The advice I received was from the RMS staff at the emissions testing facility at Botany (it's their job to know and enforce the regulations) I asked if they could give me a copy of the relevant parts of the new (currently active) standards
Here is the relevant section(underlined sections by RMS staff):
Quote:
Section LA Engines:
3.1.2 Alternative Replacement Engines for Pre-1986 Passenger VehiclesBecause of the difficulty in identifying the year of manufacture of some replacement engines or the unavailability of replacement emission control equipment for ADR 27 engines, it is
recommended that a replacement engine designed for use with unleaded fueland complying with ADR 37 be used where possible. Where this is impractical the following alternative is acceptable for replacement engines for pre-1986 passenger vehicles:
- Convert the replacement engine to run on unleaded fuel (now a necessity);
- Fit new catalytic converter(s) where appropriate;
- Fit unleaded fuel filler with flap (optional);
- Operate the vehicle on unleaded fuel; and
- Ensure the engine is well maintained - alternatively overhaul and retune the engine.
Version 2.0 1 January 2011.........Page 14/LA41
The above seems quite reasonable to me, because it is only 'recommended' to fit an engine complying with ADR 37 and catalytic converters are required to be fitted 'where appropriate' there is nothing enforceable to my mind and this was the line taken by the RMS staff... The interpretation of where appropriate is reasonably open but may include issues of space, ECU (able to closed loop), availability of emissions equipment etc etc but will depend on your engineer.