Smog Testing opinions requested

[stray15]

I'm doing a research paper on smog testing. What is everyone's view on the subject? Do you think their should be some cars exempt from testing, or all cars/trucks?

Thanks guys!

[tobluforu]

In CA any car over 25 yrs is exempt. I think that's a fair law. There are a lot of people that have poured tons of money into hot rods and such. These cars would never pass smog. I'm all for it, especially since Have a 72. Saves me 45 bucks every 2 years and the hassle of adjusting the mfi pump.

[gaijinda]

Smog testing is ok. in those areas of the country that need it...

But we all know, 5% of the wrecks on the road contribute 95% of the pollutants. The powers that be should devise ways to get these cars off the road.

Most cars over 20 or 25 years of age are used on a limited basis and giving them a "pass" will not hurt anyone. Besides, they had minimal pollution control devices while new, and grandfathering in new limits and standards later on is not fair..

My $0.03

[rscupper]

tobluforu, the 25-year-old provision of the law (as it it now written) does not kick in until 2004. Until then, only cars '73 and older are exempt. CARB (our green friends with too much time on their hands & money in their pockets) is trying to change the law to keep it the way it is now, forever. Probably the only reason they have not been successful is, as I understand it, replacement emissions parts are becoming scarcer - Porsche no longer supplies them. I'm sure it drives them crazy

I disagree with smog testing for everyone, every two years (in Cal). I believe a sampling method could be used as effectly, but then the state wouldn't get their taxes, or fees, or whatever they're calling it this year - from everybody. That's alot of money that could do some good elsewhere in the economy

[pbs911]

With the disposable type of cars being built today, a 20 - 25 year exemption status should apply.

A smog compliance test should be based on only what matters - the output. No emphasis should be placed on the visual inspection. It simply doesn't matter if the car is smog compliant or if its smog compliant and looks like it to.

[5axis]

I do not think you will find many people in favor of pollution. Think of the nasty politics. "so and so is running for (fill in the blank office) and he supported dirtier air and killing baby seals".
I would like to see exemptions for limited use vehicles (2K- or 4K per year) Some of my Ferrari friends will probably never get to 4K in their lifetime. I also agree with the others that the mods should not matter, just the output.

[Joe Bob]

Actually it's a "30" year exemption....

On the 914 board I posted another response....I have a problem with add on controls that choke motors....when the manufactures started making complaint engines, emissions went down and performance went up. That's why late 70s and early 80s engines
sucked...they choked them with add on crud.

If you make good low emitting powerplants that are tamper proof, you won't need smog tests. Kicking the manufacturers in the buttskis will force them to do it.

[Jack Olsen]

A smog compliance test should be based on only what matters - the output. No emphasis should be placed on the visual inspection. It simply doesn't matter if the car is smog compliant or if it's smog compliant and looks like it too.

The one useful thing the visual does is to at least put a speed bump in the path of guys who are willing to 'de-tune' their cars to pass smog for the day it's being tested, and then redo it for the other 364 days of the year. Everyone thinks it's lousy that the air we breathe might be giving us cancer, but we get kind of short-sighted when we're feeling the hunger for horsepower.

I'm as guilty as anyone.

Well the 5/25 plan is workable in Washington. No testing from current model year back 5 years. Reason all cars of this range should be able to pass. Then test all cars back 25 years except for the above 5 year models.
This gets all the citations and k-cars etc.
Then since all the cars prior to 76 don't get tested. This process keeps rolling forward by model year.