Emissions Questions

[mgmuscari]

i haven't had my 5.0 through inspection yet and it's due in feb... trying to figure out if i'll pass with my exhaust setup:

+ mac 1 5/8" headers
+ mac 3" pro-chamber h-pipe
+ thunderbolt cats
+ mac 3" cat back
+ egr delete
+ smog pump delete

it's an 89, but the engine is speed density if that matters. 70mm throttle body and massive air filter are the only relevant engine mods i can think of. everything else is stock.

previous owner claims the car smogged with no problems even when there were no cats on it, but of course i have no proof of this beyond the current inspection sticker.

my old taurus passed smog the past two times i had it inspected even with a broken egr, leaving me to question how much the egr and the smog pump actually affect emissions.

i'm wondering what i may need to do with my car to get it passed... do i need to modify the exhaust? if anybody has any helpful tips on passing NJ inspection, please PM me.

[Web-Admin]

Visual fail for EGR Delete, Smog delete, and headers at state inspection. If they don't look under the hood, it's another story.


I'd highly recommend taking the car to a private inspection.

[mgmuscari]

Originally Posted by MistaX

Visual fail for EGR Delete, Smog delete, and headers at state inspection. If they don't look under the hood, it's another story.


I'd highly recommend taking the car to a private inspection.

good to know... paramus never did a visual inspection of my taurus, but i guess they'd have no reason to...

think it would pass a sniffer test? i know that egr is bs but i'm not sure whether the smog pump actually does anything to affect emissions, especially with new high-flow cats...

[Web-Admin]

As much as I hate to say "Everyone says"...


Everyone says anything with cats will pass a smog test, as it's lenient. I don't like to take the risk, so I wouldn't run it through state, ever.

Private is the way to go on a modified car.

[mgmuscari]

i hate they way they handle things at the state facility, too. they like to sit there and redline your engine no matter what you drive...

[TurboMustang370]

mgmuscari,
Make sure you get the car up to temp before going. If the car is cold, the cats are cold and they aren't "burning off" the gasses efficiently.
You can pass the sniffer test without EGR and SMOG as long as the motor is in good shape. However, like earlier posted, if alterations are made to the emissions/exhaust, that alone can be a reason to be failed.

My advice- take it through state inspection since its FREE, if you fail, you will have 45 days to find a private inspection shop to "fix" the issues and re-inspect your 5.0

[HACKGT350]

the exhaust itself is perfectly fine but the egr delete will fail you causing abnormally high nox reading on the tail pipe sniffer.

[tattoodave]

i know it sucks to pay, but private garage might be the way to go for you...

[HACKGT350]

oh and if you do go private and pay the little extra i suggest going soon because all the equipment is gunna get changed over very soon and you wont be able to pay them off anymore.

[Al Guapo]

Originally Posted by mgmuscari

i'm wondering what i may need to do with my car to get it passed... do i need to modify the exhaust? if anybody has any helpful tips on passing NJ inspection, please PM me.

As long as the sniffer test reads normal for an 88 GT you'll be ok. Remember you can have a car pass with no cats as long as it's a 72 or earlier model.