Emissions/Smog checks in TX question

[Irish4]

For the members in TX. I am likely getting a job transfer from CA to TX. I seem to remember from reading the different CA smog check posts that TX does some sort of emissions checks for diesels but there were not a lot of details.

Can anybody tell me what is all involved? Visual checks (cat, EGR, excessive smoke)? Opacity? Hooking up to the OBD port? Do aftermarket parts need something like a CARB executive order to be legal?

I plan on putting a TB exhaust on my truck next weekend. I will be deleting the cat and muffler. I was going to set it up so I can swap the cat back in for the smog check in Cali but if you don't need it in TX, why bother. I ask not just for the exhaust but for future mods also. Thanks.

[agjake11]

No emissions on diesels in texas.

the two things im not 100% certain on are the visual inspection of having cat/muffler and visual of egr system. i have none of these and havent had a problem with inspections yet but there are some that have reported these being a small issue.

the inspection is only 15/yr so if you fail one place go to another imo since its so cheap compared to gas vehicles in emissions counties.

[Ford diesel girl]

I just went through inspection a few days ago.

-I have had an EGR delete for 3 years now and no one has ever said anything about it.
-I did fail the first go around due to no muffler (it passed 2 years in a row there). Having no cat did not seem to be an issue.

The shop told me they got in a boatload of trouble for passing trucks with no muffler recently. Also, cops around my area are pulling people over for excessive exhaust emissions and noise. Just FYI.

[lubbock guy]

No problem out here in Lubbock, Texas, although i have a friend who sold his Emissions testing business in Paris, Texas.

[wngnt954]

It really depends where you go. I lived in Harris county ( Houston area) and there were muffler shops that wouldn't even cut your cat out. Now I live just outside of Harris county and they don't care what you've got or what you want to do.


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[Mike Hickman]

Where are you moving to in Tx ?

[Rblprd]

Where I get mine inspected in Arlington it takes maybe 10 minutes (from when I gave em my keys to when I Drove off), they barely seem to check anything and nothing under e truck.


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[Irish4]

Thanks everyone. Seems like the more populated areas have stricter standards for inspections/checks, the same as CA. I'm hopeful that some have straight exhaust and EGR deletes (on my list of things to do) and don't get any grief for it. When I do my exhaust, I guess I'll just set it up so I can swap the cat back in if needed.

I could be going to one of two places, both in the Dallas area, 30-45 min either North or South of the city.

Originally Posted by agjake11

No emissions on diesels in texas.
the inspection is only 15/yr so if you fail one place go to another imo since its so cheap compared to gas vehicles in emissions counties.

So, is that when the vehicle is 15 y.o. or when it is registered, then every 15 yrs after.

[Rblprd]

15 bucks a year to inspect


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[Rblprd]

Originally Posted by Irish4

Thanks everyone. Seems like the more populated areas have stricter standards for inspections/checks, the same as CA. I'm hopeful that some have straight exhaust and EGR deletes (on my list of things to do) and don't get any grief for it. When I do my exhaust, I guess I'll just set it up so I can swap the cat back in if needed.

I could be going to one of two places, both in the Dallas area, 30-45 min either North or South of the city.



So, is that when the vehicle is 15 y.o. or when it is registered, then every 15 yrs after.

I live smack in the middle of the Metromess and they barely did a visual inspection, lights, wipers, horn & brakes on my '05 6.doh, I've also not heard of anyone failing an inspection tbh, least not unless they were dumb enough to go in with an immense amount black smoke. But YMMV


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