S_Johnson

Ok, so I have an 87 TA, that used to have a 305TPI. I swaped in a 400 small block and switched to carb'd. It has NO extra emissions control, like, it has no "air pump," EGR, or breathers. it's a holley carb, on a RPM Airgap intake, which doesn't have any of that stuff. The heads are a GM performance casting (87X), with large valves and a little porting. The exhaust is shorty headers [really crappy, FYI ], into dual pipes, glasspacks, and then out the sides in front of the rear tires. "Safety" wise, the only thing that doesn't work is the horn, as I have an aftermarket steering wheel, and the horn was never hooked up in the first place. I also have a ratchet shifter if that matters... My WA plates are about to expire, so I have to do SOMETHING soon, but I don't know what to do. Help!!!! Thanks guys...

Oh, and I have a big ol' hood scoop coming out the hood... butterfly's and all...

I live in the triad area, in thomasville/high point...

S_Johnson

ok, guys, need help here... I heard cars older than the 90's don't have to have anything but the "safety inspection" done. Is that just brakes, lights, and horn? will they care about the other stuff? So confused...

MotorMouth

First off if it had a TPI and you switched it to a carb. Failed!
No emissions. Failed! <---- That is a very very very big one and can get you fined by the US Government.
Headers no problem unless you have a TBI and you don't have the heat pipe for the breather.
No horn Failed! <---- That is a very big one
Ratchet Shifter. OK

In NC if the car came equipped with any kind of emissions equipment you must have it!!!! Doesn't matter what year it is. You can find some places that don't do the complete inspection but they're getting hard to find. NC has really clamped down on them the last few years. '92 or '96 somewhere around there and older do not have to have the sniffer test just visual test.

This is why I tell people to build with all the stuff on the car because you never know.

Here is a link to the NC pdf http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/vehicle_ser...nforcement.pdf

19A NCAC 03D .0541 EXHAUST EMISSION
CONTROLS
1. An exhaust emission shall not be approved if the vehicle is subject to a
safety or safety emissions inspection and any of the visible emissions
control devices placed thereon by the manufacturer are missing,
disconnected, made inoperative or have been altered without approval
of the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources.
2. If a vehicle manufactured with an unleaded gas restrictor has been
altered or removed a new or reconditioned catalytic converter and
unleaded gas restrictor must be replaced before the vehicle passes
inspection. (Some newer model vehicles are manufactured without
unleaded gas restrictors).
3. An exhaust system shall not be approved if:
(a) The vehicle has no muffler.
(b) The muffler, exhaust or tail pipes have leaking joints.
(c) The exhaust or tail pipes have holes, leaking seams or leaking
patches on muffler.
(d) The tail pipe end is pinched.
(e) The exhaust system is equipped with muffler cutout or muffler
bypass.
(f) Any part of the system passes through the passenger compartment.
[Many mufflers are manufactured with a seep hole. The
presence of this hole does not constitute a failure.]
History Note: Authority G.S. 20-2; 20-39; 20-183.3(9);
Eff. October 1, 1994

19A NCAC 03D .0542 EMISSIONS CONTROL
DEVICES
A civil penalty shall be assessed against individuals who instruct or allow a
person to remove, disconnect, tamper with, or render inoperable any emissions
control device equipped by the manufacturer of any motor vehicle as described
in G.S. 20-183.3.
1. These devices include:
(a) Catalytic Converter
(b) Unleaded Gas Restrictor
(c) Air Pump System
(d) EGR Systems
(e) PCV Systems
(f) Thermostatic air cleaner
(g) Evaporative Emission System (includes gas cap and fuel tank
systems)
(h) Oxygen sensor

19A NCAC 03D .0541 EXHAUST EMISSION
CONTROLS
1. Any vehicle shall not be approved if the vehicle is subject to inspection
with any of the visible emissions control devices placed thereon by the
manufacturer are missing, disconnected, made inoperative or have been
altered without approval of the Department of Environment, Health,
and Natural Resources.
2. If a vehicle manufactured with an unleaded gas restrictor has been
altered or removed a new or reconditioned catalytic converter and
unleaded gas restructure must be replaced before the vehicle passes
inspection. (Some newer model vehicles are manufactured without
unleaded gas restrictors).
3. An exhaust system shall not be approved if:
(a) The vehicle has no muffler.
(b) The muffler, exhaust or tail pipes have leaking joints.
(c) The exhaust or tail pipes have holes, leaking seams or leaking
patches on muffler.
(d) The tail pipe end is pinched.
(e) The exhaust system is equipped with muffler cutout or muffler
bypass.
(f) Any part of the system passes through the passenger compartment.
[Many mufflers are manufactured with a seep hole. The
presence of this hole does not constitute a failure.]
History Note: Authority G.S. 20-2; 20-39; 20-183.3(9);
Eff. October 1, 1994

19A NCAC 03D .0542 EMISSIONS CONTROL
DEVICES
A civil penalty shall be assessed against individuals who instruct or allow a
person to remove, disconnect, tamper with, or render inoperable any emissions
control device equipped by the manufacturer of any motor vehicle as described
in G.S. 20-183.3.
1. These devices include:
(a) Catalytic Converter
(b) Unleaded Gas Restrictor
(c) Air Pump System
(d) EGR Valve
(e) PCV Valve
(f) Thermostatic air cleaner
(g) Evaporative Emission System (includes gas cap and fuel tank
systems)
(h) Oxygen sensor
History Note: Authority G.S. 20-2; 20-39; 20-183.3(9);
Eff. October 1, 1994

S_Johnson

So, really, I'm looking for a shop that will do the "safety" inspection, without doing the emisions inspection?

Also, I find it VERY hard to beleive there isn't a way around this, I mean, according to this law, there can be NO hot-rods, no custom built cars, NOTHING. Which is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard, they're EVERYWHERE, so is there something I'm missing? Can you register as a custom car or something, "Weekend Driver" status or something? Argh...

MotorMouth

Yes, you can customize your car as long as all safety and emissions equipment are left intact. If you do find a shop that does not look for everything. I would be looking over my shoulder and expecting to have another inspection when they get caught.

S_Johnson

Ok, two things, "customizing" your car doesn't mean making a street-rod or any other performance machine, I mean, I'm sure all the kids with stupid spoilers and lot's of stickers and ill-fitting body kits pass just fine, but that's not what I'm talking about.

Second, I have NO problem conforming so as to be easier on the environment, I would be HAPPY to undergo a sniffer test. I'd also be glad to buy cats, because they have an ACTUALL effect, however, the A.I.R. system is PROVEN not to work, notice they don't put them on new cars... They were designed for the first few generations of cats, that didn't work nearly as well as modern ones. Thing is, this isn't "be safe, and be good to the environment" it's "buy a new car if you want performance." I KNOW I could pass a sniffer test with cats, my car runs EXTREMELY clean, very tight, good mixture, no smells... So I have little patience with "don't touch anything" when it all does nothing usefull if you tune it right and have cats.

Also, dispite the ranting, I appreciate the info, and help not ranting against you...

spurgeon76

I live in Goldsboro and have no AIR or CAT. I have no problem passing the safety insp every year. You will need a working horn though.

S_Johnson

where do you go for inspection???? What all do they check? Thanks!!!!

S_Johnson

Ok, here's another question, do I need to have it inspected in my county of residence? or does it not matter? Thanks...

1988 redbird

No, you don't have to have the car inspected in your home county. Just go to the NCDOT website and do your homework. When you register your car, it won't need an inspection until 12 months later! I moved from PA to NC in December and was kinda shocked. When you do get an inspection, your car will require a safety inspection only which includes a visual inspection of all factory installed emissions components. Only 1996 and newer cars in NC get the OBDII test if you live in an emissions county. I got my NC safety and emissions licences last month, and was a PA inspector for 15 Years. Hope my info helps.

spurgeon76

I have taken mine to get inspected on the Air Force base auto skills center and at the Valvoline quick oil change and have not had a problem at either.