Looking for TX Car mod information

[Slyder]

Hey folks. Looks like I'll be moving to Texas for a while (thanks Army) and have been looking for some basic information about modified cars in Texas. Most of what I've been able to find has been fairly vague and not really what I'm looking for.

Does anyone have any definitive information on what car mods are allowed/prohibited on cars in TX?

I'm also going to be in the Galveston County area and understand that it's a smog controlled area requiring a rolling-dyno test. Any ideas on how strict they are in terms of actual emissions (as compared to California)?

Right now the e30 is heavily modded and I'm trying to weigh the decision of either keeping my turbo setup or swapping back to my old stroker (for "visual" purposes). I'd really prefer not to if I don't need to, but if that's what it takes to pass I will.

Other than that I think the safety inspection will be pretty easy as I have all the required equipment.

Also, any thoughts as to the actual registration process for an newbie from another state?

Thanks in advance for the help!!

[Matt-B]

Inspection/Rejection Criteria


20.14 Exhaust Emission System. The owner or operator of any new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine beginning with the model year 1968 equipped with an exhaust emission system shall maintain the exhaust emission system in good operable condition and shall use it at all times that the motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine is operated. The owner or oper-

ator of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine shall not remove or intentionally make inoperable within the state of Texas the exhaust emission system or any part thereof, except where the purpose of removal of the exhaust emission system or part thereof is to install another exhaust emission system or part thereof, which is intended to be equally effective in reducing atmospheric emissions from the vehicle or engine.

The exhaust emission system was installed by manufacturers of motor vehicles beginning with model year 1968. The inspection of the exhaust emission system will apply only to those vehicles that are equipped with such a system. The following exhaust emission systems will be inspected if installed as original equipment by the manufacturer: thermostatic air cleaner, exhaust gas recirculation system, positive crankcase ventilation system, air injection system, evaporative emission system, and/or catalytic converter.

If installed as original equipment by the manufacturer, the catalytic converter will be considered a part of the exhaust emission system on all 1984 and later model vehicles. It will be inspected as a part of the exhaust system on prior to 1984 model vehicles.

NOTE: The inspection of the exhaust emission system shall not apply to motor vehicles altered and modified to use only a fuel other than gasoline.

NOTE: Vehicles using liquefied petroleum gas as fuel or a combination of liquefied petroleum gas and any other fuel must bear a liquefied gas tax decal on the windshield lower right-hand corner showing this vehicle uses liquefied petroleum gas, before a safety inspection certificate can be issued.

NOTE: A motor vehicle that uses liquefied petroleum gas that is operated by a public school district or county in this state is not required to have a liquefied gas tax decal or special use liquefied gas tax decal.

1. Inspection Procedure. Examine visually.

2. Inspect for and reject if:

a. The exhaust emission system has been removed.

b. The exhaust emission system has been disconnected.

c. The plumbing or hoses are loose, broken, leaking, or improperly routed.

d. Air pump (air injection-type) belt is loose, removed, excessively cracked, frayed or has pieces missing.

e. The exhaust emission system has been altered in any manner to make it ineffective.

f. The catalytic converter has been removed, leaking, or disconnected on a 1984 or later model vehicle.

3. Gas Cap Testing. Every gasoline-powered vehicle* from 2-24 model years old will be checked for presence of and by a Department approved "Gas Cap Testing Device" to determine if the gas cap is missing or defective. The following vehicles are exempt:

a. Antique vehicles.

b. Slow-moving vehicles.

c. Motorcycles.

d. Vehicles operated exclusively by a fuel other than gasoline.

e. Vehicles newer than 2 years old and older than 24 years old.

4. Inspection Procedure.

a. Conduct daily calibration check of gas cap testing device.

b. Check for presence (all gas caps must be checked).

c. Check for correct type of gas cap(s).

d. Remove gas cap(s) and test using an approved testing device. (Gas cap present but not testable will not be cause for rejection.)

e. Any gas cap(s) failing the initial test will be tested a second time to verify failure.

5. Inspect for and reject if:

a. Vehicle not equipped with required gas cap(s).

b. Vehicle not equipped with proper type gas cap(s).

c. Gas cap(s) fails both tests.

[Matt-B]

I used google man. Nor being a dick but i found it really easy.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/inspection/item_insp.asp

here is a list of stuff they check. Does not list motor

[Matt-B]

also this if your from out of town moving there.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/Misc/faq/outstate.htm

[Slyder]

I found that as well, but didn't really tell me much with relations to "illegal" modifications. I understand that I need to have a catalytic converter, charcoal canister, gas cap, etc.

What I'm more looking for is a list of items that are prohibited from use on a road-going car. California has these types of things listed in the CA Vehicle Code and also on the CHP website. Not having much luck searching the DPS site or the Texas Transportation codes. I was able to find this though:

http://www.liftlaws.com/texas_lift_laws.htm

[Matt-B]

good link. no lowering laws except headlight height..

make sure you have all this listed below for the turbo car...

rules regulating engine swapping are not make/model specific. The simple rule is that a vehicle must have all emissions components that were present when it was manufactured, which may include:

PCV - positive crankcase ventilation
ACL - air cleaner (thermostatic air cleaner)
AIS - secondary air injection
EGR - exhaust gas recirculation
EVAP - evaporative emission
CAT - catalytic convertor
SPK - spark control
FR - fillpipe restrictor
O2S - oxygen sensor

[Matt-B]

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?88324-Loud-Exhaust

post #8 man

"The funny thing about Texas is that it excludes turbo charged vehicles because a turbo is considered a muffler. So those loud diesels are 100% legal. Which i love cause I have one of those loud deisels"

from a police forum.

[Slyder]

Matt,

Thanks for your help. Your posts led me to this link, which I think will cover all of the equipment-related questions I have:

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.547.htm

Only major concern left is how strict the actual emissions limits are in that area. The tune on the car is noticeably rich and will probably require a bit more time to get it within good burn levels.

[Matt-B]

sure man,

its just 3am here, 90 something, cant sleep, and I'm bored.

-Matt

[e30evt]

Your in cali now with a passing car, things here are a couple of years slower so I would think you will be fine. As far as mods go most people dont know crap, if you car is older than 24 yrs or older you only have to pass a safety inspection- even if you are in an emission county. Hope this helps. if you wish more info let me know. Dave

[homegrone30]

^ pretty much this. Really if all the factory safety/emmisions equipment are there they will usually pass it.

[madformx5]

Getting the car registered in Texas is another matter. First you have to get the car insured in Texas and then take it to be inspected. When it passes the inspecter gives you a green sheet that is really white. Then you take the green sheet, your insurance card, and title to the courthouse to get your car registered, titled and tagged. After you do this then you can get you licence change over to Texas. You have to do it in that order. I think the fact that you are military would preclude you from having to register your car in Texas if you want. I think you could keep it register in California or any state you claim your residency in. I know Oklahoma doesn't even have inspections and if you claimed that as your home state you could register your car there and solve all your problems.

[Supadave]

If you going to be in Galveston, come up 146 to Baytown. I can hook up an inspection... I know people.