I was talking to a friend who works as a service manager at a local shop here, we were talking about emissions testing because I'll need to get one on the EVO this year.

Apparently they are introducing a new system where the method of testing is done differently, and not for the vehicle owner's benefit!

Starting in Jan. 2013, all DriveClean accredited shops will have to standardize to the new testing equipment and training.

He told me that the technician will have to plug a reader into the OBD2 port, take a picture of the license plate, have a camera set up to focus on the dash to make sure no check engine lights are visible, and be on the phone with a live agent! Talk about overkill.

Now, if you have a check engine light on, it's an automatic fail. If you clear the code prior to the test, they'll be able to figure it out based on readings from the ECU.

This is just what he told me, I'm not sure how much of it is true or not. The Ontario DriveClean website says there is a new program being initiated by 2013, but doesn't go into much detail.

It seems Ontario is making it more difficult to keep your older vehicles on the road.

Needless to say, I'll be getting my emissions test done immediately on both cars, just to avoid all the hassle that will ensue after this is initiated.

Has anyone else heard this yet??

This does not sound so bad after what I been through in California. Here they don't allow any modifications that may affect combustions/emissions. In other words no aftermarked turbos, intake pipes, intercoolers etc. ECMLink is our best friend when it comes to OBD2 reading during emission test. I pass OBD2 test with 850cc injectors in California thanks to the special setting in Link.

Anyway, they can look at my dash board all day long and have 10 agents on the phone as long as they don't introduce "visual inspection" test prior allowing car on the rollers.

What about non OBD2 vehicles? All this picture taking/live agent crap in uneccessary.

1g's are OBD1, does it apply to us ?

I didn't really get the details on what the protocol will be for OBD1, I was in shock at the evasive nature of testing (cameras, live agents, etc).

The EVO is OBD1, so I guess I should find out. Alex, I've got link as well so that's good to know!

Pretty much sounds right and that's why I wont be taking my drive clean license again lol. For OBD1 car's it's just a standard 2 speed idle with the new system

yep! here is what I did

http://www.ecmtuning.com/wiki/lockecmlinkmode?s=lock%20obd2%20mode

So when you check the (lock comm)box, they cant read the obd2 computer? Wouldnt that be an automatic fail? or would they skip that and just do the 2 speed idle test?

Thats it........I'm changing my damn address to my parents up north. Clean record, rising insurance for no reason, now this bullshit.

Living in Ontario feels like being in Faking kindergarten. We are the laughing stock of the nation. Need to get a Costco membership to keep up with Vaseline costs. My Ontario ass hole is feeling the penetration lately.

Rob! LMAO

Last year I worked nights part time at a Canadian Tire service desk. North end of Guelph; not much to do but shoot the sh!t with the techs. The shop foreman was complaining about this new program all last summer (especially since they still haven't paid off the equipment installed for the current etests).

Your description is pretty accurate. As far as I know, they aren't scanning the OBD1s (would be great if they would just not test them..). Since I'm on AEM, hooking a scanner up to the OBD2 does a whole lot of nothing. According to my shop foreman, I'm fracked.

I'll be sneaking it in for an etest late in the year. I might also be "moving" up to Orillia.....

Everyone move up to sudbury

I heard they doing away with Dyno's altogether. The camera was to check the readiness codes on newer OBDII( cause let's face it the older system are like a retarded cousin). If the readiness monitor passed then the car passed. I am not 100% sure on this it just mostly hear say right now.


I am just pissed that my car finally didnt need an Etest then they changed to years back to 88.

You're correct, the dynos will no longer be used.

Also, the dynos had to have been purchased through specific suppliers (you had to use their dyno), are only rated up to about 200hp (fairly useless other than etests), and most shops won't have made enough money to pay for them yet.

The entire program is ineffective and an enormous pain in our asses, but in all honesty, it's the etest facilities that really get reamed.

The new system has no dyno, I think it may be scanning the car for codes and a 2 speed idle test like they do to awd cars now.

I didnt hear anything about live agent or camera. I will update you guys when I find out the real info.

You are 100% right. Those F**ckin machines break down every 3 months. Its just a pain in the ass. Repair bills are through the roof.

The camera was news to me too. I did hear that there would be an active connection between the shop and the MTO (or whoever..), but I heard nothing about having them on the phone. I was under the impression it was just similar to now: the shop's computer connects over the internet to send your car's data.

We dont even have enough money in ontario for decent hi-ways and doctors and bla bla bla but we are gonna pay for a faking call center for drive clean? Bull sh!t.

Next we will have those HC recovery socks on all the gas pumps.

Abolish Drive Clean. Put the money into cleaning up the roads. Less potholes/debris leads to fewer brand-fracking-new tires getting trashed (we replaced at least 1 tire a night at CT because of an unrepairable leak, and most had less than 20k on them).

That would be kinda nice for the environment....

My subaru throws a code when you over fill the tank. Failing vehicles just because there are codes is plain f*cked. Not all codes are emissions related.

Ontario just jumped on the American bandwagon. They needed to get rid of the gross emitters ie Dodge Caravans that just spude smoke everywhere. But now aday with all the ULEV vehicle most of them are actually making the air clean out the tailpipe then the air going in.

Especially in L.A

Who else has Etest other then B.C?

Im surprised Quebec doesnt. But they wanna jump on the cash grab band wagon for some time now I hear.

How long are etests good for? For instance, if I get one at the end of this year, will it be good until September of 2012?

I hope they don't tighten the limits any more too... It's gonna be hard to get my bucket to pass. Looks like I'll need a new engine, stock cams, and a new exhaust with 8 or so cats welded to eachother...

F*ck it, Im "moving".

Took a while to sink in but your point is very valid.

Last summer was one hell of an eye-opener for me. I'd be out back chatting with the guys and in my line of sight would be:

1) Some rusted-out crap bucket that probably isn't fit to drive on the road passing an etest with flying colours, then driving away with a trail of blue smoke.

2) A used tire bin that would hold about 80 tires and would need to be emptied weekly. At least 1 in 4 of the used tires had more than 50% tread left.

3) The garbage dumpster, where ALL of the shop's garbage (except for waste oil and old oil filters) would go. Empty oil/ATF/coolant/brake fluid jugs, oil soaked rags, any floordry that was used, all going into the same dumpster as the store's regular garbages.

If you had $60,000 (this was apparently the total cost to set the store up for etests, and this was in '99), would you spend it on 1), 2), or 3)? It's above aggrevating; it's just plain stupid.

I work in a machine shop. U can't imagine how much worse our waste is for the environment is compared to what u described yet ontario wants to pick the pockets of people who just wanna fakin drive their broke ass to work every day in a shitty vehicle because we haven't got a raise in forever to afford a new car that passes their "drive clean standards"

I'm not sure I would want to know! I just thought it was horrible how much garbage we were putting out compared to the business that we did. This was like a 4-5 cars on a hoist at a time type shop, and 2 of them were tire rotations!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario's_Drive_Clean actually has some pretty interesting information on it. They're vague about the 2013 change, but it's kind of interesting to watch how this program has evolved to suit the government's needs at the time.

On a side note.. I've heard if any license etest tech mentions anything about the program being useless or a cash grab they can be pulled up on pretty serious charges. Deep, maybe you know more about this?

E-test are valid for a year.

Jeremy all that stuff is regulated. I think maybe your Store owner needs to get on that.

All our used oil containers need to be put in a seperate recycling bin that is lined with like 6mils bags.

Tires are recycled. They make our highways with them.

You just need the right companies coming to get your sh!t. Maybe it is more cost effective from CTC to throw everything out.

The tires going to highways bit is actually kinda familiar.. surprised I didn't remember that. I've worked at a few lube shops in town and they all follow the guidelines (proper bags for old oil bottles etc), but neither CT in town does.

What really throws me is that they've recently changed Guelph's garbage by-laws; you can now throw out empty oil bottles in the regular garbage. I don't.

I was more referring to the new tires being destroyed though. They work to put the tire together, just to melt it back down 10,000km later.

What throw me is that I can put a full bottle of used oil to te curb and the garbage men will throw it on the truck or that if i take the time to shred paper and put it in recycling the dude throws it on top of the garbage.

Kinda retarded to me.

po box in petawawa

/thread

E-test is a fabled rumor up here.

Can you even put your car registration at a PO box? I thought it matches your license and your license is where you live.. Same with insurance.

Insurance address doesn't need to match license/registration address. My license/registration are to my permanent address in Richmond Hill but due to co-op/school I'm never actually living in Richmond Hill/GTA - I'm either in Waterloo for school or some town for work...which has been Belleville a few times, and so my Talon is registered out East.

As far as registration though, I think it does need to match your license, but I'm not sure.

When I took my DSM for my first smog test I had my ECU locked in ECMLink mode. They didn't allow me to continue without it working first. Computer screen showed ...connection time out or something like that. So I called Tom and that's what he told me to do.

You can change your license to match the PO box. However if your insurance catches on they will want you to officially change your address with them as well. Gf is from the sault and they dont have it their either.

Same as Sudbury, which I have many relatives there.

Do you know if there still using the probe that goes into the tailpipe?

Of course they are. How do you think they measure the pollutants?

I can understand everyone's frustration, however all you need is a good working order cat to pass a 2 speed idle test.

If your car can't pass that, then there's actually something wrong with the motor/tune, or your cat is done. Two speed idle tests CO and HC, both filtered by a cat. The natural emission of a burned hydrocarbon is HC's and CO, no matter what you do. All you are doing by exceeding the limit is producing too much of one or the other.

And yes, all CEL's are emissions related. The CEL is there only for emissions purposes alone. Whatever triggered the CEL relates to emissions, regardless of what you think isn't.... it is.

My car failed Etest last year, and I was on my way to buying an Etest when I blew it up. It failed by a very small margin. I figure my cat is done.

Don't get so all up in arms about this. If your car already passes Etest, good chance it's still going to pass. The limits haven't changed, just the method they test you.

Failing me for a code that has nothing to do with emissions is what really burns me. My dd has a few codes I chose to ignore which don't hinder performance. I just don't wanna spend the money on it. If this rumour of failing imediately because of a check engine light is true, I'm not down with being forced to spend money on my piece if sh!t daily driver.

Lol you still have the rest of the year!

I'm hoping to get mine in next week. Hopin they over look something's.

I also wouldn't worry till you see something official last romour I heard was 20 year old and up are only to get test nothing ever happened with that

Every code that a CEL throws in relation to engine/transmission performance relates to emissions.

Well dugh. How about abs? Ive had that cel for a few years now.

ABS or SRS are independent systems, usually having a different light.

All ABS systems when in a non-functioning manner must not prevent normal braking operation under any circumstances. SRS systems are the same, when the light is on, the SRS system will not deploy.

So it's not considered a cel ?

Nope!

I feel a little better

Rob overfilling your gas tank will set a code for for you EVAP Emissions system. Which is still part of your emissions system just like the Gas cap test. They don't want any HC emissions from the tank or lines venting into the atmosphere either.

Also some manufactures have MIL(CEL) codes for other systems. Subaru may have those.

Your DSM won't. Very simple OBDII system on them.

Its not my DSM im worried about

My GC8 is a PITA to get reasonably priced parts for, and very expensive to fix even simple little things.

I wouldn't worry to much yet. Mostly just rumours so far. Since they just changed the years last October it will take them sometime to hire a committee to do research to research that research and but then hopefully they just get rid of whole damn thing.

Now that its 2013 in a few days, my car will need a safety and etest this year before spring. Doing some more research on this topic I noticed that 1997 and older get the tailpipe test, 1998 and newer get obd scanner.

Am I basically screwed now to put all my stock emissions stuff back on since mine is a 1999? I also am running a 1995 eprom ecu with link, will that be a problem? This new emissions testing is garbage..

I don't know what exactly they look for but here's the brochure:
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@ene/@resources/documents/resource/stdprod_101126.pdf

You might be able to still just get it tested the old way as a GRAY MARKET vehicle. The new system Tests your ECM to see if the readiness monitors have been set if they have then you proceed to the 2 speed tailpipe test if they arent set you fail and need to go drive around till they are set. Which I doubt Link has provision for, but they might.

I don't know what's going to happen to all the people who require an e-test in January as everyone's e-test license expires dec 31, including mine... No training program has been set up yet to teach the new system and where I work, we're not even approved for the new stuff yet even though we applied months ago. I've been running all my close friends cars so they wouldn't have to deal with the new bull anytime soon haha

Hum.... I best check my license. Is that for repair Techs aswell or just testers?

There, I fixed that for you brother.

Good question. Last time I chatted with one of the driver clean inspectors that was fixing our machine he mentioned right on dec 31st "all the license holders within the drive clean program will be ineffective" or something along those lines... he did advise me only to get enough supplies for the machine only to last till late December. I'll be waiting to see what happens

I have heard the Dyno and old tester will be useless. But i have never heard of my license expiring........Yet.

I had my Eclipse tested this past fall before I put it away as I needed an e-test next year & was worried about the new test.

I talked to the owner of my local garage & it seems like the new testing system probably won't be too bad. IIRC, 97 & older will still be a tail pipe test, but their not using the dyno anymore, so I would imagine that might mean no nox even for 2wd vehicles (as it will just be a two stage idle test).

For 98 & newer, its an OBDII scan. So if you have an aftermarket ecu, your probably screwed. If you have link, you should be fine. All cars are allowed to have one readiness monitor not set but certain cars have known issues with monitors, Mitsu happens to be one, so they are supposed to be allowed to have two readiness monitors not set & pass. He might have said a tail pipe test might be an option if you fail the OBDII scans but I don't recall 100%.

Mitsu's OBDII system is basic compared to newer cars. So most people shouldn't have issues passing.

I will have to ask our tester guy, I haven't actually tested a car in many years( cost too much) I just get them when they fail.

well i know at my work we just got the system and ive been learning more and more about it.. the phone calls are just if you want to get audited, and also for those who have changed their ecu's like for ecm link or anything else.. the test also scans the ecu for the VIN number.. so when you switch the ecu it will have a different VIN number programmed, so im not sure if you can change that with ecm link or not.. but then again i don't know if thats true im just going by what i was told by my buddy at my work.. and if you do have a check engine light on and you clear it, they will find out and it will fail and then you have to do a retest in a weeks time to see if the light stayed off and if it does it will pass. its really stupid

No way. I dont think ECU have vin numbers of the car in there memory lol. Mabey it checks for model number, even that I doubt.

Sorry Deep, it's true, but only for newer cars (I think it is 2006+). They have the VIN and also two IDs to check what software the ECU is running and the exact level / checksum (CID and CVN). So in theory they could know if you've changed ECUs or even flashed it. Nobody seems to know what the Driveclean program will do if those vales are wrong - I suspect the answer is to pay extra $$ for a roller test but we will see.

You DSM guys should be fine unless you're running a standalone on a 96+

Yeah eh, Makes sense for newer cars. Never had to change ecu on any of them so wouldn't know. Also I think the roller is gone completely with the new system. Its just a 2 speed idle.

As Jeff said, as far as I know, DSM ecu's shouldn't have an issue with VIN's (as I said above, their OBDII setup is pretty basic compared to newer cars).

Don't believe you can have a CEL showing when you go for the test. If you reset the CEL, like any OBDII setup, it resets all the readiness monitors (readiness montiors being set is what they test for with the OBDII scan). So yes, that will fail as you'll need to do some combined driving to get the readiness monitors to set again.

Think the DSM ecu only has 4 readiness tests. At times I've set all of them, even with the MDP & rear O2 sensor disconnected (using those inputs to log different inputs with link). So as I said, shouldn't be too hard for most to pass the scan.

I know of a couple shops that have been using the new system for a few months already. I'm not sure what kind of training the techs went through, but I don't think people will have trouble getting etests in the new year.

So has anyone had to face the dreaded test yet?

I talked to the shop who originally told me about the new system, and they were retrofitted with the equipment in late November. They have tested some vehicles on it prior to the Jan/2013 cutoff, and apparently it's a 50/50 split between passes and fails. Keep in mind, Fort Erie is home to it's fair share of backyard mechanics!

Training is just some bull test online. I just went through it to reinstate my license.

Cars are failing like crazy!!

If you got CE light you fail.

If you replace the part causing the check engine light and reset it, go back in right away you fail.

If you replace battery and go in right away you fail.



Once repairing the fault for CE light or even putting in a new battery and reseting ecu you have to drive for a day or two because I think it takes time for your ecu to get readings in.

Got this info from a friend.

Anyone get their 1g DSM tested yet? I am interested to know what the testing procedure and results are like.

Are the curb idle tests suppose to be any different?

My buddy's work has been testing the "new way" since mid-late summer.
He said unless there is a check engine light on, the code was recently cleared, or ther is no power at the OBD port, cars have been passing with ease.

When I got my 1g tested, there was a Subaru on the new machine getting tested, he said "yours is old, it needs to go over to the other machine"
We went over there, and he did the typical curb idle test that we have all seen. However that was in the fall.

So does the hot rod test still work the same for cars with swapped motors? Can i just swap to a hiundi valve cover.. convince my mechanic to certify the car with a non original motor.. and not worry about it?

At the time I had my e-test done, my car was still listed as a hot-rod.

You only need to convince someone once that the motor in there did not come in the car, and the car's info is modified for good in their system.

Usually you are suppose to provide documentation about the motor. Mine which was a 2.4L.

My limits were:
2500rpm
HC:200
CO: 1

Idle
HC:200
CO:1
Not sure convincing them you swapped a differnt 2.0L in there will help you at all.


now back to the OP topic

I was asking cause it would be away around the new system.. still on topic.


I wont have much emissions left on my car when its ready for the road. So I can only assume it wont pass now.

Can Link hide codes and out smart the new system?

Cars 1997 and older are exempt from the new system, and will still be tested using the old sniff-n-smell. For 99.9% of you DSM owners, you are safe.

For the rare few that have 1998 Talons.... well...
Read Me

Was wondering the same.

Ryan - nice find. If I had to do mine this year, I would be able to report my findings. So I'll be leaving that for one of you guys.

Also, if you're not running your original motor, ask about hot rod status please. I'd like to know if this has changed.

Sounds like a bunch of extra, unnessecary driving... go go drive clean

1998-2000 is allowed 2 NOT READY monitors. Our cars only have 4 Monitors that the ecu checks. Compared to newer vehicles our pcm is very basic. With this knowledge you can easily pass the test as long as your front o2 sensor is alive and working (2 monitors are: O2 sensor, and o2 heater).

The other 2 monitors our ecus look at is Catalyst and EVAP. Seeing as link can turn off the ecu from "checking" that monitor you can basically uncheck the box for both and wont have a check engine light on. MIL will not be commanded on and those 2 monitors will just say NOT READY.

So basically we can go in with our 3" exhausts, loping cams, stinking of fuel and technically still pass the OBD2 test.

Now I'm really curious as to what's going to happen in my situation. Although I don't NEED one this year (I think), I may just play with the idea of testing my car to see how it will perform and what I may need to do to pass.

1. Motor in my car is a '91 tsi. Have documentation for this, and submitted it to Oil Changers the last test performed so that enabled me to run as "hot rod status". Which doubled the limits from 150 to 300.

2. My ECU is from a '95 tsi.

3. My car is a '99.

I don't currently have my cat installed but I will when the time comes.

I'm also not running a front O2, I have my aem wb there and am currently simulating O2 function. How will this affect the diagnostic check?

I'm with you Rob, moving up north is becoming an attractive idea.

I'll chime in.

When they plug into the OBD port, they are looking for no faults and sensor readiness. Sensor readiness means that the vehicle has completed a drive cycle (specific actions like; idling, highway driving at constant rpm, and stop and go), and is utilizing these sensors for proper fueling and emissions adaptations and optimization.

This means that the short term and long term fueling trims have adapted, catalyst is within it's efficiency range and is working correctly. They don't need the tail pipe sniffer because the cars are 'smart' enough, if there is no codes, then it's more than likely outputting low enough emissions. If there is a CEL, then there is most likely bad emissions being output.

Now for example. A car could pass without emissions equipment. We'll say, for example, I have a friend who has a 03 EVO 8 with 1000cc injectors, GT35R, Meth injection, Speed density conversion, No cat and no post cat O2. It is tuned on a Stock ECU with an Open source type system. This system has the option to 'Force Readiness' (which most do). You need to take a copy of the stock map, Force readiness on all sensors that are not existent, or would cause a CEL (Some have the option to force on all sensors, or individual sensors) and then go do a new emission test.

When the Drive Clean facility scans the car, they will see no CEL and Sensor readiness. This results in a pass and voila!

Funny enough, it's easy to pass a 2 speed idle. This same car passed a 2 speed idle legitimately 2 years ago. Also did my WRX With a STI swap and no Cat.

So all the new cars will fail if they have a CEL. And all the old cars that wouldn't pass on a dyno, will now have a better chance with a 2 speed idle.

Now this is just from my one experience. I haven't seen the 2 speed idle done, and I'm not sure that it's the same or different than before.

A picture of our new machine and test bay at work;





I'm going to be attempting my "e-test and tune" here

And to further add, we had an '08 TSX fail today because it had a new battery installed YESTERDAY!

Do we know anything yet about the 2 stage idle test for pre-'95 cars? I'm wondering if the limits have changed at all? Or if they even test for NOX anymore?

No NOx at Idle or 2500rpm. You need a load to make NOx. They will only be testing CO and HC.

Hmmm... they've certainly made it easier. There must be a catch

Yeah $35 plus tax. I think they figure there aren't as many older cars around anymore and the first wave of etesting cleaned out most of the gross emitters. And Lets face it a 95 vehicle pretty old these days.

My 2004 PT failed the test due to me clearing a cel on the way to drive clean Fortunately a local DSMer and I felt we should go in Dec because of uncertanity and I'm glad we did! They had to test us the old way but were not happy, but hey, we passed. Now to fix that cel issue before my next test in 2015

frack! not good. My MDX started a P0420 cel for "cat low efficiency"..which is odd, considering I only bought it at the beginning of December and had the e-test come back with all zero's. But that e-test is still valid for 12 months and my bday is this april. So either my '04 MDX or '99 GSX will need testing.

It looks like it's the "even" years being tested this year.

P0420 is odd on an 04. But many many Acura's pass with a 420 on the old system. Thats why they came out with the software update. But as far as I remember 04 doesn't apply. There is a non-detection update but I don't think that will fix her for you.

OK so my 98 with a 95-96 eprom and full link with V3 and a built 6 bolt. Does it need all the FPS, EGR, boost control solenoid BS? I followed the whole thread but with limited tests so far it has confused me. I dont know what I need to have hooked up when I do the swap, and if there is anything I can clean up, or if I should keep it all and tuck it in the interior under the dash or something. Is there specific sensors link can turn off and allow the test to be run if I cannot obtain hot rod status?

OK so hears some info on hot rods.. But what kinda proof receipts do we need if we bought the motor off a buddy and installed it our selves?

Can I get a garage to make up some reciepts?..If I know a friendly Garage. Or a fake receipt suggesting they installed the motor in 1998.. the year after my car was built? If I can do that then i never have to etest this car!

Other then that this might get tricky.
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/category/drive_clean/STDPROD_098201.html#1999

Alright Im good according to this.. I have a 97 so I just do the idle test.

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/category/drive_clean/STDPROD_075681.html

Yup, the split is after the '97 model year. All the 2gs had OBD2, but not all cars were swapped over until '98. It's only the '98-'99 that really take the reaming.

As for your situation Mike... sorry but as soon as I realized I do the idle test, I stopped looking into it.

I think it is more the fact of 98 and up setting readiness monitors. Pre 98 didn't have that capability. The first obd 2 systems were pretty basic with many variations between manufacturers it wasn't till 98 that they revised all the systems and certain perameters manditory for all manufacturers. 1996 was when all cars had to have the OBD2 connector instead of whatever they were using before. Some even keep both for a period of time until they have all communicate thru the OBD2 connector.

So what... pre 97 dsms are more valuable then 98s and 99s now? Or are the 98s and 99s gonna become more rare cause there gonna become part outs.

I got an e-mail stating that if no DTC's are present in the vehicle but it receives "not ready" monitors, we have to tell the customer to do the "drive cycle" stated in the brochure and to come back in 24hrs. When it comes back, test it, if it get's "not ready" on the first retest, immediately retest it and it will give you a conditional pass. There's some other bullshit if you wanna resell it but yeah... There going to start implementing that tomm(feb 7th).

Just make sure your cat works and your solenoids are plugged in. That's all you need really. The ECU cannot tell whether or not the EGR opened or not. The solenoids are just on/off switches, they have no feedback to the ECU.

^^^
I thought the MDP sensor on a 2G provides the EGR feedback.

You'll need to do an OBDII scan, as said earlier, you should be allowed to have 2 readiness tests not complete & still pass. The 2g's DSM's only have 4 (99's mights have 5), our ecu is basic. Swapping ecu's is not a problem as the VIN isn't programmed into the ecu.

Fire up link & look at the state of the readiness tests. If your CEL is off & you only have one or two tests not showing complete, you should be fine.

If you disconnect the battery or clear the cel codes with a programmer, you will fail the scan as the ecu needs enough driving time to re-complete the readiness tests. Any car will fail if you do this.

You will likely have to have most sensors connected but not always. As I said, my cat effiency test completes all the time & I'm using the rear O2 sensor input to log WB.

If you are throwing a cel, you might be able to disable that test in link to prevent the cel. The readiness test wont complete but if you have enough other tests complete, you should still be able to pass. Unless their OBDII scan can tell that the test has been manually turned off.

I haven't done a new test but from what I'm seeing it won't be hard for most to pass (& some could even pass that wouldn't with the old system). Non OEM ecu's will likely be a problem though.

The hot rod specification is only supposed to be allowed if you run a motor that was never available in your specific vehicle. I tried having my built motor tested under hot rod before but since it was still a 2L, it didn't qualify.

Correct

Yours is the one case that still confuses me.

I believe the '95 ECU has 4 readiness monitors?

Based on what Daren and Nick said you should be able to have 2 in 'not ready' state and you can still pass the OBDII computer check. If that's true it should be pretty easy even without all of the solenoids in place.

But based on what Roman said and what I've been hearing about in the news, people are being turned away by the dealer if they have monitors in a 'not ready' state. They're told to come back after going through the crazy readiness cycle.

In the end I think you'll probably be OK - they might make you do the 2 stage idle test. But right now it's not clear.

I probably missed it, but where does this come from? Does Driveclean produce a list of cars / models and how many readiness tests they can have incomplete?

I'm wondering how likely the average tech is to know about that...

I believe it's universal: all cars are allowed 2 readiness tests not complete and still pass. The variable is the number of readiness tests on the ECU.