Hey guys, Looks like I may be relocating to PA, somewhere in the Pittsburgh area, but not in the city. Can anyone tell me what the emmissions laws are like there? I have an 87 camaro, that has been switched from a 2.8 mpfi to a 350 carb. Its got a fairly lumpy cam, etc. Do I stand any chance at all w/ emissions, or should i just sell it before I move? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Emissions depends on your location in PA. Any county near PGH. is going to have emissions laws, and the requirements depend on the year of your car. Since my car is an 87, I could look at my emissions papers and tell you the requirements.

However, you could get classic plates and skip emissions testing.

Also, if you drive less than 5k miles per year, you will be able to get a waiver.

PGH is not the worst area to live, but get ready for lots of hills!

 

Cool man. I did some reading and found that info about the waiver. Probably the route that I will go. I spent so much time working on my car that I would hate to get rid of it now.

 

allegheny county does a mechanical inspection on it and does a exhaust sniffer. so do most of the counties close to it like cranberry. those to the north a little further have this new thing where they do a visual inspection. the emissions that came on the vehicle must be pressent, and "look" like it would work. I'm from the north so i don't know about all the counties near pitt.

 

yeah, the surrounding pittsburgh area sucks

Classic plates means classic car 15 years or older. Has to be showroom stock. No mods. I already looked into that.
You can get a Collector Car plate which is similar but you can do whatever you want, but got to keep it under 5000miles a year and not suppose to take it out unless for shows, races, or once a week joy ride. LOL stupid stuff.

you gotta have visual inspection and tailpipe sniffer test. that includes Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver and washington.

cant get away with much around here. but if you drive less than 5000 miles a year, your emissions except for the year and can do whatever your heart desires.
some info
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/aq_apps/emissions/test.htm
http://www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us/...pa/info_sw.htm

Whenever you get to PA, hit me up and go to the track sometime Pittsburgh raceway park. Good track and good times.

here is something else going on.
http://www.classicjunkyard.com/pa_emissions.htm

 

Orr,

Not to disagree, but the car has to be "stock appearing". I know of those who have submitted pictures of cars that appeared original in the pictures submitted to the state for the classic/antique plate approval, and I know these cars were far from stock under the hood. Then the aftermarket wheels were reinstalled on it, and driven that way. I know people who have submitted older pictures of their cars and got away with it. But you are correct on the intent of the law. Remember, you only have to submit pictures of the outside of the car from all four sides. (Photochops work good too!)

 

well I am an emissions inspecion mechanic here in PA, different county though. I can tell you that your car needs to have a two speed idle test, gas cap test and a visual inspection for all components. Since your car has a different drivetrain than factory your car will need to have to have the most stringant visual inspection for your chassis in your year so that means an EGR system, AIR system, pcv system, catalytic converter, EVAP system all of which must be present appear to be functioning just for the visual. There are a couple ways around this though , you can find a way to register it in another county such as a family members adress or something like that, you arent hearing this part from me though, and depending on your county of registration you will only be required to have a visual inspection and possably a gascap test. I wouldnt want to register it anywhere near Philly though as they are even more strict with thier laws and you would have to have a dyno test there.

 

interesting.... sounds like a great plan but what do you do about exhaust tips and stuff like that? Photoshop it? thats kick ***!!

 

gimme a call when u get settled in.
ill get it passed for ya!
not a prob!

 

Orr,

They do not really hammer it that bad. My 75 T/A had a flowmaster kit on it with tips that are definitely not factory, and it was approved. They are more looking for stock appearing paint, wheels, body panels, and spoilers. An argument about non-factory exhaust tips could be made successfully if they used that as a reason for non-approval.

Like I said, I took pictures of my iroc before any mods were done, and would use those to apply for plates.

Yea, you have got to love Photoshop if you can use it!

EDIT: Wow, this post made me a Senior Member...woohooo!

 

yeah, cuz i looked in to getting classic plates and went to a local notary office. asked him about the plates and he gave me quick explanation and a bunch of printouts. pretty cool guy, but he said it would have to be all stock as is.

I was disappointed in that but now you give me an idea. LOL makes good sense but my car wont be stock appearing eventually tho.

do you got to take pics every year or just when you apply?

 

Just when you apply. Then you own the plate for life, unless you sell the car and want to transfer it to the new owner. My Antique plate from my 75 is sitting in the garage. It is more expensive for someone to have it transferred than to just get a new one, if i remember correctly.

I'm not sure how they enforce the stock rule, as I see a ton of modified cars running around with classic plates (remember to look the next time you go to a cruise or drag races, especially Thunder in the Burg, a long time from now, I know). I never got pulled over, and never thought about it until now.

 

i know, i see alot of modded cars with plates too but didnt take notice. I went to see about a plate and when they told me what the rules were, i was like then how do all the other guys run those plates? oh well, i wont be outrageous looking that it would draw attention to the fact its not stock appearing. (well, it will draw attention, but i doubt anyone will notice to the classic plate)

hey, isnt insurance cheaper too? and do you have to check to see if your running under 5000 miles a year or have inspections of any kind? thanks for the help

 

On the 87 IROC, I have classic car insurance. Less than 150 per year with an agreed to value of $5k. Includes towing, and some other stuff, too.

Yes, i agreed to limit the milage to less than 5k per year. Others will let you drive more, but all require the car to be used a pleasure vehicle, and you must prove you have a daily driver. All the companies I looked at require the car be stored in a garage at your address.

The insurance companies do not ask you to submit milage yearly, so not sure how they regulate that.

Classic plates require an annual safety inspection, but no emissions. Antique plates allow you to skip both safety and emissions (lol)!

 

Well its official. Definately going to moving to the pittsburgh area. Going to be moving in around february. Looks like we will be living in a smaller town outside the city, as i detest urban living (remember, I'm one of those corn-fed midwest boys). I am guessing I will be having quite the fight on my hands, what with the mods to my car.

I keep hearing about this exemption if you drive less than 5000 miles a year, anyone know anymore on this? This seems the best way to go, if its for real.

 

you have to have the title in your name for more then 1 year and have proof that you drive it less then 5'000 miles a year but i'm not worried i got someone to get me thru

 

yeah, they check your odometer presently and from previous inspection. if its less than 5000miles, they give you emmissions exempt sticker. i got one by accident cuz the guy read 38838 miles as 33838 miles, so i got exempt for the year LMAO

 

wish i steped into luck like that lol

 

as far as i know one of the only areas around pittsburgh that dosen't have emissions is butler county, i work in a shop in evans city, to pass inspection you only need to have the emissions equipment present (and i think hooked up), for example if you had a gutted cat, it would pass no problem, but a piece of straight pipe is a no go.

for what its worth i believe butler county starts around cranberry and covers zelienople, butler, evans city, elwood city, renfrew, and a few other surrounding towns and is around 30miles north of the city.

 

I live in Adams and we luckly just have a visual check. It dont have to work it just has to be their