So I took my car in for inspection today...it's fairly stock, as you can see from my signature.

So I waited...and turns out that I failed the inspection because...get this...my air cleaner is not stock. Apparently you're supposed to have the snorkel assembly to pass, and my cleaner is open element. And I threw away my old air cleaner assembly.

Haven't found any junkyards that have what I need either...

Sometimes I wish I lived in SC...

So, anyone in the Charlotte area that has their old TBI stock air cleaner they can either sell me cheap or let me borrow (I only need it for the inspection), or preferably if anyone owns a shop that can pass me, I'll buy you lunch or something... I hate stupid laws like this, my car passed emissions PERFECTLY yet there's some stupid law to comply with...

 

You have to find a run down small town shop - like a used tire shop - where they just don't get so damned picky. Here in Raleigh, I go to a little place in Apex, they sell used tires, and the guys there are all dirty, covered in grease - they REALLY work for a living. They will pass anything that passes the sniffer. These fancy-*** tire shops and inspection places where no-one ever gets dirty follow the rules TOO closely! Pick a Joe Blow's used tire shop on the "other side of the tracks". They'll pass you without even checking the horn!

 

I went to a place called "Mr Inspection". Inspections and oil/battery changes are essentially all they do. So maybe they were too picky.

I could see how they'd have reason to pick on it if I didn't pass the sniffer, but my car passed emissions just fine. They just have to pick on stupid stuff that doesn't mean anything in the real world.

 

Yep - Mr. Inspection too picky!

I wasn't thinking - but now, maybe you'll have to correct the problem and go back to THAT Mr. Inspection place to get an inspection at all. If they ran the test, but failed on the visual, and they entered that into the computer, that info updates to the central state computer in Raleigh. Sometimes, that means you'll have to have the origianl inspector visually attest to the "repair" in order to get passed at all.

Next year, find an old run down shop in the bad part of town and ask BEFORE they inspect.

 

I actually asked the guy if I had to go to Mr. Inspection again (I stated that the reason was because I usually go to another place that is closer to home but they were packed today...which is partially true) and he said I didn't.

Does anyone have an idea if there's something I can rig up that would serve the same purpose as the stock unit? He didn't so much complain that I had the chrome Edelbrock filter, but rather the fact that there was no hose going from the front of the car to the Edelbrock.

 

Is the Edlebrock 50 state street legal? If it is, I would take either the box it came in, or print off something from their web site stating this, if it is 50 state legal, then they shouldn't be able to hold that against you.

 

Not sure if your interested, but I have a stock TBI air cleaner assembly. I'm in Greenville, SC, and if you'll pay shipping, you can have it. I don't have a use for it anymore. I don't have an air filter for it, though. PM or e-mail me if your interested.

But, even though I've never dealt with passing emissions, I think camaronewbie has a good idea about just going and trying at another shop, preferably not suck a picky one.

Which "hose" are you referring to? The large tube that ran from the exhaust manifold to the air cleaner (known as the THERMAC)?

 

I'm takling about the "snorkel" type thing, that runs from the very front of the engine bay up to the air cleaner. My air cleaner is Open Element so it's just got a round filter, no snorkel.

That would be awesome, but I think I might know someone who can give me a cleaner locally, saves me on shipping. But thank you for the generous offer

 

I understand what your saying now. Sounds weird to me, though, they're more concerned about it looking stock with the snorkel rather than the emissions equipment that's on the stock air cleaner.

Hope it all works out for you.

 

Yeah, that's what I thought too I mean the car passed the sniffer test just fine, that's all that should matter. Doesn't matter how I'm doing it, if it does it, then they shouldn't get picky about it...

Be thankful you live in SC

 

I might have something that will work. I have a few from Monte Carlos that might work and look stock. Let me know if interested. Email me as I don't look on this board often.

 

Hell, I haven't had a snorkel on mine in yeras and it's always passed. I run a modified cold air setup off an 84 TA that draws air through the hood scoop only. I completely removed the snorkel and blocked off the opening.

 

I hope its a long time before the old guy where i get mine inspected retires. He just checks lights horn and wipers. If they put that sniffer thing on my tail pipes id fail horribly. If they even popped the hood id fail horribly. I have hsr and slp headers. here in va both are illegal becuase of emissions. I no smog stuff anymore i took it all off. I have a pipe running through the cat. Exhuast place did that for me, they even suggested it lol. i guess when the day comes to the sniffer and stuff ill have to get tricky. Heres a suggestion take a car that passes get it inspected then carefully take the sticker off and slap it on the camaro then get the other car inspected somewhere else.

 

Just do what i do, Dont inspect it

 

...for which the state of North Carolina will ultimately fine you $250.00 and suspend your registration until you get the thing inspected. Ask me how I know....

-Bob

 

Nope the fine is $100 dollars and no points just pay and go. Ask me how i know!

 

why waste $100 when it only cost 15 to get inspected. Do what some other guy said go find a little shop that does inspections. They cant afford the equipment to sniff you tail pipes. If theres nothing like that around just do what i said take a car that will pass get it passed then take that sticker off it will peel right off without taring and slap it on there then get the other car inspected again somewhere else. Then drive like a sane person and dont get pulled over and the cops will never know.

 

http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/vehicle_ser...Penalties.html

$250 for cars 1981 - newer
$100 for cars 1977 - 1980

Since the OP is a third gen owner, he would be looking at a $250 fine, levied either after he's ticketed by a cop for driving with an expired sticker, and/or automatically by the state after he's four months past the inspection renewal date.

It will be much cheaper and much smarter for the OP to just find himself an air cleaner housing somewhere and do things right. You can only f*k with the state for so long, because they will, without a doubt, catch up to you eventually.

-B

 

well i have a question for you tmc is it even illegal in NC to modify your intake system like he did all he did was put an open eliment on there. people do that here all the time in VA and we have more stupid vehicle laws than anywhere. Your right he needs to buy one, he should of never got rid of his in the first place. I have two buddies that put open elements on theirs no one said anything.

 

In the state of NC it is illegal to modify any motor vehicle any any way shape or form. Most cops do not have time to pull over everyone with a muffler so it gets over looked.

 

oh yeah and my inspection sticker was out for 1 year to the day when i went through a road block. I have a 91 Camaro and it was a $100 fine. Not to say you are wrong maybe next time they will get me for more.