- 34,949
- Indian Falls, NY
- slashfan7964
So I happen to live in a very confusing state. This has always plagued my mind, without any real answer. The laws here in NY are very very screwy and there are WAY too many loopholes.
One of the things the law states is this.
However, later, it says,
Ok, so there's the first thing, 1984 models and newer have to have all emissions devices installed if it came with it, except, right above it says anything 26 model years or older is exempt. Need to change? Me thinks so.
Then the next thing. In NY, there is no clear laws on engine swaps. Almost as if anything goes. But then, they contradict themselves. I've heard all sorts of things. People have said no older engines being swapped into a new vehicle unless that engine was an option in the vehicle, and I've heard that new cars with OBDII systems (1996 and newer vehicles) must pass emissions inspections (this is stated in the law) yet, there is no law specifically stating that I cannot legally install an old engine into a new car. In fact, there is NO LAW regarding engine swaps period. None. Zip, zero. So would this have made my pickup technically illegal to drive, even though by 1 regulation, the engine we swapped in was offered in it (albiet an older year, nearly 10 years older), but on the other had, only some emissions equipment was installed simply because the other engine was a straight 6 and parts would not work off the other motor? This makes no sense to me.
Another issue I've found is that what if there were also problems with the OBDII identifying the car that belonged to the ECU, rather than the body of the car. Now I understand most of the state only does safety inspections and NYC is much more vigorous with emissions inspections but I'm wondering about the legality over the entire state so that I'm not limited to drive a car in one area only.
There might not be a reason to as I'm sure some of you will happen to point out, but I like ot be creative and different, and putting something old in something new and building it into a street sleeper just sounds like fun. I've always dreamed of taking a pig of a motor, beefing it up and shoving it into a new Mustang. I'm thinking it will be up to who inspects it to pass it (which will eventually be me anyways simply because I'll have my inspectors license).
This stuff is so odd in this state, so I was wondering if any others could clear this up. There is so much BS on the internet and no one has a straight answer for anything. Would the emissions laws for ODBII vehicles override the no law thing? Or what? This is very lightly touching on the subject...there is a lot more you can get into.
One of the things the law states is this.
Some vehicles are exempt from the emissions inspection program. Your passenger car or light truck does not have to be inspected for emissions if it is:
Less than two model years old
26 model years old or older
Registered with historical plates or,
Electric-powered only
However, later, it says,
The emissions control devices are examined if the vehicle was originally manufactured with them. The vehicle model years affected are indicated below.
Catalytic converter (CAT) - all model years
Exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) - all model years
Positive crankcase ventilation system (PCV) - all model years
Air injection system (AIS) - 1984 and newer
Evaporative emissions control (EVAP) - 1984 and newer
Fuel inlet restrictor (FIR) - 1984 and newer
Thermostatic air cleaner (TAC) - 1984 and newer
Ok, so there's the first thing, 1984 models and newer have to have all emissions devices installed if it came with it, except, right above it says anything 26 model years or older is exempt. Need to change? Me thinks so.
Then the next thing. In NY, there is no clear laws on engine swaps. Almost as if anything goes. But then, they contradict themselves. I've heard all sorts of things. People have said no older engines being swapped into a new vehicle unless that engine was an option in the vehicle, and I've heard that new cars with OBDII systems (1996 and newer vehicles) must pass emissions inspections (this is stated in the law) yet, there is no law specifically stating that I cannot legally install an old engine into a new car. In fact, there is NO LAW regarding engine swaps period. None. Zip, zero. So would this have made my pickup technically illegal to drive, even though by 1 regulation, the engine we swapped in was offered in it (albiet an older year, nearly 10 years older), but on the other had, only some emissions equipment was installed simply because the other engine was a straight 6 and parts would not work off the other motor? This makes no sense to me.
Another issue I've found is that what if there were also problems with the OBDII identifying the car that belonged to the ECU, rather than the body of the car. Now I understand most of the state only does safety inspections and NYC is much more vigorous with emissions inspections but I'm wondering about the legality over the entire state so that I'm not limited to drive a car in one area only.
There might not be a reason to as I'm sure some of you will happen to point out, but I like ot be creative and different, and putting something old in something new and building it into a street sleeper just sounds like fun. I've always dreamed of taking a pig of a motor, beefing it up and shoving it into a new Mustang. I'm thinking it will be up to who inspects it to pass it (which will eventually be me anyways simply because I'll have my inspectors license).
This stuff is so odd in this state, so I was wondering if any others could clear this up. There is so much BS on the internet and no one has a straight answer for anything. Would the emissions laws for ODBII vehicles override the no law thing? Or what? This is very lightly touching on the subject...there is a lot more you can get into.
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