NJ Registration

[NJMike]

Hello to the Northeast,

I recently placed an order for a MKIV kit. I had been thinking about engines for a while and originally I wanted to go with a Blueprint 302, but after researching the emission requirements, I don't see how a new Blueprint engine could meet the emission requirements.

My second choice was to have a vintage, pre-emission engine built. I found a 289 and a builder but decided to call the State to see if there was any special paperwork required to register. It turns out that they will not register the car with a used engine without having the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin (MCO) and that came with the car when it was sold to the first owner, i obviously do't have that document.

So my question for all of the "Jersey Boys" out there is; how the heck can you get through registration and emission inspection in New Jersey?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[Stangrob]

Mike,

I was hoping that someone else might chime in.... ;)

I'm sorry to hear that the call to Trenton didn't pan out as hoped. Ugh...

Regarding Kevin and his NJ build on YouTube, he did mention the following regarding using the Blueprint 302 for his build:

"In answer to your question - I think that the best answer is that "it depends" on the year of engine manufacture, type of build etc. Like MA, NJ does require the OBD check on all cars over 5 years old. However, I have been reassured (and confirmed by a local Factory 5 owner) that my cats will pass inspection. I guess we will find out soon enough."

I gave him my FFR Forum name - hoping he might reach out to me. But he seems optimistic that the J-pipe/cat route will do the trick for the Blueprint engine.

I think I mentioned before that if you have a donor car and are the owner on the title then per the Reconstruction packet that will suffice for proof of ownership of the engine. But that does add a logistical issue of having to own the car and where to keep it. I'm fortunate that I have enough driveway space that I have my '68 Mustang donor parked there. But that isn't an option for everyone.

It might be worthwhile stopping by your local Specialty Inspection unit, introducing yourself, and asking about emissions and the cats. If you run fuel injection, a closed-loop system, then the cats may just be the ticket. The O2 sensor will keep the mixture legit, and the cats should take care of the rest. I don't think cats and a carb would cut it, but that's just my opinion.

If you're really worried about passing NJ emissions, another option is to register the car out of state. I think Utah is flexible that way - you'll see some cars in Jersey running around with Utah plates for that reason. Something to consider...

Rob

[mrmustang]

Hello to the Northeast,

I recently placed an order for a MKIV kit. I had been thinking about engines for a while and originally I wanted to go with a Blueprint 302, but after researching the emission requirements, I don't see how a new Blueprint engine could meet the emission requirements.

My second choice was to have a vintage, pre-emission engine built. I found a 289 and a builder but decided to call the State to see if there was any special paperwork required to register. It turns out that they will not register the car with a used engine without having the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin (MCO) and that came with the car when it was sold to the first owner, i obviously do't have that document.

So my question for all of the "Jersey Boys" out there is; how the heck can you get through registration and emission inspection in New Jersey?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

Process is the same for all kit cars in NJ, when you call the NJ MVS special titles division (State Street in Trenton), you'll ask for the "Kit car package", follow the instructions to the letter and you'll do just fine. Do not try to reinvent the wheel, NJ is one of those states that has little leeway when it comes to kit cars these days.

To see the whole process start to finish check out the following url:

https://factory5roadster.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/11-4-11-nj-state-legal/

Bill S.

[Stangrob]

Process is the same for all kit cars in NJ, when you call the NJ MVS special titles division (State Street in Trenton), you'll ask for the "Kit car package", follow the instructions to the letter and you'll do just fine. Do not try to reinvent the wheel, NJ is one of those states that has little leeway when it comes to kit cars these days.

To see the whole process start to finish check out the following url:

https://factory5roadster.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/11-4-11-nj-state-legal/

Bill S.

This write-up is invaluable - I came across it earlier this year. I think the vast majority of the info is still accurate - the one thing that seems to have changed is the rollbar requirement. When I spoke to the lead inspector at my local Specialty Inspection office he said that one rollbar is sufficient for the driver. For me it'll be interesting because with the 289 cars the side pipes hang pretty low (below the frame) - guess I'll find out when I get to inspection ;)

Rob

[NJMike]

This write-up is invaluable - I came across it earlier this year. I think the vast majority of the info is still accurate - the one thing that seems to have changed is the rollbar requirement. When I spoke to the lead inspector at my local Specialty Inspection office he said that one rollbar is sufficient for the driver. For me it'll be interesting because with the 289 cars the side pipes hang pretty low (below the frame) - guess I'll find out when I get to inspection ;)

Rob

Rob and Bill,

Thank you both for your advice. I guess I'm back to a Blueprint engine, although the idea of having a vintage engine really appealed to me. I plan on using Cats, PCV and Holley EFI, so hopefully that will get me through. It sounds like I may not need the OBD, but I do plan on going to the Winslow Inspection Station to ask questions before I make the engine purchase.

Mike

[jts359]

Montana is one of the states that some of the N.J. Cobra owners have used. I think I could get more info if you're interested , Ed

[NJMike]

Montana is one of the states that some of the N.J. Cobra owners have used. I think I could get more info if you're interested , Ed

Thanks Ed. I'm just heading to the Winslow Inspection Station now. I'll let you know if I think I'm going to need to try to register out of state after I speak with them.

BTW, I spoke with another member who thinks that NJ has closed the out of state registration loophole. Hopefully I won't need to go that route.

Mike

[mrmustang]

Montana is one of the states that some of the N.J. Cobra owners have used. I think I could get more info if you're interested , Ed

NJ State Police have also been known to frequent car shows and cruises looking for Montana plated specialty vehicles. It's not rocket science to get your cobra properly titled and registered in NJ these days. Call the special title division on State street in Trenton and specifically ask for the "kit car package", then follow the instructions to the letter.

As for the engine, whomever your builder is, ask them if they can provide a "vintage block", although I've seen new Ford crate engine powered Cobra replicas make it through the process without any issues. Where the issues seem to occur is when someone tries to title (new, not from another state) a replica as a "vintage" vehicle.

Finally, while it's been a while, there have been instances where state DMV officials have found posts like this one and act accordingly.

Enough said.

Bill S.

[Stangrob]

NJ DMV is really trying to make it harder to title cars like ours, but I also totally agree with you that if you read and follow the Reconstruction packet then it's doable. It also helps to talk to the inspectors doing the work on some of the details, but I'm less worried about them than the folks in Trenton doing the titling process. It feels as if Jersey is trying to emulate what the folks in Massachusetts are going through, where if they want to use a vintage engine then they must junk an older car in the process. As I mentioned I've gone the route of buying an old junker Mustang that will be the donor for the engine/block. I was trying to find something in the '65 to '67 Ford range with a 289 - mostly because they don't have VINs stamped on the blocks. But I ended up with a '68 and in that year, Ford did not stamp all blocks with the corresponding VIN number so that's my out as the block I have for the car has the right casting dates codes for the chassis. I think as long as the donor car is titled in my name and the block dates match up with the chassis then I'll be OK.

BTW I hadn't heard about the State Police cruising the car shows looking for Montana plates - that's very interesting. That just adds to my desire to meet the letter of the law when it comes to titling my roadster.

Rob

[mrmustang]

For the NJ folks, you should reach out to user "Dave Schwaab" as he is just finishing up the process (last month) of title and registration process:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/member.php?24410-Dave-Schwaab

Tell him I sent you


Bill S.

[NJMike]

Thanks Bill, I will definitely reach out to Dave Schwaab.

I agree Rob, I also intend to meet the letter of the law. Being new to the process, I'm trying to understand just what that is...lol

A quick update; I met with the Winslow specialty constructed vehicle inspector yesterday. He told me that a lot of kit car people come through with old engines. He couldn't really speak to the registration requirements but when I brought up the Manufacturer Certificate of Origin requirement that I got from the State, he said that was for the vehicle and the kit car manufacturer will provide that. He couldn't really comment on the VIN requirement for using a vintage engine. I plan on making another call to the State on Monday.

Mike

[Stangrob]

Mike,

Sounds like you had a good conversation with the inspector!

Regarding the VIN and the block, per Trenton and the Reconstruction packet, the VIN on the block is supposed to match the VIN for the donor car. However, a LOT of 60+ year old cars don't have their original engines, which makes things interesting. Ford didn't stamp the VIN on their blocks until sometime in 1968 (except for a few special cases like the HiPo 289 engines). That's why I was originally looking for a '65 to '67 289 as you only need to make sure the date codes on the block line up with car's date codes (when you use a vintage block you need to provide photos or rubbings from the block to show the casting numbers, and VIN if so stamped). If the block has been decked at some point in its life then the VIN will likely be gone, but the block's dates codes should still do the trick theoretically.

I think there are so many pluses to going with the vintage block, specifically related to the emissions requirements, that it's really worth checking out if possible. And I plan on reaching out to Dave as well (thanks Bill for the contact!).

Rob

[NJMike]

Thanks Rob,

That's good information about the VIN number being stamped on some 1968 blocks, I'll check with the engine builder to see if this one has it, then (theoretically) I should be good to go. I still plan on calling the State on Monday to discuss the VIN requirements to see if there is any leeway.

Have you gotten any updates on your delivery date?

Mike

[Jkviper]

Hey guys,

Fellow NJ kit builder here although not a factory five kit. Hoping to pass NJ inspection in 2026. My knowledge of the emissions requirements is based on conversations pre-COVID with the Asbury Park Salvage Inspector who did the kit car inspections back then. This is what I understand..

Pre Emissions Engine Built with date on block is the easiest route. You will need a bill of sale for the engine. The certificate of Origin is for the kit car, not the engine.


Any post emissions engines need to have all the emissions equipment installed on that engine when in use.

I’m doing an ODB2 based modern engine. One way to accomplish this is to grab the factory ECU, engine, and cats with the 2 sets of O2 sensors to pass ODB2 from a donor. You will also need to have a functioning EVAP system as well. As long as the inspection equipment can connect and read the ODB2 info and the emissions codes/flags are functioning properly it will pass.

I’m using a crate engine and a factory ECU and had a company make an emissions complaint harness. I added cats and 4 O2 sensors, fingers crossed when it runs the emissions flags all read as active with no error codes.

[dr-sicel]

Montana is one of the states that some of the N.J. Cobra owners have used. I think I could get more info if you're interested , Ed

I would appreciate this, Ed. I’m newer to NJ and won’t be here forever - so not going to deal with all the northeast shenanigans. MT is my plan at this point.

Thanks! Jeff

[jts359]

Hi Go to Montanacorporate.com and they will walk you thru the process, Ed