Can I pass NJ emissions
 

Not sure if this is the correct forum -

I've been looking to sell my 88 GTA and pick up a 4th gen vert. I found one with Kooks and borla exhaust (plus some suspension work). Sounds awesome, runs like crap, seems like its in "limp home" mode or something. The check engine light is lit but I couldn't get the code. I was told the cats were removed and it has to be reprogrammed - seems reasonable enough. My question is - if I buy the car how do I get it to pass NJ emissions? I moved from NY earlier this year and in my Mustang, I had to put the stock tune back in to pass - but at least I have cats and 02 sensors. Thanks.

If it's '96-newer, you'll probably need O2 sims or a tune, and also some cat shields welded to the exhaust to pass a visual. Does the seller have the stock cats to re-install?

^^^ as he said

I passed with a heat shield tacked to the driver's side Y pipe and a tune in my 00', longtubes/no cats/magnaflow catback, no AIR/EGR/rear 02's

If it runs like crap, I would get the codes to find out why. It might be a simple fix, but it could be expensive as well. If you put cats in the y-pipe, run O2 sims or get it tuned then you should be fine. I've done headers and cats on a 96 LT1 and 2000 LS1 and they didn't run like crap without a tune. Something is wrong like an exhaust leak or no EGR or something.

Thanks - I need to look into this further. Nice car with most of the upgrades I would do anyway. Priced too high for some major unknowns.