NJ Inspection

Archrms · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 12:30 PM

OK, I finally made it to inspection and have a first hand account of what they are looking for. Of course they failed me, but luckily they are minor items. The four items they failed me for are:

1. Exposed nut on the roll bar behind the drivers head. They either wany it covered in foam or replaced with a carriage bolt.
2. No side pipe covers. They want them installed on the car for inspection - in the trunk is not good enough.
3. Non DOT approved tail light lenses.
4. Ride height of vehicle is too low. They claim that no part of the car (oil pan, bell housing, suspension, etc.) can be lower then the bootom of your rims. The theory behind this, as explained to me, is that if you should get a flat, no other part of the car will bottom out. They claim I have to raise the suspension 1/2" so that my oil pan and bellhousing are above the bottoms of my rims. This should be an easy fix, as I have an adjustable suspension, but it is a pain in the a$$, and I will put it back the way it was right after the inspection.

I know there are a few other guys in NJ who are almost ready for inspecion and I thought some of this may help you, so that you can avoid the same problems.

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 01:23 PM

Those are the most common failure items for Cobras going through the safety inspection. I posted a list of them two orthree years ago, you might want to do a search for that particular post to bring it up to the top for all to see.

Don't sweat it, out of all the Cobras I have brought to the inspection station, only three (out of over 18) have passed the first time around.

Bill S.

Archrms · #3 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 02:34 PM

Hey Bill, how are you? I didn't know you covered some of these items previously. Recently, I have seen some questions from others about to go through this process in the near future, and wanted to keep thim informed. The gentleman that was doing the inspections for the AP station retired in the last year or two, and there is a new crew there now. As you know, each inspector has their own pet peeves, and I just wanted to let them know what the current ones are for this new crew. Overall, they seemed like decent guys, but it still doesn't change the fact that I failed and have to go back. They weren't THAT nice

cbmax · #4 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 07:55 PM

Bill,

Glad to say I passed the first time.

Pheeeeeew........

Chris

Chaplin · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 08:10 PM

Me too. Pheeew again!

Archrms · #6 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 12:56 PM

I took the car back for inspection earlier today, after spending the weekend making the required adjustments. The car passed with no issues. The inspector handed me the paperwork, which I rushed straight to the main DMV office for Title and Registration. All of the paperwork is now complete, I have my plates, and am finally street legal. All I have to do now is undo everything I did this past weekend so I can take her out on the street

Chaplin · #7 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 01:44 PM

Congrats on passing!

Sal Gerace · #8 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 01:44 PM

Archrms,
This has been a very helpfull thread for me . I should go to inspection in about three months. Guess I'll be replacing some lens and bolts and adding a shield on the exhaust. I better check the ride height too! Thanks!

Archrms · #9 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 01:59 PM

Sal, PM me if you need some additional info. I'll be glad to help where I can.

CBattaglia · #10 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 02:06 PM

Did you have to supply SAE numbers for every light including license plate?

If so can you share the numbers.

tks

Archrms · #11 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 02:14 PM

CB,
The DOT approved lights are from Finishline, parts #L691 & L692. Do a search for DOT/SAE lenses under the Superformance forum for additional info. If you need additional info, PM me.

Sal Gerace · #12 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 08:07 PM

Archrms,How are they with the cooling fans in the grill opening? Do you have them?

Archrms · #13 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 08:43 PM

Sal,
The Superformance cars have the fans mounted behind the radiator, so this was not an issue with my car. However, I have spoke with owners of other cars, and they have said that NJDMV will fail you if you have pusher fans mounted in front of the radiator. The simple fix is to remove the fans for inspection as the car will only be running long enough to get it on and off the trailer, and into the inspection building.

One side note to all of you who have not gone through inspection yet. They will not let you stay to watch the actual inspection. When you pull the car into the bay, take your keys before you leave. I was told afterwards that they have no need to start the engine during the initial safety inspection. This was after I left my keys in the car, and heard it started at least three times during the hour and forty five minute inspection.

Joe K · #14 (**permalink**) 05-31-2007, 06:28 PM

Congratulations on getting through the insepction. I guess we will probably see this topic the future on this forum as inspectors change and for some unknown reason, the requiresments appear to be applied differently at different stations.
All in all, it is a pain but worth it when you fianlly get the car on the road and mash down the accelerator!!! VROOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!