Emissions in Illinois?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Emissions in Illinois?
So today I tried to apply for plates, well turns out epa put a block on me till i pass the emissions test. So what are the odds of me passing with my still non running 76' vette w/
+ GM 350 sm block crate engine
+ edelbrock carb/ performer manifold/ orginal exhaust manifold
+ no catalytic converter
+ i believe that all orginal smog and emissions taken out (prev owner)
any ideas to increase my chances
+ GM 350 sm block crate engine
+ edelbrock carb/ performer manifold/ orginal exhaust manifold
+ no catalytic converter
+ i believe that all orginal smog and emissions taken out (prev owner)
any ideas to increase my chances
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA Website: ChrisMitchell.us
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (JohnG76)
If its not running then tell them that. They will list it as non-operational and you will have to pay a small fee. Then when you get it running good get it tested. There is no reason to pay for tags on car that doesn't run. However you will need all the smog equipment to pass, they wont even test it if it doesnt pass visual.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 667
Likes: 3
From: College Station TX
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (JohnG76)
My '72 ( LS5) passed last year without a problem. Mine never had the C.Converter so that wasn't a problem. Mine did come with a smog pump, but it is long gone. They never opened the hood. They only did the sniff test from each pipe. Passed with flying colors.
I'd have it checked. If it passes great. If not, one option you have is this. In Illinois, car's over 25 years old can be registered as antiques. Antiques do not have to pass emissions test in IL. But there are some downsides to registering as an antique.
I'd have it checked. If it passes great. If not, one option you have is this. In Illinois, car's over 25 years old can be registered as antiques. Antiques do not have to pass emissions test in IL. But there are some downsides to registering as an antique.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 2
From: Plainfield IL
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (sray454)
John, I always get my Illinois emissions test notice in January. I simply check the "not working" box on the postcard, list the date the car can be tested, and then card in the mail.
I once failed the emissions test because I forgot to remove my test pipe and reinstall the catalytic. I failed the test by only one-tenth of a percent in one category. I reinstalled the cat, returned the emissions testing facility the same day and passed the test.
I'd really like to add side pipes to my '81 but there's no way I can do so without using a catalytic.
I once failed the emissions test because I forgot to remove my test pipe and reinstall the catalytic. I failed the test by only one-tenth of a percent in one category. I reinstalled the cat, returned the emissions testing facility the same day and passed the test.
I'd really like to add side pipes to my '81 but there's no way I can do so without using a catalytic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (sray454)
In Illinois, car's over 25 years old can be registered as antiques. Antiques do not have to pass emissions test in IL. But there are some downsides to registering as an antique.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (JohnG76)
I have removed all the smog stuff from my 77, but I am running headers, intake, cam, heads, Holly, true duals with dual high-flow cats and a crossover. Passed emissions with flying colors last week.
Eddie
Eddie
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (Silvr77)
Go for the antique plates. The downsides are more of an insurance issue than they are a state legal issue. Tell the state its an antique. Then when you insure it dont mention it. You wont have to get emissions test as per state, and youll be fully covered for ins. Would that work?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (Jvette73)
I have a 73bb that has all the stuff pulled by the previous owner. I live in Cook Cty and the test is a sniffer in the tail pipe and on the dyno. They did not open the hood at all. The car passed with flying colors at about 1/2 of the standard. This goes back to the theory of a well tuned engines runs clean.
In your case the missing cat will be a problem because the pollution levels will be way up there. They do not look for it - yet. Might really consider when you do get it tested if you do no go the antique plate route to get the cat on it.
In your case the missing cat will be a problem because the pollution levels will be way up there. They do not look for it - yet. Might really consider when you do get it tested if you do no go the antique plate route to get the cat on it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (Silvr77)
Passed emissions with flying colors last week.
Eddie
Eddie
Silver77 passed because he burned the crap out of the emissions and left nothing but water and carbon dioxide. The motor was probably looking for more fuel and simply burned lean cause it was fuel starved!
Sray passed caused his 72 didn't come with a cat converter.
Your 76 came with everything and some of these states may simply grandfather these old timers in!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (hunt4cleanair)
Agree of why people passed emission in Ill. The 76 in question came with a CAT and will need one to pass the sniffer testing. The emission standards for that year take this into account. Illinois does not make a visual inspection at this time other than the fuel filler restrictor - and then they write a variance on cars older than 75 without the "unleaded size reducer". Visuals are scheduled in the next 1-2 years when they can get the books together on what to look for.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (JohnG76)
I don't believe you will pass without the cat converter. Aurora and South Elgin look for the cat, it's usually the first thing the guy does. Antique plates are not the way to go because you can (legally) drive the car only in club sponsored events and the like. In the unlikely event of an accident during other types of driving you could be holding the purse strings (scary thought?) If the engine has good compression and runs well you should be able to to a low emissions tuneup and get it to pass (with the cat).
I did some checking as to how far back the Illinois EPA tests, found they can, and do go back to the 1963 model year (the first year for a PCV valve). Only other way to get around the testing, at least for now, is to move out of the Chicago metro area, or register the car to a friend or relative outside of the area.
[Modified by Big Fish, 7:17 AM 5/22/2003]
[Modified by Big Fish, 7:20 AM 5/22/2003]
I did some checking as to how far back the Illinois EPA tests, found they can, and do go back to the 1963 model year (the first year for a PCV valve). Only other way to get around the testing, at least for now, is to move out of the Chicago metro area, or register the car to a friend or relative outside of the area.
[Modified by Big Fish, 7:17 AM 5/22/2003]
[Modified by Big Fish, 7:20 AM 5/22/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 2,494
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (JohnG76)
Someone noted they passed withot a C-vertor on a '72...that's because '72s didn't have them. It is like this, they test to the standards for the year of your car. If you should have a convertor on a '76 it may not pass. The did not run my '78 on the dyno, just used the tailpipe probe; i passed, but I have a convertor. I knew a guy a few years ago who would always remove his on his Mustangs and would pass. His secret:
He claimed run the highest octane you can (booster even) He would run it on the highway at about 80mph, and go directly to the emisions station at an off time, say 2pm. He always passed. He claimed with the engine extreemly hot and the carbon cleaned out it will pass. I think you have (3) tries, so you could try this, I never have.
He claimed run the highest octane you can (booster even) He would run it on the highway at about 80mph, and go directly to the emisions station at an off time, say 2pm. He always passed. He claimed with the engine extreemly hot and the carbon cleaned out it will pass. I think you have (3) tries, so you could try this, I never have.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 2,494
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (gliot1)
One more thing....I see that some noted that the check for the c-vertor in Elgin; same in Crystal Lake. I took mine there and they have a mirror on a pole and they look under the car and note its presence.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 667
Likes: 3
From: College Station TX
Re: Emissions in Illinois? (gliot1)
I remember the debate about low/high octane being better for emissions.
I went with the lowest octane possible - because it burns the fastest. The higher the octane, the slower the mixture burns and the more likely it won't be completely burned by the time it passes by the sniffer. I don't know if this is BS, but it kinda makes sense.
Also, make sure you have no vacumn leaks - in your headlight system. I blocked mine for the test.
Also, I adjusted my idle settings with a vacumn gauge - just set and balance for the highest vacumn you can get. I also checked my timing.
I went with the lowest octane possible - because it burns the fastest. The higher the octane, the slower the mixture burns and the more likely it won't be completely burned by the time it passes by the sniffer. I don't know if this is BS, but it kinda makes sense.
Also, make sure you have no vacumn leaks - in your headlight system. I blocked mine for the test.
Also, I adjusted my idle settings with a vacumn gauge - just set and balance for the highest vacumn you can get. I also checked my timing.
