VA state inspection

[blankstar43]

Finally need to get my VA state inspection done on my M3. I am currently running the akra evo exhaust system with HFC and was wondering if this would pass inspection and emissions, or if they even check that in VA?

Thanks!

[VtecforV8]

Not sure, but subscribed. Hopefully someone has a good outline of what we can get away with here. I'm getting the exhaust bug....

[Mikeystone]

Long story short I would just try and get it done you never know if you don't throw a code and have a lazy inspector he will pass you.

I can only speak for Stafford Virginia State Inspection but here we are not allowed to even have a cat-back exhaust or any shop is supposed to deny your inspection according to two state inspectors and my personal experience.

I Had HFC and cat-back system on my last car and it was denied by two shops so I had to just swapped it out for the full stock exhaust and after inspection put it right back in. My friend on the other hand has a straight piped WRX and can get it inspected anywhere because of the county he lives in Louisa County. I know its crazy but the laws for inspection change from City to City and County to County not generic for the whole state on exhausts.

[rpl77]

Originally Posted by Mikeystone

Long story short I would just try and get it done you never know if you don't throw a code and have a lazy inspector he will pass you.

I can only speak for Stafford Virginia State Inspection but here we are not allowed to even have a cat-back exhaust or any shop is supposed to deny your inspection according to two state inspectors and my personal experience.

I Had HFC and cat-back system on my last car and it was denied by two shops so I had to just swapped it out for the full stock exhaust and after inspection put it right back in. My friend on the other hand has a straight piped WRX and can get it inspected anywhere because of the county he lives in Louisa County. I know its crazy but the laws for inspection change from City to City and County to County not generic for the whole state on exhausts.

Weird how it varies by county. I had my state inspection at Richmond BMW last year when I had my gintani catback exhaust. No issues whatsoever.

[LucWerkz]

Here's what I do:

Go get state inspection while aftermarket parts are on the car and hope for the best.
Fail state inspection and inspector gives me a list of things I have to address.
I go home and swap out parts/borrow parts from friends.
Go back and pass.

[blankstar43]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I still have the stock exhaust so if I get grief I guess I'll have a fun little project one weekend switching them around

[Mikeystone]

Originally Posted by Red_Baron

Here's what I do:

Go get state inspection while aftermarket parts are on the car and hope for the best.
Fail state inspection and inspector gives me a list of things I have to address.
I go home and swap out parts/borrow parts from friends.
Go back and pass.

+1

[LucWerkz]

Originally Posted by blankstar43

Thanks for the replies everyone. I still have the stock exhaust so if I get grief I guess I'll have a fun little project one weekend switching them around

They will probably get you for your painted reflectors. My M3's reflectors were wrapped and I literally had to peel the vinyl off of them in front of the inspector or he wouldn't have passed me.

[fitchesbass]

I'd say it largely depends on the inspection place.

Since I moved down to NOVA 5+ years ago with my E36 M3 which had no cats but with O2 simulators, I took it to a guy at a shadier garage and he hooked it up it passed via the OBDII and I was on my way. I tip the guy nicely every time; and take ALL of my cars and bikes to him. Do you have O2 simulators on the car or not? If not, for sure it will throw a code to the inspection guy when he connects to the OBDII port.

FWIW, my guy passed my E86 M coupe with painted reflectors and no front license plate for years. That car was garaged in Ballston (arlington county) for 3 years too. He just passed my E92 M3 with no front plate.

Find a guy you can have a good relationship with; anyone that goes to a legit shop or the stealership for inspection is They are just looking for a reason to not pass you and charge you for some service item - likes brakes, tires, etc.

my 0.02.

[fitchesbass]

Originally Posted by rpl77

Weird how it varies by county. I had my state inspection at Richmond BMW last year when I had my gintani catback exhaust. No issues whatsoever.

Am I missing something, why would a catback exhaust not pass?! Unless it was ridiculously loud

[rpl77]

Originally Posted by fitchesbass

Am I missing something, why would a catback exhaust not pass?! Unless it was ridiculously loud

Not sure. Just responding to mikeystones post above re: not passing inspection in stafford.

[8tnfox]

Originally Posted by blankstar43

Finally need to get my VA state inspection done on my M3. I am currently running the akra evo exhaust system with HFC and was wondering if this would pass inspection and emissions, or if they even check that in VA?

Thanks!

As for emissions it's only for the Northern counties.

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/vehicles/#emissions.asp

[Golddots]

I am about as knowledgeable on va safety and emissions as one could be.

Tampering with emissions equipment will fail safety inspection anywhere in va(ie no cat)

The only physical inspection for most situations (after "preliminary safety check")on a 96 up vehicle are the gas cap and presence of cat converters. If there is no cat converter you will fail emissions.

Technically you would pass safety inspection with no muffler even though it is illegal to drive without one in va.


http://lis.virginia.gov/000/reg/TOC19030.HTM.HTM#C0070

That is the link for the official inspection manual if you scroll to chapter 70.

I'm pretty interested in anyone's experience with tunes and passing emissions.

If there is something which very much looks like a cat converter and all obdii monitors except one are ready you should be good.

[blankstar43]

Originally Posted by 414hpbabyshuttle

I am about as knowledgeable on va safety and emissions as one could be.

Tampering with emissions equipment will fail safety inspection anywhere in va(ie no cat)

The only physical inspection for most situations (after "preliminary safety check")on a 96 up vehicle are the gas cap and presence of cat converters. If there is no cat converter you will fail emissions.

Technically you would pass safety inspection with no muffler even though it is illegal to drive without one in va.

Im pretty sure I'd fill out a "rejection from testing" form without even doing the emissions test if no muffler was present.

http://lis.virginia.gov/000/reg/TOC19030.HTM.HTM#C0070

That is the link for the official inspection manual if you scroll to chapter 70.

I'm pretty interested in anyone's experience with tunes and passing emissions.

If there is something which very much looks like a cat converter and all obdii monitors except one are ready you should be good.

While I do have the HFC mufflers and resonators, the exhaust still throws an increased emission code causing the check engine light to appear. Is this something they look at, or just throw it up on a lift and look at the physical exhaust?

[Golddots]

There is no decibel test for safety or emissions test.

Noise ordinance is enforced by police.

[Golddots]

Originally Posted by blankstar43

While I do have the HFC mufflers and resonators, the exhaust still throws an increased emission code causing the check engine light to appear. Is this something they look at, or just throw it up on a lift and look at the physical exhaust?

You will not pass emissions if the mil stays on with the car running. The emissions machine asks the inspector if the mil illuminates briefly then turns off.
I have seen a few tests where there WAS a trouble code stored but because the mil did not constantly stay on and obdii readiness was ok the cars passed.

No inspector is allowed to repair anything on the car or required to "throw it up on a lift" during the test.

[blankstar43]

Originally Posted by 414hpbabyshuttle

You will not pass emissions if the mil stays on with the car running. The emissions machine asks the inspector if the mil illuminates briefly then turns off.
I have seen a few tests where there WAS a trouble code stored but because the mil did not constantly stay on and obdii readiness was ok the cars passed.

No inspector is allowed to repair anything on the car or required to "throw it up on a lift" during the test.

So I would need to clear the code prior to inspection?

[Golddots]

Yes. But then all obdii monitors will be " not ready". You'd have to clear then drive until all monitors are ready or only one not ready.

[jfo122]

Any update on this, did you pass emissions? I'm in Arlington and have been looking at the Akra Evo myself...

[blankstar43]

Originally Posted by jfo122

Any update on this, did you pass emissions? I'm in Arlington and have been looking at the Akra Evo myself...

Passed without any questions asked.