Can an actual emissions expert explain VA emissions to me please?

[thewraith]

Northern VA has some pretty strict emissions regulations. They basically take any obd2 car and hook it up to a scanner. If the ECU passes, then the car passes emissions.

My problem is that I don't know exactly how/what is checked. I want to do a swap on my car, but my car is a 2000. I would like to swap an obd1 engine into the car. I know that one must swap a newer engine into their car if doing a swap. A newer engine swap would cost me about $4k. But my question is this:

If I were to swap an obd1.engine into my car and get all the wiring straight, would I pass VA emissions? What is checked when the ECU is plugged into the emissions machine? Will I be ok as long as the obd2 tester throws no codes?

 

[reckedracing]

depends how strict they are
CA goes through every sensor and piece of emissions equipment and checks them all

i think most states just look for a CEL
you will need to run an OBD2 ecu, so the motor needs to be retro-fitted
you might run into problems with the distributor and crank sensor, since OBD1 blocks don't have a crank sensor

there are some work arounds but i don't know them off hand

 

[DarkHand]

I've always wanted to put a repeater/recorder in between the ECU and scan tool when they test a car... See what they're looking for and what the ECU responds with... and reprogram to always return that result no matter what.

 

[reckedracing]

I've always wanted to put a repeater/recorder in between the ECU and scan tool when they test a car... See what they're looking for and what the ECU responds with... and reprogram to always return that result no matter what.

i'll buy that from you

 

[Celerity]

OBD2 would only be looking for a 4 wire o2 input, no ?

 

[Celerity]

Also, FTW

 

[Briansol]

you won't pass. end of discussion.

obd2 scan needs obd2 emissions equipment that obd1 doesn't have.

spend the cash, or buy a 92-95 chassis

 

[t3t4delsol]

that sucks pa is just a visual, gas cap, and cel check for 97+

 

[Kanned]

Florida doesn't have emissions. You can register a cardboard box if you want.

 

[Celerity]

Connecticuts emissions is AWESOME. It's there, but I don't think you're required to do it at all.

Seriously, haven't been to emissions since 1997.

 

[Briansol]

well, then you're registration is probably suspended. hope you don't get pulled over.

emissions is required to get a new plate for a new (to you) car. you can fail once and go again free. you still get your plate. then you have 2 years on that reg.
if you don't pass before those 2 years are up, you cannot renew your reg/plates.

unless all your cars are pre-1976, or bought from a dealer within 2 years, you're probably illegal.

 

[Celerity]

When I registered the Peugeot in December, they said "Emissions is no longer reported the DMV, and you'll get a letter in the mail about it. If you don't do it, they'll just get you when you are pulled over or stopped at a DMV inspection roadside check". I still have no such mail.

I've been through all the stages of emissions, I got it done for a car that was being sold at the dealer I worked at, but not on my own for a REAL long time.

 

[BodyDroppedNikes]

move outta NoVa and go to southern Virginia where they dont have emissions check....lol.

 

[Jeef]

I haven't been to the new emissions in CT. I took my swapped Civic in the day before the original closed and failed. Out of the 8 vehicles I have owned since m Civic (about 2002) I haven't had to go. The key is to buy a new car, no emissions for 4 years. Right now owning a vehicle for 21 months is a long time for me, I think I might have to go trade my truck in for an 09.

 

[thewraith]

move outta NoVa and go to southern Virginia where they dont have emissions check....lol.

I wouldn't move to southern va if someone gave me a ferrari.