Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

A bit of an odd question, but I wonder if someone could tell me about the smog check requirements in Chapel Hill, NC (Orange County) as they relate to a '90-'93. Specifically, is it a rolling-road test, and what are the exact speeds and acceptable numbers?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

just a guess, but yes:

In 2006, the Town of Chapel Hill became the first U.S. municipality to commit to a 60 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 through the Carbon Reduction Program. The Council authorized the pledge to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from Town municipal operations on a per capita basis, beginning with an initial goal of 5 percent reduction by 2010.

mazda/nissan

iTrader: (2)

could have gone to USC and avoided emissions all together

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

The NC DMV site itself is nearly worthless in this regard, but a bit of searching turned up this interesting tidbit: http://www.city-data.com/forum/north...mog-check.html

Can this be true, that '95 and earlier vehicles are now exempt?

Milton Tucker

iTrader: (2)

To the best of my knowledge, only 96 and newer vehicles are required to pass a “smog check” and that test is OBD2 check. Pre 1996 vehicles are required to pass a “safety inspection” and that will include a visual inspection of the exhaust system. If no Cat is found, you fail.

msydnor

iTrader: (3)

You are 100 % correct. Pre-96 cars emission is a joke (in a good way) About the only issue with pre 95 cars is they may look for a cat. Some shops do and some don't. It is very inconsistent. If your exhaust is load, they may look under the car to see what you have for an exhaust and if you have a cat and a muffler. Addtiaonlly, get in with the car crowd around here and even if the car is not legal you can get it to pass. You will find that the emision and inspection process to be very "enthusiest friendly"

I think you will like the area. There are a few drag strips around here in fairly close driving distance. I'm not that big on drag racing but it is fun to go to the track and occasionally make a few passes. VIR is only about an 1 to 1 1/2 hours from from you. Charlotte speedway holds events also.

Zabac

iTrader: (39)

+1, 95 and older is just a safety inspection (turn signals, horn, light, brake lights, etc.)

i actually get mine done over the phone with my buddy

Milton Tucker

iTrader: (2)

I might need your buddy's phone number

msydnor

iTrader: (3)

Don't advertise that or you buddy could get in some deep ****.

Zabac

iTrader: (39)

you a cop?

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

God be praised!

Now, irony...

I'm currently running Bridgestone RE-01Rs. They are pure awesomeness on the warm, dry pavement, and not too bad in the wet. I am assuming however that they will be quite sucky in cold weather (assuming they don't crack) and downright lethal in the snow.

For the past four years I've been hauling around a set of stock daisies with brand-new (well... four years old, but full tread) all-seasons on them. Last month, in my "Let's get rid of all this old junk in the garage spree", I managed to sell or give away my old exhaust system, my whole A/C system, my old AGX shocks, two diffs, and I gave away those damn daisies (thinking at the time that UF was my best bet). Now that UNC came through, I'm *REALLY* wishing I'd kept those wheels and tires...

Anybody in either SoCal or NC got a set of daisies (or steelies) they want to get rid of?

Zabac

iTrader: (39)

I have stock 7 spoke (94+) 14's, i think two actually have tires...
They have been ghetto painted black, but nothing terrible looking, actually not so bad.

Honestly, I think you will be ok on the RE01R's here in NC, I DDd on Azenis for years.

Milton Tucker

iTrader: (2)

To be honest,
I think what you have will be ok. But if you need them, I think I have 2 or 3 sets of stock 14"

msydnor

iTrader: (3)

No, not any more anyway. But I've been in the car busness for a while and still in the hobby. Guys that give "hook ups" can get stuck with big fines and loose their licence. The subject is almost as hush hush as selling drugs. If a guy finds out you spread the work he may not continue to give you hook ups.

msydnor

iTrader: (3)

You don't need all weather tires here. If it snows at all, it usually is only a few hours and does not stick. If it snows more than that it melts in a few days. I'm running sumito (sp) hipo tires and all you need be concerned with is wet weather traction. Hell, you'll see many a day in the winter when you can drive with the top down. It doesn't really get cold much. When it does, it doesn't last long. If you have a garage it is pretty much a non issue. I drove mine all winter. With the car in the garage overnite, the tires get plenty of heat in the first few miles of travel. If you have to park out side, the tires may flat spot a little over night, but if you drive a few miles they smooth out pretty quick. Both my miata and stang have performance tires. Unless it is your only car, you are good to go.

msydnor

iTrader: (3)

Are you buing a house? if so, a little FYI, there are communities outside of Chapel Hill where you can buy houses for a lot less money than in Chapel Hill. Example, hillsbourough, and towrds pittsbourough. These are small rural areas that would require a 20-40 minute commute.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

He speaks truly.

For many years, smog test fraud was rife in So Cal. "Clean-piping" was the term used to describe the practice of placing a known-clean car on the rollers as a substitute for the vehicle actually being "tested." There was a time when, if you went to the guy who a friend of a friend knows, and slipped him $500, you'd pass even if raw, unrefined crude oil was pouring out of your tailpipe. A fellow here at work, in fact, managed to register his supercharged, non-EO'd, catalytic-converterless, rich as hell Mustang for several years by doing this.

Recently however, CA has put a serious smackdown on this activity. There was a very large push about a year or two ago where CARB investigated a huge number of shops that were doing this and proceeded to make life very unpleasant for the shop owners. Lots of enormous fines were levied ($100k+) and lots of licenses were revoked. There was even some jail time parsed out.

miatamania

iTrader: (9)

Didn't read the thread, but in NC, if the car is pre-96 you only have to pass visual safety inspection. No emissions...

And like he said, places just outside of CH will make life a lot cheaper.

I run Azenis in Boone, where it snows...rarely is a problem...however this winter I ran some all seasons cause my *** is broke.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

It is my only car. Given the parking situation on campus (first-years can't get a permit, period) my primary mode of transport will probably be my Suzuki SV650, however that's no better in the snow.

I haven't decided yet. Given the constraints on my vehicular situation, I do need to stay close to public transportation. Even when I was back in Gainesville using a Honda Nighthawk as my DD (I never had an on-campus sticker for the car, finding parking for the MC was just soooooo much easier) there were some days when you just had to take the bus.


edit: A quick search on realtor.com for properties within a 5mi radius of 27599 turns up a tremendous number of hits in the <$75k range, and many <$50k. Having lived for the past few years in an area where $500,000 buys you a one bedroom condo, I have no concept on whether those prices will get you something structurally sound in a non-gangland neighborhood... A lot of these places were built in the '30s and '40s. Back then, they were still having gunfights and hanging horse thieves out here...

miatamania

iTrader: (9)

Are you going to go to school there? What year? most people aren't on campus so student high rises, apartments etc have parking.

Most UNC campuses (like where I am at) have free motorcycle parking all over campus.