The SVA Test
(This page will include a test diary, but at the moment just has two versions of an SVA manual.)
BEC list: "How to pass the SVA" thingy (when asked, tell your PC to open the file as an Acrobat, then enter the given pass word):
'Normal' SVA Manual (Y2000)
The SVA Test - Mitcham (Croydon) in Surrey.
November 2003 - January 2004 - February 2004 - March 2004
Forms applied for and received 12.11.2003 (current waiting time 6 weeks'ish - less if you nag, apparently), they look a lot easier than the last time - but I bet this is not the case :-)
Filled in the form. Had to speak to the Factory WRT the top speed/max power rpm, then phoned the Croydon test centre (very helpful) about what style of car it was (two seat sports) and to find out the lead time for the test. They said (as of 06.01.04) they were taking bookings for the end of Jan04! After panicing a bit, the nice man said to send the form in anyway and they will phone me to arrange a date. So, just got to write the cheque, date the form and sign it and we're off!
Sent the form off last week of the month.
Got back the 'who built the car' form today - returned.
The date! and it's sooon - help, help, help!!!
The day arrived...
Left home at 0530, at the test station at 0645, let in at 0700 test started at 0830 and finished at 1030..... and the car passed! Home by 1215.
The chap that did the test was great; reasonable but needed to see the right things and checked everything. The first bit was a quick check on how I did the head lamp brackets :-) He was happy with my approach (and glad I didn't use the Factory supplied shroud thingys). The car was then put in lane one and he had a good look in the engine bay and the cockpit and wanted to see a removed wheel nut to check it seated correctly and had enough threads to keep it secure.
The 'security device', brake light and general lights were then checked.... then the emissions (glad I did in the end adjust the air screws/emissions using Dad(TM)'s tester) which it passed: 3.13% CO2 // 482ppm H/C at tick over - after waiting aaaaaaages for the engine to warm up (stupid electronic water pump :-D ). The seatbelt mount height and sharp edges check went OK so next was the speedo test, and to be honest after yesterdays rethink/design of the pulse trigger and my panicky maths I thought this would need adjustment... however, we were just about spot on!
Up on the big ramps for a steering/general build quality(?) check, then on to the head lamp alignment... made the tester smile as 'everybody' does the car lights on the garage door trick and everybody still has to adjust them when they get to the test :-) Dang, and I thought my method was so good! Next was the brake test - lots of numbers flashing up on the screen - gawd knows what they all meant. This bit was also the weight bit - not too bad. Next up was the noise test and the tester allowed me to use his 'calibrated noise level' thingy on my cheapo SLM.... 2dB out on 94dB. The car was tested at 7000rpm (3/4 max power revs) at 45o and level with the exhaust, one metre away and came out at 98.2dB. The test was redone at half max power rpm and was 92dB.
The mirror check was then done (I really didn't realise how far the cones are away from the car) and all was fine.
Self centering steering was checked and also found to be OK, so all that remained was for the Tester to drive the car back to Lane one so I could refit the bonnet. The noise the car makes is fantastic, especially the wastegate chattering on overrun - wow! The grin the tester had when I got back to the lane was fun too :-D
Put the car back on the trailer and waited for the brake bias result and the MAC... done.
Throughout the test, the chap doing it explained what he was doing and why and also what he needed to see. He put up with me gabbling (boy was I nervous) and answered any dumb questions I had... all in all a very good experience. Thanks!
He also wanted to take some pictures of the car as a 'reference' for other builders who were having problems with getting their car passed... instead I gave him this sites address and permission to use relevant images. Damn, now I've got to go back and remove all the nasty things I've said about the SVA :-D
The testing station.... and the little yellow dot is the car.
The Manuals: The first is courtesy of the BEC list (see links) and the second, to be honest I'm not too sure were it came from, so If anyone objects to these 'manuals' being here please contact me and we can have a chat about it. Removal/credit, whatever.
(c) 2000 - 2004 J.B.Cobb