Emission question for TX guys
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Emission question for TX guys
My '80 is now 25 years old and is exempt from future emissions testing. Is the car still required to have the CAT in the exhaust system, or can it be removed?
If I need to keep it, what's the solution....dual high-flow CAT's? Oh, also can you do dual exhaust with the existing crossmember?
If I need to keep it, what's the solution....dual high-flow CAT's? Oh, also can you do dual exhaust with the existing crossmember?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,153
Likes: 15
From: Texas
I think you'll be ok with true duals and no cats if you register as a classic car. You'll be exempt from inspection altogether.
I forget when they changed the crossmember, but I know they had two holes for a while after they went to the 2 into 1 exhaust
I forget when they changed the crossmember, but I know they had two holes for a while after they went to the 2 into 1 exhaust
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Dickinson (Houston) Texas
I looked into this when My 78 turned 25 two years ago. I live in the Houston area where emisions testing is required.
I went to an inspection station to see if I could have sidepipes, which would do away with the cats. They said they would pass it as long as the exhaust outlet was behind the door..... which it would be.
As far as what they look for in cats, they are required to make sure that 84 and newer vehicles have them. If an older vehicle has one, they look to see if they don't leak.
Here are the inspections requirments:
TX Exhaust Requirements
I went to an inspection station to see if I could have sidepipes, which would do away with the cats. They said they would pass it as long as the exhaust outlet was behind the door..... which it would be.
As far as what they look for in cats, they are required to make sure that 84 and newer vehicles have them. If an older vehicle has one, they look to see if they don't leak.
Here are the inspections requirments:
TX Exhaust Requirements
Last edited by matchframe; Mar 24, 2005 at 06:01 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
I believe the emissions equipment must be retained as per federal law. 25 years and older are only exempt of emissions testing, and are still required to pass a visual.
I'd like to register my car as an antique, but I fear the fine. I have to drive through a small town to get anywhere and those cops definately notice that I drive more than to car shows and other public events.
I'd like to register my car as an antique, but I fear the fine. I have to drive through a small town to get anywhere and those cops definately notice that I drive more than to car shows and other public events.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 62
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From: Seabrook TEXAS
Originally Posted by jake1
Dallas here, I have a '71 with dual chamber exhaust no muffler. All they do is a saftey check lights, blinkers etc. and I'm gone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 1
From: Arlington Texas
my '76 had the cats removed when I bought it, and I never had a problem getting it inspected (before or after it was 25 years old)...BUT, the dink at 1 exhaust place in town wouldn't even put chrome tips on it because I didn't have cats on it. Even after it turned 25.
All this was when living in Tarrant county (same restrictions as Dallas county)
All this was when living in Tarrant county (same restrictions as Dallas county)
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: North Richland Hills TX
I have an 80, live in Ft Worth...took my cats off, inspected just for safety...was $12.00...it was OK w/ no cats, but when I mentioned it to the guy, he said the legally it was OK for the cats, but the other smog and emissions euipment that as on my car, now taken off, was technically and legally supposed to be there, but he said no one would check though...just for me too not go around telling everybody... 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by Shrike
my '76 had the cats removed when I bought it, and I never had a problem getting it inspected (before or after it was 25 years old)...BUT, the dink at 1 exhaust place in town wouldn't even put chrome tips on it because I didn't have cats on it. Even after it turned 25.
All this was when living in Tarrant county (same restrictions as Dallas county)
All this was when living in Tarrant county (same restrictions as Dallas county)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by page62
Where do you live? Dallas, Houston and El Paso are subject to different inspections (ie., emissions testing) than the rest of the state.
....that was for 2 1/2" pipe.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
What's legal and what you can get away with are two different things. Can you pass the safety (which is suppose to include a visual of the emissions equipment) without them? Yeah, probably. Did you legally pass? No, not really. The inspector just didn't do a complete inspection which is really the norm.
Catalytic converters and other emission equipment are Federal. The states don't have the power to forgive their absence. So let's say you've got your inspection sticker and you get pulled over by a cop...say a state trooper. He(or she, as the case may be) decides they're going to bust your chops. They look under the car and notice that the car doesn't have the converter. Busted! Now you have a court problem.
Will this scenario actually happen? Probably not but it could. I'm only addressing "legal" not what you can get away with.
When I had the '72 inspected last year, the first thing the guy asked me before he even took my paperwork was if I had the catalytic converters on the car. I told him that being that it's a '72, no, it doesn't have them and never has.
Catalytic converters and other emission equipment are Federal. The states don't have the power to forgive their absence. So let's say you've got your inspection sticker and you get pulled over by a cop...say a state trooper. He(or she, as the case may be) decides they're going to bust your chops. They look under the car and notice that the car doesn't have the converter. Busted! Now you have a court problem.
Will this scenario actually happen? Probably not but it could. I'm only addressing "legal" not what you can get away with.
When I had the '72 inspected last year, the first thing the guy asked me before he even took my paperwork was if I had the catalytic converters on the car. I told him that being that it's a '72, no, it doesn't have them and never has.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 1
From: "Too Low, Too Fast, Too Loud" TX
Have the antique license paper work on my desk..waiting to be processed. Once this is in..will go with sidepipes..talked with the
state inspection people...as an antique status..only safety inspection, no emmissions testing/inspection. Here I come Hooker..! Of course, if any beef is given on this..have my back up inspector..that will slap a inspection sticker of 20 bones...tip always included!
state inspection people...as an antique status..only safety inspection, no emmissions testing/inspection. Here I come Hooker..! Of course, if any beef is given on this..have my back up inspector..that will slap a inspection sticker of 20 bones...tip always included!
