The way I figure it, if it is IFR equipped then why couldn't it be IFR
certified?

I'm a little confused here. I didn't think anything on an experimental aircraft
was 'certified'. If it was then it wouldn't be 'experimental'. Experimentals
are not 'certified' to "fly" but they legally do. I believe the rules read
something like "it can be flown under conditions that it is properly equiped
for" i.e. you can't make a VOR approach if it is not equipped with a VOR
receiver. Something like that.

Jim