AZ emissions laws

I'm considering a job relocating to Phoenix, AZ, and have some questions from those who live there regarding emissions laws in the metro area. I understand that Phoenix has the full blown Californicated emissions testing. I and my Jeep have never lived in a place that had any type of vehicle emissions inspections.

I'm pretty sure my Jeep wouldn't pass being a '79 (original cat converters), with a Ford 302, Edelbrock non-EGR intake, Holley 4 barrel carb, no smog pump, headers, dual exhaust, and no cat converters.

Any ideas? I see a few options.

Option 1: Add appropriate emissions equipment nightmare to the carbureted Ford 302, including smog pump, cats, EGR, etc.
Option 2: Convert to 5.0 HO EFI with cats and all.
Option 3: Convert to propane. I'm very familiar with propane systems on off-highway equipment. Does this get around the emissions laws as an alternative fuel?
Option 4: Register as some type of 'classic' or 'recreational' vehicle?

Thanks in advance!

 

It depends on the age of vehicle and the County you register it in, I live in Yavapai County and there is no emission test required to register a vehicle.

I think Maricopa County does have some regulations, there may be some information on their website.

 

Both Maricopa County(Phoenix) and Pima County(Tucson) have full blown emissions testing with the Dyno and everything.

Lots of people skirt that by registering at a friend or relative in any other county to get tags. Be advised, however, that the tabs are different and the law states that if you even commute to the smogged counties you need to get tested.

We had a couple of people at work get popped when some compliance officer rolled through the parking lot and checked all the plates looking for out of county tabs.

I'm not sure what you could do to make yours compliant. It may not even be possible without going to extremes.

 

I have family around Marana (well north of Tucson, out of the affected zone there) so maybe that is an option. To register a vehicle in AZ, what do they require for proof of residence or address?

 

I live in Pima county. Your vehicle smog requirements depend upon your actual physical address. Although Tucson is in Pima county, I live in a very rural part of the county (Sahuarita / Green Valley). When I registered my Jeep, non-egr Edelbrock intake, headers, non-smog equipped Edelbrock carb and no smog related equipment at all, nobody said boo. No questions asked at all. It is an interesting aside that I was the ONLY person at the RMV and the actual building is a double wide trailer. Good luck.