Whats the cutoff for cat convertors?
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 135
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Whats the cutoff for cat convertors?
I have to get my truck smogged soon and I beleive any car before the 80's doesnt have to have a catalyctic convertor right? Because mine doesnt have one and yeah...gotta pass smog. Whats the cutoff year for having to have a cat convertor?
RE: Whats the cutoff for cat convertors?
Yeah ^^^ what he said.
But really, if you want to pass smog, lean the carb out a bit and you won't have a problem. If after leaning it out you fail on NOx emissions, then you may have to richen it up a tad, but if you are too rich, you'll fail on hydrocarbon emissions. You want the exact right mix to burn all of the fuel.
But really, if you want to pass smog, lean the carb out a bit and you won't have a problem. If after leaning it out you fail on NOx emissions, then you may have to richen it up a tad, but if you are too rich, you'll fail on hydrocarbon emissions. You want the exact right mix to burn all of the fuel.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 820
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RE: Whats the cutoff for cat convertors?
ORIGINAL: lunatic_magnet
if it came from the factory with one its supposed to have one on it.
if it came from the factory with one its supposed to have one on it.
NOT TRUE!
In the late 70's infact till 1982 if your car came with a CAT and you lived 3k feet above sealevel you dont have to have one on there. 1978 El Camino with a big small block passed with only a PCV valve.
Loch, check the laws where you live you might be suprised.
It depends on where your vehicle was manufactured as well and what state it originally sold in as to WHAT cat is on there. Do they have visual inspections there as well?
RE: Whats the cutoff for cat convertors?
lochenjons lives in CA. CA emissions and emissions equipment laws are the strictest in the nation! Even with their strick regulations, next year you won't have to do the emissions part of the deal.
For more information about CA laws (CARB specific) check here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm
California Car Hobbyists Achieve 30-Year Rolling Emissions Testing Exemption - 1997
Car hobbyists and related businesses scored a major victory when California Governor Pete Wilson signed SEMA-supported legislation into law last week. The new law (S.B. 42) will exempt older vehicles, including most "muscle cars," from the state's mandatory emission inspection program, moving the current 1965 exemption cutoff forward to include all pre-1974 vehicles.
Sponsored by Senator Quentin Kopp, the bill exempts all pre-1974 vehicles from the obligations of the biennial emissions inspection until the year 2003. After 2003, vehicles 30 years old and older will not require an inspection. The exemption applies to inspections required upon transfer of ownership and upon registration of a vehicle previously registered outside the state.
The legislation reflects the finding of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that most vehicles over 25 years old are driven few miles each year and represent a small segment of California's total registered vehicle population. Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) President Chuck Blum commented, "We are pleased Governor Wilson has recognized the waste and inefficiency of inspecting older vehicles. S.B. 42 represents major relief for vehicle enthusiasts throughout California and should serve as a model for state legislatures around the country."
Car hobbyists and related businesses scored a major victory when California Governor Pete Wilson signed SEMA-supported legislation into law last week. The new law (S.B. 42) will exempt older vehicles, including most "muscle cars," from the state's mandatory emission inspection program, moving the current 1965 exemption cutoff forward to include all pre-1974 vehicles.
Sponsored by Senator Quentin Kopp, the bill exempts all pre-1974 vehicles from the obligations of the biennial emissions inspection until the year 2003. After 2003, vehicles 30 years old and older will not require an inspection. The exemption applies to inspections required upon transfer of ownership and upon registration of a vehicle previously registered outside the state.
The legislation reflects the finding of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that most vehicles over 25 years old are driven few miles each year and represent a small segment of California's total registered vehicle population. Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) President Chuck Blum commented, "We are pleased Governor Wilson has recognized the waste and inefficiency of inspecting older vehicles. S.B. 42 represents major relief for vehicle enthusiasts throughout California and should serve as a model for state legislatures around the country."
http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm
Starting Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 198
From: CT
RE: Whats the cutoff for cat convertors?
ORIGINAL: DetroitMuscle
NOT TRUE!
ORIGINAL: lunatic_magnet
if it came from the factory with one its supposed to have one on it.
if it came from the factory with one its supposed to have one on it.
NOT TRUE!
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resour...donttamper.pdf
ILLEGAL. period.
now, you can pass a sniffer test without one, that doesnt mean it is legal take it off.
running the tank down and putting in a gallon or two of denatured alcohol (home depot paint aisle) will lower your emissions to passing levels.
but in CA they check everything so i'm sure theres a visual inspection, in which case you may fail if you do not have one (or something that looks like one) on your truck...
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,202
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RE: Whats the cutoff for cat convertors?
I'm not positive, but I think that any vehicle that is 30 years old (or older) is emissions exempt. Check the build date on your door (if it's still there and legible) you may be 30 already! If not, next year you wont have to worry about it.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 135
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RE: Whats the cutoff for cat convertors?
ORIGINAL: lastcoupe
I'm not positive, but I think that any vehicle that is 30 years old (or older) is emissions exempt. Check the build date on your door (if it's still there and legible) you may be 30 already! If not, next year you wont have to worry about it.
I'm not positive, but I think that any vehicle that is 30 years old (or older) is emissions exempt. Check the build date on your door (if it's still there and legible) you may be 30 already! If not, next year you wont have to worry about it.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 820
From:
RE: Whats the cutoff for cat convertors?
ORIGINAL: lunatic_magnet
local laws are superceeded by federal laws.
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resour...donttamper.pdf
ILLEGAL. period.
now, you can pass a sniffer test without one, that doesnt mean it is legal take it off.
running the tank down and putting in a gallon or two of denatured alcohol (home depot paint aisle) will lower your emissions to passing levels.
but in CA they check everything so i'm sure theres a visual inspection, in which case you may fail if you do not have one (or something that looks like one) on your truck...
ORIGINAL: DetroitMuscle
NOT TRUE!
ORIGINAL: lunatic_magnet
if it came from the factory with one its supposed to have one on it.
if it came from the factory with one its supposed to have one on it.
NOT TRUE!
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resour...donttamper.pdf
ILLEGAL. period.
now, you can pass a sniffer test without one, that doesnt mean it is legal take it off.
running the tank down and putting in a gallon or two of denatured alcohol (home depot paint aisle) will lower your emissions to passing levels.
but in CA they check everything so i'm sure theres a visual inspection, in which case you may fail if you do not have one (or something that looks like one) on your truck...
I live in Il now, used to live in Ca, their laws blow, But I had a cali car in Il for emissions testing( how I found out about the differences in the state laws.), I passed the sniffer AND the visual with just a PCV valve. I didnt know he was in Ca or I woulda told him to get all the equipment on there ASAP because im sure it came with an AIR pump, I know my 78 did.
Maybe a STICKY with these kinds of laws, its only positive information and will keep our ***** out of trouble.
You are right, it is ILLEGAL for a mechanic to tamper/remove/alter a vehicles emission system/parts....HOWEVER there are exemptions in ALOT of states and its usually within a certain mile range of a metropolitan area with populations above a certain number. It is not Illegal for Me or You to remove/alter the equipment, hence test pipes being legal to sell as well as O2 sims ect ect ect.
Starting Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 198
From: CT
RE: Whats the cutoff for cat convertors?
ORIGINAL: DetroitMuscle
You are right, it is ILLEGAL for a mechanic to tamper/remove/alter a vehicles emission system/parts....HOWEVER there are exemptions in ALOT of states and its usually within a certain mile range of a metropolitan area with populations above a certain number. It is not Illegal for Me or You to remove/alter the equipment, hence test pipes being legal to sell as well as O2 sims ect ect ect.
You are right, it is ILLEGAL for a mechanic to tamper/remove/alter a vehicles emission system/parts....HOWEVER there are exemptions in ALOT of states and its usually within a certain mile range of a metropolitan area with populations above a certain number. It is not Illegal for Me or You to remove/alter the equipment, hence test pipes being legal to sell as well as O2 sims ect ect ect.
test pipes, o2 sims and the like are only available because they are labelled "for offroad use only." they are generally illegal for street use. just because stuff is available to buy doesnt mean its legal to use.
and i HAVE had cops look under my car before to see if i had a cat on it - simply because i got pulled over for no good reason and they were looking for something to pin on me. so it does happen, which is why i have a cat my camaro. or at least a length of exhaust pipe that looks like one...