PA Anti Tampering Test?

Joey B 18c · 01-16-2022, 06:56 AM

I'm considering moving to Pennsylvania and now pretty confused on the emissions / visual requirements there.

from what I've read the emissions test depend on the county you live in, but ALL vehicles must go through an "anti tampering" test (visual to make sure the cat is still there among other things)

Does anyone know if that's correct? I'm looking at house in Carbon County (Jim Thorpe) and I also read they do not have the anti tampering test there (definitely no emissions)

If you're in an exempt county for emissions do you need the anti tampering test as well?

any help from a local would be greatly appreciated.

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growling_boxer · 01-17-2022, 10:43 AM

Only the rural counties are exempt. I don't think you need to pass a visual for the cat when exempt, since the cat is not required.

Joey B 18c · 01-20-2022, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by growling_boxer

Only the rural counties are exempt. I don't think you need to pass a visual for the cat when exempt, since the cat is not required.

that makes sense but can't seem to be able to actually confirm it.

Nerdelectric · 01-20-2022, 04:16 PM

PA emissions is on a county by county basis. Realistically you have to be in a very rural county to not have emissions inspections, but they exist. One example is Butler county (for now).

For the cars that require emissions, OBD1 used to vary between counties. Some counties it was visual only, other counties required a tailpipe sniff (that almost no shops had due to cost). Thankfully now all OBD1 cars are older than 25 years old, so they are all exempt.

Speaking of emissions exemptions, I'm aware of two: if the car is 25 years old or older, or if it's driven less than 5k miles in a year. I get the mileage exemption every year on my 350Z. I only save $5 and still have to pay $30-something for the sticker though.

For cars that do require testing, in reality all that they do is say "Yup, that plausibly looks like it could be a complete exhaust system," plug into the OBD2 port, confirm all readiness monitors report good, then slap the sticker on. If you want to pass emissions, get an exhaust with a high flow cat, get a proper tune that will prevent any CEL caused by the high flow cat, and you're good to go.

My experience with this is driving in this state for almost 2 decades, the entire time with modified cars, and I have lived on both sides of the state.

Joey B 18c · 01-21-2022, 10:07 AM

^ thank you very much for that reply, I was not aware of the 25 year exemption. I thought that was for NY only.

I currently have a 1993 Mazda RX7 with a RB25 swap so shouldn't be an issue then.

Considering some cars less than 25 years, but won't be heavily modified.

01-16-2022, 06:56 AM	#1
Joey B 18c Scooby Newbie Member#: 472075 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Chicago Vehicle: 2017 WRX Black	PA Anti Tampering Test? I'm considering moving to Pennsylvania and now pretty confused on the emissions / visual requirements there. from what I've read the emissions test depend on the county you live in, but ALL vehicles must go through an "anti tampering" test (visual to make sure the cat is still there among other things) Does anyone know if that's correct? I'm looking at house in Carbon County (Jim Thorpe) and I also read they do not have the anti tampering test there (definitely no emissions) If you're in an exempt county for emissions do you need the anti tampering test as well? any help from a local would be greatly appreciated. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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01-17-2022, 10:43 AM	#2
growling_boxer Scooby Specialist Member#: 165744 Join Date: Dec 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Eastern PA Vehicle: 2018 Crosstrek 2005/7 STi	Only the rural counties are exempt. I don't think you need to pass a visual for the cat when exempt, since the cat is not required.

01-20-2022, 04:16 PM	#4
Nerdelectric Scooby Newbie Member#: 477540 Join Date: Nov 2017 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Pittsburgh, PA Vehicle: 2015 WRX Premium WRB	PA emissions is on a county by county basis. Realistically you have to be in a very rural county to not have emissions inspections, but they exist. One example is Butler county (for now). For the cars that require emissions, OBD1 used to vary between counties. Some counties it was visual only, other counties required a tailpipe sniff (that almost no shops had due to cost). Thankfully now all OBD1 cars are older than 25 years old, so they are all exempt. Speaking of emissions exemptions, I'm aware of two: if the car is 25 years old or older, or if it's driven less than 5k miles in a year. I get the mileage exemption every year on my 350Z. I only save $5 and still have to pay $30-something for the sticker though. For cars that do require testing, in reality all that they do is say "Yup, that plausibly looks like it could be a complete exhaust system," plug into the OBD2 port, confirm all readiness monitors report good, then slap the sticker on. If you want to pass emissions, get an exhaust with a high flow cat, get a proper tune that will prevent any CEL caused by the high flow cat, and you're good to go. My experience with this is driving in this state for almost 2 decades, the entire time with modified cars, and I have lived on both sides of the state.

01-21-2022, 10:07 AM	#5
Joey B 18c Scooby Newbie Member#: 472075 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Chicago Vehicle: 2017 WRX Black	^ thank you very much for that reply, I was not aware of the 25 year exemption. I thought that was for NY only. I currently have a 1993 Mazda RX7 with a RB25 swap so shouldn't be an issue then. Considering some cars less than 25 years, but won't be heavily modified.