Inspection Troubles (please help)

I am buying a 1990 Honda CRX Si with:
-Complete JDM b16a1 VTEC engine swap
-Iceman Cool Air intake
-DC Sports headers
-Thermal Exhaust system
-Apexi V-AFC VTEC controller
-H&R sports springs
-Slotted rear rotors

It is black with 15" rims. No leakage or engine smoking. The car has one scratch on the back bumper and several dings. Air conditioning doesn't work. The end of the hood must be banged on while holding onto the hood release to open it. Interior in good condition. Clutch recently replaced, slotted rear rotors recently put in. The guy hasn't got it inspected yet and I am wondering if it is worth it for me to do the inspection myself. I am paying $3200 for the car. Inspection is $70 and I don't know exactly what the mechanics look at other then brakes. Any assistance/help/tips would be great. Especially if you live in Maryland and know a mechanic. Thanks in advance.

PS: If you want to see pictures let me know.

fROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD most of the people running with a b16 swap in the 4th gen hasnt had any problem passing inspection, its the ZC engines that have trouble, so i think it would be worth it if you go ahead and buy the car then take it to inspection cause i am prety sure it would pass.

thats good to here and i apreciate the feedback... as for the emmissions im not too worried. the engine is a b16a (not a1 or a2) so it will NOT pass emissions. no worries i already have a stock muffler ready and i here thats all it'll take... if theres anything else my friend can arrange it for a low cost. As for the inspection I'm going to go ahead and do it. Thank - you!

I have a b16a with intake and exhaust and I passed emissions with ease.

in that case i thank the both of you for making my day and perhaps my year :-D

Seventy dollars for an inspection!!! Holy crap! Mine cost $17...Canadian....that's like what $0.50 US? :P

Thing commonly checked during inspection here...all blinkers, tail lights, back up lights and head lights. Also, the parking brake, brakes, rotors and calipers and pads (they usually only take off one front wheel)...they'll pop the hood (you might want to check that hood release)...they'll look for any hose leaks, oil leaks etc....off the top of my head that's about all I can think of...oh...and make sure that any holes are filled in body panels...they will fail you for that. As far as emission's, I can't help you there...we don't have emission laws here.

Hope that helps...

Jason

check cv boots, windshield for cracks/dings if its bigger than 1/4" or its 1/2" i think it would fail, brakes, tire condition and if it has like rust on the frame they might fail it,these are the most common things ive heard that have failed a car, where are you located in md? im in glen burnie

EDIT: Pictures aint working... damn free servers so visit my site i made for them. http://www.freewebs.com/kirpichi/

I numbered everything and continue it on the other picture. The last picture is just the engine. I have more if u wanna see.

PS: I live in germantown, MD, civicHBsi91.

Pics don't work... :(

Jason

www.freewebs.com/kirpichi
updated the post above with this site too. Come see the pics at the site and tell me if I'm straight.

Shite man...that's a nice looking rex!

Scratches and dings they won't bug you for. The trim piece they shouldn't bug you for...if they do they are just being dicks. The refelctor on the panel...is that a light...or just a reflector...if it's a refelctor just buy a cheap pair that match up and put them on before you go to the inspection...any parts store will have cheap ones. Physically I can't see why they would fail that car...from what I can see...mechanically...no idea...but what you show us...shouldn't have problems.


Jason

wow... im a long time reader and first time poster... i apreciate all the feedback and should a regular now that you guys helped me. Will be inspecting the car within the next week. Thanks to all! :-)

wow... im a long time reader and first time poster... i apreciate all the feedback and should a regular now that you guys helped me. Will be inspecting the car within the next week. Thanks to all! :-)

Let us know how you made out! :)

Jason

dude that looks fine, they shouldent fail you on any of that dumb crap

Well the inspection is done for now. Failed it. Here are a list of the cosmetic and driving modifications i need to do to pass. Breaks are not included because we forgot the Wheel Key.

Cosmetic:
Side Marker - needs to be amber
Headlights - car is lowered (lights too low)
Tint - remove or recieve waiver
Battery - mounting
Steering Wheel - too small, get stock
Tie Rod - replace
Tag - left tag light is out

Brakes:
Drums & Disks: not tested
Pads & Linings: not tested

Wheels/Tires:
Tires (4): worn/no threads and need to be 14"
Wheels (4): need to be changed to 14"

Suspension:
Control Arm - L & R control arm swing bushings
Suspension - needs to be raised for alignment
Alignment - off scale, car needs to be raised to fix

Thats a list that i made according to the Inspection Report. The seller is going to make me a better list asap because he knows more about his car.

This isn't the end yet... going to get decide within the next two days whether I'm buying it or not. Lets look through this detail...

Car: $3200
Inspection: $65
Amount paying for inspection fix: $200
Sub Total: $3465

Seller: $3465 - $1465 = $2000 for car.

So instead of paying 3465 I will be paying $2000 for it and then using the money to pass inspection. Glad to here any opinions/hint/comments on this. Also would apreciate explanations or easy-outs to some of my issues. The cosmetic stuff is easy.

Well the inspection is done for now. Failed it. Here are a list of the cosmetic and driving modifications i need to do to pass. Breaks are not included because we forgot the Wheel Key.

Cosmetic:
Side Marker - needs to be amber
Headlights - car is lowered (lights too low)
Tint - remove or recieve waiver
Battery - mounting
Steering Wheel - too small, get stock
Tie Rod - replace
Tag - left tag light is out

Brakes:
Drums & Disks: not tested
Pads & Linings: not tested

Wheels/Tires:
Tires (4): worn/no threads and need to be 14"
Wheels (4): need to be changed to 14"

Suspension:
Control Arm - L & R control arm swing bushings
Suspension - needs to be raised for alignment
Alignment - off scale, car needs to be raised to fix

Thats a list that i made according to the Inspection Report. The seller is going to make me a better list asap because he knows more about his car.

This isn't the end yet... going to get decide within the next two days whether I'm buying it or not. Lets look through this detail...

Car: $3200
Inspection: $65
Amount paying for inspection fix: $200
Sub Total: $3465

Seller: $3465 - $1465 = $2000 for car.

So instead of paying 3465 I will be paying $2000 for it and then using the money to pass inspection. Glad to here any opinions/hint/comments on this. Also would apreciate explanations or easy-outs to some of my issues. The cosmetic stuff is easy.

ummm...wow!...I never expected that...hmmm, here goes:

Side Marker: Shouldn't need to be amber...just have an amber "bulb".

Headlights: 'Too Low'?? I've never heard that one before...headlights are supposed to be adjustable...that one threw me for sure.

Tint: What's wrong with it? You can still see in...god, my tint on the back three windows is 'limo' black...you can't see a thing in the hatch...on your rex you can see all the way through. Do you have to remove "all" of it or just on the door windows??

Battery: I don't understand...what do you mean by "mounting"?

S-Wheel: Your steering wheel has to be a certain size?? Just go to a junk yard...get a stock one...put it on for the inspection, then swtich back if you like the smaller one better...that is weird.

Tie Rod: Aftermarkets are cheap...I bought mine for $26 (CDN)

Tag: ??? I am assuming you mean your plate light...bulb, maybe a $2?

Brakes: Replace them on your own before you go, then you will know when they were done...that shouldn't be more than a couple hundred, if your using stock...get aftermarket.

Tires/Wheels: What do you mean they "HAVE" to be 14"??? Where did you have this thing inspected?? I have "never" heard that one before...buy some crappy cheap rims from a junk yard an roll in on those...maybe even some tires with a little more tread...$100? Maybe?

Suspension: I have never heard of them checking an alignment during an inspection...that's bizarre...why does it have to be 'raised' for an alignment...best suggestion here, perhaps, adjustable suspension. "off scale"??? what does that mean?

I still can't get over $65 for a safety inspection...yeesh.

Best advice I can give...take it somewhere else to have it inspected again...and see if they say the same things...I highly doubt it...a lot of places will "find" things so that it won't pass an inspection. One place I went once told me I "had" to replace ALL of my control amr bushings...I replaced two out of six and told them I'd get them to do the rest later when I had the cash...so they passed me. Two years later I took the parts back to Honda and got my money back...never replaced the rest.

Sounds like you took it to the dealer...I hope not...take it some where else to be inspected (if you don't mind spending the cash) and see what another place says...maybe they will make you change your bulbs and send you on your way...let me know what you decide to do and maybe I can offer up some other suggestions...

(finishes typing still stunned at the poor guys results...)

Jason

In reply to your helpful post I'll just point out some explanations:

Steering wheel size: they say its not "stock" and too small
Wheel/Tire size: it's not stock so its "illegal"
Side Marker: yeah I ment to say "amber bulb"
Headlights: 22" frum the headlight to the ground is "too low" - 24"-54" is legal supposedly.
Battery: its loose (shake dat ass!)
Alignment: I didn't know suspension needed to be altered either for Alignment... does it?

Overall its not terrible but i will go somewhere else and see if i can work something out. Perhaps it will be a crx fan who would like a benjamin. ;-)

PS: Exxon is the place that screwed me over just so you all are warned.
Also, if anyone knows a GOOD place in Germantown, Maryland or anywhere between Fredrick, Baltimore or DC (not trying to go too far) then lemme know.

*im discouraged but not defeated*