Georgia Emissions- Catalytic Converters required ?!?

[Mark Allbaugh]

Hi,
I live in Atlanta, GA and have 78 TA with a 455 and dual exhaust. I
have to have my emissions checked for the first time this year and
you're supposed to have catalytic converter(s) on the car if it was
originally equipped with it/them. Does anyone know it the testing
sites really enforce the "Visual" inspection of this ?? I don't want
to have to put converters on......

Thanks,
Mark Allbaugh
allb...@mindspring.com

[FastTA79]

In PA most of the sites do but if you find the right one you can slip the guy a
couple of bucks (usually half the cost of doing the repair) and you might be
able to get by. Plus in PA if you spend $150 towards the cost of the repair
you can get the sticker.

Matt
Fast...@aol.com

[ChipHead]

Mark:

In all probability, the answer will be "Yes". The emissions tests
that are being performed now are specifically designed to detect
missing/damaged/non-functional converters. Time was when you
could pass without one if your can was in good condition, but no
longer. The EPA has "encouraged" the states to begin using
dynamometers for testing, and you will not even come close without
your CATs.
The old tests simply rammed a sniffer up your tailpipe
and tested the car at idle, or at low RPMs with no load. No longer.
Any good exhaust shop can fix you up for cheap. And the newer
CATs are not restrictive at all. You won't notice any performance hit,
despite what your buddies may say.

Good luck,

Vance

Mark Allbaugh <allb...@mindspring.com> wrote in article
<34f8bd52...@news.mindspring.com>...

[Skip]

Mark Allbaugh wrote:
>
> Hi,
> I live in Atlanta, GA and have 78 TA with a 455 and dual exhaust. I
> have to have my emissions checked for the first time this year and
> you're supposed to have catalytic converter(s) on the car if it was
> originally equipped with it/them. Does anyone know it the testing
> sites really enforce the "Visual" inspection of this ?? I don't want
> to have to put converters on......
>
> Thanks,
> Mark Allbaugh
> allb...@mindspring.com

It is a violation of FEDERAL law to drive a post 74-model car without a
catalytic converter. The fine is somthing ridiculously high. Will you
get fined? No. Will the state force you install one if they catch you?
Absolutely.
Can't you find out from someone who went through the day before whether
they're doing the visual inspection or not? Are the inspection stations
state-owned (can't slip them $20) or are they gas stations (could
bribe)? There are such things are low back-pressure converters
available at speed shops, and cheap rebuilt converters available at junk
yards, you know.
Skip
70 SS350, 77 305 daily driver, 89 Z28