Questions about passing PA emissions testing?

[GForceJunkie]

Does anyone know what is required to pass a PA emissions test?
Obviously there has to be at least aftermarket converters for it to
pass the sniff test. I want to be able to pass PA emissions with aftermarket headers
(preferably longtubes) but if they won't pass then shorties.

1. Is the sniff test what matters, or is there also a visual inspection looking
for the converters and smog pump stuff?

2. With aftermarket headers:
a) I've seen some shorties with the provision for connecting the tube
from the smog pump, this would lead me to believe they would pass
emissions testing. But I don't know?
b) I haven't seen any longtubes with the provision for connecting
the tube from the smog pump, this would lead me to believe they
would not pass emissions testing. But I don't know?

3. Does the smog pump and plumbing need to be in place for it to pass,
or are you just required to have no fault codes (like I've heard about some
other states)? I would love to rip out the smog stuff and EGR if I could.

4. If you have driven less than 5K miles, are you exempt from emissions
testing? If so, what are the minimums for getting your sticker, as far
as what if any smog equipment needs or doesn't need to be in place?

Any help sorting this out would be great.
Thanks.

 

[brisk_tea]

<5k miles you can have nothing emission related on car, it's exempt...

pre-96 cars you can have a 2nd cluster to ensure less than 5k miles to get above results...

otherwise my understanding is that the '96+ cars the computer says what is going on, and as long as computer says all is OK with emissions, then it is. Some places look anyway, but some don't. My '02 SVTF passed emissions with ORP, as computer thought cat was there, and no one looked.

 

[Cookieman00x]

Does anyone know what is required to pass a PA emissions test?
Obviously there has to be at least aftermarket converters for it to
pass the sniff test. I want to be able to pass PA emissions with aftermarket headers
(preferably longtubes) but if they won't pass then shorties.

1. Is the sniff test what matters, or is there also a visual inspection looking
for the converters and smog pump stuff?

As long as you dont have any codes and converters your fine. It depends where you take it, Ive passed without cats..

2. With aftermarket headers:
a) I've seen some shorties with the provision for connecting the tube
from the smog pump, this would lead me to believe they would pass
emissions testing. But I don't know?
\You can have any kind of headers you want


b) I haven't seen any longtubes with the provision for connecting
the tube from the smog pump, this would lead me to believe they
would not pass emissions testing. But I don't know?

As long as your smog stuff was turned off and you dont have any codes your fine.

3. Does the smog pump and plumbing need to be in place for it to pass,
or are you just required to have no fault codes (like I've heard about some
other states)? I would love to rip out the smog stuff and EGR if I could.

I removed mine. No problems.

4. If you have driven less than 5K miles, are you exempt from emissions
testing? If so, what are the minimums for getting your sticker, as far
as what if any smog equipment needs or doesn't need to be in place?

under 5 k is emissions exempt for one year. Next year you would need emissions

Any help sorting this out would be great.
Thanks.

Hope this helps

 

[blowns281]

^^^^ that about sums it up!

 

[mrxr250rider]

if your not running cats but dont have any cel codes you will pass emissions?
i just bought my 97 cobra and was gonna find someone to pass it cause i thought id fail since it has an 0ffroad h pipe

 

[LGHTNG02GT]

my inspection mechanic is pretty cool and as long as i have no codes im good to go. some may do a visual check like they are supposed to. if you dont think your shop will, then you can get away with no cats. i have just 2 cats on my car but they are nothing more than an empty shell. it looks like they are there but i've got a piece of 2.25" exhaust tube running straight thru them. shorty headers are set up to re-use all stock emissions stuff. long tubes usually arent but can be made to work with the egr and stuff, just gotta drill a hole and weld a bung in. with hte exemption thing, if you keep it under 5,000 in that year, you will pass regardless. you dont need anything emissions related on a car like that.
also, if you have a code, do not just unhook the battery and take it to the shop to get it tested. you will fail and will have to drive the car for like 45 miles and get re-tested. also, pulling the bulb on the check engine light wont work either. if you have a good tuner for your car you can normally take care of all the exhaust related codes that may throw a check engine light. keep the light out and you will pass.

 

[MLS]

Other states sound sooo easy. We get visual test, cel test then sniffer on dyno.

 

[mrxr250rider]

thanks a guy my dad knows does emissions and inspection the cel isnt on so i shouldnt have a problem passing and if i do he should let it slide.

not sure if my cobras tuned or has mils but the cel isnt on

 

[SNAKEYE]

No sniffer test for '96 and up, just plug into OBDII to read codes. If no codes for something like 500 miles you're good to go.
I've had at least three consecutive emissions waivers due to under 5000 miles per year on both the Cobra and the wife's Equinox. Just need to be at least 365 days between.

 

[mystic04]

I have never taken a sniff test from day one with my car only cause i keep it under the 5k a year miles total.

 

[95riosnake]

I get my car inspected under the "Under 5k miles" exemption. I had to pass an initial sniffer test (which is the law at least in Allegheny County), which was done by simply throwing a catted mid-pipe on the car. After the first year I had the car inspected again, but this time I was exempt from emissions. Since then, my car now sports no emissions equipment, has aftermarket heads, cam, intake, no smog pump, Longtubes, Off Road X, etc etc... as long as I stay under 5k miles, I'm fine.

My friend is an inspector and told me that since I am exempt from the emissions testing, all parts involving my emissions system do not fall under the safety inspection. This is why I can have long tubes, off road x, etc... Since those parts fall under the emissions system, they cannot fail me for any changes I have made since the car isn't driven enough miles per year.

For example, last year I racked up a staggering 2800 miles lol.

One other plus is that your inspections will cost less because you don't have to pay for both the safety inspection and emissions test, only the safety inspection. :thumbsup:

 

[GForceJunkie]

O.k., so if I'm under 5K miles I can get away with basically no smog stuff.

What if I'm over 5K miles?

Longtubes?
Shorties?
Cats?
Smog Pump?
EGR?
Sniff test?
Visual?

I guess what I'm wondering is what would be the least amount of smog stuff I would need to pass emissions?

 

[jonnyrebel01]

Here in Warren county we don't do sniffer tests, just visual. All emissions crap that was on the car when new has to be on it when inspected, no exceptions.. unless you can prove that a missing part is no longer available. But in these non-sniffer counties everybody has their inspection liscense, and half of them dont give a shit, so an inspection usually costs you $22.50 and 15 minutes of your time :beer:

I dont think they do a visual if a sniffer-county :shrug:

EGR is not a bad thing, leave it in place.

 

[SNAKEYE]

O.k., so if I'm under 5K miles I can get away with basically no smog stuff.

What if I'm over 5K miles?
Then they plug into your OBDII connector to see if any problems have been stored.
Longtubes?
Shorties?
Cats?
Smog Pump?
EGR?
Sniff test?
Visual?

I guess what I'm wondering is what would be the least amount of smog stuff I would need to pass emissions?

Well the car was designed with the "smog stuff" so anything removed will up the odds that it will fail any test. If you have not had a check engone light in 500 miles you should be good.