So i know there are a lot of emissions related questions, but here goes another one. So i have to get tested in Illinois. all the emissions were pulled, i still have the stock exhaust, should i get tested, fail and then deal with it. or is there any chance that i might pass, or should i try the alcohol trick right away and hopefully pass that way? please advise, thanks

 

Stock exhaust, cat still in place? Its probably melted by now.

Re install the air pump, run a hose directly to the pipe for the cat- if your cats bad- borrow a good one from a friend or something- Then go and pass. Worked great for me 2 times.

 

I am going to start a state by state Emissions testing spreadsheet...

But heres the lowdown on illinois...

MAN... they SUCK..... every gas vehicle 1968 or newer..... GEEZE..

There are areas where you wouldn't need to get tested, but it says Chicago on your location and Cook County is all inclusive....

You will not pass the visual inspection.. period. It falls under the "Tampering" guidelines... you'd better put everything back on!

It looks like you get two chances to pass, and then you can get a waiver once you spend 450 bucks and the emissions have at least improved...

You'd better make sure the cat isn't clogged, the ACV and EGR are working and all that good stuff!!!

 

its been years, but i dont remember a visual inspection last time i went. would a FMIC trigger one?

 

should i just get tested and see what the readings are? i mean whats the worst that can happen?

 

Get it tested as it sits. Then put the emissions back on. Go and re-test. If you fail then start by tuning the engine up, plugs, wires, change the oil(it'll lower the amount of hydrocarbaons) Then test it again. If you fail, then relplace the cats, I would almost guarantee a passing result. Search under my screenname for an emissions thread. It's from MO, but it should help.

 

i don't know.... i wouldn't want a fail emission record.....

even here in california, most shops don't do visuals (they are SUPPOSED TO, but they are like, if u pass... we won't care =)

i have a Greddy TD06 turbo from my last owner.... but he said he needed to swap in the stock every 2 years...... and thats a big hassle...... even have Catco cat...

so i took this approach

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWN%3AIT

the electric air pump trick...
i would see if u can get it tested without records (cuz i think in CA, when u run the emissions machine, u have to input a code, so i don't think there are tests without records...) replace cats and check the air pump.... if u can't fit air pump maybe cuz of mods... electric air pump trick? =)

my 2 cents
Jon

 

Wow that sucks. Is it possible to register outside the Chicago Metro area? I live in downstate IL, there is no testing or inspection whatsoever here. If it runs, drives it's legal. Kind of like Tennessee

 

well i would like to pass and get it over with for a few years, but if i don't pass it's not the end of the world, i mean i drive that car only a few times a year.

so i remember one time i took my old camaro in and it failed. the guy was cool and kept telling my that even if it failed again i could always classify it as a race car. i knew the camaro should pass so i changed the oil and put new gas, it had old gas in it. it passed easily. so if it doesn't pass, i mean i dont need the car right now, i could just say its a track car or something. maybe its the push i need to start racing it

which reminds me would an 89 camaro rs 305 have the right airpump to do that trick? cuz its just sitting there in the garage.

 

did some research, looks like it would have to be from newer vette huh?

 

The Visual inspection is a sticky subject... Technically, if you get a sniffer test, they really shouldn't be concerned with whats under the hood unless the car fails.... HOWEVER.... if it fails, then they could throw the old "tampering" clause at you if they want to be a *****.....

Honestly, With the numbers they give on the IL EPA website, I highly doubt any 7 is going to pass wihtout a cat on it.... unless you have a standalone and tune it really friggin lean before you go in.....

FMIC...... thats a clear invitation for the tech to look under the hood to see if you've "tampered" with the emissions system.

Here in PA, Phili and PA have tail pipe tests,,,, in half of the other areas, its a visual inspection for cars 95 and older and an ECU test for cars 96 and new, with all included getting a gas cap test.

The HUGE hitch right now is that there is an exemption from the emissions inspection requirements if you drive your car less than 5K miles a year (including the visual inspection)... BUT.... The VISUAL inspection is still written into the standard saftey inspection regs... SO, some shops say you still have to have the crap on there even if you drive it less than 5k to get the safety inspection sticker and otheres say that the new emissions regs overwrite the saftey regs and you don't.... its quite a mess.

I work for the DEP (spent 5 years in Air Quality) and I own a 7..... therefore, the way I read the regs, if you put less than 5K per year on your car, its exempt... period. Sadly, I'm not big kahuna!!!!

 

Well, I got my emissions notice, too, and if you look at my location, you can see why I'm posting here. Can I get away with tuning the TPS down from 1k ohms to like 500 ohms or maybe less to make the engine lean itself out? I'm talking driving from a parking lot 500 feet from the testing station to there and back to the parking lot to reset it. Also, if I run on HEET, being denatured alcahol, that work?

 

Are you planning to put in a cat? Your sig says you have a gutted bonez dual cat system, without a cat you wont pass, just fyi.

 

did this work?

I gave up on mine, i try to classify it as a race car since it's not my dd, i figure i don't mind it getting trailered around, once it's done. But Illinois doesn't think my car is a "race car" since i don't have "visible nitrous system" since when does that constitute a race car...........bastards