Starting a thread to compile requirements of emissions testing by major metro area (and whether there are work-arounds like alternative fuel exemptions for running alcohol). I'll start with MMAs I know test for OBD2 in TX (no idea if AFV exemptions exist), using the format of STATE / TYPE OF TEST / EXEMPTIONS. Please chime in for metros you know about & maybe we'll have yet another useful list on S2Ki (90% of mods on my car were from friends on this site...)

TEXAS:
Austin
Dallas/Fort Worth
Houston
San Antonio

TYPE OF TESTING:
OBD2 for '96-later cars
Sniffer on dyno rollers for earlier year model cars

EXEMPTIONS:
Car age over 20 yrs
Alcohol? (no, not buying the inspector a case of beer... running your car on alcohol)

I live in Austin, TX and swap cars out with my dad's place in West Texas (which doesn't require emissions/OBD2). This has allowed me to avoid OBD2 tests on the turbo car, (it has an AEM, which gives the OBD2 the same dumb spiraley-eyed stare of the Mole character in Fantastic Mr. Fox), unfortunately.

Since we're moving to Beaverton, OR, I won't have that luxury of registering in a non-smog county anymore (yes, I'm a terrible person, but the car's driven less than 2K miles/yr and most of that is to autocrosses in-state). Anyone know if Portland metro requires OBD2 on their emissions/safety tests? Or will they offer a sniffer test for cars with "broken" OBD2 ports (ahem). I could load a very emissions-friendly map in my car for a drive to/from the facility (OK, and to/from racetracks to reduce my eco-guilt) until I can afford to migrate my tune over to a K-Pro. (I've spent years fine-tuning my AEM's start, wastegate, VSS based boost control, etc. & will be sad move from my faithful old AEM - if someone makes those credit-card readers that spoof your info for theft, why can't those guys put their powers to work & make us a port that slips over the OBD2 port & give machine's the "Everything is O-Tay" signals...

Thanks again...

 

Awesome idea.

 

GEORGIA:
Atlanta area only, I think it's 13 (?) metro counties

TYPE OF TESTING:
OBD2 for '96-later cars
Sniffer on dyno rollers for earlier year model cars

EXEMPTIONS:
Car age over 25 yrs (I think, not sure)

My Greddy kit w/ E-manage Ultimate passed OBD2 emissions this past summer with no issues. I don't think they are too serious about a visual inspection as long as everything is working fine. I've never seen them look under the car for a cat check, and they only popped the hood in order to hook up the test equipment. (Not sure they even pop the hood on OBD2 cars.)