Does your state have emissions for older cars - any tips passing w/ hot rod?

[MrBonus]

Hi all,

I've been away for too long, attempting to fall in love with a Lotus, but realizing my heart is with air-cooled Porsches.

I have my eye on a particular hot rod, a '71 with a transplanted/rebuilt 2.7 dual Weber setup. My state handles inspection at the DMV and we are required to pass emissions testing once, even if I plan to register it historic, which amounts to a idle sniffer test.

Now, there is a safe harbor that can grant you an exemption, but that usually involves paying a qualified shop up to $1000 to "fix" your emissions issues and I'd rather not go down that route.

Anyway, the engine runs extremely well but have limited experience or knowledge with any tuning tricks or additives to ensure I can get through inspection (just once!). The car may pass on its own accord but before I "pull the trigger" on the purchase, this is the last piece that's concerning me, and an item that I cannot glean from a mere inspection/drive.

[blucille]

look closely, typically, the car just has to meet 1971 standards. You should be fine.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by blucille

look closely, typically, the car just has to meet 1971 standards. You should be fine.

You are correct. I passed with a '71 Ghia with a 1.9 previously, but by the skin of my teeth!

https://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title7/1000/1100/1126.shtml

The requirements are here (If I copy/paste, they'll format terribly).

[Noah930]

You have no idea where the car stands now (in terms of emissions), it sounds. If you could go to a garage and have them hook the car up to a gas analyzer, that may help soothe your concerns a lot, if it's well within whatever 1971 limits you have to pass.

But in general, before a smog test, I try to run a bottle of Techron through the week or so before. I try to change the oil. And I make sure to get the engine nice and hot (not just warmed up) for the test, itself. California's test is done on a rolling dyno, so I also make sure the tires are properly aired up. My car is otherwise stock though, so I don't fool around with adjusting the CIS or spark or anything like that. Obviously in your intended hot rod, YMMV.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by Noah930

You have no idea where the car stands now (in terms of emissions), it sounds. If you could go to a garage and have them hook the car up to a gas analyzer, that may help soothe your concerns a lot, if it's well within whatever 1971 limits you have to pass.

But in general, before a smog test, I try to run a bottle of Techron through the week or so before. I try to change the oil. And I make sure to get the engine nice and hot (not just warmed up) for the test, itself. California's test is done on a rolling dyno, so I also make sure the tires are properly aired up. My car is otherwise stock though, so I don't fool around with adjusting the CIS or spark or anything like that. Obviously in your intended hot rod, YMMV.

You are correct. I have done no emissions testing whatsoever. The car runs, for lack of a better expression, like a "raped ape." This makes me want to believe it will likely be just fine since there is no indication it's running lean, rich, or poorly in general.

I was thinking of throwing some Techron in there as added protection and good tip on getting it nice and hot. Of course, it's snow season up here (4" on the ground this morning) so I'm likely not getting it to a shop any time soon and need to get moving on either buying or passing on the deal on the table. Fortunately, we do not test on a dyno; they simply throw a sniffer in the tail pipe and let it idle for about 30 seconds.

I'm probably going to just buy it anyway, and if I need to solicit some friends in the automotive industry to provide me with the appropriate safe harbor documentation to satisfy the DMV, I will, but I'd rather avoid calling in those kinds of favors.

[creaturecat]

ask for someone that knows how to drive a standard.
i had to drag a youngster out of my 915 equipped 911, once upon a time .....

[creaturecat]

the old three on the tree pickup truck? they would have to grab an old guy from out back. jeez.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

ask for someone that knows how to drive a standard.
i had to drag a youngster out of my 915 equipped 911, once upon a time .....

Haha, you don't get out of the car here fortunately.

[Joe Bob]

Ask the seller to provide a pass from the smog weenies.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Ask the seller to provide a pass from the smog weenies.

Buying out of a state that doesn't have such concerns. I think it's absurd my state still does curb idle tests on true classics, but not much I can do other than move.

[targa72e]

It depends on the state. In CO cars older than certain age do not need emissions. CA has rolling year limit i believe. Since the car in question is a 71 if it is a T it would have come with carbs. The 2.7 engine should look the same so visual would be easy to pass. E and S would be MFI and if person inspecting could tell the difference could fail on visual. If the car is in good running order then it will probably pass the instrumented test as the limits on older cars are quite high. You should be able to find specific information for your area requirements on line. I know several people who register their cars in counties in CO that do not have emissions requirements as a alternative option.

john

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by targa72e

It depends on the state. In CO cars older than certain age do not need emissions. CA has rolling year limit i believe. Since the car in question is a 71 if it is a T it would have come with carbs. The 2.7 engine should look the same so visual would be easy to pass. E and S would be MFI and if person inspecting could tell the difference could fail on visual. If the car is in good running order then it will probably pass the instrumented test as the limits on older cars are quite high. You should be able to find specific information for your area requirements on line. I know several people who register their cars in counties in CO that do not have emissions requirements as a alternative option.

john

Thanks, John. Visual inspection is not relevant in this state. It's strictly by the emissions numbers at idle (linked above). The only thing they inspect is for cats, if relevant to your vehicle year. Obviously, a non-concern for me.

[MrBonus]

Also, anyone want a Lotus? Runs really well until it doesn't!

(It runs well now. Right now. Today.)

[darrin]

can't go wrong finding a shop with a sniffer (PPI shop?) and having them "optimize" the mixture for passing before you go in -- the settings for it to easily pass emissions aren't necessarily the same as those that promote it running like a "raped ape"

[Alfasrule]

Clause 4.1.2 Register it as an antique. I have 3 of mine registered as antiques and I never have an issue when I get inspected. We have no pipes in VT though. If they did me Race Car would never pass.

[MrBonus]

The car passed emissions with flying colors and they failed me for yellow H4 headlights.

[VWLoosenuts]

We do not have emissions at all in Washington state

[darrin]

Originally Posted by MrBonus

The car passed emissions with flying colors and they failed me for yellow H4 headlights.

did they fail you because they were yellow or h4 or both?

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by darrin

did they fail you because they were yellow or h4 or both?

Strictly due to the color. I have to swap lenses or housings and head back.

[Joe Bob]

I use yellow tint. Get popped peel it off.