Texas smog

[timjt]

How old does a truck have to be before you aren't required to have cats and how old before you don't need air pumps. Basically how old before I can do just a glass pack and edlebrock carb

[Jonboy]

Emissions testing is a rolling 24 years. Right now it is 1986 and older is exempt.

[TexasJeff]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

Emissions testing is a rolling 24 years. Right now it is 1986 and older is exempt.

x2

[timjt]

I knew the emissions was 25 years but I had a shop tell me last week that they couldn't legally give me new pipes without giving me cats as well. I wanted headers with two pipes and some quiet mufflers and they said two cats a second muffler and the welding would run me around 800!

[timjt]

... I have an 85 with everything in it and just sold my 83 which had all the emissions and air taken out.

[C25 Farm Truck]

The emissions testing is only for so long, but you still have to pass the annual safety inspection. 84 and newer must have cats present and working to pass. If you just went from an 83 to an 85, you just crossed the threshold. Bummer.

The only way around it is if the truck is a 3/4 or 1 ton that was originally built without cats. Those are grandfathered (but I still have to argue with the kid at the inspection station every year).

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

So when I redo my exhaust on my 77 can put true dual exhaust and not need any cats?

[LiveAnimals]

Must be nice

[C25 Farm Truck]

Here's the link to the Texas website:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/insp...ejectsubmit=Go

So for a 77 no cats will pass. That's just one of the benefits of living in Texas!

[gchemist]

84 and later models are required to have them if they came from the factory. Only visually. One more reason, I drive an 83. No cats!!

[GMC Guy]

beats the hell out of california...only vehicles 1975 and older are exempt. good thing i cab swapped and registered as a 74

and if you need cats to pass a visual inspection in texas, why not just hollow them out?

[timjt]

Thanks, guess I have to go buy that 68 im looking at

[motornut]

really up here they stopped the rolling exemptions
basicly stopped with carb
fuel injection still needed

[harnalien]

Yeah, technically it's supposed to pass a visual inspection which looks for things that came from the factory like air pumps, cats, evap canister, and a full covered air cleaner. There are always ways to get around this. Some have registered as antique to get around inspections altogether. Vehicles 25 years and older can be registered as antiques and they get 5 year plates.

[68GMCCustom]

you'll get those that don't know their own business....
I had a station tell me that they couldn't pass my '68 because it was supposed to (their interpretation) have cats! One guy was older then me and I asked if he didn't remember cats starting in 1975 along with unleaded fuel...he didn't know. Not one of the 4-5 guys that were there had a clue when cats or unleaded fuel started...much less anything else about emissions. I blew up...I mean I really lost it on these guys. I don't have a lot of patience for people that don't know their $#!%

My truck is now registered as an Antique...............5yr plates and no more inspections!

[Greenlee]

Hmmm. I read the link above and it reads to me like it should be checked visually before 84', but only "if present." Doesn't really make sense. Probably means if it came with one it should still be there, but will only be inspected visually.

The catalytic converter will be considered as a part of the exhaust system on all vehicles prior to 1984 year model and will be inspected only visually (if present) for leakage. On 1984 and later model light truck and passenger vehicles, the catalytic converter will be checked for presence and leakage. Flexible tubing which meets the requirements listed below may be used anywhere in the exhaust system.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

I read the link and mine should be fine without one (I do want to put a high performance on on there....not that I'm a tree huger or anything), but for the safety inspection (visual) they say you need to have on on there if it came from the factory...does anyone know if there is a way to tell if it came from the factory?

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by THE "10" SILVERADO

I read the link and mine should be fine without one (I do want to put a high performance on on there....not that I'm a tree huger or anything), but for the safety inspection (visual) they say you need to have on on there if it came from the factory...does anyone know if there is a way to tell if it came from the factory?

If your 77' was a Heavy Half, it did not come with one. I think the whole reason for the Heavy Half was to get around Cats.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by Greenlee

If your 77' was a Heavy Half, it did not come with one. I think the whole reason for the Heavy Half was to get around Cats.

Nah, I'd like to have a Heavy Half (or BIG 10) but those are usually so abused and I came across this one for a good price.....it is a "camper special edition" though......I doubt that accounts for anything though

[68GMCCustom]

if a camper edition is a "5/8 ton" (what the Big10 and Heavy Half also were) then it wouldn't have come with them.

[gchemist]

Originally Posted by Greenlee

The catalytic converter will be considered as a part of the exhaust system on all vehicles prior to 1984 year model and will be inspected only visually (if present) for leakage. On 1984 and later model light truck and passenger vehicles, the catalytic converter will be checked for presence and leakage. Flexible tubing which meets the requirements listed below may be used anywhere in the exhaust system.

Only if present! My 83 did come with one from the factory. I removed it. The dual exhaust looks better. They don't even check under my truck. The station guys already know my truck. I passed inspection without a hood on too!!