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First, a prelude: As some of you might know, I'm not a real big fan of vehicle emissions testing programs/requirements. My primary reason for feeling this way is because, like most other government programs, they develop their own bureaucracies and constituencies and get out of control. That's my primary problem with them since I know so well how bureaucracies operate and PROPAGATE. You see, bureaucracies are established for very well-meaning and, often, necessary purposes. However, once established they almost always get out of control. That's because bureaucracies quickly come to serve the folks who work within the bureaucracy and not the public purpose for which they were established. In a bureaucracy, expansion and propagation is LIFE. So, they propagate relentlessly even if it means disservice to the public that they were created to serve.
Notwithstanding the above, I do believe that, in general, emissions control on automobiles is a good thing. I mean, like it or not, air quality in many parts of the country would be virtually intolerable today if it were not for automobile emissions control. However, I do not believe in retrofit sort of emissions controls (e.g. the infamous "Echlin Device" once required in California) or any sort of requirements which hold cars to standards more stringent than those which they were originally required to meet, appropriately adjusted for normal in-service wear.
Now to the meat-of-the-matter: this afternoon I was driving back from Santa Cruz in my 92 Corvette. On the drive over the Santa Cruz mountains on Highway 17 I encountered a C5 "roadmate". I don't know the exact year model, but I expect that it was a later C5. The car had some trim modifications, non-stock wheels, an obviously altered exhaust system, and, judging from the sound and personalized license plate boasting a real (or wished for) power rating, engine modifications. So far, so good, though.
Well, it so happened that I ended up following this fellow for awhile and noticed the VERY strong "aroma" of unburned hydrocarbons. In fact, it was like driving behind a 50's era car that was running rich. At first, I just couldn't believe that it was this car; it just didn't seem possible. So, I dropped back; the "aroma" went away. I speeded up and got within safe following distance; the strong smell returned. After awhile, it became clear to me that this Corvette was definitely the source of the fumes.
Undoubtedly, this car has been modified in some way that emissions have gotten completely out of control. If there are even catalytic converters still on the car, they must be toast by now---no converter could deal with that kind of HC level and survive. I don't see how this car could possibly pass an emissions inspection in California. However, it's new enough that it may not have been required to get its first inspection yet (new cars in California are exempt from emissions testing for the first 3-4 years under the assumption that their emissions systems will not degrade during that period).
I fully expect that the "genesis" of this situation is someone's insane quest to modify their engine for more power and, in the process, screw up everything. Why folks cannot be satisfied with the stock power levels of C5 (or C6) Corvettes is absolutely beyond me. With power levels in the 350 to 500 hp range, why folks would think that they need more for STREET use just absolutely astounds me. Power anywhere in that range is more than one could use for any street operations except those well into what would be considred totally irresponsible, utterly illegal operation or constituting reckless driving. I've been a performance car fanatic most of my life and a hot-rodder, too (once-upon-a-time), but I've never operated a car in an absolutely reckless manner.
In any event, the mods made to this Corvette I described not only result in a power level that is completely unneeded for STREET operation, but it's also made the car, as new as it is, a "poster child" for "eco-****s" and a "dream-come-true" for bureaucracies looking for excuses to expand.
Personally, I consider cars like the one I described to be an affront and insult to myself as a responsible Corvette owner and driver. They do us all harm and I, for one, do not appreciate it.
Notwithstanding the above, I do believe that, in general, emissions control on automobiles is a good thing. I mean, like it or not, air quality in many parts of the country would be virtually intolerable today if it were not for automobile emissions control. However, I do not believe in retrofit sort of emissions controls (e.g. the infamous "Echlin Device" once required in California) or any sort of requirements which hold cars to standards more stringent than those which they were originally required to meet, appropriately adjusted for normal in-service wear.
Now to the meat-of-the-matter: this afternoon I was driving back from Santa Cruz in my 92 Corvette. On the drive over the Santa Cruz mountains on Highway 17 I encountered a C5 "roadmate". I don't know the exact year model, but I expect that it was a later C5. The car had some trim modifications, non-stock wheels, an obviously altered exhaust system, and, judging from the sound and personalized license plate boasting a real (or wished for) power rating, engine modifications. So far, so good, though.
Well, it so happened that I ended up following this fellow for awhile and noticed the VERY strong "aroma" of unburned hydrocarbons. In fact, it was like driving behind a 50's era car that was running rich. At first, I just couldn't believe that it was this car; it just didn't seem possible. So, I dropped back; the "aroma" went away. I speeded up and got within safe following distance; the strong smell returned. After awhile, it became clear to me that this Corvette was definitely the source of the fumes.
Undoubtedly, this car has been modified in some way that emissions have gotten completely out of control. If there are even catalytic converters still on the car, they must be toast by now---no converter could deal with that kind of HC level and survive. I don't see how this car could possibly pass an emissions inspection in California. However, it's new enough that it may not have been required to get its first inspection yet (new cars in California are exempt from emissions testing for the first 3-4 years under the assumption that their emissions systems will not degrade during that period).
I fully expect that the "genesis" of this situation is someone's insane quest to modify their engine for more power and, in the process, screw up everything. Why folks cannot be satisfied with the stock power levels of C5 (or C6) Corvettes is absolutely beyond me. With power levels in the 350 to 500 hp range, why folks would think that they need more for STREET use just absolutely astounds me. Power anywhere in that range is more than one could use for any street operations except those well into what would be considred totally irresponsible, utterly illegal operation or constituting reckless driving. I've been a performance car fanatic most of my life and a hot-rodder, too (once-upon-a-time), but I've never operated a car in an absolutely reckless manner.
In any event, the mods made to this Corvette I described not only result in a power level that is completely unneeded for STREET operation, but it's also made the car, as new as it is, a "poster child" for "eco-****s" and a "dream-come-true" for bureaucracies looking for excuses to expand.
Personally, I consider cars like the one I described to be an affront and insult to myself as a responsible Corvette owner and driver. They do us all harm and I, for one, do not appreciate it.
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