figured this would come down to if a cop on the roadside wanted to find a reason to be problematic then they would chose an interpretation to suit that purpose.
When it comes to the 15% BHP like that is bit more difficult for them to utilise at the roadside than something as obvious as an engine swap.
I concluded that to be safe I would stick with the Essex V6, tune it a bit & fit a 5 speed gearbox.
I rebuilt the 2.25 in my previous truck some 25years ago when I was a spotty teenager. These engines are super simple so, I'd suggest you buy the Haynes Manual and do it yourself. It's an enjoyable process & a nice feeling to be driving and engine you built yourself.
My '82 Stage 1 V8 has a 300TDi/R380 and drives very nicely, pulls well, returning 27mpg on mixed driving. I like it. But I will put it back to V8 + LPG prior to it becoming Historic in a few years time.
