2G Colorado Emissions?

[OldGregg]

How is everyone passing emissions in Colorado? Do you have a stock exhaust on hand to switch in and out? In process of buying 96 TSi that has a fat can and will need it to pass emissions to register. Any helpful ideas greatly appreciated

 

[ErikTande]

Yep. You need the cat in place to pass. It keeps getting harder and harder too, my 97 tsi is BONE STOCK and barely passes now.

 

[1cleangsx]

Move to Wyoming

 

[Xarzor]

Here were my struggles registering my 95 GST in Colorado. At the time my car had coilovers, wheels and a cat back exhuast.

After the vin inspection I had to do a dyno emissions test. With the car being a 95 they didn't use the OBD2 port to check the emissions devices. They said anything older than 95 they don't use the port. Being a 96 you might get away with not having to dyno the car.

If you do have to get on the rollers there is only one place in the Denver area that will allow cars with aftermarket wheels. They don't want to be liable for damage. If your car is lowered, find away to raise it up so your bumper or oil pan do not get damaged. I had no issues with my cat back.

My car will not pass emissions now. I don't have my EGR, CAT or evap canister. I'm lucky to have my car registered in El Paso county at a family members house, which, for now, is emissions exempt.

 

[dwb]

I run a stock exhaust/CAT with stock size wheels. I've eliminated EGR and charcoal canister. Still passes but not fast pass.
Some tricks I've used: wire open wastegate actuator so it can't boost on the rollers. Get the CAT hot hot hot. Go at lower volume so you aren't idling in line for long periods. I've even run some 87 octane mixed with 91. Only time I failed was when the NB 02 sensor went out.

Here was my last test: https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/1991-tsi-awd.540276/post-153906077

 

[pagosa dsm]

I live in Mineral County, no testing.

 

[spyderdrifter]

I'm gonna assume you all live in the Denver area... I've never had to have emission testing for any car and I've live in the Springs area for 25 yrs.

 

[ErikTande]

If you wanna be REALLY sneaky, find a stock muffler, and cut a big hole in the TOP of it so you can't see the hole if you look under the car. It will cut your readings in half. Ask me how I know. ;-)

 

[CrackedDSM]

It’s been 20 years but I’ve passed Denver emissions with a modded 91 TSI AWD Auto. The trick was exhaust leaks. .


But it sounds like they’ve gotten way more strict so idk.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

Here's what some of us in California are doing.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[biglady112]

For people that ask me for help, I cheat. And am not afraid to admit it. Let’s just say I make sure not very much exhaust comes out the back.

On my personal cars I stopped fighting it and register everything in Clear Creek county.

 

[OldGregg]

For those who do live in a county that requires an emissions test, how are you getting past the part where the emissions place can’t pull any info from the OBD port? I’m running E85 and I put a cat in but bc of the Ecm link it’s not showing computer diagnostics, also update its a 97’ TSi

 

[steve]

How are you getting past the part where the emissions place can’t pull any info from the OBD port?

Don't lock the ECU comm in ECMLink mode on the Misc tab. Then a OBD scanner can talk to it but it will take a little longer for ECMLink to start.

 

[OldGregg]

Here were my struggles registering my 95 GST in Colorado. At the time my car had coilovers, wheels and a cat back exhuast.

After the vin inspection I had to do a dyno emissions test. With the car being a 95 they didn't use the OBD2 port to check the emissions devices. They said anything older than 95 they don't use the port. Being a 96 you might get away with not having to dyno the car.

If you do have to get on the rollers there is only one place in the Denver area that will allow cars with aftermarket wheels. They don't want to be liable for damage. If your car is lowered, find away to raise it up so your bumper or oil pan do not get damaged. I had no issues with my cat back.

My car will not pass emissions now. I don't have my EGR, CAT or evap canister. I'm lucky to have my car registered in El Paso county at a family members house, which, for now, is emissions exempt.

To register it in a county that family has property in but you don’t physically live there what documents did you need to provide to get it registered?

 

[Xarzor]

To register it in a county that family has property in but you don’t physically live there what documents did you need to provide to get it registered?

I literally did it online on the CO DMV website. You go to the online services and change vehicle registration address. You can select a mailing address and different registration address. I didn't have to provide any documents. It was almost too easy.

Since my vehicle got a VIN verification and passed an emissions test already maybe that's why it was so easy. I live in Adams county but have my car registered in El Paso county.

 

[dwb]

I have a classic truck registered at my parents address in SW CO to avoid any sort of emissions or scrutiny from the 7-county Denver metro testing area. I register online, and my mom forwards me the tag. Never had a problem with it (not counting USPS f-ups). I think the DMV assumes that if you can receive the tag via USPS, you more than likely reside at that address.