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Registering/titling out of state used 1999 caterham in NJ, how


jlbtrans1

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Just so I understand, what if you temporarily swapped the fuel tank cap for a non-venting one and installed a one way valve to prevent the vacuum? I guess your inspection test that identified this was the cap pressure test for venting... Are there alternative venting options other than the cap?

Edited by Croc
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mike:

 

I actually haven't taken the car in for inspection yet, but have had detailed email conversations with Todd Haney at MVC. According to him, NJ Dept of Envir. Prot. requires evaporative emissions systems on all road-going cars built or manufactured after a certain date. This includes venting the fuel tank to a carbon filter canister, and periodically purging the cansiter with fresh air that goes into the engine so that the vapors can be burned.

 

I have had some conversations with Mondo, who pointed out that the MVC likely will hook up my engine to the OBDII machine and pick up all error codes. These would include all those from the non-reporting, non-existent parts of the Honda S2000 evap emissions control system, which is pretty elaborate. I think I'm going to see if I can replicate, with used parts, the stock Honda S2000 system.

 

dan

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I am not sure if it is an option but my OBD plug was accidentally "lost" by me behind the dash to prevent that type of scenario. That fled the MVC to running their checks manually e.g. emissions tailpipe sensor, tank cap sealing, etc.

 

As chance would have it, before I lost the plug I did run the checks myself to see what was missing. I never did sort out every error code which was why I went for the plan B option.

 

Mike

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Mike:

 

I have jsut heard from MVC that they expect to find a stock Honda S2000 evap emissions system and that they want to check it through the OBDII plug. They would consider the use of a non-ECU connected evap emissions system an unallowable modification to the emissions systems. I am considering commissioning a custom fuel cell with all of the Honda S2000 emissions components and a wiring harness. That is the only way I can think of getting around it.

 

Dan

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  • 2 weeks later...

My quest to put my XR7 on the road this year has run aground. I ironed out some issues , a new heat shield for the exhaust which met MVC requirements along with a windshield that has DOT markings, and windshield wipers that actually move out of line of vision when they are off. However, New Jersey requires emissions compliance using the OBDII port. Currently my engine is throwing 9 codes. Several of them are related to the missing Evap Emissions system. One is related to the missing vehicle speed sensor. One is related to the fact that the after-market cat, while it might be sufficient to meet a sniffer test, doesn't comply with the Honda specs built into the ECU. There were a couple of other codes which I have yet to figure out. One thing I have learned from this is that kit cars with OBDII engines are an expensive proposition in any state that fully enforces emissions regulations.

 

I will just drive it to the track this year, and over next winter will take it to a Honda tuner, along with a complete used S2000 fuel tank with evap emissions equipment and ask him to clear up the code issues.

 

First track outing will be Lime Rock Park April 4th, then Lime Rock again on April 18th, Summit Point, May 16 and 17th, and then Pocono May 30 and 31st.

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Boy someone needs to come up with a little black box that fits in line with the OBDII port and tells the reader that everything is OK even if the system is not there.....humm....maybe a new closet business to be developed.....not that I would do anything like that but who knows what I will find out in the shop.

Glad my car is registered as a 1963 model and uses carburetor and no ECU, sure is a lot easier to deal with......no-smog-requirement even in Calif.....

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I was flagged for not having an fuel evaporation emission system when I went for my emission renewal today. Seems like everything else was fine. Anyone had luck with a simple version that could be hooked up? Trying to retro fit one from a stock s2000 doesn't sound like a quick job.

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Dan

 

Sorry to hear about your NJ titling troubles and the hoops they are making you jump through. Unfortunately there is no simple way around this in NJ short of moving to a nice car-friendly state. If I was going through this again with a new car I would probably title in another state first and then transfer across. Its expensive due to the extra state sales tax you pay but it seems to be more certain that you can get it registered.

 

I just do not understand why some states are anti-kit cars? Have they not got something better to do?

 

mike

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There are simple evaporative emissions systems that are not connected to the ECU. I was looking at a system implemented in late 90's Toyota Corollas. It has a vapor canister and a check valve on the gas tank to allow air in, but not to leave. All outgassing goes through the canister. There is also a thermostatic and ignition activated purge valve. When the engine is running and the coolant is hot, the purge valve opens to draw air through the canister into the intake manifold. This removes the absorbed gas vapors from the carbon filter in the canister. The intake manifold port has to be located in the active area of the throttle plate, so that when the throttle is closed, the port is not actually inside the manifold. When the throttle is opened, the port is exposed to manifold vacuum. That way, the canister purge does not function as a vacuum leak when the engine is idling. But, not in NJ.

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Thanks for the description. It's worth a try.

 

I'll also pursue the SEMA-backed VA replica legislation Gary mentioned.

 

And I found a waiver option if you've spent $680 or more :-( in emission repairs...

 

from the VA DMV site

If your vehicle fails an emission test, you must take it to a garage for emission-related repairs. The garage must be certified by Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

 

If your vehicle fails again and you paid $680 or more in emissions-related repairs, you will qualify for a waiver. The emissions-testing facility will provide you with the paperwork to apply for a waiver.

 

Hopefully one of these roads will work.

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I think my problem is that MVC says I must start with a complete Honda S2000 emissions systems. I owe then that, because, from an emissions standpoint, the car is a Honda S2000. Removing parts of the emissions system is proactive, and thus, if the parts have been removed, I wouldn't get dollar credit for putting them back. I would get dollar credit for replacing them if they were inoperative, or if the engine were burning oil, or if some other part were defective and had to be repaired or replaced.

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  • 8 months later...

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