With Massachusetts getting ready to change their inspection process I imagine engine modifications will no longer go unnoticed. I'm willing to bet this will only be strict in the short term. Then modifications will go back to only being an issue for those that draw the attention of the cops.
With that in mind time for a bench racing session. What car has a good enough engine to keep stock but would be more fun with just inspection friendly chassis and suspension mods?
I think the fox body mustang is pretty high on that list.
98-02 F-Body. If you like drag racing, you can make them stupid quick without opening the engine.
E55 AMG with the supercharger is tough to beat for going fast while looking stock. Larger crank pulley (rattle can black) split cooling (under hood tank instead of trunk tank), C63 mufflers (stock MB part number on them), belt wrap kit (paint pulleys black), looped fuel rail using black fittings, 52lb injectors, and a tune on the ECU and TCU should be enough to get you 11s on drag tires.
Other good thing is unlike a Mustang or Camaro, the knowledge base of what is stock and what isnt is pretty thin, if it looks stock it should pass.
Do they inspect for ECM changes? If not, a Saab 9-3 with the volume turned up can be made even better with some nice suspension parts. They're cheap too, but also wrong-wheel-drive.
maschinenbau said:
Do they inspect for ECM changes? If not, a Saab 9-3 with the volume turned up can be made even better with some nice suspension parts. They're cheap too, but also wrong-wheel-drive.
And on a Saabs, you can tune the stock ecus with open source freeware. Very grm friendly.
The Saab enthusiast forums though, seem to try and make everyone follow the same stage 1-18 mod path.
93gsxturbo said:
E55 AMG with the supercharger is tough to beat for going fast while looking stock. Larger crank pulley (rattle can black) split cooling (under hood tank instead of trunk tank), C63 mufflers (stock MB part number on them), belt wrap kit (paint pulleys black), looped fuel rail using black fittings, 52lb injectors, and a tune on the ECU and TCU should be enough to get you 11s on drag tires.
Other good thing is unlike a Mustang or Camaro, the knowledge base of what is stock and what isnt is pretty thin, if it looks stock it should pass.
This. This is the best answer. The E55 is a total sleeper, and is an excellent platform for big power. The transmission is pretty slow on it, but it's largely indestructible (they put it on the twin turbo V12's with 700ft/lb of torque with no issues).
And nobody really looks for mods on them, since they're not generally known for being a tuner car. So whoever inspects an E55 will likely glance over it with a lot less scrutiny than a Mustang or a Camaro.
NickD
SuperDork
9/25/17 1:23 p.m.
KyAllroad said:
Miata obviously.
I know this is the "Always the Answer" joke, but Miata is total opposite. Great chassis, meh engine
After doing this yesterday, I'd have to say this.
Appleseed said:
98-02 F-Body. If you like drag racing, you can make them stupid quick without opening the engine.
Totally. Hopeless chassis, great engine.
In reply to maschinenbau :
I actually thought they could not detect ecm changes until the other day. A group of friends went up to the drag strip in NH this past weekend and ran into an old friend with a Mustang (2008ish?). He had failed for emissions (no cats) then retuned the car and put cats back on it. Then brought it back for inspection at the same shop. That threw up some kind of red flag where supposedly the computer for the inspection could tell he had played with the computer since his last inspection and now he has to go to one of the DOT State Police barracks for an inspection. This is the first time I had heard of this but I believe the source. Maybe not the exact phrasing though. Maybe it's detectable with newer ECU's? Maybe it was some sort of random screening?
If it were me, I'd just stick with the Fiesta ST. The Mountune 230 kit can be had with black hoses and a black intercooler, so the DMV might not notice. No new parts, just upgraded parts.
You retain the stock airbox lid for a stealthy look under the hood, and get 227 hp and 250 ft.lb. Just add a Quaife LSD and some Kong's and you have a beast that might squeak past inspectors.
IIRC, the Camry with the V6 runs 0-60 in the 5's and the V6 Accord with a V6 is similarly fast. Some chassis upgrades would really give you a nice sports sedan.
HEMI V8, 390 hp / 407 ft-lb torque, 8-speed, 3.92 rear end with rear differential. Spend some time with the MOPAR catalog and some lowering hardware.
05-06 GTO.
LS2 isn't too shabby; car is just fat and limited on rear rubber. Front seats are amazingly comfy and the car can eat miles, though.
98-02 F-Body.
All hail the LS1. Boo for the chassis.
Although this is a fun exercise NOTHING is changing with respect to the inspection requirements. We don't open the hood and look at the motor unless there is something that would say to us that the emission system of the car has been messed with.
YES I am a MA state inspector if you are wondering.
Rust is going to be the big thing that will be enforced but again nothing in the law has changed it is all about enforcing what is already on the books.
