Canadian Members - "HOT" e-tests anwhere???q

So moving back from B.C. (where we don't do e-tests, needless to say, I didn't run a cat) to ONtario, and I can't pass my NOx portion of my e-test to save my life. I'm running a magnaflow Hi-Flow cat right now, and it's not cutting it... I called a Pontiac dealership to get a quote on an OEM cat, and it's just over $1000.00! Too rich for my blood... Does anyone here know a shop around the KW area that will pass a car in this situation?

just approach some shops, tell them your situation and give them some money. they usually take 150 bucks. if that does not work for you i can sell you my factory cats.

I would expect that even if someone knew a shop that did this they would be out of business pretty quick if their name was posted here.

I would expect that even if someone knew a shop that did this they would be out of business pretty quick if their name was posted here.

exactly

I would expect that even if someone knew a shop that did this they would be out of business pretty quick if their name was posted here.

That's a given... That's what PM's are for.

That's a given... That's what PM's are for.

And you could respond that way if you knew the OP. Asking for a contact to do something illegal on a public forum is just plain crazy.

FWIW...ALOT of the "hot" places have been busted and shut down...too many illegal civics running around...anyone that does do it still is layin pretty low.

You got a couple of options though if you can't find a place depending on whats done to your car.

If you dont have the stock engine in the car, you can be classified as a "hot rod." Apparently you need to be practically billowing black smoke out of the tails (litterally) in order to not pass as a hot rod.

Or you can spend I believe it is $400 in an "attempt" to make your car pass emissions, and they'll stay off your back for another 2 years as you will have a conditional pass for the time being...

IIRC it's $350 for a conditional pass. NOx indicates high

I'd try 2L of methyl hydrate in the gas tank and retard the timing a little bit and you should pass.

the only issue with the car is the cat. I'm running a magnaflow hi-flow, and it's just not cutting the mustard in the NOx dept.

Unfortunately, since it's an out-of-province car (just moved here from BC) there is no conditional "cap" on how much I have to spend to get the car approved... The $400 cap they put on is only for Ontario cars getting their licence stickers renewed.

the guys that give out emission stikers to people that do not have something looking like a cat is crazy. if you have a cat that is gutted with a pipe threw it there is no way MTO will know if they pull you over, unless they have an emission testing device on board, which is highly unlikely.

do you have a tune in the car or still running stock programming??

the guys that give out emission stikers to people that do not have something looking like a cat is crazy. if you have a cat that is gutted with a pipe threw it there is no way MTO will know if they pull you over, unless they have an emission testing device on board, which is highly unlikely.

They can smell it and will give you a summons to get your car tested at their facility. Of course you have to go there on your own time and dime and if you pass anyway they've just wasted hours of your time.

the guys that give out emission stikers to people that do not have something looking like a cat is crazy. if you have a cat that is gutted with a pipe threw it there is no way MTO will know if they pull you over, unless they have an emission testing device on board, which is highly unlikely.

It is not that easy.

The MOE guys are now using Laser thermoters to measure cat temps. Real cats are hotter than the pipes around them.

I have looked into this really hard ad I am still not there yet. I have a 455ci LS7 but I have managed to make it idle smoothly at 850rpm. We had it at 800 and it was still smooth. It has been 2 years in the works and we will see if it will pass in a few weeks. Yes it will qualify for Hot Rod Status, but even that seems to be different now. You still have to meet the standards of the year it was built if the motor went in after 1999.:bang:

Good luck, I am going it the legal way.

They can smell it and will give you a summons to get your car tested at their facility. Of course you have to go there on your own time and dime and if you pass anyway they've just wasted hours of your time.

so worst case is you have to go home install a real cat, get your car tested and then go back home take it of and install your gutted cat. i am sure it will be allot cheaper then getting a ticket. and aftermarket cats are SHIT, i have seen lots of people fail with them.

I kid you not, a couple bottles of Gas Line Antifreeze in the tank should work, buddy dumped 3 bottles into his third gen with ZERO emissions equipment and passed, it'll run cleaner then a Honda for about 10 minutes or so.

do you have a tune in the car or still running stock programming??

Still running the stock program. Got a low temp stat, but that's it, nothing crazy.

I've heard of the gasline antifreeze trick, but when I did my research, I found that the NOx levels will actually increase with hotter cylinder head temps. The gasline antifreeze will actually work against me in this situation, as it makes the car run hotter, and will increase the head temps.

I'm pretty sure the issue lies with the Magnaflow Cat. It's the only variable (from a bolt-on-car) that would cause the high NOx numbers.

crap...I'm about to buy one of those cats...

^^ you need some allflow cats :D

NOx may also be pushed down by reducing spark advance
at idle. If you have EGR in place, that should help but if
EGR is disabled with the EGR timing bump still there, that's
a double hit. Tricks that lean out (for CO/HC) can hurt
NOx. Cylinder imbalances can give you one bad hole
which is all it takes to fail.

Still running the stock program. Got a low temp stat, but that's it, nothing crazy.

I've heard of the gasline antifreeze trick, but when I did my research, I found that the NOx levels will actually increase with hotter cylinder head temps. The gasline antifreeze will actually work against me in this situation, as it makes the car run hotter, and will increase the head temps.

I'm pretty sure the issue lies with the Magnaflow Cat. It's the only variable (from a bolt-on-car) that would cause the high NOx numbers.

try tossing a stock thermostat back in it. with the lower temp one the computer might be dumping too much fuel thinking the car is cold n not at operating temp. It might also affect your egr operation too if if its super low, the computer again possibly mistakenly not turning it on correctly.

I tryed the methyl hydrate trick with my buick, it made the numbers worse. Installed the blower belt n the car passed flying colours.

Yes it will qualify for Hot Rod Status, but even that seems to be different now. You still have to meet the standards of the year it was built if the motor went in after 1999.:bang:

that makes no sense, did you get that from drive clean itself or word or mouth? The chassis year is whats used to allow it qualify for hot rod status not when the motor went in. There is alot of bad information out there regarding drive clean, they even told me 1 thing then called me back within the hour to correct their mistake.

as someone who struggled to get his 88 TBI to pass, I can tell you NOX is all in the cylinder temps and EGR operation. You need the EGR to be working near perfect with flow into the intake. Colder thermostat is only a problem if the fans turn on at the same temp, else your engine will be at normal operating temperature the fans turn on at.

The cats will only help to clean up CO and HC numbers, so if the cat is going, those readings will be high.

I have a feeling my EGR might be acting up a little... Slight hesitation under accelleration, etc... I'll swap it out, and try the test again. See how things go.

I have a feeling my EGR might be acting up a little... Slight hesitation under accelleration, etc... I'll swap it out, and try the test again. See how things go.


I tried everything to get my 94 LT1 to pass NOX,nothing worked:bang:

I added fuel, cut timing tried a different cat,the problem is the limits are too low my Bonneville SSE 3.8L had higher allowable NOX:confused:

I just got a conditional.

On the ls1 I think the EGR is a waste. The Vettes never had one with the exact same motor! The 2001 and 2002 never had them and made more power with lower emissions. It can be tuned to pass IMO.

We will see how mine does with its little cam, though it is eligible for the Hot Rod status. :secret2:

On the ls1 I think the EGR is a waste. The Vettes never had one with the exact same motor! The 2001 and 2002 never had them and made more power with lower emissions. It can be tuned to pass IMO.

We will see how mine does with its little cam, though it is eligible for the Hot Rod status. :secret2:

He has a 94 with an LT1. The back pressure sensing EGR valves don't work with some headers because of where they have the EGR pipe located. You can put all the vacuum in the world to the valve but unless there is back pressure against the valve it will not open. I've been down this road when my car was bolts ons. Once the cam went in it didn't need the EGR to work because it created its own EGR function.

New EGR should arrive today. I'll pop it in this weekend, and let you all know how it goes.

that makes no sense, did you get that from drive clean itself or word or mouth? The chassis year is whats used to allow it qualify for hot rod status not when the motor went in. There is alot of bad information out there regarding drive clean, they even told me 1 thing then called me back within the hour to correct their mistake.

Sorry I just noticed this.

I got it from the Ministry's online documents.

(2) A hot rod that receives a motor replacement on or after January 1, 1999, shall receive a motor designed to meet emission standards at least as stringent as those achieved by the original motor with all its original emission control equipment attached and functioning, and the replacement motor shall have the original catalytic converter and all the original emission control equipment, or equivalent replacements, included or usually included with the replacement motor by the manufacturer of the motor. O. Reg. 361/98, s. 4 (2); O. Reg. 86/99, s. 3.

See the link:

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_980361_e.htm

Do you read it differently? I might be misunderstanding it.

Sorry I just noticed this.

I got it from the Ministry's online documents.

(2) A hot rod that receives a motor replacement on or after January 1, 1999, shall receive a motor designed to meet emission standards at least as stringent as those achieved by the original motor with all its original emission control equipment attached and functioning, and the replacement motor shall have the original catalytic converter and all the original emission control equipment, or equivalent replacements, included or usually included with the replacement motor by the manufacturer of the motor. O. Reg. 361/98, s. 4 (2); O. Reg. 86/99, s. 3.

See the link:

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_980361_e.htm

Do you read it differently? I might be misunderstanding it.

I would read that as applying to something where you are registering the vehicle with the ministry, not applying to drive clean. Take receipts proving you bought a new block n the motor work done and any drive clean centre should be more then willing to test it as a hot rod. If they give you hassles, just go to another, theres plenty out there.

I had my 95 z ran as a hotrod. It was easy. I told them it was a 383 6.3L and they ran the test and it was a pass. I do have a 383 but they have no way to tell that.

Did they ask you any questions to prove that it was a 383?

Would you not need some sort of proof (receipts) to prove 'hot rod' status?

It makes no sense to arbitrarily be able to claim your car is. Then again, this whole emissions test makes no sense either.

My understanding is a stroker does not apply, it is the block. No 4 gens ever had an LS7, that is why I should be eligible.

A 383/385 is still an LS1 block, even some 4th's had LS6's so that will not count either. LS2/3/7 or some other non offered block.

As I recall, if the engine was available for that year say 92, ie say someone did a 305 to 350 swap, it would NOT be eligible for hot rod status.

LS1 to LS6 doesn't change the cubes and it was offered in 02 albeit unofficially. No dice there either.

LS3, LS2, LS7 would be eligible in a LS1 based car provided for those years it was not offered.

I talked to the MOE today and had it clarified that yes I would qualify for the Hot Rod status and that it is block specific, not displacement.

Now I got really brave and called the inspection unit and I am waiting on a call from the supervisor. He is supposed to be the best one to clarify what equipment needs to be installed under the hood. I only have one question though, do I need the EGR, since the motor I have installed never had one. I have every other part installed that the car came with and II think I can make the EGR fit int too, but my headers do not have the fittting nor does the Harrop. So it would be a lot of custom work.

Dale....Does this mean the car is done? lol.

Dale....Does this mean the car is done? lol.

Well, it is sorta of, kind of, nearly, ummm, no!:emb:

Very close now, I am putting in fluids, finished wiring, now I need to do some fiber glass work and 6 aluminum welds.

I will have Redline install the y pipe, drive shaft and an intial tune. Plus check to see if I have screwed up anything. Hopefully ship it out of the garage on Friday. More likely on Tuesday though. I have learned a lot, including not to take on a project like this again till I retire. If it all works out I will be very happy.

Well, it is sorta of, kind of, nearly, ummm, no!:emb:

Very close now, I am putting in fluids, finished wiring, now I need to do some fiber glass work and 6 aluminum welds.

I will have Redline install the y pipe, drive shaft and an intial tune. Plus check to see if I have screwed up anything. Hopefully ship it out of the garage on Friday. More likely on Tuesday though. I have learned a lot, including not to take on a project like this again till I retire. If it all works out I will be very happy.

I gotta get some chopped fiberglass and fill in some rust holes in my POS lol, good to know man, hopefully I'll see it in August.

EGR is in, late, as I should've expected... I'll install this weekend, re-test, and let you all know how she goes. *fingers crossed*

Just to let everyone know, I put a magnaflow cat on my 3rd gen and it passed. IIRC it actually did quite well, but it has to go again next year so I will see how well it does long term.

I talked to the MOE today and had it clarified that yes I would qualify for the Hot Rod status and that it is block specific, not displacement.

Now I got really brave and called the inspection unit and I am waiting on a call from the supervisor. He is supposed to be the best one to clarify what equipment needs to be installed under the hood. I only have one question though, do I need the EGR, since the motor I have installed never had one. I have every other part installed that the car came with and II think I can make the EGR fit int too, but my headers do not have the fittting nor does the Harrop. So it would be a lot of custom work.

Any updates on this ???

My understanding is a stroker does not apply, it is the block. No 4 gens ever had an LS7, that is why I should be eligible.

A 383/385 is still an LS1 block, even some 4th's had LS6's so that will not count either. LS2/3/7 or some other non offered block.

All I said was I had a 6.3L instead of my old 5.7 can you run it as a hotrod. He said sure because they never made a 6.3L so it is classified a hotrod. My engine was so clean you could eat off it. Everything was freshly painted and it only had 50 miles on it. I was kinda surprised it was that easy. He said the E-test was so clean that it would have passed as a 5.7 anyway. Thats with a lumpy cc306 cam too. I was not going to say its a LT1 5.7 stroked to 6.3L I just siad its a 6.3L.

All I said was I had a 6.3L instead of my old 5.7 can you run it as a hotrod. He said sure because they never made a 6.3L so it is classified a hotrod. My engine was so clean you could eat off it. Everything was freshly painted and it only had 50 miles on it. I was kinda surprised it was that easy. He said the E-test was so clean that it would have passed as a 5.7 anyway. Thats with a lumpy cc306 cam too. I was not going to say its a LT1 5.7 stroked to 6.3L I just siad its a 6.3L.

That got you past the test, but it will not get you past a road side MOE inspection. You have to have documentation to prove what the engine block is. Not the displacement.

Good luck.

That sucks. But 2 of the 3 readings were zero so I think I'm still fine. I keep my E-test in the car just incase I get stopped and need to show that it burns clean.

That sucks. But 2 of the 3 readings were zero so I think I'm still fine. I keep my E-test in the car just incase I get stopped and need to show that it burns clean.

If you could have passed without the Hot Rod status you should be fine then.

With my cubes (455) and cam (258/266 .648/.648 112 +4) I will likely need the Hot rod status' extra HC's to pass.

If you could have passed without the Hot Rod status you should be fine then.

With my cubes (455) and cam (258/266 .648/.648 112 +4) I will likely need the Hot rod status' extra HC's to pass.

you heard of Eco Gas? 99 Octane highly oxygenated, Buddy of mine recently used it to get his vette to pass (Max's C5 Vert if you know em), LS3 427 with I think a 246/254 .615/.615 114 + 4 cam, he rebuilt it over the winter...now making 750 RWHP on the bottle. :eek2: I can ask him where he picked it up if you want.