emissions

[DeeVeeEight]

I would like to lower the emissions on my 383 stroker, at least long enough to pass an emissions test. The only thing I can think of is to set the timing back to something close to what factory was back in the 70's. Will changing the spark plug gap ( I heard reducing it) help as well? And what about straight up Alcohol, or, as seen on youtube, Shop Line general purpose solvent, as a fuel additive to clean things up? Will that stuff cause problems with the carburetor or rubber goodies? And lastly, I used to cheat some old hoopty type cars I had through emissions testing by taking the vacuum advance line off and letting it suck air, then reconnecting it after the test. As always, I invite your expertise and opinions.
Either I get this car through emissions or I will have to re-register it as Historical and get QQ tags. Not the end of the world but I'll be limited to technically ''driving to special or educational events'' and no more than 3K miles annually.

383 stroker, mild roller cam. Holley 750, headers, H pipe, hi perf. catalytic converters

And lastly, my emissions numbers are not that far off, what was once in the 2000 range is now around 500 but won't go lower.

 

[vette427sbc]

I daily drive my QQ car in the summer, and as long as its nice out for the rest of the year (and as long as its not torn apart :smash. My fathers car is QQ as well and he drives his almost as much as me. Never had anyone from the DMV ask about mileage or have a cop pull me over for not going to a car show when Im really just cruising around.
Not really the answer that youre looking for, but the QQ plates have so many benefits that (IMO) far out-weigh the "cons"

 

[DeeVeeEight]

I daily drive my QQ car in the summer, and as long as its nice out for the rest of the year (and as long as its not torn apart :smash. My fathers car is QQ as well and he drives his almost as much as me. Never had anyone from the DMV ask about mileage or have a cop pull me over for not going to a car show when Im really just cruising around.
Not really the answer that youre looking for, but the QQ plates have so many benefits that (IMO) far out-weigh the "cons"

I just read somewhere that if you get into an accident you are screwed. Your ins. co. won't pay if you are "just cruising" and not going to a planned event.:hissyfit:

 

[vette427sbc]

The DMV is the one that "doesnt matter" in terms of mileage or where you are driving.
Whatever insurance co. you chose is what will matter if you get into an accident. Lots of insurance companies will let you take your car to work, go for cruises, etc... They are all different and have different rules. My Insurance (PM for details if you want) lets me do whatever I want as long as I keep it under a certain # of miles/yr and have another car registered as my daily driver. My family has had classic insurance from them since way before my time. No issues, although no claims either (knocking on wood!)


DISCLAIMER: This is advice from a random person on the internet. Do your research before making a decision. Results may vary.

 

[DeeVeeEight]

You know how the ins. companies work - any excuse to not pay a claim.... That being said I love my classic car ins. with American Collectors Ins. Co, they are very lenient.
I tried to go the historic tags (QQ tags) route but got shot down for having an aftermarket hood. The NJMVC has a distinct dislike for non-factory hood scoops. You have to bring pics of the car and when I did they turned me down.:crutches:

As an update to my emissions dilemma... I took the Holley 750 off and installed an Edelbrock 750 model 1411 that I had on the shelf. The installation was super smooth as it went on to an Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap intake manifold. I am hoping that because these two are supposedly "matched" from the factory for performance that I will get better tuning results. I do like the throttle response from the Eddie better than the Holley and it does run nice and smooth but I won't know if it did any good until later this week when it goes in for another round of sniff testing.

 

[MYBAD79]

I have a Edelbrock 800 model (1412???) on my 383 with the air gap performer rpm manifold...... and I am absolutely positive there is no way this thing could ever pass emission .....

 

[DeeVeeEight]

HC's 500, should be 300

CO's 3.05, should be 3.00

The emissions are improved but not enough to pass.

I am going to swap out the stinger hood for a stock hood I have in the basement so I can qualify for historic tags. It's the most cost effective route.

 

[MYBAD79]

historic plates are not subject to emissions ?? yes, that's sounds like the way to go....

 

[DeeVeeEight]

historic plates are not subject to emissions ?? yes, that's sounds like the way to go....

No sniff test, self inspection, restricted use of vehicle.

 

[MYBAD79]

What's the 'restricted use' ?? I'm not sure but I don't think we have that here in FL ... Historic plates are a little cheaper, i might as well look into this ... I never worried about it because there's no emission testing in FL ....

 

[rtj]

What's the 'restricted use' ?? I'm not sure but I don't think we have that here in FL ... Historic plates are a little cheaper, i might as well look into this ... I never worried about it because there's no emission testing in FL ....

Varies by state. Number of days, no driving to work , etc.

In ct taxes were limited to approx. 70$. Car taxes are high there( or were).

 

[DeeVeeEight]

What's the 'restricted use' ?? I'm not sure but I don't think we have that here in FL ... Historic plates are a little cheaper, i might as well look into this ... I never worried about it because there's no emission testing in FL ....

copied from the NJMVC website

To be considered a historic vehicle, the vehicle must be at least 25 years old and only used for exhibition and educational purposes by the owner. Historic plates can be purchased for $44.

Historic vehicles
General inspections are not required for historic or collector vehicles. To be classified as a "historic vehicle" it must be:
At least 25 years old
Specially registered and display QQ plates

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/Vehicles/historic-samples.pdf

The above link shows pictures of what is and is not acceptable.

The laws are generally not strictly enforced. I see cars with QQ tags used as daily drivers, driven with monster engines and no hood, modified and so on. I guess it depends on who looks at your application.:surrender:

 

[greg75vette]

Do you have a cat on the car? If not, maybe get one from the junk yard. The newer ones aren't very restrictive, but may not be cheap.

 

[mrvette]

Do you have a cat on the car? If not, maybe get one from the junk yard. The newer ones aren't very restrictive, but may not be cheap.

Fed law, as I understand, you can't sell used Cats.....like gas tanks....

stupid shit like that makes me :hissyfit:

 

[greg75vette]

Do you have a cat on the car? If not, maybe get one from the junk yard. The newer ones aren't very restrictive, but may not be cheap.

Fed law, as I understand, you can't sell used Cats.....like gas tanks....

stupid shit like that makes me :hissyfit:

Well, I tried. Funny, I actually bought used cats privately. That is, I bought the midpipe off a C5Z that had the cats in it.


...Am I being watched now?

 

[mrvette]

Do you have a cat on the car? If not, maybe get one from the junk yard. The newer ones aren't very restrictive, but may not be cheap.

Fed law, as I understand, you can't sell used Cats.....like gas tanks....

stupid shit like that makes me :hissyfit:

Well, I tried. Funny, I actually bought used cats privately. That is, I bought the midpipe off a C5Z that had the cats in it.


...Am I being watched now?

NSA and shit, EPA??? HOO NOSE????


:chinese:

 

[DeeVeeEight]

Do you have a cat on the car? If not, maybe get one from the junk yard. The newer ones aren't very restrictive, but may not be cheap.

Fed law, as I understand, you can't sell used Cats.....like gas tanks....

stupid shit like that makes me :hissyfit:

Well, I tried. Funny, I actually bought used cats privately. That is, I bought the midpipe off a C5Z that had the cats in it.


...Am I being watched now?

Look outside, see any drones?

 

[DeeVeeEight]

Do you have a cat on the car? If not, maybe get one from the junk yard. The newer ones aren't very restrictive, but may not be cheap.

I do have hi-perf. cats. I may need to replace them but it is no guarantee that I will pass emissions after installing them. It's cheaper to register it as historic.

 

[Belgian1979vette]

Mix in 10% methanol et voilà problem solved.