SVA Kit

[Stuart Evans]

Hi All
I've just applied for my SVA and need one of Pilgrims SVA kits (Sumo), windscreen edges, filler, boot hinges, locks, etc.
If anyone has got one that hasn't been  returned to Pilgrim, i'd be grateful if they would contact me.
Thanks Stu.

[s10cobra]

Hi Stuart,

  I'm afraid I don't have a kit but I will soon be in the same boat.  I will let you know if I find one.  I have submitted my SVA paperwork for my sumo, rover v8 and I quoted the top speed as 110 and rpm as 4500.  Pretty much what Robin at Pilgrim advised me to.  I brought my tyres based on this info.  As I can't legally go much over 70 I didn't think it would be an issue.  The SVA see this as a sticking point and have asked me to reconsider by values.  Did you have this issue or did you use different values?
  Any significant increase in my top speed is going to cost me a new set of tyres which is particularly annoying.
Any info would be helpful, thanks, Simon

[Stuart Evans]

Hi Simon
The one i'm going to SVA is a V6 2.8.
We put the top speed at 115mph and RPM as 5000, the application was sent off last week so hoping to hear back very soon, post in this area can be days behind the rest of the country.
The kit was bought when Den was still in charge of Pilgrims, and loads of bits don't comply to present regs, so really in need of the kits they supplied.
I built a Sumo and a Robin Hood before the SVA came into being, and have to say that the SVA seems overly complicated, time consuming and expensive. I spent part of today changing brake pipe clips that Ford have used for decades because they're not acceptable for an SVA. I'm having a final push as i dred to think what's going to happen with an IVA.
Sorry rant over.
Will let you know if they accept the figures i've quoted.
Regards Stu.

[s10cobra]

Hi Stuart,

  Thanks for the response.  I have been asking a few people including the new owner of Pilgrim and I think this is just the first tightening of the belt as the IVA works its dreadful way towards us.  I think I am just going to have to buy myself another set of tyres that are rated for 130mph.  Its a real shame (cost aside) as I am going to have to go for conventional continentals rather than more classic looking ones.  Although I don't think tyre ratings are checked at MOT day I do think it causes problems with insurance companies if you run your car on lower rated tyres than your car has been signed off at.  I hope you have better luck

If anyone can comment on the insurance question I would appreciate it else I will ring Adrian Flux and ask them.  As you can't legally go over 70mph it all seems a bit silly to me.  I agree with most of your sentiment towards the SVA.  Whilst I think it is a good thing for safety and resale values I do find some of it quite ridiculous considering most people invalidate the test the day after their SVA by putting all the parts back on their car again.

I found out the IVA cost 500 pounds today so I think the faster I get to the first test the better!  I don't know what happens if you are looking for a retest as April looms.  Do you have to start again?

If it helps I found after your inital application you then get asked for photocopies of all major reciepts for the car.  I also put together a load of printed pictures showing me building the car so save them the bother of asking me if I built it myself later.  (hoping to get a quick result   You could maybe do that upfront to save some time.

I have my fingers crossed for you

If I get any helpful information as I make my way through this I will add to this thread.
If there is anyone else out there that Tony at Pilgrim gave this tyre advice I would start thinking about it now to avoid disappointment.

Cheers, Simon

[s10cobra]

P.S.  Anyone want a set of brand new BF Goodrich tyres.  Only been fitted one.
Either that anyone got a set of wheels I can borrow 
Never hurts to ask!

[simon3000]

just a quick update on sva accoding to the info i received with my test appointment;-
 deadline for receipt of sva application is 28th feb.
 final date of sva tests is 28th april,
then a 6 month max window for a retest.
an sva/mac certificate only valid for registration up to 31 october 

[Stuart Evans]

Hi Simon
I've spent most of today sorting various bits out.
I've found out i need to fit a handbrake warning switch, wired into the brake level warning switch( not many Cortinas' had this).
I'm told that if you fail the SVA you have 6 months to retest under SVA regs not IVA.
A point about the tyres, the tyres have to be correctly rated for the stated speed, but could be as bald as a coot, it's construction not condition thats tested. When my friends RH was failed on speedo the examiner suggested we went and got a couple of wheels from the tip the correct section to get the speed reading right.
I sent off a photo copy of the reciept from Pilgrims for the body/chassis and most Pilgrim supplied parts. Their wasn't a donor we got bits from various places, so have no V5 or reciept for some donor parts, if they don't accept this then i don't know what to do other than weigh it in for scrap!
 On a positive note the engine casting numbers date it to 1974, just have to find proof that they'll accept.
As for your insurance company, having used them for over 15 years i would suggest shopping around, they did nothing but rip me off for several years, because i was lazy and didn't shop around.
 

Regards Stu.

[simon3000]

it sounds like youll be ok on the paperwork,vosa mainly want you to prove that it was you who built the car and not someone else,hence the amateur build declaration and the need for receipts and build photos.the v5 is usually only needed for engine dating and if you are after an age related no plate.
 your information on the sva retest is correct only 6 months and the vosa leaflet dosent state how many retests are allowed in that period.
 as for your brake test circuit,if you have a microswitch on the hand brake a sierra cap with a low fluid level switch should fit the cortina reservoir (it fits on a marina one in our hawthorn,i think its the same as the cortina one).
  good luck with your sva

[Stuart Evans]

Hi Simon
I have the warning light wired to the resevoir switch, and a rocker switch on the dash, to test the bulb, i've now been told it has to have a handbrake switch as well. This seems ridiculous to me , as i'm sure new cars don't have three ways to light a bulb on the dash. I don't think any Cortinas' had a switch fitted to the handbrake, so will have to fabricate something.
I'm looking at the test to tell me what i have to put right, i certainly don't expect to pass first time. I'm sorry if this thread makes me sound angry, i'm not really , just bemused by some of the requirements.
Regards Stu.
PS s10cobra i have sent you a PM

[hal 1]

Hi Stu
I'd double check that bit about having to have the handbrake operated brake fluid level warning light, i didn't have one on mine when it went through SVA, I thought a switch operated one was enough, anyway, ring your test centre and check the manual.

You're right in thinking that new cars don't have more than one way of testing fluid level, the only one i can think of is the handbrake one ( i think ) Apart from taking the cap off !

Try not to worry about the test, it isn't that bad, the chap i dealt with was very friendly and generally ' on my side'
He let me adjust the headlamp aim and try to lower the exhaust emission while i was there.
Good luck
Roy

[Stuart Evans]

Thanks Roy
I've got to see the SVA examiner about engine dates anyway.
My SVA manual is so far out of date now, i should throw it away and get a new one.
The car was 90% built in 95, long before talk of an SVA, so a lot of it is changing things to meet current standards, new dash, demister, re-do the wiring, the list is quite long.
Part of the problem is, the SVA kits that Pilgrim had, have gone to the four winds. I shouldn't complain too much, as this car is pre SVA, but up until Tony lost the company, they were still supplying non compliant parts and relying on these kits to get a pass.
The information about the handbrake like came from someone who builds Cobras for a living, so i tend to believe him, but will ask the question next week.
Thanks Stu.

[bertiewhite]

I know the SVA is there for a good reason, but surely I can't be the only one who thinks that it can't be doing much for the Kit Car industry, especially at a time when British Companies need all the help they can get?

[s10cobra]

There are some quite funny rules in the SVA.  I could never understand the 50mm projection rules form the body which stopped me putting the petrol cap I wanted on the back of the car.  You are not allowed to fit an item that projects more than 50mm from the body shell.  The one I wanted was 55.  I can't figure out how anyone unfortunate enough to come tumbling over the car could possible hit it without hitting the windscreen of the roll hoops first.  Hey ho.  I am sure they know what they are doing

As for the question of the handbrake light I believe it is a requirement.  I got a mini brake test 3 way rocker switch from Europa.  Pressing the switch lights up the bulb to show it is working (handbrake off).  Putting the handbrake on lights the bulb.  Handbrake off, light off.  Low brake fluid, handbrake off light bulb on.  Hope that makes sense.  Its true what you say!  My BMW doesn't have this functionality.  I tested it when I was trying to work out what the SVA wanted!

I think the problem with the SVA kits was that Den at Pilgrim put them in as a short term stop gap.  He has admitted that they were meant to be replaced.  Tony unfortunately took over the company and was too lazy to resolve the issue.  I got quite annoyed with them when I found this out during my build and started buying SVA compliant parts elsewhere.  Thankfully I shouldn't have issues with my Windscreen and bumpers but I still have parts to get through.

I would try the Cobra forms.  I have seen quite a few posts from people who claim to have them.  Either that or try Den at Pilgrim.  He has been helpful to me with advice

I have to admit I think the SVA could have been reviewed to lighten up on some of the more obscure issues.  Unfortunately the meddlers seem just to have made things worse with the IVA.  I think this behaviour is going to cost people a lot of money if they have to start rebuying parts they already own.  Its also going to make the suppliers up their game by trying to figure out solutions to the new rules.  Otherwise they are going to have problems attracting new buyers.  I have the kit car bug but next time I build them I am going to check out the supplier more thoroughly to make sure they know what they are doing before I start.  If I could afford an Ultima they seem to have this down to a tee,

If I ever had to work with someone like Tony again I think I would need commiting.  I read his statement on a different thread and I couldn't believe what I was reading.  Since he has crawled into his hole I have proved some of the things he told me to be outright lies.  Hoping to see him at a kit car show in the new year with the minotaur for a chat 

[John-G]

Hi,
Regarding the handbrake/brake fluid warning light,I think you`ll find that if you check most modern cars when the ignition is switched on,the warning light will illuminate & then extinguish after a few seconds,or,if combined with the handbrake warning light,will stay on untill the handbrake is released & come back on if the brake fluid is low!!!!
It is a safety feature,after all,& that is the idea of the SVA test.
All new manufactured cars have to go through more rigorous Type Approval testing before they can be used on the road,so there should be no reason why a self built vehicle should not have to meet some sort of minimum standard to make sure it is safe for both occupants & general public when used on the road.Yes,there are some crazy requirements,but,hey,thats beaurocrazy for you.
If you look at some of the older kit cars from the mid seventies you sometimes wonder how some of them ever made it from one end of the street to the other before bursting into flames or something!Things have come a long way since then,hopefully for the better.
Besides,if some bloke can fit an engine in his armchair or garden shed & make it road legal,it can`t be that difficult for you,can it?

[Stuart Evans]

Well i went and saw my local SVA examiner and asked him about the brake fluid level warning light, and a couple of other things, he was happy that it worked from the reservoir and a rocker switch on the dash.
He also commented on the upcoming IVA, and advised the car is tested before the changeover. The new test sounds very complicated.
With regard to meeting safety  standards of  new cars, why should we be treated any differently than someone that's rebuilding a classic car? You can go to the MG owners club and buy a chassis and every last nut and bolt for an MGB and change the chassis number and reg over from an old rust bucket and no test is required! You would have a brand new car that isn't type approved, but legal! My neighbour is Canadian and has imported an MGTF in boxes, to rebuild, if he had to pass an SVA, i doubt he would have even thought about it.
I agree certain safety standards are required, and in the old days a simple DVLA  inspection and an MOT was enough,perhaps we had it too easy, but i firmly believe that the IVA is not going to help an already struggling industry.
Stu.