Emissions?
 

Does anyone know if I'll pass Massachusetts emissions without the cats? It's a 91 lx with a BBK off-road H-pipe.. Is there anything I can do to make sure I pass? Will lowering my fuel pressure make a difference?

Thanks...

I'm not familiar with the laws in Mass., but if there are any, I doubt you'll pass without cats. Most emissions tests are two parts, visual and sniffer. If they don't see any cats, they may fail you without even testing. If you do get as far as the sniffer, it's still going to be tough to pass without cats.

Take care,
-Chris

Depending on how your engine's tuned you can pass the sniffer test without cats. I had a friend who "forgot" to look under my car when doing the test and I passed with flying colors.

Most places you go to won't let you pull into the garage without them first looking under the car, cause if they get caught passing you without cats, their screwed! Plus when the see and hear a mustang pull up, there a little more thorough.

MA emissions Nazis
 

Sorry, unless you have a buddy who works at an emission inspection station and can look the other way, you won't pass the MA visual inspection without the cats.

If you no longer have the original cats I would consider getting a high-flow catalytic converter system. You'll pass emissions and won't lose much power at all. Walker makes a nice hi-flow set of cats for under $300.

After that, a tune-up, including a new PCV, stock timing and a clean or new air filter should pass you right through emissions. That, and the outrageous $29. inspection fee, of course.

Oh, and don't be leaking any fluids or have bald tires when you go as they'll fail you for that, too. CT is bad for emissions but the MA regulations are even worse. Of course, if all else fails, you could always move.

Good luck. :)

Thanks everyone.. I've never had anyone ever look under and see if the cats were still on any of my cars.. I guess I'm going to give it a try without the cats and if I fail I have 60 days to fix the problem. I still have the original h-pipe with cats I can put back on if needed...

You probably would pass if it wasn't for the visual. Try it and see. There are a ton of guys around here that will "forget" the visual part of the test for a case of beer :) Good luck!

PS-Are you positive that you'll need the sniffer test this year?? It's only every other year that you need to get sniffed.

I am a fellow Mass Stanger and I had to pass the dreaded Dyno test this year as I have a 90. Even years have to pass on even years ,odd years on odd years.

But they seem to catch up with you if you have not passed last year or just bought the car etc..

Even with my bone stock car, I had to replace my original O2 sensors, new plugs PCV and TFI, and a fresh oil change to pass the sniffer as I failed the first try.

You will need a buddy to let you slide on the visual inspection, even on the years you dont have to pass the sniffer. Luckily, the cats and fuel restrictor are the only thing the visually inspect. Otherwise it's a Run what ya Brung test.

Some members have reported getting good NOX and HC readings even with no cats, but the motor needs to be in a high state of tune for that of course!

Other states will inspect the whole motor for any non conforming parts like intakes or missing smog pumps. Of course most of the speed goodies also have E/O certifications already so they are leagal to use, but there are exceptions!

Oh yeah, the saftey inspection is pretty thorough now. They always checked the tires but now they dont allow any rust holes at all, and they always check your front end now for tie rod and ball joint wear. They require that they start your car and drive it on the Dyno, so any starter or trans shifter problems will fail you. Heck even a broken seat could fail you. Your Defroster has to work, and windshield washer too. Also a saftey failure does not allow you 60 days to fix, and failure of the visual inspection may fall under saftey not emmissions!

At least they dont take off the wheels like they do for a New Hampshire inspection, That takes over an hour and almost nobody will do it while you wait up there.