Connecticut: Registration, Inspection & Emissions

[SJK2]

Originally Posted by RENEW1

I thought about calling the Ct official but backed off. For one I'm very emotional about this thing and had a hard time not screeming at the lower level official I talked to at DEP a few days ago. Second I don't want to screw things up for people like ERA or others who might be going to that meeting I was told about. I fought this emissions program before it even started and still think it is a waste of money and everybodys time. Newer cars will take care of the emissions problem with time.

What's the story on the "Meeting" is it "Public" or "backdoor special"???

[Wheels427]

He said it wasn't that bad,he knew his was to loud so he put on some borrowed exhaust mufflers and shields. His is registered as 06.He went through unpainted as didn't want to chance trying in 07 because of the emissions issues.His is FE 427 crate motor from Southern engines.With stock FFR exhaust it's very loud,He's going to permantly go with quieter exhaust when he gets a chance.

[Don]

Wheels427, you mentioned $40, the standard test fee at the garage sites is $20.00, with one free re-test if there is a FAIL ? Or, has there been a change ?

I checked my paperwork from 2000, the max HC was 484 using the previous centralized test sites, is it correct the HC was raised to 800 with the new system ?

[Wheels427]

When you buy a new car they charge you $40.00 and you don't have to get tested for 4 years,[nice deal for the state,they don't do anything and get $40.00].That's what my emisson sheet said on it when done in Oct. 2005.

[Don]

Forgot about the 4 year wait on new vehicles, the Corvette I bought new in 2002 was tested for the first time in 2006.

Your right, a good deal for the state as I believe the garage gets $10 out of the $20 charge when they test every 2 years.

Does anyone know, are the autos owned by the towns, cities and state required to get an emissions test ?

[RENEW1]

Had email contact today with a DMV guy that I have been communicating with. The limits are set as of now for 2007 unless something changes it. I could not get hold of Peter at ERA today to find out more about the meeting.I have attached my email correspondance but have removed my name for you all to read. Again the CO requirement is going to be the problem.
Unless somebody out there knows the 1.2 CO limit can be reached with a carb
there isn't a lot of choice. I'm trying to find someone with just efi on an FE that has emissions data but so far no luck. My original CO limit on this form was 1.3 but it is 1.2, my error

[Wheels427]

I went to the emissons web site and it sounds like they are getting really strict on the waiver part.I don't know if so but sure looks like it.I really think they want these [so called dirty] cars off the road.

[Cobrabill]

Just as a comparison,the idle & loaded CO2 standard here is Az. is 1.2 for a 1990 F-150 302 CI.

[Don]

1. Aa a recap: From e-mails with the DMV Emissions Coordinator

**** January 10, 2007, older defined as 2005 and earlier.

The DEP may not be responding to your requests because the new composite cut points are already on the books sort of speak, As I explained last year The Emissions Division has asked DEP to reconsider the new composite cut points, We have not heard anything as of yet.

As for older composites the cut points will remain at 4.0 % CO and 800 PPMs for HCs.

**** August 14, 2006

Currently these have not been sorted out to our satisfaction. There is a DEP Regulation indicating that the limits will be 220 ppm HC and 1.2% CO for 2006 and newer Composites. We are trying to get DEP to change the regulation so the 2007 and newer composites will be 300 ppm HC and 1.6% CO but have not received a response back to our request for the change.



*** DEP Emissions document containing the Composite 2005 and earlier , 2006 & 2007 standards: Scroll down for the section on Composites

http://dep.state.ct.us/air2/regs/mainregs/sec27.pdf

Mentioned for 2006 and later Composites is 1.2 CO and 220 HC



2. *** In checking my Vehicle Emissions Reports , maximum limits, both using 2000 as the year registered

2000: HC 484, CO 5.09
2005: HC 800, CO 4.00

For the same year registered, in my case 2000, the standard was changed even though the vehicle has the same engine in both 2000 and 2005

From the above, it would appear newly registered Composites in 2006, and now later years, have been using the latest standards. Either the Composites in 2006 have met the latest standard or waivers were granted. All this for approx 20 new Composite registrations per year, driven 1,000 to 2000 miles per year, as a guess. With a grand total of approx 300 Composites registered for all years

[Don]

From the SEMA Web Site " State Legislators Who Support the Hobby ".

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61681

State legislators around the country with a common goal to support the motor vehicle hobby have joined the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The Caucus is a bi-partisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles. The Caucus will help raise the motor vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and in the eyes of the public. Working in state capitals, many of these legislators have sought to preserve and protect the hobby by seeking the amendment of existing motor vehicle statutes and creating new programs to safeguard and expand the hobby. Over the past several years, their work has brought a series of significant legislative accomplishments for the vehicle enthusiast community on issues ranging from equipment standards to registration classifications, and from emissions test exemptions to hobbyist rights. By joining the Caucus, these legislators have demonstrated their commitment to upholding the rights of vehicle enthusiasts. In addition, hobbyists will be able to quickly identify which state legislators have chosen to be recognized for their support of this great American hobby.


Is anyone aware if State Representative Toni Walker, Deputy Majority Leader, New Haven District 93 has been contacted ?

Might be an opportunity to present the case on emissions, registrations, inspection, using the year of the replica and model rather than Composite etc ?

Jay and others, any interest ?

[Cashburn]

I'm going to get an appointment next door and get a baseline test on our 408W / Mass-Flo car to see where we stand with that setup.

[SJK2]

Originally Posted by Don

From the SEMA Web Site " State Legislators Who Support the Hobby ".

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61681

State legislators around the country with a common goal to support the motor vehicle hobby have joined the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The Caucus is a bi-partisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles. The Caucus will help raise the motor vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and in the eyes of the public. Working in state capitals, many of these legislators have sought to preserve and protect the hobby by seeking the amendment of existing motor vehicle statutes and creating new programs to safeguard and expand the hobby. Over the past several years, their work has brought a series of significant legislative accomplishments for the vehicle enthusiast community on issues ranging from equipment standards to registration classifications, and from emissions test exemptions to hobbyist rights. By joining the Caucus, these legislators have demonstrated their commitment to upholding the rights of vehicle enthusiasts. In addition, hobbyists will be able to quickly identify which state legislators have chosen to be recognized for their support of this great American hobby.


Is anyone aware if State Representative Toni Walker, Deputy Majority Leader, New Haven District 93 has been contacted ?

Might be an opportunity to present the case on emissions, registrations, inspection, using the year of the replica and model rather than Composite etc ?

Jay and others, any interest ?

Don,
Several emails to Rep Toni Walker w/no answer??
And im intrested in anything we can do...........

[Don]

Jay, when the Cobra is tested, can you verify the standards that appear on the Vehicle Inspection Report, i.e., has the Agbar system been updated to the 2006/2007 standards mentioned in the postings ? Assuming the Cobra is being tested/registered as a 2007 Composite.

Just to clarify, by Mass-Flo, the engine has FI rather than a carb ?

[Don]

Steve, I sent the following e-mail to Toni. If I do not hear back within a few weeks, I will follow-up with a letter:

Subject: SEMA: " State Legislators Who Support the Hobby ".
Date: January 10, 2007 2:06:39 PM EST
To: Toni.Walker@cga.ct.gov

State Representative Toni Walker:

I am the owner of a Cobra replica, or as Connecticut refers to them, " Composite ". From a section of the SEMA web site:

State legislators around the country with a common goal to support the motor vehicle hobby have joined the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The Caucus is a bi-partisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles. The Caucus will help raise the motor vehicle hobby’s profile in the state legislatures and in the eyes of the public. Working in state capitals, many of these legislators have sought to preserve and protect the hobby by seeking the amendment of existing motor vehicle statutes and creating new programs to safeguard and expand the hobby. Over the past several years, their work has brought a series of significant legislative accomplishments for the vehicle enthusiast community on issues ranging from equipment standards to registration classifications, and from emissions test exemptions to hobbyist rights. By joining the Caucus, these legislators have demonstrated their commitment to upholding the rights of vehicle enthusiasts. In addition, hobbyists will be able to quickly identify which state legislators have chosen to be recognized for their support of this great American hobby.


Your name is listed by SEMA as a Connecticut legislator that has expressed an interest in representing the interests of the hobbyists , such as myself and many others within the state. Included are a number of businesses that sell products and provide services for auto enthusiasts .

Prior to contacting you with specific subjects, I did want to confirm your interests as stated above. It would also be helpful if you could share with me the names of any other State Representatives that have a similar interest.

.............thanks in advance for the reply

Regards

Don

[RENEW1]

Received another email from the DMV guy today stating that they will not be testing gas caps. Also ordered Mass-floefi system for my engine and if I need to, will add hi-flo cats. Looking at if I can even fit Cats and mufflers on a Cobra.Hate do do that but I don't think I have any other choice other than cancelling my ERA. I sent Toni email and got no response. She is very involved with kids issues was even on cable the other day. I wonder if she supports only things with school buses and driver training!!! I think Wheels427 is correct, they are slowly squeezing composites out. It looks like they are planning to tighten limits on everyone as time goes on. My understanding is you need 1.7% or less CO to use Cats without damaging them.

[Don]

Note the reply that was posted regarding a new Thread on tuning engines that could meet the 2007 CT emission standards:

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...125#post704125

3 Dealers in CT . I sent an inquiry to TunerTools in Ledyard referencing the ability to tune for meeting the 2007 emission standards using a carb, will post the reply.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/dealers.php

Any experience with the tuning tools ?

[Cashburn]

Don,
We have a tuning tool. Will be getting more aggressive on this as time goes on. Also developing a cat pipe for our cars. Have to be prepared either way.

[RENEW1]

Got a surprise for everyone. Claire Janokowski, a Vernon House Rep, has promised me she will submit a bill to the legislature using the SEMA language to define our cars and exempt them from emissions. It must be in by noon tomorrow, I hope. She asked for a copy sent to her at the state house and one at home. I hope someone can tune a carb but I wouldn't bet on it for everyone. Just for info all EFI systems try to control at A/F ratio about 14.7:1
which is equivelent to very low CO. I tried to attach a chart as CO and A/F ratio but file is too big. I have asked Peter at ERA if he would like to contact Claire so we'll see what happens. If this bill makes it I hope everyone including other replica cars and Hot Rods will support it. We are outnumbered and it will most likely take a strong effort.

[Don]

FYI........appears there are tuning aids to meet the CT emission standards

From: Sales@TunerTools.com
Subject: RE: Website Inquiry from the Tuner Tools online store
Date: January 11, 2007 6:01:32 PM EST

Cc: techsupport@tunertools.com
Reply-To: Sales@TunerTools.com

Hi Don,

The short answer is yes, you can tune any engine to meet these requirements with proper instrumentation and aggressive tuning. Once you reach these requirements, you may or may not like the way the car runs and you’ll be on the lean side with a carbed engine.

The first trick is to know where you are now. As mentioned in the forum postings, you need some real instruments to do this and the Innovate LM-1 or a variant of it is a great place to start. Normally the LM-1 is used for tuning from a forward (pre cat if you have one) wideband O2 sensor, but you can also measure from the end of the exhaust the same way the DMV does using one of the exhaust clamps shown here: http://tunertools.com/proddetail.asp?prod=IN-3728

Thanks and best regards,
Lloyd Barnhill
Managing Partner

[Wheels427]

We all need to know how to help support this so it can go through.Does anybody know what to do?