Dallas emission testing

If the car is older than 25 years, is there some type of EPA exemption?

 

Here ya go, the official emission testing website:

http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/air/ms/vim.html

 

OK
so, i just moved to FW a month ago.....

mine is a 1990 348 (w/test pipes)........

and i need to do what, or go where exactly?

 

Go to http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/inspection/sta_loc_nonemis.asp to find the nearest test location.

Because your car is older than 1996, it will have to be run on a dynometer to check emissions. It most likely won't pass with test pipes. See http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/air/ms/vim.html#im12 for an explanation of the test.

Rumor has it that some test locations are friendly to owners of modified cars. I am unfamiliar with any of these locations. If someone has a suggestion or two, I too have to get my car past inspection now....

 

I have a '94 and an '86 (sadly not F-cars), both of which I have had to take for dyno emissions testing for the last three years (which is as long as I have had them). I thought that 20 years was the break point but heck it may be 25 years (I hope not). We have a few stations around here that only do State inspections and they are equipped to do all kinds.

JJB

 

Strange, very strange. In Houston, back in 92, they started the same kind of testing. They setup centers, employed lots of people with expensive equipment and then it didn't last but nearly 6 months if I remember correctly.

If they do this, I hope they do it right this time and certainly not there to receive personal kickbacks like they did in Houston.

 

It happened all over the Texas, Randy.

 

When a car is 25 years old (model year, not mfg year) it is exempt from passing emission tests, after that safety tests only. The old tests, pre-1981 or so, aren't that hard to pass if you have working cats. I did have to lean the cr*p out of my '79's carbs for it to pass though.

 

At a certain age a car is exempt from all inspections including safety.

Not sure what age but my 70 Corvette has been exempt with antique status for at least 10 years. I dont have to do anything anymore. There is also some rule about driving it only to shows, parades and test drives, blah blah blah everything is a test drive to me.

 

If your car is 25 years old or older, it is exempt from the emissions portion of the test.
If you register your (25+ year old) vehicle as an "antique motor vehicle", it is exempt from emission testing each year and only requires a safety inspection once each 5 years (when you renew the "antique" tag).
OBD II vehicles do not require the dyno rollers, all others do.
If your vehicle will not fit up on the rollers, the tester can administer the older "sensor in the tailpipe" test.
The new dyno based test is much harder to pass than the older tailpipe sampling test.
If your car does not pass, there are provisions in the regs that will allow you to get a 1 year waiver to the testing requirement, after you spend a minimum amount of money (?$$) at a certified emissions repair facility. But, then you have to repeat the exercise again the next year.
The best plan for an older Ferrari that may have difficulties passing the newer test standard is to find a test facility that will not put the car on the dyno rollers and will use the older tailpipe sampling test. IMHO.