Thinking of moving to AZ

[Twentyover]

OK, I'm in my mid-50's and it's time to start thinking about where I want to live when I retire.Wife kind of wanted to move out toward Apache Junction east of PHX. My question is, what are emission requirements for registering cars in the area. Currently have a FI ZZ4 in a 70 Camaro, FI 2.9 in a 76 Capri, thinking about an LS in an 84 elCamino, and working on FI on the (1980) MGB and '69 MGC. Some or all of these may be dailies so I don't want obscure plates that only let me drive them on even numbered Tuesdays.

What tailpipe an/or visuals are required? I looked at ADEQ and it looks like everything back to 66 gets tested- what is the extent of these tests? How are engine swaps handled?

Currently live in ther Burbs of Detroit, no emission inspection required so I've gotten a little sloppy since moving out from CA.

[Fesler built]

very easy test to make sure the tail pipe is clean on the older cars nothing big at all very easy to pass in most cases. If you are far enough out you wont have any so it wont be required for you anyway.

[Twentyover]

Thanks Chris-
Been kind of dreading moving back west as I lived in Cali for so many years.

[cobragt]

Planning on moving to Mesa myself just waiting for the housing market to come back around. Can't get more than what I owe on the house can't afford to move.

[BuddyP]

Been through apache junction a couple years back, absolutly loved it. I'm just a couple hours from you on the MI/ IN border. So I'd say unless you have something keeping you tied to this area, do the move!

I want to do another trip out west so bad.

[jknight16]

Apache Junction is a part of Pinal county. Unlike Maricopa, I don't believe Pinal has any emissions testing requirements. However, a little bit of googling will probably turn up all of the requirements in detail (if there are any).

[ArtosDracon]

If you live in Maricopa County then there is smog, but it's fairly easy, especially if it's been smog tested anywhere else previously. If you live in Pinal county like me, and commute into Maricopa County, then you have to smog, but if you don't commute into town, then there are no smog requirements and you can just do as you damn well please.

[ProjectSideOiler]

OK, I'm in my mid-50's and it's time to start thinking about where I want to live when I retire.Wife kind of wanted to move out toward Apache Junction east of PHX. My question is, what are emission requirements for registering cars in the area. Currently have a FI ZZ4 in a 70 Camaro, FI 2.9 in a 76 Capri, thinking about an LS in an 84 elCamino, and working on FI on the (1980) MGB and '69 MGC. Some or all of these may be dailies so I don't want obscure plates that only let me drive them on even numbered Tuesdays.

What tailpipe an/or visuals are required? I looked at ADEQ and it looks like everything back to 66 gets tested- what is the extent of these tests? How are engine swaps handled?

Currently live in ther Burbs of Detroit, no emission inspection required so I've gotten a little sloppy since moving out from CA.

Like you I am in my mid 50's and planning a move to AZ. It took 5+yrs trying to sell current home which finally happened recently. Plan is to move there July 1st (hottest time of year). Bags are packed and ready to go once the kids get out of school. I live 1400 miles away now and am soooooo looking forward to AZ. Have been searching for MONTHS if not years for the right car property with no luck for area I want to be in.

Some of Apache Junction has emissions. See this map

http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/vei/images/areaa.html

Not ALL of Maricopa county has emissions.

1967 and newer are smog checked and will have to have emissions equip that would have come on that make model year. Also a law was recently passed that if your older vehicle is registered as a Collector veh they are exempt. So with your insurance company get Collector veh ins.

Exempted Vehicles

Most model year 2007 or newer, except reconstructed, vehicles
Most model year 2009 or newer original equipment alternative fuel vehicles
Model year 1966 and older vehicles
Vehicles designated as "collectible" (requires collectible vehicle insurance, reported to Arizona Motor Vehicle Division by insurer)
Electric powered, golf carts or vehicles with engine displacement of less than 90cc
Motorcycles registered in the Tucson metropolitan area
Apportioned vehicles (licensed in more than one state)
Vehicles leased to a person residing outside the emission control areas
Vehicles transferred between dealers (wholesale)

Test Types

The model year and engine type of your vehicle determines which type of test your vehicle will receive. Brief descriptions of the tests follow.

IM 147: This is the enhanced test used for most 1981 through 1995 gasoline-powered vehicles in the metro Phoenix inspection program. In this test, the vehicle is driven on rollers (called a dynamometer) at varying speeds to simulate urban driving. The exhaust is continuously measured and the results are shown in grams per mile.

Steady State Loaded/Idle: This test is used for most 1967 through 1995 vehicles in Tucson and 1967 through 1980 models in Phoenix. The vehicle is tested at idle and (depending on vehicle class) at approximately 25 to 30 miles per hour. The results are shown in percent or parts per million.

On Board Diagnostics: The newest test to be used in Arizona is the on-board diagnostic test. Used on 1996 and newer light duty vehicles only, engine operating data is accessed by connecting directly to a computer in the vehicle that continuously monitors engine emission control systems operation. The on-board diagnostic test can identify problems before they lead to engine damage and emissions system failure.

Diesel: Diesel vehicles are tested for opacity (smoke density). The test uses an opacity meter, which is an instrument that measures the percentage of opacity of the exhaust. Light duty diesel vehicles and all Tucson area diesel vehicles are tested under load on a dynamometer. In metro Phoenix, heavy duty diesel vehicles are tested using a procedure called "snap acceleration" or "snap idle."

Tampering: In addition to one of the above tests, a vehicle may undergo a visual inspection to determine the presence of certain emission control components as installed by the manufacturer. Inspection includes catalytic converter, operational air pump, positive crankcase ventilation system and evaporative control system. These inspections coupled with the evaporative system integrity (pressure) test constitute the tampering inspection.

Here is a address locator to find if emissions are needed.

http://gisweb.azdeq.gov/arcgis/veiareas/

Because of 30+yrs of collecting junk I have found its a HUGE undertaking to move across the country at a HUGE expense. Hopefully this will by my last move

[JJEH]

Phoenix, AZ - GO FOR IT!!!

[Reckn8]

Moved here in 79 from the mid-west. Sure it's hot in the summer but the winters make up for it big time!

[Twentyover]

Much as I hate to admit it, I may have to collector plate the Camaro. Not pulling the FI off and hanging an AIR pump on a 40 year old car. How does AZ approach engine swaps? The websites listed are apparently offline now- even though Google shows them as being active.

Probably won't be in a position to move for another couple years.

[jknight16]

Just go the collector car route Greg. It costs you very little to insure your car that way and you avoid the entire emissions fiasco. That's what I did, because I knew my car wouldn't pass for any number of reasons.

[ProjectSideOiler]

Much as I hate to admit it, I may have to collector plate the Camaro. Not pulling the FI off and hanging an AIR pump on a 40 year old car. How does AZ approach engine swaps? The websites listed are apparently offline now- even though Google shows them as being active.

Probably won't be in a position to move for another couple years.


As long as the Camaro passes emissions for model year of car you are fine.

I just tried the links and they work fine. Try to just copy and paste them or hold down the control key while clicking on them.

I plan on getting all my stuff to PHX area within 30days. If you plan on moving to the Valley of the Sun any time soon I would suggest starting to look for a place now as anything with shop space gets scooped up in a big way. Market is booming there right now on garage properties. It should slump once the HOT weather shows up in July-September.

Because of the 67 yr cutoff all my collector type veh are now 66 and older.

With 3 projects in the works I had no idea it would be this tough without a shop and its only been 6wks.

[Pontiac Chris]

If you have classic car insurance you do not need an emissions test on any car 15 years old or older in Arizona.

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61895

I don't have to emissions test my '68 'Bird and its not stock.