I know that some of yall out there arn't from Texas and thats ok, but for those of you that might be here and possibly a mechanic familiar with Texas inspection laws I have a question. My 76 Elky has had the catilitic converter removed and dual exhaust installed. Before the car is put back on the road I will replace the exhaust system. BUT, can I get an inspection sticker without a converter? I have looked at the DPS web site but it's hard to get anything definitive out of there. Does anyone know about 33 year old cars and what is required ?:texas:

In Texas, any car older than 25 years old is exempt from emissions testing. In my case, they didn't even raise the hood. They just checked lights, horn, signals, brakes, ect. They did NOT do the emissions test. It costs about half of what late model cars pay. I don't know what the law says specifically, maybe you can find out from TXDoT. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/inspection/item_insp.asp. I see that if you have an antique registration it is exempt from almost everything.

The law as I've read it under the clean air act says: any car made before 1984 is emissions exempt. The 25 year thing also says that they become emissions exempt, however I think there are more rules to it, like you have to register it as a classic to get the exemption.

Long story short '76 is definitely before '84 so no cat needed (in texas of course).

also as long as your not living in a "clear air district" (ex dallas) you wont be tested for the cat unless the law decide they need to give you a really big ticket.

In Texas - auto's 25 years and older are exempt from emission testing. Safety inspection only. But...it is against Federal law to remove or disable any emission equipment. Just because the state is testing doesn't release you from liability.

ok i direct quoting from the clean air act which is the federal law

If installed as original equipment by the manufacturer, the catalytic converter will be considered a part of the exhaust emission system on all 1984 and later model vehicles. It will be inspected as a part of the exhaust system on prior to 1984 model vehicles.

2. Inspect for and reject if:
a. The exhaust emission system has been removed.
b. The exhaust emission system has been disconnected.
c. The plumbing or hoses are loose, broken, leaking, or improperly routed.
d. Air pump (air injection-type) belt is loose, removed, excessively cracked, frayed or has pieces missing.
e. The exhaust emission system has been altered in any manner to make it ineffective.
f. The catalytic converter has been removed, leaking, or disconnected on a 1984 or later model vehicle.



its not considered part of the emission system till after 1984 but you have to be careful about removing things because it is part of the exhaust system unless you have a 69 or older car. unless I'm totally wrong on this one. I've passed all of my emissions testing because i have a 83 had to go through the testing twice and they checked if a cat was there (which there isn't), then double checked my year and I passed.

But like i said i could be totally wrong and just have gotten lucky

On doing a safty inspection I've never had a car/truck not pass because of exhaust restrictions. I have a 83 F--D Bronco that has had all the smog equipment removed from it including pump. Also I have a custom front bumper that sticks out longer than what state law allows (I could get a ticket from city/state police for that) but never had any problem and I live in Dallas
I'm not saying that it's not breaking any Federal laws (don't know) but the state inspectors couldn't care less. It just has to pass safety. I warn you ahead of time it aint pretty but it's a stump puller!!!
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k326/DONEDEALDONNY/01011380.jpg?t=1255261396
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k326/DONEDEALDONNY/01011382.jpg?t=1255261503
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k326/DONEDEALDONNY/01011390.jpg?t=1255261539
FYI, I've had Deer, Elk, Coyote, and Bobcats, on that front bumper!!!!
I love Gods little animials, especially with a little gravy!!!!:nanawrench:
Donny

Q: Do you love animals? A: Yes I do, they're delicious!

I warn you ahead of time it aint pretty but it's a stump puller!!!



YEAH! BUT - will it beat a fire truck in a heads up contest?.............Ken :beer:

Man that last birthday hurt me!!! (stump jumper?) Hey I said it and I don't even know what it means???:dontknow:
I am a (ridge-runner) from deep in the woods in Tennessee but I don't have a clue where (stump jumper) came from?
I kinda like though!!!
I ment (stump puller) as it has pulley a few out of the ground. But stump jumper???:dontknow:
50 years of life and already 1 week of insanity!!!:nanawrench:
Donny

All in good fun, my friend, all in good fun!............Ken :You_Rock:

So from what I'm seeing I cant remove the cat but they cant reject the car if it isn't there. And I suspect the same is true for the rest of the smog gear. I have seen DPS or TxDot on the side of the roads here (Arlington) with smog survey equipment. Would they be able to detect missing or inactive equipment? ( I'm not paranoid,, they are trying to get me)

In howard county I tried to get a true dual exhaust i.e. 2 cats twin pipes and mufflers and nobody would touch it I was even shown a letter from the dps that any change after 1983 woukd invoke a 5000 dollar fine from the shop that made the change and possible closier plus no insp. sticker for the vehicle and a fine to the owners sheees talk about gettin every cent from your wallet they can IT SUCKS jim:dontknow:

On my 87 I went with a system like Monte Carlos. That is, one air injected cat, then a Y to two mufflers. Sounds very good on mine, I had the shop install a high-flow cat and two round turbo mufflers. The emissions nerds looked at it with their mirror on a stick and passed it.

Doug

I know that some of yall out there arn't from Texas and thats ok, but for those of you that might be here and possibly a mechanic familiar with Texas inspection laws I have a question. My 76 Elky has had the catilitic converter removed and dual exhaust installed. Before the car is put back on the road I will replace the exhaust system. BUT, can I get an inspection sticker without a converter? I have looked at the DPS web site but it's hard to get anything definitive out of there. Does anyone know about 33 year old cars and what is required ?:texas:

If you register your car as an antique, you do not have to have a inspection in the state of Texas. Also you register it 6 years at a time. My fee for my 59 El Camino in Hamilton County was $20.30.

W Head:texas:

59 El Camino 348-3,2s
59 Impala 409-2,4s

Hey W head, does registering as an antique limit miles per year? In fact, does that place any limits at all on you?

doug you have the same settup I have a cat back sys you can y pipe into 2 mufflers but you can't change anything in front of the cat :texas:

my 32 fordolet street rod has 32tx plates on it.it has the little sticker good for 5 yrs.no inspection problems..my 67 elky has safety inspection only..no inspection problems.ive been using the same garage for years on all my vehicles..:You_Rock:

My wife has an 80 ElCamino with no cats. I have never been rejected for a sticker and we've owned it for almost 3 years now. Now My 85 SS it has been rejected because of no cats, but I took it to a shop that didnt even check and I've been using them every since.

Hey W head, does registering as an antique limit miles per year? In fact, does that place any limits at all on you?

No, registering as antique does not limit your miles, but if you have antique insurance, that will limit miles and can't be used for daily transporation. Both my cars, insurance is $260.00 per year thru J.C. Taylor Ins.

W Head:texas:

59 El Camino 348-3,2s
59 Impala 409-2,4s

Register it as a Antique Car in Texas and you DO NOT have to have a safety inspection. You are NOT limited on miles BUT you're only to drive it to car events or to a repair facility, test drive, etc. Mine sure has a lot of test drives after I fool with the thingy under the hood! There are insurance companies, like Grundy's, that do not limit your miles.............Ken :beer:

I am a certified state inspector in the state of Texas, if the vehicle is more that 25 years old it does not have to pass emissions but all of the factory emissions equipment most be in present and operational. Some inspector just look the other way that trying to tell a costumer that hes got to put the cat, smog pump, and stock air cleaner back on there street rod, hot rod or whatever you want to call it. it only costs 14.50 so if one inspection station fails you just go to another one or ask around to other car guys where they got there, also 10 or 20 dollar tip goes a long way. fill free to send me a private message if you have any other questions ;-).

Well it does for any state, but I do not know what it is for texas. For me since I put a new engine into my 86 El Camino I can only drive it 5000 miles max. If I drive more they will make me put on the emission stuff back on. This is for the state of Pennsylvania. So I would assume it would be something like this for all states or at least most.

BUT! If you register you cruck as a Antique Vehicle, you DO NOT have to have a safety inspection! That means that YOU NEVER HAVER HAVE TO PLACE IT UNDER (or over, such as the case may be) THE PURVIEW OF A SAFETY INSPECTOR, certified or not! You also save the bribe money AND the prison sentence you will be adjudicated for the bribery charge! You also save mucho dinero (that's tacos in Texas) 'cause the Antique Vehicle license is only dollars per 5 years - AND, the restrictions on the Antique License are as I outlined above! SO! What's it going to be? ................Ken :beer:

(Emphasis added to get someones' attention!)

Take a look at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/Misc/faq/veh_type.htm for rules on Antique and Classic Vehicle inspections in Texas:

Antiques & Classic Registered Vehicles Vehicles registered as "Antiques" are exempted from the annual inspection. To see the restrictions on the use of antiques or to obtain more information on how to register your vehicle as an "Antique", see the TxDOT (http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdotrts/SpecialPlateOrderServlet) website.

Vehicles registered as "Classic" are required to have the annual safety inspection. These types of vehicles are inspected like any passenger vehicle. Certain items of inspection, however, may or may not be required to be inspected, depending on the age of the car. (For example, seatbelts and anchorages are only required if the vehicle was originally manufactured with them.)

Antique registration in Texas does have limitations
Generally, as a parade vehicle or travel to or from shows and events.

Not essentially a mileage limit, but if you are driving the "Antique" on a daily basis without a safety sticker----
You are jepardiziing everyone around you for safety reasons alone
Ripping the state off on registration fees
Your Insurance company will not like this either----and may not pay on a claim---so---technically, you are uninsured.

Before anyone bites my head off
I have seven cars
2 are parked and not insured or registered (but they are running functional vehicles)
2 are insured thru a collector insurance company----as classics with no mileage limits
(one of these is still under construction and not registered)
The 59 is registered as a classic with YOM plates, that I not only pay a personalized plate fee for, but also the classic fees. I can drive this car anytime I wish as long as it is NOT my primary mode of transport.
3 are insured with 'normal' insurance coverages and registered to drive on a regular basis.

So----you people that are getting away with something, might want to double check the limits of your registrations, and the limits of your insurance coverages.

I along with most of you here am not happy at all with the amount of dollars I must spend to play with my toys, and I think we are seriously overcharged for what we actually use. But it is the price of the hobby.

Anybody know of a "good" inspection place in West Houston area for a 1978 that might have some exhaust issues and intake manifold issues?

Hey W head, does registering as an antique limit miles per year? In fact, does that place any limits at all on you?

yes antique plates only let you drive the vehicle to car shows and to your mechanics shop. does not allow you to use as a daily driver or take it out on weekdays for such things as just a cruise. you can go classic plates and you would still need inspection every year but you can drive anywhere anytime(classic just means u can use classic plates pretty much)

about the emssions: texas law does require a vehicle to have any equipment(emissions equip, seat belts, blinkers, etc) that came on the vehicle at the time when it was new, i believe 1975 was first year of cats standard on vehicles. you may be able to get away with it if the inspector doesnt notice that you dont have one. if he does notice, you can just take it to another and pray they dont see. you can get the vehicle passed no problem. good luck.

If the vehicle is 1968 on up and was originally equiped with any emissions system, that system must be in place. That includes catalytic convertors, EGRs, air pumps, etc.

Catalytic convertors are required on ALL passenger cars and trucks 1984 on up. The only exception applies to vehicles that run on LP gas.

Emissions testing is required an all passenger cars and trucks between 2 and 24 years old or upon expiration of the 2 year initial inspection sticker.

From an older post:
http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showpost.php?p=133269&postcount=13

Texas Dept of Public Safety:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/inspection/rules_list.asp?itemdrop=Exhaust+Emission+System&rejectsubmit=Go

I would never suggest anyone break the law concerning state inspection testing, whether they are a vehicle owner or a state inspector.

The bottom line here is what the inspector knows about the law, and what he knows about a particular vehicle. If he bothers to look under the car and knows a certain 76 model should have a cat he will fail it.
If he looks under the hood and sees a missing air pump belt, missing or dangling emissions vacuum hoses, or anything visually obvious he will fail it.

I have seen many state inspectors go over a vehicle with a fine tooth comb, and yet I have seen many others never bother to pop the hood or even look under the car.

While I am unaware of any penalties a car owner may face for non-compliance, (aside from losing their inspection sticker,) I do know that an inspector/inspection station can face being charged with a criminal offence, (class C misdemeanor,) and losing their license for knowingly attaching a sticker to a vehicle which otherwise would fail.