Hehe, I told everyone today that it was
a Pantera kitcar. I wasn't too far off.
That is one sweet looking Can-Am. A
Chevy V8 with a Porsche gearbox. Nice.
"Brit sports car with Ferrari-crushing pace" by Brett Fraser in
www.4car.co.uk
[ http://www.4car.co.uk/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=231_2&page=1&reviewid=389 ]
The Can-Am model is 2140lb... 4.20lb/hp
with a 600hp Chevy V8. Well, that beats
me by a stretch but I did choose my car
because it was a 4door and seats 5 adults
comfortably. At a 4200lb penalty, I'm
right around 6.82lb/hp. The Viper is
around 7.55lb/hp base trim. We don't
have to worry about those huh? ;o)
I would say it would pay to recognize
the Henneseys, base model hits 4.81lb/hp
and the crazy ones are 3.4lb/hp.
Enough chit chat and daydreaming, hehe.
}-{ }-{ }-{ }-{ }-{ }-{ }-{ }-{ }-{ }-{
These are your questions that I wrote down
which you are seeking an answer to:
1) I need to understand what is required to register
the car in NJ.
2) What will the emissions testing be like.
3) How do people get licensed and pass emissions in NJ
with these types of high horsepower engines?
You replaced one of those questions in your clarification
with:
"Your questions are correct with one exception; I would like to know
the specific emissions standards for each motor year. For instance
what are the standards for a 1968 small block Chevy versus a 1975
model. Are motors put together pre 1968 required to meet any emission
standards? What about modifications to the motor, new cam etc and
there impact to the testing standards?
"I am willing to do a later model motor with all emissions setups if I
can get the horsepower. Your setup sounds great! Why don't the engine
builders take this approach? Do you care to share what you have done?"
*I'm not sure which to replace, so I'll just add that to the
questions for a total of four.
-=+=--=+=--=+=--=+=--=+=--=+=--=+=--=+=--=+=--=+=--=+=-
I am really glad I got a chance to do some research
in this area. I learned all about the ins and outs
of the engine swap on my vehicle so I wouldn't have
any surprises. It seemed intimidating at first but the
sole requirement in my case was the replacement engine
must be of the same year or newer as the one it
replaces. All emissions parts that came on my car
from the factory, have to remain for visual inspection.
So the swap of a year younger engine into her 1996 body
is ok. All emissions parts were retained. I did have
to get creative to find a home for the electric AIR
pump though.
I wish I could say that building and having a kitcar
pass emissions is going to be that easy. I don't believe
it will be though.
The gentleman who is in charge of the specialty vehicles,
etc in New Jersey, was out of his office today, supposedly
back tomorrow. I called the alternate number he gave for
his absence. It was one of the specialty vehicle testing
areas. The person I spoke with there was helpful with my
questions about the vehicle inspections. It seems it is
very easy to understand the requirements in the case of
a car that is considered a reconstruct. He seemed very
adamant that this is the only classification it would
be under. I asked about collectors cars... he said "these
are cars that came from a factory production line."
The reconstructs, like a car from a manufacturer, must pass
ALL current emissions tests and vehicle safety / equipment
tests for the year of its production. Yep, that means that
if you start this car tomorrow... and it takes 2 years to
build, it will have to be compliant with all rules that
are current to 2004. This is not to say you could not use
an engine that is older, a prior year or so... but the
chances of passing a more stringent emissions with an
engine that was made before the standards, isn't very good.
In addition to having to pass those new standards... it
will be required to have the equipment that comes from
the factory on the typical cars of that year model for the
emissions.
The gentleman at the station I spoke with, STRONGLY suggested
a mill that is current to the year of completion of the
kitcar. He is recommending, complete the vehicle, then drop
in an engine, preferably from the current year. He said,
"The closer to the year of completion the engine is, the
more likely it will meet compliance" The phone number of
that station I called is: (609)567-0190
What is worse about this is... using the hypothetical date
of two years into the future, it brings us to the upcoming
year 2004... that is one of the years that emissions tests
are being ramped up to meet Tier 2 / LEV-II standards. It
will be even harder after that point.
So, your Can-Am is designed for a Chevy V8... I hope that
doesn't just mean a Chevy SB pre-86. I think it would be
pretty impossible to even have a 87-91 SBC pass a modern
test for emissions. Can this kit handle a LT1 engine? Or
better yet a LS1 engine? I'd be willing to bet (not taking
into account hypothetical emissions equipment in the future)
that a LT1 would pass emissions in the future. I have seen
some VERY impressive posts about basically non-existent
noxious vapor emissions. Those tests were NOT on the higher
horsepower engines though. PCM modification is usually
involved in a case like that. A LS1 would also be an engine
likely able to handle emissions testing in the future.
I base those statements on the results I have seen posted
to the newsgroups I am part of. In the case of higher
horsepower engines that have camshafts of a duration which
do not allow for a full, proper combustion. Individuals
have reprogrammed parameters in their PCMs to create a
special environment for testing. The "test program" is not
suitable for daily driving.
I will take this moment to mention a point that was cleared
up by the special vehicles titling division of New Jersey.
The lady I spoke with, inquired from her supervisor about
the origin of the frame. As I stated in my clarification,
the 3 types of kit cars are differentiated by the source
of the frame. Donor car, Kitcar company, or fabbed. New
Jersey will not allow you to have a hand fabbed frame. She
said, if it's a donor car, make sure you have clear title.
You would need this for registration. The chassis they
provide you in the kit, will be able to be titled and
registered.
The lady I spoke with at the titling office, offered to send
out the "Reconstruct Vehicle Packet". From what I gather it
has pertinent information and forms that you will need to
complete titling. I figured it couldn't hurt to have that
info, so I accepted. It'll be here next week. If you would
like the same packet for yourself, you can call the agency
at:
(609)633-7412 Specialty Vehicles Titling.
If you talk with them, don't "blow my cover" ;-)
Since I wanted to get some info for you, right now... I
gently pressed further if there wasn't "some items she
might be able to point out to me on the phone" Seems there
were a few things she could tell me.
To get a kitcar vehicle titled in New Jersey, you must
provide proof of ownership by having clear title of the
donor car. Or in this case, you need the Manufacturer
Certificate of Origin. You will also need the VIN of the
kitcar (she emphasized this point) Since I like to explore
possibilities, I asked was there a way to avoid all the
paperwork? I had told her previously that I was out of state,
she said... "if the vehicle is assembled and titled out
of state, then you simply do a title transfer to the
New Jersey registration." Interesting point, eh?
This of course would not apply in the case of emissions
testing, which would still be required to pass, based on
the year shown on the title as being its "first year".
The gentleman that was out of his office is named, Richard
Dittmore (sp?) He is in charge of the Motor Vehicle Services.
I'm not sure if he's in charge of everything or just this
type of specialty inspection. You can reach him at:
(609)777-4253
As far as safety and equipment inspections, the Can-Am will
also have to pass those based on current models. All of the
typical requirements such as safety belts, mirrors, and horn.
As well as proper ride height, proper bumper height, all
external lights, windshield and wipers, etc.
So, to summarize the answers to the questions:
Q1)I need to understand what is required to register
the car in NJ.
A1) To register a kitcar in New Jersey you must request a
"Reconstruct Vehicle Packet" Study the info inside and
fill out the required forms. When the time comes for
the registration, you will need proof of ownership, a
clear title and/or the Manufacturer Certificate of origin
as well as the VIN of the kitcar (in case this differs
from the frame VIN)
Q2)What will the emissions testing be like.
A2)The emissions testing will be based upon the current
year requirements at the time of vehicle completion. The
vehicle must pass all visual, sniffer and diagnostic
tests.
Q3)How do people get licensed and pass emissions in NJ
with these types of high horsepower engines?
A3)I would have to presume a few things here with this
question. These people are not visiting the "friendly
testing stations" and getting the certification the
easy way. I will have to presume also that the vehicles
in question are not kitcars, or if they are, their mills
are in compliance with what I already stated. I will
also have to presume these cars are possessing engines
that are the same model year or newer in age and still
have all required emissions parts. That said. And not
knowing if the engines in question are normally aspirated
or if they are blown, turbocharged, or if they are on
squeeze. And also not knowing the displacement... But
lets say we know of person X, and they have a car. A
Trans-Am, a 1996. They took a donor engine from a
wrecked 97 T/A or Camaro. Rebuilt it. High compression,
everything is new except the block and a few odds and
ends. This engine placed back in the T/A, as long as
it has either the emissions items from 96 or from 97,
is an emissions legal swap. That is, if it passes the
sniff test. But the engine has new injectors, it has
been bored .030 over and stroked. The "volumetric
efficiency model" of the original engine is waaay out
of spec for this new beast. Fortunately it's an
OBDII type vehicle. You load up a nice program like:
"TuneItUp's LT1_Edit - THE Editor for your GM F, Y, or B-body Car!"
[ http://www.lt1.net/editor/ ]
You play with fun tables like this:
"Advanced Tuning" from LT1_edit
[ http://www.lt1.net/editor/Lt1page3.htm ]
Then you create your new "program" and upload to the
cars' PCM. You place the car on a dyno with a wideband
O2 sensor to test for rich/lean. If you are dead on,
you did well. If not... you try, try again.
And I would give that for my final answer... having
taken these same steps and currently in the middle
of 'try, try again', I would enthusiastically say,
anyone making REALLY HIGH horsepower has tuned their
vehicle through countless hours of trial and error. This
is how they manage to pass emissions
If this isn't a "modern car" chances are the regulations
regarding the emissions standards are pretty lax. I have
seen cars from the 80's with multi-hued smoke still
make a squeeking-by passing grade on the sniff test.
By the time you get back to the 70's cars, they basically
just want to make sure that you are at least burning
some of the fuel in the engine and not letting it all
pour out the tailpipe. So someone with a stout 70's
musclecar, would still be able to pass the emissions,
so long as some effort was put in to making the car
run properly. If it's high horsepower, it is probably
tuned to be efficient as possible.
A word at the end of this about camshafts though.
During my engine buildup I learned that one of the
greatest make or break parts in an engine when it
comes to emissions is the grind on that camshaft.
Sure you can grind out an awesome amount of power,
but will it be clean? The camshaft I wanted for my
buildup was a fairly large one. I was told by a very
knowledgeable camshaft grinder that I would have to
back off a bit to maintain streetability (no torque
convertor was wanted by me) If you are considering
a custom grind on the bumpstick, try this guy:
[ http://camcraftcams.com/index2.html ]
Charles at Camcraft Cams, he's on your side of the
US, in Maryland. As long as I don't experience any
problems with my camshaft, such as premature wear,
then I'm totally happy with it. He selected a dead-on
grind. No lope to speak of and instant throttle
response.
Q4)I would like to know the specific emissions standards for
each model year. For instance what are the standards for a
1968 small block Chevy versus a 1975 model. Are motors put
together pre 1968 required to meet any emission standards?
What about modifications to the motor, new cam etc and
their impact to the testing standards?
A4)As regards the kitcar, this information is irrelevant.
It appears that these engines are not permissible in
the Can-Am in NJ. But I'm not going to leave it at that.
This is a useful question to know about anyway. From
what I understand, vehicles prior to 1968 are exempt.
This applies to the vehicle though and is not relative
to the engine. The concept is, the 'vehicle' must pass
the emissions, with whatever engine exists in the car.
And those standards are based on when the car rolled
off the assembly line. For a non-computer controlled
engine, almost any modification you do to it will
have a large effect on tailpipe emissions. There will
be a smaller range of changes possible. With a modern
PCM, one that can be reprogrammed... many things can
be changed before noticeable tailpipe emissions are
noted. Current computer controlled engines are always
trying to maintain the stoichiometric balance by minor
changes to fueling. These are known as Short-Term and
Long-Term fuel trims. By modifying the base table
information that relates to the air flow and fuel
characteristics of your new mods, you can allow the
engine to operate in a range that is still able to
be balanced by the PCM, thus maintaining the desired
emissions levels.
"The Plain English Guide to Tailpipe Standards" from
The Union of Concerned Scientists
[ http://www.ucsusa.org/vehicles/tailpipe.html ]
"The federal Clean Air Act (CAA) provides the framework for
regulating emissions from motor vehicles. In 1970, it
established nationwide air quality standards to protect
public health. Recognizing the large contribution motor
vehicles make to air pollution, the Clean Air Act also set
the first federal tailpipe standards. Finally, the CAA
granted California, which has some of the worst air
quality in the nation, the authority to set it's own
vehicle emission standards. As of 1990, other states may
adopt the California program as their own (and several
have done so), but are otherwise prohibited from setting
their own emission standards."
"Summary of Federal and California Exhaust Emissions
Standards for CNG, LPG, Gasoline, and Diesel" from
the Alternative Fuels Data Center.
[ http://www.afdc.doe.gov/pdfs/standrds.pdf ]
So far, all I can find are documents and programs
you have to purchase that have a wide variety of
emissions data.
"BAR-Compliant Repair Information in an Easy-to-Use
Format To Compliment Your ALLDATA Subscription" by
AllData
[ http://www.alldata.com/products/emissions/ ]
"Information on the ALLDATA Emissions CD goes beyond
BAR requirements to include extensive Technical
Service Bulletin (TSB) selection and expanded Year,
Make, Model and Engine (YMME) coverage for 1966-1981
model-year vehicles. The convenient CD format is easier
to use, maintain and store than manuals, providing
efficient access to complete emissions information."
Here is a site from Colorado that has emissions limits
and other testing information. From what the CAA said,
the standards should be the same.
"Emissions Limits for Passenger Vehicles" from Air
Care Colorado
[ http://www.aircarecolorado.com/passenge.htm ]
"The following chart shows emissions limits for 1982
through 2001 model years for carbon monoxide (CO),
hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by
vehicle model year."
"What Exactly Gets Tested?" from Air Care Colorado
[ http://www.aircarecolorado.com/elements.htm ]
"Testing Requirements" from Air Care Colorado
[ http://www.aircarecolorado.com/requires.htm ]
This is one of the things I enjoy about answering
questions. I just found a really nice site with
emissions comparison information.
"Tailpipe Tally - How much does your vehicle pollute"
from Environmental Defense
[ http://www.environmentaldefense.org/TailpipeTally/ ]
That last part was supposed to be a "summary". hehe, sorry
Well I provided a very long answer here to your questions.
I hope I did well in providing the information you sought.
If I lost you along the way, please ask for a clarification,
Any items you need for me to expand on, also please ask
about. I will try to answer if I have the information
available to me. If you are still interested in the details
of my vehicle's build-up, I will place the information down
below in the comments field so it doesn't co-mingle with
the answer.
-search techniques-
"Emissions Limits" vehicle
[ ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22Emissions+Limits%22+vehicle
]
vehicle emissions model year
[ ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=vehicle+emissions+model+year
]
emissions standards year
[ ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=emissions+standards+year
]
"Emissions Limits" vehicle
[ ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22Emissions+Limits%22+vehicle
]
Emissions Limits Fail
[ ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=Emissions+Limits+Fail
]
emissions vehicle 2004
[ ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=emissions+vehicle+2004
]
reconstructed vehicle "New Jersey"
[ ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=reconstructed+vehicle+%22New+Jersey%22]
"kit car" "New Jersey"
[ ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22kit+car%22+%22New+Jersey%22
]
"kit car" "New Jersey" license
[ ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22kit+car%22+%22New+Jersey%22+license
]
emissions requirements "New Jersey"
[ ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=emissions+requirements+%22New+Jersey%22
]
vehicle registration requirements "New Jersey"
[ ://www.google.com/search?num=20&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=off&q=vehicle+registration+requirements+%22New+Jersey%22
]
thanks for your question,
-AI |
Clarification of Answer by
alienintelligence-ga
on
06 Sep 2002 06:59 PDT
You are right, it is clear as mud. Let me attempt to
be a filter.
I think that maybe the most confusing part is this. The
ultimate goal here is to have a vehicle registered
in New Jersey which requires a safety / equipment
test and an emissions test.
The registering part seems to be the most straight-
forward. You provide documentation about the vehicle
which seems to be all provided by the kit car dealer.
Forms, paper shuffling, signing and some fees seem
to be it for that process.
What seems to be a point of contention is the separate
emissions standards adopted by different states. The
EPA allowed California to have it's own standards
regarding air quality since it was a gross emissions
producer. The EPA has also allowed states to choose
either the EPA standards or California's standards.
"The Federal Clean Air Act" from South Coast Air
Quality Management District
[ http://www.aqmd.gov/aqmd/legalaut.html ]
"Motor Vehicle Emission Controls. 1970 Act required EPA to
adopt emission limitations for motor vehicles. The 1990
Amendments require EPA to adopt regulations to achieve further
reductions in emissions from motor vehicles, as well as from
other mobile sources such as locomotives. States are preempted
from adopting emission limitations for motor vehicles and
certain other mobile sources. Exception: California can adopt
motor vehicle standards, and standards for some --but not
all-- other mobile sources, and other states can adopt the
California standards."
I went to the EPA site and looked up what you said to
look for. Your kit car is not a vehicle as is concerned by
the EPA upon importation since you are going to be
supplying the part that causes emissions, here in the US.
"EPA Kit Car Policy" from the EPA
July 8, 1994 - Previous versions are obsolete (1994 isn't?)
[ http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/kitcar.htm ]
"The following represents a clarification of EPA's
policy concerning the regulation of imported and
domestically produced kit cars and kit car packages.
Kit vehicles are understood by EPA to typically
involve new bodies, used drivetrains and new or used
chassis."
** That is point #1, they don't consider it a kit vehicle
because you are supplying the drivetrain
"1. Fully-assembled kit cars are "motor vehicles" under
the Clean Air Act. Complete kit car packages are also
"motor vehicles" under the Clean Air Act. These are
packages which contain all of the major components
needed for assembly (i.e., body, chassis, engine and
transmission). As "motor vehicles" they are subject
to all applicable emission regulations."
** Point #2, it's not fully assembled, nor does it come
with an emissions producing drivetrain
"The production, sale and importation of automotive
bodies alone (i.e., no chassis, engine or transmission)
are not regulated by EPA since such units are not
considered "motor vehicles" under the Clean Air Act.
EPA form 3520-1 is not required for imported automotive
bodies. A motor vehicle from which the engine has been
removed is still a motor vehicle and is not considered
a body."
** Point #3, they just spell it out there, no engine,
no motor vehicle, no emissions regulations.
So it would seem that there are no problems there. The
problem is when this kit car becomes a full vehicle.
-x-=-+-o-x-=-+-o-x-=-+-o-x-=-+-o-x-=-+-o-x-=-+-o
California's regulations regarding the Specially
Constructed Vehicles and emissions testing are:
"Specially Constructed Vehicles- Emission Control"
[ http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcns.htm ]
What's New?
"Effective January 1, 2002, the first 500 owners to apply
for original registration of specially constructed
passenger vehicles and pickup trucks may choose whether
smog requirements that apply to their vehicles are based on
the engine model year or the vehicle model year.
"If your application is one of the first 500 received by the
Department of Motor Vehicles, a numbered Specially
Constructed Vehicle (SPCNS) Certificate of Sequence will be
issued for your vehicle.
"NOTE: Due to the limited number of SPCNS Certificates of
Sequence available, you may wish to submit your application
for registration in person at a local DMV office. "
-------------------------------------------------------
As of close of business on September 4, 2002, 280 of 500
sequence certificates are unassigned and available.
--------------------------------------------------------
@¿@ *¿* ^¿^ 0¿o @¿@ *¿* ^¿^ 0¿o @¿@ *¿* ^¿^ 0¿o
So it seems the main question is this. Does New Jersey
follow the EPA standards for the United States or have
they adopted the California standards. I believe this
article clears that up.
"Energy Wise Options for State and Local Governments"
By Michael Totten and Nita Settina
"Fuel Economy and Emissions Standards"
[ http://sol.crest.org/efficiency/energywise_options/ch2-2.html ]
"Northeast Ozone Transport Commission
Recognizing that the federal Clean Air Act did not go far
enough to improve air quality, the governors of eleven eastern
states (Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New
Jersey, Delaware, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode
Island and Vermont), and the Mayor of the District of
Columbia, pledged to adopt California's program through a
Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 1991. It is one
of the largest joint steps against pollution ever taken by the
region.
"The Massachusetts legislature was the first, followed by
Maine, to vote in favor of adopting the California program in
1991. Many states, however, can adopt the standards through
administrative procedures.
"In 1991, New York Governor Mario Cuomo announced that the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) would implement
the stricter California standards scheduled to go into effect
in 1995. DEC Commissioner, Thomas Jorling, testified on behalf
of the program's adoption, comparing the cost of a ton of
hydrocarbon reduction from reduced tailpipe emissions of $800
to $4,000 a ton, to stationary source reductions approaching
$15,000 a ton of reduction. In addition, Jorling contrasted
the annual hydrocarbon reductions available from stationary
sources -- 12,500 tons -- to the 30,000 tons of reductions
available through mobile sources. Public hearings have been
completed on the regulation amendment and final regulations
are expected soon.
"Adopting such a far-reaching program raises numerous
controversial issues. Connecticut Governor, Lowell P. Weicker
Jr., was the sole northeastern Governor to refuse acceptance
of the California standards. Amidst criticism from fellow
northeastern leaders, Weicker cited cost concerns, (the auto
manufacturers claim an additional cost of $1,000 per vehicle,
while California experts say it is probably under $200), and
questions regarding the availability of technology to meet the
new cleaner standards."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This is consistent with what I was told by the specialty
vehicle testing station I spoke with in NJ. I am still waiting
for a call from the director of Motor Vehicle Services (MVS)
department of Specialty Vehicles, Richard Dittmore. Hopefully
he will be able to confirm that article. Maybe he will also
know of a program such as California's where they are accepting
500 applicants that are able to choose.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This article states New Jersey is considering adopting
the California (LEV)II requirements:
"STATES ENLISTED TO BATTLE EMISSIONS"
Stakes high for automakers as fight to cap greenhouse
gas shifts from D.C. to legislators"
By Jeff Plungis / Detroit News Washington Bureau"
[ http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0205/13/a01-488288.htm ]
"The California legislation came as a surprise to the
auto industry, which had focused on a bruising but
successful yearlong battle in Congress to defeat
tougher fuel economy rules. Now, other challenges loom: "
" * New Jersey is the latest state to consider copying
California's stringent low emission vehicle (LEV) II
emissions program. Rhode Island and New Hampshire could
soon follow. "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I will let you know as soon as I have some type of
confirmation. I am also waiting for a response from
a lady I spoke with at the DC office of the EPA.
-AI
|
