I got a buddy with an '85 4Runner, he lives in the Hillsboro area, and he wants to put a V8 in his rig. Well he's dead set certain that he can't, that the law says he is only allowed to swap in a motor from the same vehicle make and year. I told him he's wrong. Anyone? Is there a good website where I can find all the DEQ vehicle regs? Thanks guys.:usa:

You can transplant in a V8 and pass DEQ as long as the emmisions are no higher than allowed for a stock 85 4Runner. It might be do-able with late model FI smallblock. You can call up a DEQ station and get the specs for the two and compare them.

'93 and older = no visual for equipment just a tailpipe test
'94 and newer = FAWKED!!
We can care less about that fancy equipment so long as the air smells pretty. Oh yeah, they check loudness now so put on fresh mufflers. DENNIS

Dumb question, when did Oregon start emissions testing? What is the cutoff point for not being tested? I was thinking about takin my rigs up there are registering them there(using aunts addy), but if I gotta still smog 'em, FAWK THAT!

It's 20 years....rolling. So I don't have to smog my '79 Ford or my '80 Jeep:flipoff2: Oh wait that was before I moved to Kalifornia:mad: Now I'm just fawked!

Is it really 20 year old rigs are exempt? That means my '82 rig is good! I thought it was everthing before 1975. that is good news, but my buddy ('85 4Runner) has to wait a few years still.

After 20 yrs there is no smog check. However if your vehicle is a 93 or older it doesn't matter if you have any smog equipment since they dont care!! All they care about is what comes out the tailpipe. I smogged my 85 wagoneer with a 401 and there wasn't anything on it not even a cat. It passed with no problem. There is nothing to fear about oregons smog laws. DENNIS

What are these Smog Laws you speak of?

j/k, I live outside the smog check zone, so I can have my '81 Toyota with a '72 Chevy V8 :D


I have never heard of the 20 year rolling. You may want to recheck that. I am pretty sure (although I have been known to be wrong from time to time) that it is anything '74 and older that is exempt.... However, I hope you guys are correct...

If it is, I wont have to change my '75 Chevy to a '74 GMC :D

Why the heck dont they just post the laws where everyone can find them, at the local DMV.

Originally posted by Benny Boy
Why the heck dont they just post the laws where everyone can find them, at the local DMV.

Because that would be too easy!!! And besides, if you are in the dark about something, when you get caught and burned, it generates more revenue for the state!!

Originally posted by the Millenium Falcon
Is it really 20 year old rigs are exempt? That means my '82 rig is good! I thought it was everthing before 1975. that is good news, but my buddy ('85 4Runner) has to wait a few years still.

NO! The Oregon vehicle emissions laws are not rolling. You are right Millenium Falcon, the rules state that the vehicle is exempt if it is a pre 1975 model. The only exception to this is in Grants Pass where they have some funky rules that I don't remeber. Many counties in Oregon do not test for emissions, Lane (sp?) for example. Multnoma and Clackamas county do test for emissions.

All this information and more can be found here:
http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/vip/


Frequently Asked Question's About Oregon's Vehicle Inspection Program

Why is vehicle inspection needed?

Vehicle inspection is the most effective program to reduce air pollution from vehicles. Emissions from motor vehicles are the major cause of air pollution in the Portland area. Vehicles produce 41 percent of ground-level ozone (smog) and 60 percent of carbon monoxide emissions in the region.
Every city in the U.S. with a serious carbon monoxide or smog problem has an vehicle inspection program. On average, vehicles that fail vehicle inspection tests produce up to four times as much pollution as those that pass.


Does vehicle inspection work?

Air pollution in the Portland and Medford areas has been dramatically reduced because of the vehicle inspection programs. Since population and traffic are predicted to grow steadily in both regions, vehicle inspection and other air pollution prevention programs will still be needed to keep the air healthy.
In the early 1970s, downtown Portland violated the national health standards for carbon monoxide an average of once every three days. Thanks to the Vehicle Inspection Program and other pollution reduction strategies, there hasn't been a single carbon monoxide violation in downtown Portland since 1985. In the Medford area, national health standards for carbon monoxide were violated 35 times in 1985, more than all other Oregon cities combined. With the help of vehicle inspection and other pollution reduction strategies, carbon monoxide pollution levels declined and there were just two violations in 1988. There have been no violations of the health standards for carbon monoxide since 1991.


When are vehicles inspected?

Most cars and trucks registered in the Portland area and the Medford area must pass the DEQ "Clean Air" Test as part of the registration renewal process. The Drivers and Motor Vehicles Services Department (DMV) notifies vehicle owners when the vehicle registration is about to expire. For most vehicles, this is every two years. This notice includes information about the required vehicle inspection.
In order to register a car within the boundaries of an vehicle inspection program, it must pass the emission test. When the vehicle passes, you get the DEQ Emission Test Report certificate required to renew the registration. You can get the test certificate up to 90 days before the registration expiration date.


What vehicles must be tested?

In Portland and surrounding areas, all 1975 model year vehicles and newer must be tested. In the Medford area, all vehicles 20 years old or less must be tested . Cars, trucks, vans, motor homes and buses powered by gasoline or alternative fuels such as propane. Diesel powered vehicles with manufacturer's gross weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less.

What vehicles are exempt?

Heavy duty diesel-powered vehicles (manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating more than 8,500 pounds). Vehicles legally registered outside the DEQ program boundaries.


What is the test procedure?

The test takes about five minutes. Vehicles are monitored for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, smoke and excessive noise. Pollution control equipment is checked.

The certificate fee is $21. There is no charge if your vehicle doesn't pass. However, it must be repaired or adjusted, then retested. Free voluntary tests are available to people who want to find out about the condition of a vehicle.


What if the vehicle doesn't pass?

Two-thirds of all vehicles pass vehicle inspection the first time. Of those that fail, usually only proper tuning is needed to pass the retest. Vehicle performance and fuel economy generally improve with this tuning. In some cases more extensive repair may be necessary. Adjustment or repairs may be made by anyone - a garage mechanic, an auto dealership, a service station technician, or yourself. However, it is illegal to modify a vehicle to pass the test, then change it back the way it was before the vehicle inspection test.


What if the pollution control equipment has been removed?

Oregon law prohibits disconnecting, altering or modifying required pollution control equipment (ORS 815.305). DEQ will check for specific pollution control equipment. If this equipment has been removed or modified, it won't pass the vehicle inspection test. The equipment must be reinstalled or repaired.


How will emission control repairs benefit my vehicle?

When your vehicle's air pollution control equipment is operating efficiently, your vehicle will use its fuel more completely, gets better performance and gas mileage, and has a higher resale value. Removing, disabling or modifying emissions controls is not only illegal, but will usually result in poorer performance, lower gas mileage and higher emission levels.


How much will repairs cost?

DEQ estimates repair costs average $75 for the basic vehicle inspection and $180 for the enhanced vehicle inspection. (The enhanced vehicle inspection will be required in the Portland area beginning in early 1998.)


Why aren't diesel trucks and buses tested?

The black smoke emitted from diesel trucks and buses is fine particulate matter or soot. While this is still a serious pollutant, the Environmental Protection Agency has not yet approved a standardized inspection process for heavy duty diesel engines. Diesel vehicles are minor contributors to the region's smog problem.

Light-duty diesel-powered vehicles, pick-up trucks for example, are currently tested under the Vehicle Inspection Program. They do, however, have different test requirements compared to gas-fueled vehicles. Diesel vehicles are inspected for the density of their exhaust smoke. The clearer the smoke the fewer smoke particles in the exhaust. Light duty diesel vehicles also are tested for carbon monoxide.


Aren't the clunkers really to blame for smog?

Not necessarily. A well maintained ten-year-old car can be cleaner than a poorly maintained five-year old car. In Oregon, vehicles 1974 and older are not required to pass a vehicle inspection program because many were made before manufacturers were required to install pollution controls using the latest technology. These pre-1975 cars make up less than two percent of all cars on the road in Oregon and as a whole are not driven very much.

Oldyellowwagoneer, get your facts straight before you post here.



Originally posted by oldyellowwagoneer
After 20 yrs there is no smog check.

Originally posted by oldyellowwagoneer
All they care about is what comes out the tailpipe.

Whether or not this is how it is in Oregon, this is how it should be everywhere. Nothing is more ridiculous than failing a smog test because of something stupid under the hood not hooked up like it is supposed to be but passing the sniffer.

thanks for that info liveaxle. very nice.

i luckily live outside the deq so i can run whatever i want.

on the same note, why would you want to build a rig today with anything other than a nice EFI system. that way you dont have to worry about deq anyway.