Is this Coming for Modders?

[Retro69]

http://youtu.be/6OfbhKnevq0

[Italopaula]

That wasnt a modded car. It was a potentially illegally imported car. It's like if you were driving a 1995 GTR and then got surprised that the car was seized even though you were told it was an 1980's GTR.

[Retro69]

My point was the feds *could* take this kind of action for someone who has modded a car.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Norm Peterson]

That story is about the "grey-market" importing of "noncompliant" cars, not modifying cars already certified as being legal for sale. And FWIW, if you don't understand what it takes to get your grey-market car legalized - and what scams are possible - you shouldn't even consider getting involved in it.


Norm

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by Retro69

My point was the feds *could* take this kind of action for someone who has modded a car.

What kind of mods are you talking about, and what would be the "probable cause" for seizure of a legal-for-sale car that's been modified? It wouldn't have a "suspicious VIN" to trigger any action.

I really think the problem is with the grey-market importer, who HS seems to be claiming has been running a scam against proper conversion for legal importation. Not whether the vehicle was actually out of spec.


I can see some things falling into a "fix it within XX days" similar to failing a periodic or spot-check safety or emissions test. Clearly, Homeland Security would not be involved.


Norm

[45thAnniversary2SS]

Paranoid much?

[Retro69]

Only where the federal government is involved. Violating federal emissions standards??? Not saying it will happen but with all the federal overreach it wouldn't surprise me for political enemies.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[TommyTheCat]

[mlee]

Oh Crap... my car was imported from Canada and has no cats...

[Number 3]

The Federal government mandates that manufactures sell cars that are safety and emissions compliant.

It does not mandate that you keep it so. In fact there are many cars on the road that are not compliant with current emissions standards. Millions and millions of old cars are not compliant by today's Federal standards for safety and emissions. So you aren't required by Federal law to drive a compliant car.

Your local and state governments may or may not test in order to get a plate for your car, so if non compliant you would simply take your already out of warranty car and swap back to the original cal. and equipment and pass. But again, they only want you to demonstrate your car is "currently" in compliance.

The Feds aren't coming any time soon.....................unless you forgot your aluminum hat. In that case, the next knock on your door is........................

[Retro69]

I always thought it was a violation federal laws to render a vehicle non-compliant. Guess I was wrong.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[pickwithaustin]

Emissions testing and safety inspections are state mandated. The worst that can happen is that you fail an inspection and cannot renew registration. At that point, you probably should not have it on the public road (unregistered vehicle laws, after all).

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by Retro69

I always thought it was a violation federal laws to render a vehicle non-compliant. Guess I was wrong.

Lots of mods are at least "federally" compliant, and many of those have CARB EO numbers as well. By definition, those are OK for street use (and probably wise to choose from).

A trailered pure track toy doesn't have to meet anything other than track and sanctioning body technical requirements.

But I know that legal action has been taken against suppliers of specific devices whose intent is to circumvent emissions equipment monitoring - I'm mainly talking about O2 sensor foolers here - because they could be used on street-driven vehicles. Suppliers were targeted, not individual consumers (though I think that individuals were expected to comply with a recall of any such purchases).


Norm

[WickedSSCamaro]

Originally Posted by Retro69

I always thought it was a violation federal laws to render a vehicle non-compliant. Guess I was wrong.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I'm pretty sure you are right.