Inspection and emissions...

[dan50]

Hey everyone I need to figure out what to do with registration for my 83 Bronco. I have antique registration and plates from Pennsylvania on the Bronco (25 year rolling). They never expire. EVER. Never needs a safety or emissions inspection. It is still insured in PA and PA doesn't care if I'm not in PA with the Bronco. Anyone know if the local law enforcement is going to care? I don't do any more than 500 miles a year.

The Bronco has the original engine block and heads, but has some changes.
- non-emissions 4bbl carb (factory VIN is for EEC controlled 2v VV carb)
- non-emissions 4 bbl aluminum intake manifold
- no idea on cam
- No evap canister
- no EGR
- no smog pump
- long tube headers
- no cats
- dual exhaust
- and a lot of oil leaks

Three years ago when I lived here it failed the safety inspection (and when I pulled a Carfax on it this spring I noticed that there's a big FAILED mark on the Carfax report). The tech told me I was missing cats, O2 sensors, and all of the emissions components. I figure the fact that it failed before will be a huge red flag for the next tech, right?

If I try to get it registered here, other than retrofitting all of the emissions components (might be easier to buy another Bronco/F150 and swap engines and exhaust...), what are my options?

If PM is more appropriate, please send one.

Thanks
Dan

[chuzie]

I doubt it. The cops don't pull you over for a smog maker and PA won't inspect you because you never have to renew so I don't see a problem. Anyone with more NC experience please chime in.

[bucketobolts]

In NC a vehicle 25 years or older does not have to be sniffed, but should retain all its emission equipment and have safety only inspection. A vehicle 35 years or older is not required to have an inspection, but should meet all the standards if checked.

I've always heard that Wake county inspection stations can be sticklers to the rules. I, myself, have owned 4 fox body Mustangs and have always ran off road H pipes and removed the air pumps. I never had any troubles with getting inspections or being stopped for emissions.

[broncomatt]

as a state inspector I'll give you the facts from the state reg book.
Any vehicle made after 1996 has to pass obd II inspection (computer talkes to state computer). All smog stuff must be inplace(Note I said in place, we are not required to make sure it works).
All vehicles that are made before 96 but not older than 35 years has to pass a saftey only inspection. Again all smog stuff must be intact.
There are a few exceptions, some countys are saftey only (Yadkin is one I'm sure of). If you live in one of the safety only countys you only get the saftey sticker regardless of the year. I'll check the computer at work and get you the complet list of saftey countys.
Your truck is a saftey only sticker. It is possible to find a shop who will throw the sticker on regardless if the parts are realy there. Getting hard to find such shops, we have been harresed endlessly about being thorough.
If it were me, I would keep the Pa. reg. As long as it pulles up valid if stopped by a trooper, they will never question it. Plus they dont have the right to enforce the sticker laws in other states.
FYI, as of october 1'st, NC will be going stickerless. That means you will have to renew your inspection to get the registration renewed. The sticker will now be part of the plate registration. All the old saftey only stations will now be updated with computer systems.
Yes, I love my trucks being older than 35 years. No stickers, ever.
Broncomatt

[dan50]

Thanks for the info. Since the PA registration is good forever, I guess I'll be keeping it for another 9 years when I can get antique NC plates.

Dan