Anyone ever performed a state safety inspection?

[MistaScott]

I need to know how closely they look at the catalytic converter. I have heat shields welded on my test pipe and it all looks legit.

I took it to one guy when I only had a test pipe and he failed it. I came back to him with the heat shields and he failed it again but, of course, he was suspicious from the start.

I'm just wondering how closely someone would look at it when there was no suspicion of any foul play.

 

[TurboBuckeye]

Where are you?

 

[kh440]

In theory you are supposed to put the car in the air and take a good long look for any monkey business. (In theory). The reality is most people just give a passing glance underneath, if that.

 

[MistaScott]

VA, soon to be NC.

 

[Marc87GN]

Originally posted by kh440
In theory you are supposed to put the car in the air and take a good long look for any monkey business. (In theory). The reality is most people just give a passing glance underneath, if that.

You are correct and there is a reason for it. I have a New York State Inspection License and I usually took a quick look under the car, check the brakes, glass and lights and put it on the dyno.

The reason is if you are on flat rate, the inspection pays about 20-30 minutes for an idle test and 45-60 minutes for a dyno. It's hardly worth it to completely check the entire vehicle and put it on the lift unless it looks suspicious or not well maintained. The places make very little money from the inspection itself, but more from what they find. I would install a gutted cat. this way you have the performance and no problems with visual inspections by techs or police.

 

[myclone]

Originally posted by Marc87GN
You are correct and there is a reason for it. I have a New York State Inspection License and I usually took a quick look under the car, check the brakes, glass and lights and put it on the dyno.

The reason is if you are on flat rate, the inspection pays about 20-30 minutes for an idle test and 45-60 minutes for a dyno. It's hardly worth it to completely check the entire vehicle and put it on the lift unless it looks suspicious or not well maintained. The places make very little money from the inspection itself, but more from what they find. I would install a gutted cat. this way you have the performance and no problems with visual inspections by techs or police.

The above is 100% true from what Ive found but keep in mind that diff states have diff criteria for inspection. Not only that but in the two states you mentioned, VA and NC, some locations only have a visual inspection while others have a visual plus a sniffer test.

In my location here in VA there is only a visual (for now ) so I have no problem since I bought a 3" gutted cat, split the housing, and then welded it around the test pipe so it actually looks like a functioning cat con. Like was mentioned above its not worth it for the shop to take the exh apart to make sure there is actually anything in the cat so they dont bother with it.

Also, keep in mind that unless you find a shop that is performance oriented youre better off keeping the chrome/blingy type stuff to a minimum. Around here most ppl that do inspections think chrome valve covers are a "mod" and will fail the car even though you and I know chrome doesnt affect squatt when it comes to inspection.

FYI, If youre moving to NC I know some locations there have a visual only while others have the visual plus they put your car up on the rollers for a sniffer test. Ms myclone is from NC and I found out through her and her friends that locations out in BFE are usually the visual only while more populous locations like Cary, Raleigh, Hickory, Charlotte, etc have the visual plus sniffer.

HTH

 

[kh440]

Virtually all of NC is on the sniffer program. Marc87 is right about the time/flat rate issue. Most people don't want to due that thorough a check because by the time you pull the car in and check the lights the tech is losing money. If you are coming to Orange county (chapel hill, hillsborough) ther is a shop called n-tune automotive. They mostly work on imports but James Garlick is very good on tr's, he has a nice 87 GN of his own as well. I can send you the contact info if you like.

 

[MistaScott]

Well the plan is to keep the car registered and garaged in VA while I am in Chapel Hill -- much as I'd like to have it there -- because I will be in grad school and the GN will likely distract me...

BUT that may change. For now, I am going to try a fresh inspection and if I fail, I will get a gutted cat and pass. The only reason I haven't gotten one yet is I had a bad experience trying to get one from a member here two weeks ago.

Thanks for all the help and I'd be glad to help with the Frankenbuick!

 

[MistaScott]

So I take the car to another guy today.

He doesn't notice the cat at all (GOOD).

He does however, notice I have no tread on my back tires (BAD but GOOD since it gives me an excuse to get some big ol 265s).

He then asks me to open my hood and when he sees my 100% stock engine bay he says (in a Middle Eastern accent)

"Ohhhhhhh, someone has done a LOT of work on this. Woooww." It was funny.

 

[kh440]

Bring that sucker down with you!!!You'll be in good company.