Thinking of moving to AZ in a couple of years, tell me about emissions testing & mods

[TWebster]

2005 3500 with 4" exhaust and to muffler, will be installing an FTE soon, otherwise stock

 

[GrantP]

Depends on which area of AZ you are thinking of moving to. Phoenix and Tucson areas require emissions testing, the rest of the state does not.

https://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/vei/diesel.html

 

[TWebster]

Well, right now ( still up for discussion, wife and I), Yuma (near kids and grandbaby), or possibly Page.
I'm very interested in the Mods side of things also, no intentions of pulling cats, but perhaps intake and tuner later, along with straight pipe exhaust w/FTE.

 

[GrantP]

In that case, just write your check to the DMV every year for registration and you're done. There is no inspection in those areas, not even a visual. Even the mods you are suggesting should be fine in Phoenix and Tucson. As long as you have the cat and it doesn't blow smoke you'll pass.

 

[Mingoglia]

Even in Maricopa county, as long as you have a Cat you're good. They'll have you do a foot to the floor test to insure you have a rev limiter. I have people I know who have removed Cats and have literally bolted a cat to their exhaust pipe with a clamp (temporarily) and passed emissions that way. They just look for it, and it doesn't technically matter where it is on your exhaust.

 

[TWebster]

Thanks Guys, this really helps. I use the 1 ton primarily for hauling our truck camper around, but at some point, a wrangler will also be coming along on a trailer, so the 5.9 will be getting a bit of a face lift to allow for passing and heavier hauling. Not having to deal with emissions is a great thing to hear.

 

[Crunch]

Even in Maricopa county, as long as you have a Cat you're good. They'll have you do a foot to the floor test to insure you have a rev limiter. I have people I know who have removed Cats and have literally bolted a cat to their exhaust pipe with a clamp (temporarily) and passed emissions that way. They just look for it, and it doesn't technically matter where it is on your exhaust.

Now this sounds really bizarre to me. I've always heard that catalytic converters need to be between the exhaust manifold and muffler in order to work properly. Are the inspectors getting over on the law by strictly adhering to the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law, or would they be in trouble if the state pencil pushers saw them doing it? Since I was a kid I've also heard of cats being notorious for starting fires in fields and grassy areas because they get so hot. If they work just as good post-tailpipe, I would think that's a safer place to locate them, not to mention easier to change out, in addition to getting passed by the inspectors.

 

[Mingoglia]

Now this sounds really bizarre to me. I've always heard that catalytic converters need to be between the exhaust manifold and muffler in order to work properly. Are the inspectors getting over on the law by strictly adhering to the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law, or would they be in trouble if the state pencil pushers saw them doing it? Since I was a kid I've also heard of cats being notorious for starting fires in fields and grassy areas because they get so hot. If they work just as good post-tailpipe, I would think that's a safer place to locate them, not to mention easier to change out, in addition to getting passed by the inspectors.

They're literally following the letter of the law. I know at least a half dozen people who have "deleted" their exhaust and have done this. I know it's crazy because as you said it will in no way do its job.

 

[jelag]

I'm in Pinal County... Close to Casa Grande... 1/2 way between Phoenix and Tucson on I-10.. we are out of the test area and don't have to worry.... I'd suggest you come to AZ and look around... here where I'm at... the market is still depressed and prices are still low to what they were in 2006 before the bust... not far away on I-10.. a community called Red Rock... has at least 50 new home starts... so in rural AZ its starting to return to normal...