Utes and Cats

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:10 pm

Just wondering if utes have to have cats, i've heard they don't coz they are a work vehicle which may be used in fields, which would make the cat a fire hazard, dunno if this is true though, just want to make sure b4 mine goes in the bin...

dfoyl · Post by **dfoyl** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:56 pm

"Regular unleaded petrol was introduced in 1985 in anticipation of new Australian Design Rules initiated by the Federal Government to reduce Australia's air pollution. Central to the new design rules was the requirement for all vehicles to be fitted with a catalytic converter."

(source: http://www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au/info/dsp_fuel_types.cfm)

Given the toxins in ULP that are removed by the cat, I see no excuse in removing it for a minor performance increase...

Also, for at least the EA81/82 cats, they are enclosed in a heat-shield that covers the "fire hazard" issue...

Dean.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:46 pm

dfoyl wrote:for at least the EA81/82 cats, they are enclosed in a heat-shield that covers the "fire hazard" issue...

These can actually cause a fire by collecting long grass, as can any other part of the exhaust with a protruding object. Its a hit and miss affair I think.

Bennie

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:54 pm

I've seen a few photos of cars that were burnt to the ground because of exhaust grass fires. Its a pretty common problem that many take very serusly with all sorts of ideas.
Just imagine the toxic fumes from a whole car burning to the ground.
I still agree though, you should always keep your catalytic converter. Unless it is poisoned, cannot work properly and you don't have any money.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:44 pm

Phizinza wrote:I still agree though, you should always keep your catalytic converter. Unless it is poisoned, cannot work properly and you don't have any money.

Is this your current situation Phizinza?

Bennie

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:30 pm

well mines an 83 and i have no legalities for requiring a cat so mine went.

exhuast guy said they were a legalitie after 85 so u just may scrape in.
altho if urs has one already i dare say its meant to stay. but if its comign from the EJ exhaust and ur car didnt have one i say ditch it.

also enver heard that statement aobut cats not having to be in Utes.

julian · Post by **julian** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:09 pm

The commonwealth ADRs specify:
"In Australia, all motor vehicles built after 1985 must be fitted with catalytic converters."
It doesn't say from 1985 so your ute should be fine. I took the gamble and didn't have one fitted to my 85 L series, but then again I couldn't afford it anyway.

littlewhiteute · Post by **littlewhiteute** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:29 pm

I'm pretty sure that if you fit a late model engine, the vehicle must be fitted with a catalytic convertor, regardless of the year the car was built.

mattl200 · Post by **mattl200** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:43 pm

the rules go with the year of the engine not the body

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:44 pm

littlewhiteute wrote:I'm pretty sure that if you fit a late model engine, the vehicle must be fitted with a catalytic convertor, regardless of the year the car was built.

Spot on.

I have seen somewhere that if you own a work vehicle and drive over grassy paddocks, you can apply for an exemption, you need written approval before you remove your cat.

julian · Post by **julian** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:26 pm

oops!
Sorry for misleading. Well lucky mine isn't loud enough to attract attention.

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:03 pm

Mates factory exhaust on a hilux 2001 model doesn't have a cat, works neither, thats the 2.7L. Read somewhere on a forum that it was a 10K on the spot fine if you don't have one.... so its staying on, just in case

littlewhiteute · Post by **littlewhiteute** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:00 pm

Cam wrote:Mates factory exhaust on a hilux 2001 model doesn't have a cat, works neither, thats the 2.7L. Read somewhere on a forum that it was a 10K on the spot fine if you don't have one.... so its staying on, just in case

Sounds similar to Holden Rodeo 2.4 litre 4 cyl pre 2005, I think.
Commercial vehicle, didn't have a cat, didn't need to comply to Euro 3 emissions. Now Rodeo has to comply to Euro 4, it has a cat.

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:02 pm

Cam wrote:Mates factory exhaust on a hilux 2001 model doesn't have a cat, works neither, thats the 2.7L. Read somewhere on a forum that it was a 10K on the spot fine if you don't have one.... so its staying on, just in case

its not diesel is it

they dont have cats.

i highly doubt ud get a 10K fine if u didnt have a cat on.

seems a few members are gambling with 10K then (a fair few members)

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:25 am

Nah not diesel, doubt an 85 brumby would have to comply with euro emmission limits... but with a 98 ej motor it might?

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=6127

http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17177

these forums say 22k but i'll check with the local dpi.

dirty skirt · Post by **dirty skirt** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:26 pm

hi all, im a rego inspector and if the vehicle has ADR 37 on the complience plate of the vehicle it by law has to have a cat convertor if it doesn't the vehicle will not be passed for rego and it is a $10,000 on the spot fine if caught by the epa inspectors(if rta notify the epa),if the police check car and not on there when it should be it is an instant defect with the car not to be driven and towed away. I think its from the 9/85 all petrol vehicles running unleaded has to have a cat.

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:58 pm

dirty skirt wrote:hi all, im a rego inspector and if the vehicle has ADR 37 on the complience plate of the vehicle it by law has to have a cat convertor if it doesn't the vehicle will not be passed for rego and it is a $10,000 on the spot fine if caught by the epa inspectors(if rta notify the epa),if the police check car and not on there when it should be it is an instant defect with the car not to be driven and towed away. I think its from the 9/85 all petrol vehicles running unleaded has to have a cat.

good info but what about a later model engine in an earlier car.

does that still need a cat?

say a 92 engine in a 83

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:27 pm

El_Freddo wrote:Is this your current situation Phizinza?

Bennie

Nope, my EJ22 has its original exhaust y-pipe (modified a little to fit) and cat. After the cat it goes into the 2" straight out the back.
I figured I could keep the cat and it would help to its part in burning those horrid things they put in petrol. I don't want to come to the age of 50 and find I have lung cancer and then just whinge how "I didn't do anything to get it, its not my fault." Instead I can whinge "I didn't do anything to get it, its not my fault..."

Phizinza · Post by **Phizinza** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:28 pm

Matatak wrote:say a 92 engine in a 83

Your car requires the emissions stuff that the engine requires.. So to the emission police, your car is basically a 92 model.

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:34 pm

Phizinza wrote:Your car requires the emissions stuff that the engine requires.. So to the emission police, your car is basically a 92 model.

but the emmision police wont no that.