I did a search on this, but couldn't come up with anything solid.

Say I had a 1980 and needed to/wanted to replace the motor with a high performance Crate. Could I drop one in with having to worry about emissions testing? I did a search on the NY State motor vehicle website and came up with this:

What motor vehicles are exempt from emissions inspection for gas-powered vehicles?

These motor vehicles are exempt from emissions inspection for gas-powered vehicles:

Vehicles that are less than two model years old, or more than 25 model years old (for example, a 1975 model in 2001).
Diesel-powered vehicles 8500 lbs. or less and Diesel-powered vehicles 8501 lbs. and more registered in the NYCMA area that are required to have the emissions inspection for diesel-powered vehicles.
Electric-powered vehicles.
Motorcycles.
Vehicles that are registered as farm equipment or that have historical plates.
Homemade vehicles or custom vehicles that are registered in the Upstate Area."

If I read this correctly, it looks like I could. However, perhaps it is more complicated than that and I'm missing something. Does anyone know for sure?

 

yes you got it correct it looks like. Would help to know where you are, lots of guys in here have fought that battle

 

I'm in Western NY, where we've already had 2 feet of snow last week . I really need to get out of here some day.

 

...I read it as in 2006 a 1980 Corvette is "26 model years old" and indeed the vehicle is excluded if it is more than "25 model years old", then "NO", you would not have to be emission tested.

 

To be sure, call your local licensing authority in the morning and ask.

 

I have an 81, and yes you do not need to pass emssions any longer. Once the car is a full 25yrs. old in New York State it only requires safety inspections. I just had my vette emssions inspected then once it passed I did the whole top end. (edlebrock carb, intake, etc). As of this coming January 2007, then I will only need safety. Hope this helps.

 

Sounds good, thanks !

 

We need to make a sticky out of this as this comes up every few weeks.

Here's the real deal:

Federal law regarding emissions includes all vehicles 1968 and newer. NO VEHICLE NEWER THAN 1968 IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL LAW.

Each state has the right to decide which vehicles they will test. If they stray too far away from what the EPA thinks is acceptable the feds withold highway funds.

Most states have a rolling 25 year emissions test program (looks like NY has one as you posted).

So in NY, you will not have to do an emissions test on a 1980 vette. However, this does not mean you can do whatever you want.

First of all, most state's safety inspections include a visual check for the presence of emissions equipment. Yes, an open element air cleaner will fail safety in many states!

Secondly, since you are only exempt from emissions TESTING, it means the state is free to scrap the 25 year rolling law at any time at which point you would once again have to pass the emissions test.

The point here is that after 25 years you are NOT exempt from emissions, just most states testing program (which can change on the whim of politicians).

 

SEMA really needs to get a law passed that says you can do whatever you want, as long as the vehicle still passes emissions for it's year of manufacture. Get rid of this "the smog equipment has to be there" .