Hey, got emissions in Feb. My car wasn't running when they first called me so I got it extended, car still isnt running correctly, but I was wondering. I got a 750 cfm carb, 144 blower, semi extreme cam, no smog ****, but the one thing I will have is a dual cat system (don't worry it's not on my car until emissions comes ). A lot more stuff, but I don't wanna go into it. Anyways I got mid to low 12 seconds worth of hp and torque. T-5 tranny and as far as I know stock clutch. I'm planning on buying a better clutch and a well built tranny, but I need to break that in before giving it to emissions. Now that I've said that, here's my question(s):

Do I have a chance in hell of passing, I'd really say no, but just wondering. And what can I do about this?

I was thinking about switching the title around to a show car. I'm only 18 and I don't drive it much, but my speedometer also doesnt work properly, so it's registering like 1/3 of the miles I'm actually putting on it. Does it cost money to convert it to a show car, and what about insurance? Can I keep the same coverage plan or does it cost more, or less? Also, do they really check every year to see that you didn't drive over 5k miles?

I'm looking for any solution or option to this problem. Post anything you can think of that doesnt require me paying $400 for emissions or bribing ( have some really bad stories about that). Anyways, please HELP!

 

Sounds like someone needs to get to work putting all the Smog equip back on thier car....
You got a letter from Illinois saying you have to smog test your car??????????
I've lived here all my life and have never smog tested a car, or knew anyone who has.

P.S. Bribery doesn't work.....

 

I don't have that stuff anymore. I actually blew thats hit up with as many m80's as I could find, twas a good ol time. But even if I did have it, I wouldnt reinstall it. So any other options.

 

Move? Register the car in another state?

Sorry......

 

You can go to a test site and pay $20 for a test. It will not count as an actual test and you can get a feel for what type of tuning is needed.

 

Uh oh, I think you're in trouble.

I'd go with blown87's idear and see where you're at for the giggles of it. The blower may actually help you out a bit by packing in cleaner air. BUT, they are getting extreemly goofy lately. Anything leaking, they won't let you in. A side job car I did coudn't get in because the door handles were broken and loose tilt. I'd also imagine you're not running an EGR so that's goign to be another prob.

You may be best going with the show car plates. I haven't heard of them checking the mileage. But I know people who have been stopped at odd hours of the night by coppers wanting to know where the show is at at such an odd hour. And, if you get slammed into in the Jewel parking lot by a granny who's foot went for the wrong pedal, your donebarred. Insurance may be an issue too?

Good luck.

 

Hmmm, I hear ya with the show car thing, doesn't seem to be worth it. I think I will do the $20 test site thing. Seems like a good starting point. Good amount of snow up here and my car can't be driven fully yet, so I guess I gotta wait some. Just out of curiosity, If I don't pass emissions, do they suspend your drivers license or the plates on the car? If they do suspend your plates what's the penalty for being caught driving, (not like I would )

 

They threaten to suspend both, but it's usually just the plates. You can write them up and tell 'em the car is not in use, and they will suspend just the plates, I've done it before and have to do it again now (blown HGs).

As for getting caught, don't know, they most likely will give you a ticket for it, and depending on local law, they may imound it? Not unheard of.

I'm not sure if the paid test will work towards an extension, I'd give the sniffer station a call and see.

 

Since I've never been to the emissions place, got a few questions. They stick a sniffer in the tip, what if I have like 40 tips, the sniffers gotta miss some exhaust coming out right . I hope they dont have 40 sniffers.

Also, since I made my own side mounted exhausts, and plan to do almost the same for the emissions exhaust, except running just a cat really close to the headers, could I run a H pipe between the 2 and put a hole in the middle or redirect some exhaust gasses to another place besides the sniffer.

I hope one of these will work, let me know

 

Ouch, the side pipes WILL kill you on the spot. I know there is a clause in the rulebook about modifications to the system that usually you can get past as long as everything looks kosher and isn't too loud. But i'd definatley say the pipes will cause a huge problem.

Do you have adobe reader? I think I still have the pamphlet on my hard drive, if not it is available on line, just search out for Illinois Secretary of State, then hit the motor vehicle services tab. They also have the rules for different plates on there as well, you're going to have work around this.

 

haha, I'm getting nailed everywhere . Yeah I got adobe.

 

Looking for it now

 

just e-amiled it to you, hope it helps

 

Thought, what about changing the speedometer gear to one that registers a higher mph then it actually is. How about that .

 

EH?

You mean to qualify for the race exemption?

Just get a speeding ticket anf make sure it's well over, I'm sure that would qualify

 

Haha, no I mean chaning the speedometer adaptor. Like, I have a 3.73 axle ratio but what if I put a like a 3.23 or lower gear one into my tranny to fool the driver thinkign it's going faster than it really is. do they monitor the speed on my car or the machine?

 

another thought, I got 295's in back, what if I complain that they're too big for their machine, could I get an idle test

 

dunno on either account.

I send the wife for emissions testing, they never give her a problem. Me, I I get the stare down while in the wait line. Guess that's my disadvantage for not being near 6' tall (mostly leg) with a decent rack and in a mini skirt.

 

Then shouldn't your wife be getting a stare down

 

Exactamundo!

Cars always pass. They even passed my poop box 85 nova with no cat and leaky flex pipe.

 

Hahaha, can I borrow her for my test

If anyone's tried any of the stuff I mentioned above, even if you failed with it let me know!

 

I'm sure glad I live in Springfield....
I don't even think there is anyplace down here that tests.
Are you guys up by Chicago?
I hope no one reads this and sends me a letter to test

 

save yourself all the time and just register in a county without the testing. You must know somebody who lives in one of those counties.

 

You need to just get it tested. My 88 doesn't run well and it passed easily. Of course it still has all the emission equipment on it.

There machine determines the speed you are required to maintain with your car.

If you car fails, you can post the results here and people will help you diagnose it.

Check on waivers. If a car fails you are only required to spend x amount of dollars. If you spend x at a certified shop, you get a wiaver. I think the limit is $200.

There is a sign at the emission test centers here in WA state that say to come into the office if you fail. They will try and do a little diagnosis there.


Good Luck.

 

Only 200...man, that would have been nice. 200 doesn't get much certified work done on a car these days with $60 an hour wages these guys are getting. It was 400 or 450 for me the first time...

 

Yeah, it's $400 around here, that's why I said I'd rather not pay that. I can use that money for the tranny i desperately need.

 

I'm thinking I must be wrong but I thought emissions testing was federal. I expected most of the rules to be similar from city to city.

Washington's info from their website.

WAIVER CRITERIA: Registered owners of 1980 or older vehicles who have spent a minimum of $100 on diagnosis and appropriate repairs with an AES; (see back of emission test report, under First Test and read FAIL) can apply for and may receive a waiver. A minimum of $150 applies to 1981 and newer vehicles. The AES technicians have received special training and are familiar with the Emission Check Program repair requirements.


Yeah, for $150 I doubt they spend enough time to actually fix it. I've also heard that there is a long waiting llist. If you fail emissions, it can take almost a month to get into one of their repair shops.

 

No, Emission testing is not federal, it varies from state to state, and even from county to county.

California and New Jersey seem to have pretty strict testing laws, but Michigan doesn't even have testing at all. Wisconsin only has testing in the southeast corner where the population is most dense.

I would bet that a state would get some kind of federal money for doing the test, but it is up to the state legislature I think to make that choice.

Either way, I would say get a base test first to see how close you would be to passing. I don't know how the tricks would work on your set-up (timing, additives etc) however. Especially since you have side pipes which would probably cause you to fail without even getting the sniffer.

 

IL does suspend licences. (ask me how I know)
All of the HEET in the world can't help you with that carb/blower (thats how I passed by the skin of my teeth)