When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
I was under the impression that a vehicle had to retain it's unaltered original OEM smog system regardless of how old it is. But a friend of mine says that vehicles become smog exempt when they are 20 years old. In that case, I would be able to do whatever I want to my truck in 2005 (I have an '85 F350 stakebed).
What's the straight scoop on this?
BTW, I'm in California.
Thanks,
Mark S.
What's the straight scoop on this?
BTW, I'm in California.
Thanks,
Mark S.
Posting Guru
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From: Still under the hood in O
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
Not sure how it is in Cal. anymore. I'ts been awhile since I've been there and they have made a few changes. I thought they changed it to 30 yr old for exempt status??
Either way, the law is that, with the exempt cars, you no longer need to have it inspected for smog compliance. It is however still illegal to remove any smog equipment that was installed by the factory, except for repair (like replacing the Cat.). This is a federal law, not a state law.
Of coarse most of us have stripped the smog equipment at one time or another but if you are pulled over for some reason and the officer notices the equipment, such as the cat converters, you can be held responsible.
Around here in Oregon we don't have smog inspections, except in the Portland metro area. We have plenty of Rangers and S-10's running around with V8 power without worrying about being bothered, but technically it is still illegal.
Either way, the law is that, with the exempt cars, you no longer need to have it inspected for smog compliance. It is however still illegal to remove any smog equipment that was installed by the factory, except for repair (like replacing the Cat.). This is a federal law, not a state law.
Of coarse most of us have stripped the smog equipment at one time or another but if you are pulled over for some reason and the officer notices the equipment, such as the cat converters, you can be held responsible.
Around here in Oregon we don't have smog inspections, except in the Portland metro area. We have plenty of Rangers and S-10's running around with V8 power without worrying about being bothered, but technically it is still illegal.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Covington, Tn
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
Minnesota doesnt make FEDRAL LAW < thats whay goverens smog law. Go ahead cut then off and get cought and face a 50,000 dollar fine ( Humm I think thats right )
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From: Cloud USA
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
A single exhaust system may not be replaced with dual exhaust unless the vehicle's manufacturer certified an identical engine-chassis configuration for that model year of vehicle or newer that includes such an exhaust configuration. The exhaust system configuration is specified by the vehicle manufacturer because engines and some of the associated emissions systems are generally affected by the exhaust system backpressure, which in turn affects vehicle emissions. Therefore, the installation of a dual exhaust system with two converters in the place of a single exhaust system would be considered tampering(1990 Clean Air Act)
Where does it stop!
Where does it stop!
Last edited by c_rossman; Aug 3, 2003 at 09:07 PM.
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From: Cloud USA
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
If uncle sam went after everybody who installed a aftermarket chip or dual exhaust He would be a vary weathly man. If 5% of vehicals out there have modified exhaust, Supercharger, Aftermarket chip, lets say there are 100,000,000 cars on the road in the US 100,000,000*.05=5000000 cars *$50,000 =$250000000000. I wouldnt think you would see any tax increases!
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Elder User
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From: MN
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
The fine from the EPA is $15K. $90 for a high flow cat doesn't seem so pricy anymore.
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From: Still under the hood in O
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
Acually if the stock converter is damaged (a screwdriver works great here), you can replace it with a cat that is made to burn the same (can't remember the two types) whether it is high flow or not. The kicker is "damaged".
OHH and don't start giving them ideas!! LOL
OHH and don't start giving them ideas!! LOL
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From: Copley, OH
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
Wrong. Catco high-flow cats are a federally-approved legal replacement and come with the certification to prove it. Don't know about the other brands, but it makes less than no sense to produce a high-flow cat which was not smog legal since its only concievable use would be to maintain smog compliance.
Elder User
Joined: May 2001
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From: Coon Rapids, MN
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
Well, if you don't have smog checks in your area, it is relatively safe to do whatever the heck you feel comfortalbe doing to your rig. I have never even heard in my whole life of a cop checking under your hood for looking under your truck for emission compliance. Frankly, they would just as soon not know, its just one more thing they have to bother with.
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From: Still under the hood in O
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
gamehunter
I agree 100%.
But it has happened around here before. It's just better to be forewarned than not to be warned at all. It all depends on the area your in.
We had a guy at work a couple of years ago with a 350 powered S-10 that he has had for several years get pulled over for a burned out license plate light. He saw the two exhaust tips and got nosey. He was fined 15K, I believe. Can't remeber the amount, but it was healthy.
I agree 100%.
But it has happened around here before. It's just better to be forewarned than not to be warned at all. It all depends on the area your in.
We had a guy at work a couple of years ago with a 350 powered S-10 that he has had for several years get pulled over for a burned out license plate light. He saw the two exhaust tips and got nosey. He was fined 15K, I believe. Can't remeber the amount, but it was healthy.
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From: Cloud USA
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
I guess A guy has to breath. But I wouldnt be able to eat if I had to put all the emission stuff on that wasnt on there when I bought it. There isnt even an EGR valve anymore. When emissions work, they are great, but after 200,000 miles they can become troublesome.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Iowa
When does a vehicle become 'exempt'?
Originally posted by 90f150moneypit
gamehunter
I agree 100%.
But it has happened around here before. It's just better to be forewarned than not to be warned at all. It all depends on the area your in.
We had a guy at work a couple of years ago with a 350 powered S-10 that he has had for several years get pulled over for a burned out license plate light. He saw the two exhaust tips and got nosey. He was fined 15K, I believe. Can't remeber the amount, but it was healthy.
gamehunter
I agree 100%.
But it has happened around here before. It's just better to be forewarned than not to be warned at all. It all depends on the area your in.
We had a guy at work a couple of years ago with a 350 powered S-10 that he has had for several years get pulled over for a burned out license plate light. He saw the two exhaust tips and got nosey. He was fined 15K, I believe. Can't remeber the amount, but it was healthy.
Someone needs to tell the EPA that it only takes one volcano erupting to outdo all of man's vehicular pollution.
I keep cat converters on my stuff, but I am definately glad I live in Iowa, where they don't have inspections.. Some of the stuff I've driven for years is not legal in other states.