Quote:
Originally Posted by RRnold
|
Well that's bad and good at the same time (by the way, why did I need to pay for a smog test just 3 months before this new thing goes into effect?
)...
On one hand there's less testing mandated, which is great. On the other hand, what matters for a car is tailpipe emissions, not some stupid visual check. All they need to do is modify the tests so that higher engine loads are taken into account, make the maximum allowed emissions stricter, and use a sniffer only. That way you can't pass if you have a turbo spewing out unburned gas and flames, and it'll make it really hard to pass without a cat as well, but gives leeway for modifications.
Tight 25mph constant speed (like how it is done now) emissions standards should be able to more or less ensure that your cats and O2 sensors are functioning well, and then a WOT run to say 5000rpm with slightly more lax allowances for HC/CO should be able to catch the people with smoke belching turbos but let most modifications go. As long as the modifications aren't polluting more than a slightly out of tune older car then that shouldn't be a big deal imo. Testing stations already have dynos and tailpipe sniffers, so what's the big deal?