NoVa Emmissions - Opinions Needed

elliotty · 02-23-2012, 09:46 AM

Hey everyone,

I am finally hoping to become a more active participant in the NoVa/DC/MD events and threads here on the forum. I have been working on my Z for a while now, and am wrapping up getting the kinks worked out of my GTM TT kit. I figured I would post my question in this section since you guys are all residents of the NoVa/DC/MD area.

Onto the question:
I am awaiting delivery of my 3" F.I. TDX exhaust, and am wondering if I should opt to add cats to it (an option Tony currently is offering). The gas smell is pretty strong right now, but doesn't bother me too much. My dilemma is this: I can opt to forgo the cats, and get a custom tune (the cats cost 3/4 of the price of a tune), which should hopefully reduce the smell slightly, or I bite the bullet and get the cats to hopefully eliminate the smell altogether. My main concern is the extra police attention the smell may bring. I DO NOT want fines!

So, your expert opinions are much appreciated! I hope to get out to the meets in the very near future! Thanks for the help and I look forward to meeting you all!

m4a1mustang · 02-23-2012, 09:50 AM

If you plan on driving on the street in NOVA you HAVE to have cats.

Without them you'll get tagged at your annual safety inspection (they do a visual check) but you'd probably be pulled over by a cop before then when they smell the fumes.

You've probably noticed all of the emissions stations on most of the highway on-ramps. They rotate locations but they have them up year round now. You'll eventually have to drive through one of those where you'd get ticketed.

Red__Zed · 02-23-2012, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

If you plan on driving on the street in NOVA you HAVE to have cats.

Without them you'll get tagged at your annual safety inspection (they do a visual check) but you'd probably be pulled over by a cop before then when they smell the fumes.

You've probably noticed all of the emissions stations on most of the highway on-ramps. They rotate locations but they have them up year round now. You'll eventually have to drive through one of those where you'd get ticketed.

Speaking as a guy who was tagged, that is trouble you don't want.

elliotty · 02-23-2012, 10:02 AM

Thanks guys. That is sort of what I figured. Guess I might as well spend the cash up front, rather than shelling it out to the local government.

As for emissions inspections, they just do a check for emissions-related trouble codes through the OBD-II port, right? I am wondering if I will fail since I believe the GTM tune ignores the second set of O2 sensors. I wonder if they show up as "Not Ready" when they do the scan. May have to register the car in another county...

elliotty · 02-23-2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristobal09

Thats what I do, ive got both my cars registered in my parents house in fauquier county, no emissions. So if you know anybody who lives in fauquier county, ask them if you can register your car as being "garaged" there. Not to mention the personal property taxes are much cheaper in fauquier.

That is a good idea. My family lives in Spotsylvania County, another emissions-free county. Are you able to have your car "garaged" at that address without having one of them on your title? Also, does that require your DL address to show the Fauquier address?

Thanks for the quick responses everyone! Just sent Tony@FI an email saying PUT IN THE CATS!

m4a1mustang · 02-23-2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristobal09

Thats what I do, ive got both my cars registered in my parents house in fauquier county, no emissions. So if you know anybody who lives in fauquier county, ask them if you can register your car as being "garaged" there. Not to mention the personal property taxes are much cheaper in fauquier.

oohhh I can think of so many things wrong with this.

m4a1mustang · 02-23-2012, 10:20 AM

Think about it.

elliotty · 02-23-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristobal09

brother ive been doing this for years, hell, so has my sister. According to dmv records, my parents house has like 9 cars as being "garaged" there.

The DMV couldnt care less, as long as they get their personal property taxes paid for. The Prince William county cops also couldnt give two sh!ts. We have one office who lives in our development and he does the same thing.

Good to hear! I am all for doing things "by the book", but this is one loophole I plan to take advantage of!

m4a1mustang · 02-23-2012, 10:23 AM

I don't really think it's a loophole, per se. It's tax evasion but there's not an effective way to crack down on it.

Liberals are supposed to be for higher taxes, cristo!

Red__Zed · 02-23-2012, 10:24 AM

You might find yourself with an interesting situation on your hand if anything ever happens to your car when it is parked at night.

Stunning how much stalling can happen if there is a discrepancy found by the insurance company.

m4a1mustang · 02-23-2012, 10:25 AM

I could keep my cars registered in PWC at my parents house, but I am unwilling to cheat on my taxes.

m4a1mustang · 02-23-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

You might find yourself with an interesting situation on your hand if anything ever happens to your car when it is parked at night.

Stunning how much stalling can happen if there is a discrepancy found by the insurance company.

VERY true!!!

m4a1mustang · 02-23-2012, 10:28 AM

Anyways, with HFCs and no CEL codes I would think you'd pass NOVA emissions. HFCs should be enough to pass the sniffer if they make you do it.

elliotty · 02-23-2012, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

You might find yourself with an interesting situation on your hand if anything ever happens to your car when it is parked at night.

Stunning how much stalling can happen if there is a discrepancy found by the insurance company.

That is true, a little worrisome. I will have to look into how to make everything line up. I don't want to have issues with insurance, or really any other agencies. Who knows, maybe it would pass emissions the way it is setup?

Cristobal09 · 02-23-2012, 10:31 AM

Did Kirk run into any problems regarding his emissions set up?

02-23-2012, 09:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
elliotty Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 355 Drives: '10 PG Nismo TT Rep Power: 15	NoVa Emmissions - Opinions Needed Hey everyone, I am finally hoping to become a more active participant in the NoVa/DC/MD events and threads here on the forum. I have been working on my Z for a while now, and am wrapping up getting the kinks worked out of my GTM TT kit. I figured I would post my question in this section since you guys are all residents of the NoVa/DC/MD area. Onto the question: I am awaiting delivery of my 3" F.I. TDX exhaust, and am wondering if I should opt to add cats to it (an option Tony currently is offering). The gas smell is pretty strong right now, but doesn't bother me too much. My dilemma is this: I can opt to forgo the cats, and get a custom tune (the cats cost 3/4 of the price of a tune), which should hopefully reduce the smell slightly, or I bite the bullet and get the cats to hopefully eliminate the smell altogether. My main concern is the extra police attention the smell may bring. I DO NOT want fines! So, your expert opinions are much appreciated! I hope to get out to the meets in the very near future! Thanks for the help and I look forward to meeting you all!

02-23-2012, 09:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	If you plan on driving on the street in NOVA you HAVE to have cats. Without them you'll get tagged at your annual safety inspection (they do a visual check) but you'd probably be pulled over by a cop before then when they smell the fumes. You've probably noticed all of the emissions stations on most of the highway on-ramps. They rotate locations but they have them up year round now. You'll eventually have to drive through one of those where you'd get ticketed. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

02-23-2012, 10:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Think about it. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

02-23-2012, 10:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	I don't really think it's a loophole, per se. It's tax evasion but there's not an effective way to crack down on it. Liberals are supposed to be for higher taxes, cristo! __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

02-23-2012, 10:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	I could keep my cars registered in PWC at my parents house, but I am unwilling to cheat on my taxes. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

02-23-2012, 10:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
elliotty Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 355 Drives: '10 PG Nismo TT Rep Power: 15	Thanks guys. That is sort of what I figured. Guess I might as well spend the cash up front, rather than shelling it out to the local government. As for emissions inspections, they just do a check for emissions-related trouble codes through the OBD-II port, right? I am wondering if I will fail since I believe the GTM tune ignores the second set of O2 sensors. I wonder if they show up as "Not Ready" when they do the scan. May have to register the car in another county...

02-23-2012, 10:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	You might find yourself with an interesting situation on your hand if anything ever happens to your car when it is parked at night. Stunning how much stalling can happen if there is a discrepancy found by the insurance company.

02-23-2012, 10:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Anyways, with HFCs and no CEL codes I would think you'd pass NOVA emissions. HFCs should be enough to pass the sniffer if they make you do it. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

02-23-2012, 10:31 AM	#15 (permalink)
Cristobal09 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NOVA Posts: 1,430 Drives: 22 ZL1 & Explorer ST Rep Power: 3372	Did Kirk run into any problems regarding his emissions set up? __________________ 2022 Camaro ZL1 2021 Explorer ST

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