Colorado Emissions Testing - Classic Car

[KNS]

I thought I'd post this in OT for the larger viewing...

I brought my 1984 3.2 911 in for emissions testing here in the Denver metro area. It's registered as a classic so I have to run it through testing every five years. It passed (it has a Cat and is running well so I expected it to).

Five years ago they checked for the presence of a Cat Converter and O2 sensor. This year (I watched) they didn't check and it also stated "NA" for those categories on the paperwork. Colorado emissions in the Front Range are about as strict as California. Anybody know what gives?

Also - this pisses me off - the limits for CO2 and NOx have been lowered compared to five years ago. Aren't they supposed to reference the requirements for the year it was manufactured? I have a feeling they'll just keep bumping them down until they force my car off the road.

[look 171]

They have been lowering them here in CA too. My 930 passed with flying colors when I bought it but slowly, it become a gross polluter. You got out of CA?

[KNS]

^^

Born and raised in SoCal. Moved to Arizona in 1991 (no emissions testing for classic cars). Back to the draconian regulations...

I have no problem running the required emissions equipment but lowering the standards is dirty pool.

[VINMAN]

Here in Jersey, there is no longer emission checks, or even inspections for vehicles older than 1994. Or trucks with gvw of 12,000 or more.

.

[rwest]

I think it’s been more than 20 years since MN has had testing stations. It seemed like having long lines of cars idling all day everyday just to check their emissions probably wasn’t great for pollution levels either!

On the 911 it was always fun as the tester would slide the mirror under the middle of the car and I would have to tell them that the engine was in the back. My car was stripped of the reactors and air pump, but the heat exchangers certainly look like cats to the less knowledgeable. My emissions did meet the standards even without the factory controls.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by rwest

I think it’s been more than 20 years since MN has had testing stations. It seemed like having long lines of cars idling all day everyday just to check their emissions probably wasn’t great for pollution levels either!

I've had that same musing as well, while stuck in line waiting (and keeping the motor running to keep the cat hot). Seemed a bit ironically counterproductive.

[herr_oberst]

Jeez, sounds like your Colorado county is even more draconian than the county I live in.
We do have one work around.

From the handbook;

"In Oregon, a "special interest vehicle" generally refers to a vehicle at least 25 years old or one that is sanctioned as a vehicle of special interest by an established organization, and is maintained as a collector's item. These vehicles are often used for exhibitions, parades, or club activities rather than for general transportation.

Collector's Item: Special interest vehicles are typically maintained as collector's items, not primarily for transportation of people or property.
Limited Use: They are often used for special events like exhibitions and parades.
Permanent Registration: In Oregon, special interest vehicles can be permanently registered, often with a one-time fee."

[Arizona_928]

Lowering the emission standards, those dirty dawgs.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

Lowering the emission standards, those dirty dawgs.

In 2001 passed with no cat. Ohio reduced allowable emissions in early to mid 2000's but my SC was just over 25 years old. It failed in 2006 and then the guy said "Oh, you don't have to do this anymore".

[slow&rusty]

If you have a buddy in Colorado Springs, register the car there.
No emissions testing.

[911boost]

I know what you mean about them not looking, my ‘92 Mustang 5.0 has the factory cats on it still and I had to try a couple times this year. Passes everything except the NOx as it was .05 over the 1.2 limit. I used a bottle of that Cataclean and it dropped to .08, I was impressed.

I put Collector plates on it this year as well…..

Love to get together for a drive sometime, I’m up in Fort Collins.

[fanaudical]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Jeez, sounds like your Colorado county is even more draconian than the county I live in.
We do have one work around.

From the handbook;

"In Oregon, a "special interest vehicle" generally refers to a vehicle at least 25 years old or one that is sanctioned as a vehicle of special interest by an established organization, and is maintained as a collector's item. These vehicles are often used for exhibitions, parades, or club activities rather than for general transportation.

Collector's Item: Special interest vehicles are typically maintained as collector's items, not primarily for transportation of people or property.
Limited Use: They are often used for special events like exhibitions and parades.
Permanent Registration: In Oregon, special interest vehicles can be permanently registered, often with a one-time fee."

Not wanting to PARF this, but the problem with Oregon's Special Purpose law is a provision that SP-regisered vehicles "may only be used for exhibitions, parades, club activities and similar uses". I know there was once a 2500 mile per year limitation but can't find current reference to that. Sooner or later, I expect the state of Oregon to start enforcing that special use limitation with increased vehicle stops of cars with SP plates to verify the car is being used as the law intends.

[Gogar]

It's Denver, man. Don't even bother with a plate. No one else seems to.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Gogar

It's Denver, man. Don't even bother with a plate. No one else seems to.

lol. It’s a rough place. I saw a mk7 vw broken down on the highway in the am. By the afternoon, someone stole the wheels and left it on the rotors.