TX car inspections?

[DeNguyen]

So I'm moving out to Houston TX, and I know they require inspections in order to register the car. My question is what do they check for? and are they stringent as CA?

I might buy a modded car that 99% chance will not pass a CA smog inspection, so I'm just wondering if I should just pass on it for now. Thanx in advance

 

[bsudiro]

I don't think TX inspections are as strict as CA .. but one thing I remembered when inspecting my car (originally from AZ) was taht it didn't pass at first .. due to .... window tint being too dark!! :frown: .. Had to take off the tinting before it passed .. Hope it can give you some clue ...

Let us know when you're in town .. there's quite a lively group here in H-town!

Cheers .. Gus

 

[Yellow Rose]

OBD 1 vs OBD 2

In the state of Texas, on OBD 1 cars the inspection includes a tailpipe sniff for offending gases. Even if the car is fully OBD 2 compliant, such as a 95 NSX, they still sniff the pipes.

On 96 and newer cars, they plug a computer into the OBD 2 diagnostics port to download any error codes. The results are then e-mail to Austin for the Department of Motor Vehicles to load into their database.

 

[H-carWizKid]

I had some emissions trouble with my modified Integra when I first got here.

They didn't care about my equipment, (In cali don't S/C and other mods have to be CARB legal?) but the emissions sniffer cried foul, and I had to replace my Cat.

She passed after that

94 Integra GSR was OBD1- no experience with moded OBD2 and those regulations. I think Yellow Rose would be your definitive resource there.

As I recall his car was boosted, with modified everything. :biggrin:


Philip

 

[LeftLane]

Re: OBD 1 vs OBD 2

In the state of Texas, on OBD 1 cars the inspection includes a tailpipe sniff for offending gases. Even if the car is fully OBD 2 compliant, such as a 95 NSX, they still sniff the pipes.

Actually, I think the sniff test is a county by county rule ,and most counties in Texas (including many of the larger ones, such as Bexar in San Antonio), do not include it in their inspections.

 

[H-carWizKid]

Re: OBD 1 vs OBD 2

Actually, I think the sniff test is a county by county rule ,and most counties in Texas (including many of the larger ones, such as Bexar in San Antonio), do not include it in their inspections.

In which case Yellow Rose is DEFINITELY the authority since he lives in Houston where DeNguyen said he was moving to.

Philip

 

[DeNguyen]

My new house is in the NW region of Houston. I believe its Harris county? Anyway, I'm not movin till Jan, so maybe I should wait a while before buyin another NSX.

 

[Yellow Rose]

County-By-County

Actually, I think the sniff test is a county by county rule ,and most counties in Texas (including many of the larger ones, such as Bexar in San Antonio), do not include it in their inspections.

You are correct. When I posted, I was doing so from the perspective of Houston and surrounding counties. I've not looked at a map for some time, but I think DFW and El Paso also do the pipe sniff. For now, San Antonio and Austin are exempt.

 

[ALIENT]

Does an AEM on an ODB1 car automatically fail?

 

[Yellow Rose]

Does an AEM on an ODB1 car automatically fail?

Only if not properly tuned.

And speaking of tuned properly. I know of an NSXer with an AEM on an OBD1 who was tinkering with the software that resulted in his freshly rebuilt (about two years ago ?) engine busting ring lands. If I recall correctly, those were forged aftermarket pistons installed during the rebuild.

 

[loNfastNSX]

My new house is in the NW region of Houston. I believe its Harris county? Anyway, I'm not movin till Jan, so maybe I should wait a while before buyin another NSX.

You following me???

Im from San Jose. Used to live right by East Ridge Mall. Now I live in NW Houston. We'll be neighbors. I think you have my number, give me a call when you get down here. Also, will you still be here on the 21st?

 

[BlKeViL]

Does an AEM on an ODB1 car automatically fail?

You've got PMed.

 

[ALIENT]

And speaking of tuned properly. I know of an NSXer with an AEM on an OBD1 who was tinkering with the software that resulted in his freshly rebuilt (about two years ago ?) engine busting ring lands. If I recall correctly, those were forged aftermarket pistons installed during the rebuild.

Who are you refering to?

I hope you don't think it's me. If you do, I'd like to hear what you've heard (or made up), and I will expose the truth.

 

[Yellow Rose]

Who are you refering to?

I hope you don't think it's me. If you do, I'd like to hear what you've heard (or made up), and I will expose the truth.

You are not whom I am referring to. I never even hinted towards your direction, so I don't see how you can think that I was.

It is not the "who" that is important. My point was that many people like the AEM; however, it is just as capable of hurting an engine as any other controller if bad numbers are entered into the software.

 

[ALIENT]

Understood Rose..

What I meant to ask was.. if it's an ODBII car that has a AEM replacement, does that disqualify the car for insection?

I know they hook my (ODBI) car up to the sniffer.

But like you mentioned ODBII cars need to be hooked up to the computer. Does the ODBII-AEM (Like SOS's) have provisions for that?

 

[Yellow Rose]

Okay, my misunderstanding.....sorry 'bout that.

I thought you were meaning bad fuel map and / or bad timing map that could result in the engine running too rich.

I re-read your first post to this thread and (correctly?) conclude that you were asking if the AEM will still communicate to the OBD2 diagnostics port that lap-links to Austin. This question I have not the answer to.

Perhaps ping the AEM forum or if Devin (he works for AEM and has the AEM logo as his avatar, here on PRIME) sees this he can chime in. Or ping SoS.....if it does, that will be one very attractive item for OBD2 NSXs.