Im picking up an 86 5.0 It is setup for more or less just the drag strip. I am not going to run it everyday, by any means, it will not be my daily. But in order for me to get from my house to the dragstrip i will have to drive it, at least for now. My question is, when it comes to emissions in PA, is it just visual, or are we completely exempt since its almost 20 years old?? I know i have to pass the standard inspection, but i am only worried about emissions, since the car has no cats or mufflers. Any help is greatly appreciated
Inspection question in PA
- Thread starter JJPA
- Start date
cjman15
Banned
Lancaster county has the sniffer I believe... I know other counties (like mine, Adams) just have tha visual test.
86T-Top
Founding Member
Not sure if you have to pass the sniffer or not Lancaster county. Does your other car have two stickers on the windshield, or if you don't have another car what about your parent's car. If you have two stickers, then you are going to have to pass the sniffer, which won't happen w/o cats. Most likely you won't pass state inspection either w/o mufflers.
If you are worried about it check into regeristing the car as a classic, I heard you don't need to pass the emission test then.
Mario
If you are worried about it check into regeristing the car as a classic, I heard you don't need to pass the emission test then.
Mario
tunedin302
I AM the law!!!
If you drive it less than 5000 miles per year than you DO NOT have to do emissions on it. They may do a visual inspection of the exhaust where you will fail if no cats. Some do a visual and other don't. 
i cant belive that for a car that is almost 20 years old they would still do a sniffer test given its so old, and not alot of emssions stuff was around back then. Someone that i talked to about the 5,000 miles and being expempt said it has to pass an emissions testing first, and then after, it can be exempt. I dont know, its not a big deal, like i said it wont be my everyday car, but i would still like to drive it on the road. I guess ill just have to buy a stock exhaust to pass the inspection.
twolo4u2c2
5 Year Member
In berks its 5k/ year. If you dont go more than that your free to do anything....just keep under 5k year. all emissions gone and I get a exempt sticker on the inspection sticker.
86T-Top
Founding Member
Here is the deal with PA emission laws.
The 5K a year rule is true, however whenever the title changes names the new owner must get an emissions test the first year. After the first test the 5K rule applies. Also all cars 1975 and older are exempt from emissions test. If you want to drive it on the street and it is not your everyday car, register it as a classic. I believe the car only needs to be 15 years old to fall into that category. With a classic registration you only need to pass a state inspection.
That is my plan for my 89. I don't run any cats, so it just makes sense for me to change the car over to a classic registration. Plus the classic tag doesn't look as gay as the new PA plates.
Mario
The 5K a year rule is true, however whenever the title changes names the new owner must get an emissions test the first year. After the first test the 5K rule applies. Also all cars 1975 and older are exempt from emissions test. If you want to drive it on the street and it is not your everyday car, register it as a classic. I believe the car only needs to be 15 years old to fall into that category. With a classic registration you only need to pass a state inspection.
That is my plan for my 89. I don't run any cats, so it just makes sense for me to change the car over to a classic registration. Plus the classic tag doesn't look as gay as the new PA plates.
Mario
ok so everyone i have been talking to is actually right for a change. The only problem i run into with the classic thing, is i called a notary today, and the lady said they are getting more strict with the "classic" car thing. It has to be in perfect shape and restored to the original factory way it was. Is that true or what?? I was going to go this route until i heard this. She said you have to take pictures and everything and if they dont like it you wont get it.
86T-Top said:
You are right about the classic thing if your car can be excempt for under 5,000 miles. But here in Franklin county its a no go for the 5,000 miles or the classic. But if you put cats on to have it inspected then take them back off to next year. Most garage's will pass you without any problems.
Yes I have my PA State Inspection Liscense.
(but not working at a garage now)
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