Gabriel

Well.. In Ontario the stipulation is that the engine has to have it's original emissions equipment, PLUS meet the vehicle's original emissions requirement... double whammy... but i guess it's subject to interpretation... here's what MTO says, what do you think this means exactly?

For Drive Clean testing, the vehicle must meet or exceed what were the emissions standards of the original motor when all original emission control equipment was functioning.

All emissions control equipment must be attached and functioning (equipment refers to what came with the replacement motor or be equivalent to what would have come with that motor)

Gabriel

Wellll guess what... I've had enough of dancing around this subject for the last year... I want to find out concrete info.

I contacted Ontario Drive Clean, they forwarded me to the Ontario Vehicle Emissions Enforcement Unit. I was advised that the person i need to speak to has left for the day but I could leave him a voicemail, so I did. Gave a brief description and basically asked do i need to install the smog pump if the original car never came with it and the vehicle passes drive clean test adhering to the original miata standards...

I'll keep everyone posted - for the sake of the odd few Ontarians on this forum

Gabriel

I finally got a hold of someone at the the Vehicle Emissions Enforcement Unit, and here is how it works in Ontario according to the my conversation with them.


In Ontario there are two things to comply with

1. Drive Clean testing - Only enforced in parts of Ontario, as you said Brad this is not something you need to concern yourself about. But if an engine is replaced in a car after 1999 the car must past drive clean with the original car's standards, and not the engines! If you can have supporting documentation that it was done prior to 1999, you may apply with drive clean to have it registered as a hot rod which increases all the limits for the emissions test, and you're almost guarantied to pass at that point.

2. Ministry of Environment's Vehicle Emissions Enforcement Unit. This is a completely separate entity and has nothing to do with Drive Clean. They are there to ensure the emissions equipment has not been tampered with or removed and is working correctly. If you replaced the engine after 1999 or have no documentation to prove otherwise, the vehicle has to comply with BOTH the requirements of the original vehicle, PLUS the requirements of the new motor. He in fact, confirmed to me, that legally i need to have the smog pump system, egr system, evap system, cats, 02s all installed and in working order. There is however, the 1999 loop hole, if you can carry sufficient evidence that the motor was swapped prior to 1999 with you, none of these regulations matter. But whether or not you registered it as a hotrod with Drive Clean is irrelevant to a smog patrol officer, you need proof with you to show that the engine was replaced prior to 1999.

Legislation changed around 1999 so individuals with hot rods built prior to this were "grandfathered" in.

I did ask however, if you do not know what vehicle this engine came out of? what then? I did not get a yes or no answer for that one. it seems to become a very gray area... Perhaps if the smog patrol officer is a nice guy, he may let you off since there's no clear infraction... I think all Ford 5Ls of the era came with Air pumps... but what if you said it was a crate engine???

So, conclusion: In Ontario, you put a 5.0 from a 89-93 mustang in a Miata, legally, you are required to install egr, air pump, evap, cats, 02... furthermore if you're in a test zone, you must also pass the drive clean test every two years.


unless of course you comply with the 1999 clause....


Hope this helps the odd few Ontarians on this forum