Connecticut: Registration, Inspection & Emissions

[Don]

Mike, " if " the side pipes are questioned, would you let us know whether the Inspectors use a dB meter or their judgement/discretion in determining what level of sound is too loud.

Somewhere ( ? ) , I had seen the term reasonable w/o a technical spec. Also, if the dB is measured, the distance from the side pipes and whether at idle or a requested RPM. Due to the judgement factor, I would like to think there has to be a published standard. If the test arrangement is still the same as in 2000, the exhaust sound will be louder within the enclosed inpection lane.

Guess on my part, the open pipe or unrestricted muffler on Harley's would also be considered loud but have never heard of a Harley failing inspection for the exhaust dB

[cobracobra]

Well my experience so far was when I went with the other Unique owner about 1 month ago they failed him for sound. Granted it was loud but a DB meter was not present. A week later he went down again, this time he had the traps put on and felt that it was "night and day". A different inspector showed up and said "failed". showed him on the DB meter of I beleive it was 83 DB (if im not mistaken it's 80 DBa max). So convinced was he that he went out and purchased a high end DB meter and he came up w/ 68DBa. Come to find out the meter has 2 settings and the 2nd setting came in at 83 which I beleive is not to be used in testing vehicles. So he printed the results out and brought them w/ him, but this time another inspector was present and once started didnt even bother pulling out his meter because he new the sound was considerbly lower, hence "passed". And as for bikes goes, I questioned the inspector on this and he stated " once inspected the owners most likely will but on there straight pipes", also I beleive the DBa for bikes are 90. Not sure about distance measured to the pipes but I will base line mine before and after outside and print out the results. Thanks god I bought a trailer, sure takes a lot of pressure off of me in case I fail. THINK POSITIVE i keep reminding myself......

-Mike

[Don]

It took me three trips to pass inspection. The 1st fail was for paperwork when I did not have the separate Bills of Sale for the drivetrain, 2nd fail was for a single nut/bolt that was loose in the suspension. I was not allowed to correct in the parking lot but had to reschedule another inspection date/time.

The third time during the inspection on the lift. I had a bolt which was fully tightened , but the number of threads of the bolt exposed past the nut when tight was insufficient. The Inspector mentioned that this was reason for a fail, but ........a pass was given. I truly believe the pass goes back to Jay's point on maintaining a positive attitude and rapport with the Inspector.

Other than the Inspector on the first trip mentioning the side pipes were loud, the other two Inspectors did not comment on the side pipes.

[stush]

Don,

Thanks for that excellent summary of the process. I bought John Macmahon's FIA Contemporary and will try the process shortly. Hopefully things will go smoothly but based on everyones experience should be interesting.

Stu

[Don]

Regarding the Bill of Sales for the engine, transmission and rear end. I did not have any serial numbers, but after having failed this portion once, I took great care to have the documents properly prepared.

The documents were typed with the buyers and sellers name, address and phone numbers. Included was a description of the part w/ some details rather than just stating as an example, transmission. Having failed this portion once, I wanted the documents to be as complete as possible and appear professional, as opposed to a handwritten scrap of paper.

The documents were Notarized for the seller's signature. When presenting the documents, there were no questions by either the Inspectors or Anti-Theft Unit.

[philminotti]

Excellent review, Don.

Curious about the emissions waiver, though. Suppose you fail emissions twice and you have a new aluminum Robert Pond block. Those blocks have a C6AE-H serial number. Do you think the inspectors are shrewd enough to recognize it as a new block, or might you get away with saying it's a vintage block?

phil

[Don]

Phil, to the best of my knowledge, the emissions portion is still separate from the safety/paperwork Inspection at Wethersfield. If an answer to your question is needed, contact:

Dan Jalbert
DMV Emissions Div
PH # 203-805-6230

Jay, with the new emissions inspection arrangement at the individual garages, how is the emissions testing now being handled ? When the previous system was in use, I trailered the Cobra to the state emissions testing station, could not use temp plates.

Jay, just thought of another point & your opinion. Dealer plates cannot be used to drive the Cobra to Wethersfield. Regulation is a Kit car cannot be driven on the streets until the inspection is passed ? I wonder if the CT inspection could still take place prior to purchase using the original owner's plates/registration for a pre-owned Cobra ?

[v6070]

Sorry for the intrusion on the Cobra owners, but I was told that you guys were the most knowledgable regarding CT kit/composite vehicle registration. I just recently inherited a GT40 from my father and am trying to determine the best way to register the car as a CT resident. My father lived in MA and always had it registered in Maine and never had a problem. I understand that even though the vehicle remains registered in Maine there may still be a requirement to pass CT Composite inspection???

If anyone has any insight into GT40 CT registration and or out of state registration living in CT, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul.

[Don]

I added a May 3rd update edit to the initial posting mentioning items from the replies etc., etc.,

Anyone have any new input ?

[Don]

Reference the following which was included in the DMV web site for Composites. I had not seen any news items etc mentioning the change. Would the interpretation be correct that after January 2007, it will be more difficult for a Composite/Kit Car to pass the emissions test ?

" The vehicle will also require a new emissions test performed at an emissions testing station. Some vehicles are exempt from emissions testing. To determine if your vehicle is exempt from emissions testing, please refer to the listing of exempt vehicles."

" Note: Starting January 1, 2007 newly completed composite vehicles will need to have an engine that will meet new composite vehicle emissions standards. The standards that will be in effect are equivalent to the two-speed idle standards for 1980 and newer passenger cars and light trucks or 1988 and newer engines from trucks in the 8501 to 10,000 lb. GVWR range. Composite vehicles classified as 2006 model year and older will continue to be subject to existing standards which are approximately equivalent to the two-speed idle standards at a level somewhere between that for 1968 and 1973 vehicles."