I see a lot of people changing from the original carbed engine to a late model engine such as an lt1 or ls1. Anyone know what the law says about emission systems? I read up on it a while back and though i didn't really understand what I was reading here is what I took from it:

The vehicle has to meet the emission requirements that were in place when the model that the vehichle most closely resembles was made.

Someone want to clear this up for me?

 

The inspection shop I talked to said they go by what year is the car titled. I've got a 74, so no problem with duals . . . EVER! Talk with your local inspection shops in person, I think they all interperate it as title year.

 

Depends on what county you happen to be in also(Texas has 254) and some counties have much stricter emissions testing....Houston area for example.


[Modified by CaptainMike, 7:27 PM 2/19/2002]

 

Correct. However, the most densely populated counties now have mandatory emissions tests via the tailpipe that are now part of Texas annual safety inspections (hence, it costs much more). Harris county covers much of Houston and is already affected, and the surrounding counties (which includes the one in which I live) are scheduled to follow this year or next year.

 

In Texas, the rule is that if you replace the engine with a later model engine that engine must have all the emission equipment that was original installed with that engine. ( http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/air/ms/tampering.html ) So if you install an LS1 in a 67 or a 77 the emission equipment must be what the LS1 was certified with.

In regards to older engines, the above web site states "An older engine may be installed in a newer chassis if all emission control systems and devices are connected, including the exhaust system and catalytic converter, and the resulting engine-chassis configuration conforms to the engine configuration of the model year of the chassis or newer. It is illegal for anyone to change a vehicle into an older configuration.

74-Roadster
One thing you must remember about the emission testing being only for cars 2 to 24 years old....that only exempts you from testing for the purpose of registering the car. You are NOT exempt from the emission laws. You can still get nailed by spot checks and/or road side sniffers. Be very careful about any changes you make to emission systems.

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 8:16 PM 2/19/2002]

 

I feel your pain brother... California exemption from testing is currently 1973 and prior... These posts seem to show that TX is mimicking the Cali guidelines. Bummer... Perhaps you should just flash your conceled weapon permit when pulling into the test facility???

Hook-Em!

 

...and on the other side of the emissions coin there is the Texas law that it is illegal to sell a car that does not have all of its emission equipment in place and in working order.

Texas law prohibits any person from selling, offering for sale, leasing, or offering to lease any vehicle not equipped with all emission control systems or devices in good operable condition.

I have not seen that one enforced but it is on the books :( http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/air/ms/...ing.html#tamp3

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 9:58 PM 2/19/2002]

 

Well, I guess I can never sell my 69, the AIR pump is long gone and forgotten, in fact it was gone when I got the car. :D As far as I know that and the PCV valve was all the emissions equipment that was on my 69.

 

There was an extensive Forum on this a while back, and the consesus was that any car 25 years or older is excempt from emissions inspections in Texas, no matter what the county is. I sure hope Harris and Montgomery Counties don't change this. Its bad enough they are taking all the 70 mph signs down and replacing with 55 mph signs. Hell, my car 77 idles faster than 55!! I guess I will be riding with my foot on the brake!! :mad

 

There is no question that cars in Texas that are 25 years or older are exempt from testing. The purpose of testing is to verify compliance with the law. And remember, the law is a Federal law and the state does not have any authority to exempt you from that. They may, at this point in time, choose to not enforce it or to enforce it selective but that can change tomorrow.

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 12:35 PM 2/20/2002]

 

Tom73,

I know things can change but right now things are pretty simple if your car is 1977 or older.

The Motorist's Choice Vehicle Emissions Testing Program, which applies to vehicle owners in Dallas, Tarrant, Harris, and El Paso counties, is integrated with the annual safety inspection program and operated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Vehicles are tested annually either at a decentralized test-and-repair facility or at a test-only facility. Gasoline-powered vehicles from two through 24 years old are tested beginning with the vehicle's second model year anniversary. Vehicles failing the test will have to be repaired and pass a retest, or qualify for a waiver.

An older engine may be installed in a newer chassis if all emission control systems and devices are connected, including the exhaust system and catalytic converter, and the resulting engine-chassis configuration conforms to the engine configuration of the model year of the chassis or newer.

Installation of a newer engine in an older chassis is not addressed and hence everything goes back to how is the car titled.

Any car 25 years or older doesn't have to pass any sniff test under any conditions. Spot checks on an older car will only enable the state to enforce the owner to install all of the original emissions equipment.

That said, if you modify an engine, you could be screwed because it's not stock.

Tampering may include, but is not limited to:

Removing the catalytic converter, air pump, and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, or doing anything to keep them from working properly, such as disconnecting vacuum lines and electrical or mechanical parts of the pollution control system.

Adjusting any element of a car or truck's emission control design so that it no longer meets the manufacturer's specifications.

Installing a replacement part that is not the same in design and function as the part that was originally on the vehicle.

Adding a part that was not originally certified on the car, i.e., installing a turbocharger.



[Modified by 74-Roadster, 3:35 PM 2/20/2002]

 

Well, I'm glad I asked, but I can't say that I am pleased with the results...so far...

 

Really it is. Same web page.

...it is acceptable to replace the engine of a vehicle if:

- the replacement engine is certified by the EPA;

- the replacement engine is compatible with the vehicle chassis and all applicable emission control systems and devices are properly installed and operable; and

- the resulting vehicle is identical, with regard to all emission-related parts and engine design parameters and calibrations, to the same or a newer model year vehicle, as originally equipped.

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 8:15 PM 2/20/2002]

 

Tom,

I keep reading that as meeting all of the original emissions of the vehicle, not the newer engine. The ONE (only one) shop I talked to in detail said that if it's 25 years or older, they do a visual to make sure it has the original equipment hooked up. I just had mine reinspected and they new mine didn't have cats or AIR (L48 auto came without the air pump, I originally learned this from Pedro on the forum) and they looked for the EGR. They did say that if the manifold has been replaced with one that doesn't have provisions for an EGR, they will pass it, but not one that has it blocked off. As for a newer engine, they said a new engine could be a crate motor, a junkyard swap or a custom rebuild and they've been told (by someone from DPS I think, not EPA) that make sure it has what the car came with, not what the engine came with. They said that would be too hard to enforce and bringing a 50's, 60's or 70's hotrod up to date with all of the crap an LT1, LS1 or LS6 etc. comes with would kill the sport and they (TX, EPA???) don't want to do that. So, even though the TX legislature could change their mind, I don't think they will and I'm not worried about getting burned.

Great discussion by the way, it felt like we were all sitting around drinking beer on this topic. :cheers:

And it made me go reread everything, TWICE!

Goodnight!