question debating the legality of removing EFI for carb....

Scarface · Jan 14, 2009

I am in the process of swapping a 5.0 in my 6r shell, and I have run across an issue in the state of Va.

Is it illegal to remove the EFI system to go to a carb? Its going to cost alot more than its worth to run the EFI after I get the wire harness and ECU, among the other EFI parts, than it would be to buy a new intake and carb.

I searched the VA inspection procedure and all I could come up with is I cant legally remove any of the emissions equipment.

VA State laws..
http://leg1.state.va.us/000/reg/TOC19030.HTM#C0070

WHats your thoughts? This may lead to me remaining a 6r or selling the car in favor of a factory 8.

x182dan · Jan 14, 2009

How does VA do its testing for OBD1 cars? I CT they do the sniff test and a visual inspection of cats. They do not care what motor is in the car all they care about is that if it has cats and if what emissions it produces. I have seen a carb'd v8 s10 pass emissions registered as a 4banger.

Scarface · Jan 14, 2009

well here it is just a visual inspection...if that. Im just afraid to sink money into something I cant drive.
Other parts of the state do a sniffer test though, so maybe one day they will here to.

I hope to get more input and I plan to call around tomorrow as well.

duh09 · Jan 14, 2009

I'd call around and see exactly waht they do. Around here we don't have emissions and all that, so I don't really know a whole lot, but maybe you could say you swapped in the V8 after the orginal 6 cylinder blew up? That way you have a legitimate reason for having a V8 in an orginal 6'er, and maybe there's some sort of thing set up for that... iunno, just trying to throw some ideas around

2slo95fiveoh · Jan 14, 2009

If they don't do a sniffer test where you live, and your "visual inspection" is just like it is here in ks, then that means when registering
a vehicle, they just make sure your VIN #s match up in the various spaces (fenders, door jamb, truck etc.)

Win · Jan 14, 2009

Call and find out..... I think here in Ga it just has to be of that year or later motor your putting in. Again i could be wrong.

5.Woahhh · Jan 14, 2009

Private inspection?

BrandoGT · Jan 14, 2009

x182dan said:
How does VA do its testing for OBD1 cars?  I CT they do the sniff test and a visual inspection of cats.  They do not care what motor is in the car all they care about is that if it has cats and if what emissions it produces.  I have seen a carb'd v8 s10 pass emissions registered as a 4banger.

here in portions of wisconsin, they used to do the sniffer and as long as emissions were below the legel level it would pass. Although as of last july, they elim inated the sniffers so only OBD 2 cars are now getting plugged in instead of sniffed and personnally i think it is easier to pass that way because you just clear codes or whatever and go in.

Anyways I was checking this website out for you http://www.deq.virginia.gov/mobile/homepage.html#wc
it sounds very similar to the previous program wisconsin had with the sniffers and everytime i went they never did a visual check. Even when it was obvious that there was an aftermarket exhaust on my car, it still passed even though wisconsin law says "no exhaust shall be modified to increase noise level." so they never visual tested and were pretty leiniant. if you are afraid it would not pass you could just register it as being primarly stored in a county that doesn't require testing. My cousin has a 500hp evo and he registered it as being primarly stored in a county that he has never been to and he no longer has to emission test. I learned about this trick over christmas and now i no longer have to emission test and can continue enjoying my o/r x-pipe.

Just some ideas for you and i am speaking out of wisconsin emission tests so i don't exactly know what VA's program is but, I would say go for the v8 drop in.

Scarface · Jan 15, 2009

thats the this it is just a yearly visual inspection. No sniffer is introduced.

Jrgunn5150 · Jan 15, 2009

IN Ohio, we do have a sniffer, and a carbed car will still pass.

GDTrumbo · Jan 15, 2009

Here in Nashville:

'74 & before - no test
'75 to '95 - visual, fuel cap test & sniff
'96+ - visual, fuel cap test & ECM check (too few cycles on the ECM = fail) Try again next week dude......

GT

fixthedoor · Jan 15, 2009

You should get to know the shop owners. Here in Nazi CA certain owners can be very friendly...

Scarface · Jan 15, 2009

I stopped at thr inspection station today. It would be ok to run the carb setup as long as the emission stuff is still there.

However Idecided to go the extra step and instal the EFI.