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Comment by Vexs | Hacker News Reader

This seems kinda pointless. Engine-modified cars represent a tiny, tiny portion of the total population, and probably contribute a rounding error to the pollution. Sure, go after pickups that "roll coal", but going after people that want to install a cold-air intake or larger exhaust is just odd.

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I agree, but the article claims aftermarket parts are "$36 billion dollar a year industry" which seems like more than a rounding error... It does strike me a tricky issue to address, ensuring air quality is very important, but having some ability to fix and modify your own vehicle seems worth protecting.

That number almost certainly includes off-brand replacement parts that don't substantially change the performance of the vehicle. Stuff like third party mufflers to replace the OEM muffler when it rusts out.

On older cars your options for repair parts are often either the junkyard or aftermarket companies like Dorman.

> "Anyone modifying a certified motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine for any reason is subject to the tampering and defeat device prohibitions of this section and 42 USC 7522(a)(3)."

IANAL, but it reads to me like you wouldn't be able to do that on one of these cars. The manufacturer could stop offering the muffler and you wouldn't be able to use a third party replacement whether it substantially changes the performance of the vehicle or not.

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