Diesel conversion and state inspections

[msggunny]

Im 99% on doing a diesel swap for my D1, however i have several concerns as to what issues i may encounter when i actually live in a state that requires inspections again.

I know some of you out there are running diesels in newer vehicles in states that require inspections and i am curious about how its done.

if you dont feel comfortable posting it on a public forum, please PM me.

Right now i am registered in Ohio but living in Maine, due to my active duty military status i can get away with out haveing to get a Maine inspection and Ohio doesnt require one. If i retire in 2012 we may be in Maine, or another state that requires an inspection and NOT Ohio, and i will no longer be able to keep my Ohio registeration.

Thanks.
Richard.

 

[Mongo]

This would be a great question for Doug(rovingbeetle), maybe drop him a PM

 

[1MITCH1]

It won't matter for long. After the Zombie Apocalypse of 12/28/12 you won't have to worry about state inspections.

 

[adriatic04]

how does Ohio not require inspection? More than likely the county you are registered in. Cuyahoga (Cleveland) requires inspection.

 

[helievacpilot]

When I lived in Cinci about 8 years ago, the rule was it had to be a newer engine, year wise, and still pass the original engine sniffer test specs. I dropped a '93 5.0 HO(FI) into a '83 Volvo Turbo Sedan. Even with over twice the displacement of the original engine, it was cleaner on the sniffer. That said, not gonna happen with a diesel. You'll just have to research the rules in the state you settle in. Also, there's a place on the east coast somewhere that converts Defenders. Might track them down and see what they say. Good Luck - Bill

 

[thequickervicar]

In PA, diesel engines (and conversions) are exempt from all emissions tests. Perhaps the one sane rule in our inspections requirements

 

[Roving Beetle]

It depends if you're worried about State or the overall Fed level. On a Fed level ANY diesel into a USA Spec OBD2 (1996 and later) is 100% not legal.

State level it's still not legal as the Feds rule over it.... however many States simply do not enforce it.

PM me if you need more info as I have been down this road.

 

[thequickervicar]

Good point about the OBD II. Forgot about that.

 

[dmarchand]

This would be a great question for the local DMV, maybe drop them a call

Fixed it for you. What you cannot predict is what the state will change their regs to in the future and how that will affect you conversion performed today.

 

[Viggen]

Forget the DMV. If you want a good answer, call or email the people who actually run the inspection program, your Department of Environmental Quality. I was thinking about going diesel in my D1 also but am sure Im just going to go with a more powerful gasser instead. I got a straight, to the point answer with specifics from my DEQ about both the State and the Federal laws. You might be screwed though as you are an OBDII truck and, at least in Va, your car has to have a fully functioning OBDII system with no codes as a part of your inspection. Put a diesel in and you lose that and its an automatic failure. Like Roving Beetle said, 1996 and up vehicles are OBDII and NEED to have it functioning.

I was told that my truck being a 1995, would be emissions exempt as it is OBDI and the truck would be able to be reregistered as a diesel with a quick, looksie inspection by the DEQ branch office or DMV but all the Federal laws would pertain to it. Is it a medium/ heavy duty diesel (i.e. Cummins or Isuzu) swap? Thats a fail if they look. Is it a US legal motor (i.e. 200/ 300tdi is NOT)? Thats a fail if they look. Is it a motor out of at least your year year model or newer (i.e. popular OM617 swap)? Thats a fail if they look. The catch there is 'if they look.'

Im going to go with a more modern, efficient gas motor probably. Still trying to decide on what exactly but having an early 95 where the ECU isnt completely tied in with everything is a huge plus making it a little bit easier. Are you looking for increased range/ mpg or reliability?

 

[pdxrovermech]

yeah you really need to find out the laws in your state. Here in OR as long as the vehicle was produced from the factory with that motor then it was ok as long as it passed diesel emissions requirements for that year. Thats why we had no problem registering a 93 LWB with a 300tdi. Also my buddy whos a veteran had vet plates where he only has to get the vehicle through emissions once then he never has to do it again, so he could drop in pretty much whatever he wants now. Again check your laws cause every state is different.

 

[Viggen]

yeah you really need to find out the laws in your state. Here in OR as long as the vehicle was produced from the factory with that motor then it was ok as long as it passed diesel emissions requirements for that year. Thats why we had no problem registering a 93 LWB with a 300tdi.

Even if its a motor that never was imported or federalized in the US?

 

[Roving Beetle]

Even if its a motor that never was imported or federalized in the US?

Nope. The motor has to be one produced for US market and installed by the factory in the vehicle for this market. This is a FED standard - maybe his State's wording "allows" it, and being a 1993 it's "fine" as it's not very enforced. But a medium/heavy duty engine be it gas or diesel is still a big no-no in any conversion... however also not enforced on pre-OBD2 vehicles past a safety inspection.

 

[ukoffroad]

Robert Davis has done a few of these, he might has some info. He put an Isuzu diesel in a 95 LWB.

 

[Roving Beetle]

Pre-OBD2 you can do it, and really so long as the instal looks clean and "safe" 99% of the inspection stations/persons will be fine with it even if it's a big medium duty Isuzu 4BD1T and probably just say "cool swap!".

Just don't go around doing it for a business unless you are clear the vehicles are for off-road use only as even pre-OBD2 it is not really 100% OK to do it - however it is openly not enforced.

 

[Mongo]

I mentioned Doug, as the question was about Maine, and he did the D2 swap...If you follow the letter of the law, putting a crate motor in a mustang is illegal. Post OBD2 (1996) and in reality your fucked. Contacting your local DMV is a must, whether or not they have a clue. Or be lucky enough to live a state with laxed or no emission laws...

 

[msggunny]

So basically my best bet is to stick with what I have and stick a 200di into my series.

Or find a early 70's rangie and get rid of my 97.

I still want a 3 door rrc.

 

[msggunny]

So basically my best bet is to stick with what I have and stick a 200di into my series.

Or find a early 70's rangie and get rid of my 97.

I still want a 3 door rrc.

O, and there are only a few counties in Ohio that require an inspection and Franklin isn't one of them.

 

[aliastel]

Pre-OBD2 you can do it, and really so long as the instal looks clean and "safe" 99% of the inspection stations/persons will be fine with it even if it's a big medium duty Isuzu 4BD1T and probably just say "cool swap!".

Just don't go around doing it for a business unless you are clear the vehicles are for off-road use only as even pre-OBD2 it is not really 100% OK to do it - however it is openly not enforced.

How did you do this with the Isuzu 4BD1T in your D2, as far as inspections, etc. go?

 

[Viggen]

So basically my best bet is to stick with what I have and stick a 200di into my series.

Or find a early 70's rangie and get rid of my 97.

I still want a 3 door rrc.

O, and there are only a few counties in Ohio that require an inspection and Franklin isn't one of them.

Well, check into what Maine says first. I thought about the diesel swap but I think Ill wait a little while until my truck is too old for them to give a shit and Ill do the swap then. By then, the ridiculous amounts of money for a (even used) 300tdi drivetrain will have come down as more and more are brought into the country. My county in Va doesnt inspect any diesel older than 1996. They simply dont care. Its the federal law that Roving Beetle was talking about. Unless you live in a county, or state like California, where the federal law weighs heavy on their state law, youll probably be okay. Im not going to do my diesel swap yet as the amount of money that it costs to do the swap would buy a shitload of gasoline.

If you really want a 3 door Classic, get one. You can find them in the states if you look hard enough and you can also import one (probably with a diesel already in it)