Moving to DFW
 

Hey guys. Been a while since I've been on here, but I will be moving to the DFW area from Birmingham in a few weeks. Since Alabama is a non emissions state, I am trying to figure out what I need to do in TX to get my car emissions compliant. I have a '96 turbo miata with an FMII with a few small issues I'm working on sorting out. Right now the car needs an ECU harness since the prior owner used quick splices to tap the cam/crank control for the 01 VVT motor he had installed into the stock harness as well as the power and grounds he used for the VVTuner (car is running MSII). After removing the seat to trace down and resolve some poorly done electrical connections under the hood, I realized I was only getting spark on two cylinders since a butt connector came loose. I almost couldnt see it since it was taped up so well. So anyways I fixed all those issues, put the seat back in, and then the car wouldn't start. I wiggled the harness to make it run, but it would not idle when hot, but it idled fine before the seat was removed. I can resolve the ECU harness issue once I get a new harness to plug in and rewire the right way. All those issues aside, so far the consensus seems to be to run a MS in parallel with the stock ECU to pass emissions. But the car also does not have a cat. Would it be worth adding a cat and a parallel harness to make the car emissions compliant or should I just swap into a pre 92' chassis? I am debating this since the car has quite a bit done to it..TEIN coilovers, reinforced frame rails, all poly bushings in the control arms, a 3.9 torsen I would have to swap over, as well as the engine, transmission. and rewiring to convert the CAS based system into a cam/crank based system that is run on the later 1.8l motors. This seems straightforward, but will likely be A LOT of work. Just wanted to get everybody's thoughts.

Learn to use paragraphs. They've been around since the middle ages and serve a useful purpose, like making people willing to read your stuff.

Hey guys. Been a while since I've been on here, but I will be moving to the DFW area from Birmingham in a few weeks. Since Alabama is a non emissions state, I am trying to figure out what I need to do in TX to get my car emissions compliant. I have a '96 turbo miata with an FMII with a few small issues I'm working on sorting out.

Right now the car needs an ECU harness since the prior owner used quick splices to tap the cam/crank control for the 01 VVT motor he had installed into the stock harness as well as the power and grounds he used for the VVTuner (car is running MSII). After removing the seat to trace down and resolve some poorly done electrical connections under the hood, I realized I was only getting spark on two cylinders since a butt connector came loose. I almost couldnt see it since it was taped up so well. So anyways I fixed all those issues, put the seat back in, and then the car wouldn't start. I wiggled the harness to make it run, but it would not idle when hot, but it idled fine before the seat was removed. I can resolve the ECU harness issue once I get a new harness to plug in and rewire the right way.

All those issues aside, so far the consensus seems to be to run a MS in parallel with the stock ECU to pass emissions. But the car also does not have a cat. Would it be worth adding a cat and a parallel harness to make the car emissions compliant or should I just swap into a pre 92' chassis? I am debating this since the car has quite a bit done to it..TEIN coilovers, reinforced frame rails, all poly bushings in the control arms, a 3.9 torsen I would have to swap over, as well as the engine, transmission. and rewiring to convert the CAS based system into a cam/crank based system that is run on the later 1.8l motors. This seems straightforward, but will likely be A LOT of work. Just wanted to get everybody's thoughts.

I played around with the idea of running parallel for emissions. I decided it is better to swap once a year for the emissions test. Swap ECU, injectors, o2 sensors, and wire waste gate. A cat can be added without any loss in power, just buy a quality one.
That being said, you might want to just sell the car as is and start fresh on a non-emissions car. It sounds like there are several issues with the current set-up. Starting a build from the beginning might be the least expensive option in the long run.

Copy. Thanks for the advice. Never thought I'd be moving so soon. Otherwise I would have just sold the car and started fresh.

With a 96 and a FM turbo setup. I would swap on a stock exhaust with a cat, from the downpipe back. I would put in the 2 stock O2 sensors. Hookup the stock ecu and plug the vacuum line for the map sensor. Then throw in the stock injectors, and wire open the wastegate. With that you should be able to drive the car around and stay out of boost and get a clean OBD2 reading.

No clue if they do inspections on the car for actually having the turbo and such installed.

I would totally do that if I had a stock exhaust and cat. Unfortunately I bought the car without all that. It should be pretty easy to find all that at the local pull a part though.

Anyone know if Texas does underhood inspections? Based off what I read it looks like the answer to that is no.

Nope, ODBII and safety in most counties.