It would be pretty hard for them to do anything but try to sue you in small claims court. Unless they moved to CA pretty much right away it would be pretty hard for them to win that case. It would also be highly inconvenient and probably be cost prohibitive for them to travel back to Texas to try to file and plead that case in small claims court. All in all I think the risk is very small. Private sales of used cars are generally as-is with no warranty. I would guess few judges, especially here in Texas would like to set a precedent against that.

 

I personally KNOW more than one person that has a big block engine in a vette that is post 1975. Sorry man but in Texas, your 25 year and older cars need nothing but safety inspections. I would tell you to consider a big block motor in your 82, because I GUARENTEE you that the pimple faced kid at the car wash who will be inspecting your vette won't know a big block from a small block, what a carburetor is, or if you DO or DO NOT have all the smog equipment on it, because the have NO IDEA if any of that works or even what it LOOKS LIKE. Live life, get a big block!

 

I can remember when inspection stations in Dallas used to look under the hood to see whether the factory emissions devices were there. That's why I never pulled the air pump off my '72 BB. Looking back over the last 40 years or so, I think inspectors got out of the habit of doing that because of OBD and tailpipe tests. Anyway, I was just replying to someone who questioned why I think it's illegal to put a 454 in an '82. It is, but whether the laws will ever be enforced is another matter.

Happy roddin'!

 

Wasn t the 454 offered in the Chevy Silverado all the way to 2000?...that's certainly newer than your 82. I m glad we have no such laws in Louisiana.. My 81 has no smog equipment at all, headers and dual Ultra- Flos and a stroked 525HP motor..All we are required to do is pass a Safety Inspection every two years.. That's Lights, turn signals, wipers horn ,brakes, windshield.. period ...

 

Each engine had to be certified for its intended use by the manufacturer. Trucks were a different (less stringent) EPA standard. If memory serves, the 454 was used in a few full size passenger cars until '75 or '76. It's probably legal to put one in a '75 or '76 Vette on that basis, as long as all the same smog devices of the later year are used. No GM passenger car used it in '82.

You do, actually, they're just not being enforced. The laws about tampering are federal, they apply to everyone in all 50 states. Most states also have these laws on their books, probably as a prerequisite to receiving federal highway funds.

 

Emission testing is not required for vehicles 25 years of age or older. But a visual inspection to determine if all emission equipment is in place as part of the safety inspection. But as you stated, there is no way that the inspector knows what was there when the car was born. But eith mt luck I would get a 65 year old inspector that knows what should be there and blows the whistle on me

 

Yep, that concerns me too. In fact, all it will take is one d-head politician or a clean air activist group to raise a stink, and inspection stations will be told they have to look for this. I saw that happen in Houston in the early '80s after the state decided they were passing too many defective cars. My '63 had custom headlights in the grille, and after owning it for six or seven years, suddenly every inspector in town failed it for not meeting the state's minimum height requirement. That could happen at any time to any street car that doesn't comply with the anti-tampering regulations.

 

But you do, depending upon where you live:

Louisiana Smog and Emissions Testing

Not all Louisiana residents must complete a smog and emissions test with their safety inspection (see "Louisiana Incentives for Eco-Driving" below). Your vehicle requires an emissions inspection―or “enhanced inspection"―along with the safety inspection if your vehicle is gasoline powered, weighs less than 10,000 lbs , and is registered in one of the following parishes:

Ascension
East Baton Rouge
Iberville
Livingston
West Baton Rouge
The smog check and emissions inspection consists of such things as:

Gas cap pressure test.
On-board computer system check (i.e. OBD II test).
Visual inspection of:
―Catalytic converter.
―Air injection system.
―Positive crankcase ventilation system.
―Evaporative emission control system.
―Exhaust gas recirculation system.

http://www.dmv.org/la-louisiana/smog-check.php

The thing to keep in mind is that the emission standards/rules are Federal, not state. The enforcement is left up to the states which is why there is such a difference in the real world.

EDIT: after additional found reference to 1980 and newer.
A visual inspection must be conducted on the following items:
1980-1983 Passenger cars and light trucks
Catalytic Converter
Air Injection System
PCV Valve
EGR Valve
Choke System
Thermostatic Air Intake System
1984 and later passenger cars and light trucks
All of the above as well as:
Oxygen Sensor
Misfire
Special items to be inspected are as follows:
Gas Cap Pressure
http://www.lsp.org/lse_form4.html

Tom...

 

Another interesting piece of info for Louisiana, I recently got an antique plate registration for my 68 Corvette, which allowed installing and utilizing a real 68/69 old license plate which I found on ebay. I also found out I do not have to get an inspection sticker.

See below:

La DMV
Antique Plates

A vehicle must be at least 25 years old to qualify for antique plates. Also, the vehicle must be maintained in its original condition, without significant changes to the manufacturer's specifications.

Applications for antique plates must contain a recent color photograph of the vehicle, along with a notarized Antique License Plate Affidavit (Form DPSMV 1911). Or, if you belong to an antique car organization, you can submit a photocopy of your membership card instead of the completed form.

Safety Inspection Exemptions

You do not need to complete a safety inspection if:
•Your current Louisiana brake tag and emissions sticker is still valid.
•Your vehicle is 25 years old and:
―The vehicle is used primarily for exhibitions (e.g. car shows, parades, etc.).
―The vehicle is registered as an antique with the LA OMV.


So I guess if you have to maintain to original specifications, then you need the 68 smog pump. And I really do primarily take the 68 Corvette to car shows. However, the reality is though, I hope law enforcement has more important things to do and how many inspection people even know what is supposed to be on a 68 Corvette?

 

Since I don't live in any of those parishes , NO, I don't have to comply with any emissions standards at any local Inspection Station ... Like I said, I m glad I m not required to.

 

Police do not stop you to inspect your emissions here..It is illegal to stop you just for a secondary violation in LA .. If you live here you know this. and if you are exempt from needing a renewal inspection, which in Lafayette where you live does not require emissions test , then who would ever be inspecting your car? You are good to go ..besides I ve had 2 cops ask me what kind of car it is.. I seriously doubt they know a 68 smog pump from a Dirt Devil Vacuum.. Now, if you aren t wearing a Seat Belt, you might get 5-10 years in jail..lol

 

You are correct up to 1981. After that trucks had the same standard as cars. My 1989 454 Suburban emission standards are twice as strict as 1982 standards. Nowhere in the Texas inspection guides does it break down engines to specific models of cars. You know and I know a 1979 corvette was never available with a 454. But the inspector doesn't know that. Even if he did there is nothing he can do about it. Because there is nothing illegal about it. And he is not required to check it. Can anyone tell the difference between a 1990 454 and a 1970 454 visually?
How about a 1969 350hp 350 and a 1969 300hp 350? Emission wise they are two completely different standards. Texas tried this around 20 years ago with the Tejas inspection program. With the ratio of non OBDII cars compared to OBDII cars widening every day they won't be trying it again. According to how you are interpreting the rules, all LS conversions would be illegal.
Headlight and tail light height requirements were re-enforced because of everyone abusing ride heights. Right now the current red flag is front license plates and window tint. It's not uncommon in Dallas to be pulled over by two police cars. While the first officer is checking your license etc, the second officer is checking your registration and insurance status.
Here is one very important item. All cars must pass the brake test. Which means you may get an 18 year old inspector that drives a Geo Metro with an auto test driving your 600 hp six speed vette. Scary just thinking about it. Here's the catch: The inspector does NOT have to be the driver. He can be the passenger while you do the brake test. This is written clearly in the inspector guidelines manual that every inspection station must have.
Mike

 

How do Hot Rods comply with emission laws ?