Passing Emissions

[85Elky]

Hello Everybody,

So I have an 85 El Camino that is currently being fully restored. The county I live in historically did not require emission testing and about 5 years ago I removed as much of the emission parts I could (smog pump, canisters, etc.). Now fast forward to present time. I just pulled the motor and disassembled with intentions of having the motor stroked and putting some money into it to give it some nice power. However, there is now rumor that the county I live in is going to require emissions.

My fear is that I will be building an older school engine and then not be able to pass the emissions. Does anyone have any idea what it takes to pass emissions? My plan was to put a new exhaust as well so I am assuming catalytic converters will be a must. Also do I need to be adjusting the parts I buy (headers, intake manifold, etc.) so that they are compatible with any smog control parts needed?

 

[TURNA]

What state/county

 

[pontiacgp]

is it a 305 you plan on stroking ?

 

[Bonnewagon]

Most states if the car is 25 years old you are exempt. If not yet passed this could be a good time to attend your county legislature meeting and voice your opinion.

 

[DRIVEN]

I think it might make more sense to verify or debunk the rumor before we get too far down the rabbit hole.
If it will be required, what are the standards going to be? Tailpipe sniffer? Visual inspection for non-OE components? Rolling dyno? All of the above? Is there a year/age cut-off? Grandfathering?
Too many variables to be able to give you any solid advice.

 

[fleming442]

Just watch what years are covered under the new law and what factory requirements are covered. You could get lucky by missing the cutoff year or being grandfathered in. Keep hope alive!

 

[pontiacgp]

you can always move...

 

[85Elky]

is it a 305 you plan on stroking ?

No its actually a 350, but i'd been on the fence about stroking or doing an Ls2 and T56 conversion. Then with the risk of emissions thought maybe the Ls2 would eliminate the worries all together.

 

[85Elky]

What state/county

New Mexico - Sandoval County

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Hello Everybody,

So I have an 85 El Camino that is currently being fully restored. The county I live in historically did not require emission testing and about 5 years ago I removed as much of the emission parts I could (smog pump, canisters, etc.). Now fast forward to present time. I just pulled the motor and disassembled with intentions of having the motor stroked and putting some money into it to give it some nice power. However, there is now rumor that the county I live in is going to require emissions.

My fear is that I will be building an older school engine and then not be able to pass the emissions. Does anyone have any idea what it takes to pass emissions? My plan was to put a new exhaust as well so I am assuming catalytic converters will be a must. Also do I need to be adjusting the parts I buy (headers, intake manifold, etc.) so that they are compatible with any smog control parts needed?

You would need either the complete factory low emission package for an 85 El Camino or the complete factory low emission package of whatever engine you swap in, as long as it is the same year or newer than the car. In short, to be emission legal you will need all of the low emission parts, its all or nothing legal wise. This includes LS swaps as some of the factory OBD 2 emission systems are not compatible with old cars, making all junkyard LS swaps emission illegal. The only legal LS swaps are GM's expensive Erod crate engines that comes with special low emission parts for old car swaps and the proper paperwork to prove it.