Seeking advice for title/reg/insp in NJ

[bodell]

Hi all.
I am new here and a new owner of a 2003 SPF MK3. I'm in NJ and I purchased the car from out of state private seller. The car was titled in the selling state as 2003 Assembled Vehicle. The 427ci engine was built by Performance Engineering with a Dart iron block. I do not know the block casting number (but could probably find out if i knew where to look) or year of casting.

Before purchasing, I called the NJ MVC and asked if I was going to have an issue and was told to just bring the signed title to MVC, pay my $60+tax+reg fee and get my title and registration. So I purchased the car (which I love), went to MVC, paid my money and it is now titled and registered in NJ as a "2003 ASV MK3". Ok that was easy.

I'm not sure if I have to get it inspected or not. In it's current registration state I think I do. So I called my guy at the local shop and he told me that since it doesn't have an OBD port there's no way he could get it thru inspection as he has to hook up to the OBD port and the equip reads the VIN and other things and send to NJ. (Apparently this is why anything in NJ titled/registered as a year prior to 1996 does not need to be inspected as it may not have an OBD port).

I read in some previous and older posts (2010) that if the block is from 196x or 197x I could get that checked and an "Engine Letter" from DMV stating it should be tested to that year of emissions. Seems like things may have changed since then. Even still I fear the block was cast in 200x. But perhaps I can check that - if that's still an option.

So here's my dilemma and where I need your advice. The purchased car was previously titled as 2003 assembled vehicle, I was told by MVC to take that to the MVC office and pay my money. Now I have a 2003 ASV title and registration, but can't seem to get it inspected. <Sigh>
What are my options here?

Thanks for any help / advice.