Altern881

I've been a long time lurker, so I thought I might get some posts in. Does anyone have any first hand experience with NY emissions testing? Specifically, I'm wonder about the laws concerning cars that are 25 years or older and so are exempt from any emissions testing during inspection. I'm hoping it means I can run my 85 without a the cat, EVAP, air injection and all that. Otherwise, I'm going to be spending a lot of money buying parts that didn't come with the car when I bought it.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Google your State Laws for emissions, I'm sure theirs separate laws for Historical Vehicles. How old does a car have to be in NY to be classified as Historical?

Altern881

I've done a lot of research online, but it's not clear to me how exempt these old vehicles really are. I've read a few forum posts that say they still have to pass a visual inspection, but I'm not so sure. I think it could register the car as a classic, but there's a lot of restrictions on the car then. Here's a brochure that tells you quite a bit, but I'm not sure how to interpret it. http://dmv.ny.gov/brochure/new-york-...ection-program

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

PM 82tarecaro,he's from NY, He'll know.

midias

A lot of it depends on the shop. Some will fail you outright for no cat if it came with one. Others dont care if the car is > 25 years old.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

The law is - anything 96 and newer gets tested for emissions through the OBD2 system.
Anything between 25 years old and up to 1995 gets a visual inspection of the emissions system. It is a total BS test and as long as the emissions system like the cats are still there you pass.
Anything 25 years and older just gets a safety inspection. So no one is checking to see if your cat and other pollution control devices are there.
These are the NYC laws and it might be different depending what part of the state you live, but either way no one is checking to see if the cat is gone on your 85.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

You don't need a smog pump or charcoal canister. However, universal Catco catalytic converters are cheap enough, put one on. I am from New York City, and still drive there all of the time, and they can care less "how old" the car is, if they want to be ball busters they will ticket you for no catalytic converter, or even impound it if they don't see one. Doesn't depend on the area, it depends on the cop. Fighting it does absolutely nothing but waste your time. I run a 3" universal Catco converter, I also have a cutout before it, nobody bothers me even when they see it, and I've gotten pulled over racing quite a few times there...

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Cops are not checking to see if you have cats on your car. Maybe you should not be racing on the streets. I would break ***** if I was a cop and I pulled you over for racing as well.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

... do you know how to read? I don't know you, buy yes, if they want to be ball busters I said, they will. I have been pulled over plenty of times going too fast on Crossbay, Woodhaven, and Queens Blvd, all over Queens, and depending on the cop they either threaten to check, or some just check without saying anything. Don't give this member your assumption, because if he gets pulled over and they check what are you going to say, your sorry? They will ticket you, and you can't fight it, "regardless" the year when they have probable cause. A 3" catalytic converter will not hinder performance and they are cheap enough.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

... hmm, I guess I'm lucky I could give a rats @ss what you would do.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

I have been here my whole life.
I have also been around cars my whole life. You are the only one I have ever heard getting pulled over and gotten their ***** broken for emissions. It must be you.
Racing on the streets is stupid. 2 people just died in California at a street race. You are putting others at risk besides yourself. So call me crazy but if I was a cop and pulled you over for street racing I would not let you off easy.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Do you NY guys still have MV Inspections with Historical or Vintage registration??

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Franny- nothing 25 years and older gets tested for emissions in NYC. I have 2 cars with vintage plates and a 1990 Mustang with regular plates. They just get a yearly safety inspection.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I would recommend that the OP get Vintage Plates,then he wouldn't have any worries.
In NJ you only register your 25 yr.old car once for Historic Plates,no more yearly Inspections no more yearly registrations.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Its the same rules whether he has vintage plates or not. Just a safety inspection.

Altern881

Thanks for clearing that up, it's good to hear. I might go with Street Lethal's advice as well, and put a universal cat on, just to be safe. They're cheap enough.

Altern881

I think here in NY, it would be registering it as a classic. But there are a lot of limitations, how many miles you can drive it, where you can drive it to. I wouldn't think it would work very well for a daily driver.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

I put a Magnaflow cat on my 82. The car is relatively stock and It did not hurt to put one back on when I redid the exhaust.
Keep in mind that if you are running something modified there is a good chance you are going to burn out the cat in a short period of time. Cats do not live long with an overly rich exhaust. You will have to be certain the car is tuned properly, especially if you are running a carburetor. If you are worried about a visual check, there are fake cats that have the appearance of a cat, but inside it is just a straight through pipe.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Here is a link to a fake cat you can buy.
http://www.siliconeintakes.com/dsm-i...cat-p-572.html

Jonesyfxr

iTrader: (2)

We have numerous old cars in our family.....72 BBC Chevelle a 76 Camaro, a 79 Camaro, a 78 Vette with 19k and my 85 Iroc. The Iroc gets a visual emissions inspection and the other cars get safety only.

The OP can get historical plates, but it's not necessary.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Excellent. Listen to me, I am only trying to help you as I do all other of my fellow members. When people hear "25 year or older" in New York State they misunderstand, the law applies to 25 year or older from 1995 (1970-95), and these exemptions are only for the actual computerized testing, NOT the visuals, they still do visuals, they just don't test the tailpipe anymore. It's commonly known as a "soft" or "light" visual check. These are the requirements when it comes to NYS emissions laws, read carefully, and remember, any exemptions are only for the actual electronics TESTING and tailpipe TESTING, meaning plugging into the ALDL data stream or hooking up a sensor to the tailpipe. The visuals are NOT exempt for the 1970-95 model year if the vehicle CAME with emission equipment from the factory..;

Smog and Emissions Inspection

Unless your vehicle is exempt, you must complete an emissions test in addition to the safety inspection (see “Requirements and Exemptions” below). The emissions inspection only takes a few minutes, and the types of tests required depend on the model year and weight of your vehicle:

* Model year 1996 and newer gas-powered vehicles less than 8,501 lbs.: On-Board Diagnostic inspection (OBDII).

*Model year 1997 and newer diesel-powered vehicles less than 8,501 lbs.: On-Board Diagnostic inspection (OBDII).

*Model year 1995 to 25 years old at 18,000 lbs. or less: Low-enhanced emission inspection.

OBDII Inspection (1995 & up)...

Part of the emissions inspection is the on-board diagnostics test (OBDII). This is a computerized test that connects to your vehicle to check the emissions system through the vehicle's computer. Your computer controls the emissions output of your engine, as well as a malfunction indicator light (MIL) that illuminates if your computer or your engine is not working correctly.

Low-Enhanced Emissions Inspections (1970-95)...

The low-enhanced inspection is a thorough VISUAL (NOT COMPUTER SCANNED, OR TAILPIPE SNIFFED) inspection of all the emissions equipment in your vehicle, including but not limited to:

* Functional gas cap.
* Catalytic converter.
* Exhaust gas recirculation valve.
* Positive crankcase ventilation system.
* Air injection system.
* Evaporative emissions control.
* Fuel inlet restrictor.
* Thermostatic air cleaner.

http://www.dmv.org/ny-new-york/smog-check.php

Like I said, depending on the COP, and if he or she is a ball buster, they will check for a catalytic converter being that it takes two seconds to look for. He has the RIGHT to ticket you or impound you if one is missing, and if you say "they passed me without one" any shop in their right mind will immediately deny it and say "it was there when they tested the vehicle and the owner probably removed it himself", or they will admit it and be heavily fined...

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

The Iroc should not even get a visual emissions inspection at this point. It is a safety inspection only when the car hits 25 years old. It should cost you 10 bucks.

Altern881

That sounds like a better idea. I bought the car for $100 with no engine or transmission, it was headed to the scrapyard, which is sad since it's a southern car. I had a 700R4 and an old 350 laying around that went in, and since the wiring was gone, an Edelbrock as well. So I'm sure it runs a little rich, and burns a little oil.

trafficlightguy

Your car is exempt from emission you just need a safety inspection

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

yup

Hawkeye1980

iTrader: (3)

This is correct. I live in Dutchess County and my shop just does a visual. That's was last Jan 2014. I have it in suspension on the insurance and going to activate it next week. Will take it to the shop and she will pass.