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[NoVa]OBD 1 emissions questions

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Old Sep 11, 2007 | 12:09 PM
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Default [NoVa]OBD 1 emissions questions

Question on OBD 1 cars...obviously there is a sniffer test but is there a visual inspection of equipment as well?

I'm trying to research an engine project for one of my vettes and would like to use a MR as an intake and LT headers if possible...has anyone done this in NoVa successfully? In other words, do they inspect the equipment to make sure it is stock, and fail it if it isn't, even if it is tuned to sniff OK? Also concerned since the MR does not have EGR.

I'd hate to make a big purchase and then not be able to use the parts.
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Old Sep 11, 2007 | 12:34 PM
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I'm sure people with heavily modded cars have passed the sniff test.

I think they do a visual inspection if it fails. Headers and Intake should not be a big deal as long as the sniff test comesback 'Pass'.
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Old Sep 11, 2007 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Lowcash
I'm sure people with heavily modded cars have passed the sniff test.

I think they do a visual inspection if it fails. Headers and Intake should not be a big deal as long as the sniff test comesback 'Pass'.
Thanks
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Old Sep 11, 2007 | 06:27 PM
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They are supposed to reference the emissions sticker under the hood (the one you get plug gap info off) and it has listed a schematic of the emissions control stuff that it came from the factory with. To pass it all has to be there, but if you know someone, or the guy doesn't care he may just do the sniffer part.
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Old Sep 11, 2007 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Ibuyvettes
They are supposed to reference the emissions sticker under the hood (the one you get plug gap info off) and it has listed a schematic of the emissions control stuff that it came from the factory with. To pass it all has to be there, but if you know someone, or the guy doesn't care he may just do the sniffer part.
Are you the guy with the yellow supercharged C4? If you are I met you at a NoVa dyno day late last year. Just thought I'd say hi!
Sorry to hijack your thread Laurie!
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Old Sep 11, 2007 | 06:58 PM
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I went to go get a test and it wasn't a sniffer for me but they did check to see if the cats were still there. I think on the pre 95? they do the sniff test. I'm sure someone on the forum can point you in the right direction of a "good" inspector.
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Old Sep 11, 2007 | 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by LilRedCorvette94
Question on OBD 1 cars...obviously there is a sniffer test but is there a visual inspection of equipment as well?

I'm trying to research an engine project for one of my vettes and would like to use a MR as an intake and LT headers if possible...has anyone done this in NoVa successfully? In other words, do they inspect the equipment to make sure it is stock, and fail it if it isn't, even if it is tuned to sniff OK? Also concerned since the MR does not have EGR.

I'd hate to make a big purchase and then not be able to use the parts.
What you want to do, and what we've been talking about, is definitely way beyond passing a legit smog test. You will definitely have to have a 'guy'. We can make it pass a sniffer, but we're talkin about deleting most of the smog stuff that its supposed to have. EGR, AIR, etc.
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Old Sep 11, 2007 | 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by runutzzzzz
I went to go get a test and it wasn't a sniffer for me but they did check to see if the cats were still there. I think on the pre 95? they do the sniff test. I'm sure someone on the forum can point you in the right direction of a "good" inspector.
Yes, both my cars are OBD1 (sniff test).

I have a couple possibilities for inspectors but want to talk to them/make sure first. Of course, any recommendations are welcomed.
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Old Sep 11, 2007 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by edcmat-l1
What you want to do, and what we've been talking about, is definitely way beyond passing a legit smog test. You will definitely have to have a 'guy'. We can make it pass a sniffer, but we're talkin about deleting most of the smog stuff that its supposed to have. EGR, AIR, etc.
So my intake options are either the SR (has EGR but quite obvious that it's not stock ) or the LT1 conversion?

PS - the state of VA sux
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Old Sep 12, 2007 | 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by edcmat-l1
Are you the guy with the yellow supercharged C4? If you are I met you at a NoVa dyno day late last year. Just thought I'd say hi!
Sorry to hijack your thread Laurie!
I was there, and I do have a yellow C4, but it's not supercharged, your thinking of Kyle Lemish's car.


Hi anyhow
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Old Sep 14, 2007 | 09:26 PM
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I say sell the 89 and buy a 1996 LT4
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Old Sep 14, 2007 | 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Bluewasp
I say sell the 89 and buy a 1996 LT4
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Old Sep 15, 2007 | 07:02 AM
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08 Z06 then..
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Old Sep 15, 2007 | 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by LilRedCorvette94
is there a visual inspection of equipment as well?
Yes. The tech should have a book that lists all the OEM emissions components the car came from the factory with. And they should visually confirm they are all present, connected, etc, before starting the sniffer test.

As far as the miniram, I don't believe they would know/care that the intake is not original. But they are supposed to care that it does not have the EGR anymore. When I had headers put on my car, I had to spend a little extra to have AIR tubes fabbed up for them specifically for the VA visual test.

That said, it seems to depend on what place you go to. There are certainly other people with missing emissions controls in the state.

What is odd is that for OBD-II cars they don't appear to do any visual inspection at all. It seems to be easier to get away with emission system tampering on newer cars than on older cars, go figure...

Last edited by Aurora40; Sep 15, 2007 at 08:51 AM.
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Old Sep 15, 2007 | 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Aurora40
Yes. The tech should have a book that lists all the OEM emissions components the car came from the factory with. And they should visually confirm they are all present, connected, etc, before starting the sniffer test.

As far as the miniram, I don't believe they would know/care that the intake is not original. But they are supposed to care that it does not have the EGR anymore. When I had headers put on my car, I had to spend a little extra to have AIR tubes fabbed up for them specifically for the VA visual test.

That said, it seems to depend on what place you go to. There are certainly other people with missing emissions controls in the state.

What is odd is that for OBD-II cars they don't appear to do any visual inspection at all. It seems to be easier to get away with emission system tampering on newer cars than on older cars, go figure...
Thanks for the detailed response. I did some digging yesterday and found this: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/mobile/mobcomp.html which seems to pretty much confirm what you said.

I hope this info helps others out as well! Looks like I'll have my work cut out for me...

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Old Sep 16, 2007 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by edcmat-l1
Are you the guy with the yellow supercharged C4? If you are I met you at a NoVa dyno day late last year. Just thought I'd say hi!
Sorry to hijack your thread Laurie!
Ed, "Ibuyvettes" is Dan, one of our ODCC members here in Sterling area. The guy with the Vortex supercharged / Paxton intercooled / first generation Lingenfelter 383, Yellow C4 is my brother Kyle from Harrisonburg, VA. My brother was at the show today with his 07 yellow Z06, not his C4.

MICK LEMISH, President
Old Dominion Corvette Club, Inc.
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by lemish
Ed, "Ibuyvettes" is Dan, one of our ODCC members here in Sterling area. The guy with the Vortex supercharged / Paxton intercooled / first generation Lingenfelter 383, Yellow C4 is my brother Kyle from Harrisonburg, VA. My brother was at the show today with his 07 yellow Z06, not his C4.

MICK LEMISH, President
Old Dominion Corvette Club, Inc.
Yeah, sorry I missed him. Woulda liked to have said hi. Hopefully I can come up again when I'm not booked for the whole day.
Sorry for the hijack Laurie! [Back to your regularly scheduled programming]
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To [NoVa]OBD 1 emissions questions

Old Sep 17, 2007 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by edcmat-l1
Sorry for the hijack Laurie! [Back to your regularly scheduled programming]
Yeah, for a second I thought this thread turned into an online tea party.

I think I have some stuff figured out for the '89...

In other news, the trans you built for LilRed shifts so strongly that I kept losing traction on the drag strip Sunday. Gonna try again next Sunday...
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by LilRedCorvette94
Yeah, for a second I thought this thread turned into an online tea party.





Originally Posted by LilRedCorvette94
In other news, the trans you built for LilRed shifts so strongly that I kept losing traction on the drag strip Sunday.
You poor thing
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by edcmat-l1
You poor thing
I think it's time for some drag radials.
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