OP, check the 6th post again before you freak out.
If you're familiar with somebody who works at an inspection station, they might be willing to look over your car informally (like in your driveway) and give you pointers on what you will likely need to change ahead of time. Being humble/considerate/accomodating when asking for tips (and offering beer in exchange for after-hours help) often goes a long way toward convincing somebody to help you.
John,
Good idea about getting a pre-inspection, unfortunately my car is beyond changing anything back to a closer to stock configuration.
I was hoping to hear from someone who has gone through this with an outwardly modified car, you know? A real world, I did it and this is what happened, kind of answer.
Not sure that anyone in Massachusetts, on this forum, has actually done this though. This a very new and VERY serious law that is going to clamp down on a lot of by standers who just thought that a spoiler would look kinds cool up front. I asked kinda nicely, then I seem to have offended everyone and their Aunt by mentioning that three million drivers and not one modified street car existed didn't seem plausible, that probably most were driving a Mommy Van might have been going too far.
Sorry for that outburst . . .
But it's kinda frustration, you know? Gotta be ONE person who went through this as the law requires and has a tale to tell. The idea of a friendly inspection station coming through in the end isn't what I'm looking for. I need some genuine info, apologies if my requests and subsequent rudeness was the result.
TC
I contemplated sending a resume to work in Mass, but nothing I own would pass emmissions, safety, modified, etc.......Well, factor that in with cost of living, etc.....the only way I could have done it would be to live in NH and drive 45min.....but alas, the job required MA residency.
Which is why I stayed grounded in Indiana. No inspections, no problems, no worries.
I don't give a berkeley if you like MA that much, but go try it and find out......if they fail you, move to NH and build more stuff that won't pass anything in MA.....and drive it in MA. 
Speaking of which, I will laugh if INDOT ever sees the bmw......I'm sure it will be declared a "Rolling Disaster Zone" as lack of airbags, interior, door windows, door crash bracing, speedometer, catalyst, and mufflers.......plus its bumper is 3" lower than the limit for "pedestrian safety"....which is why I want a carbon bumper.
This is not my mother's car:
It gets pushed hard every chance I get:
Sadly, I am not sure that I can really help you with your situation. I simply go to a friendly local guy who doesn't harass me about the little things. Every year he checks the basic safety stuff and makes sure I have working lights before he slaps on a sticker.
I have heard anecdotal rumors that Massachusetts is flagging some cars (STIs, EVOs, etc.) for extra scrutiny by VIN and they are cracking down on aftermarket HID lights; but I have personally never had an issue getting inspected.
tb wrote: I have heard anecdotal rumors that Massachusetts is flagging some cars (STIs, EVOs, etc.) for extra scrutiny by VIN and they are cracking down on aftermarket HID lights; but I have personally never had an issue getting inspected.
This I am glad of, and has needed done for some time. HID's in a non-projector "wash" housing blind other motorists and can cause accidents.
If they're in projector housings, theres nothing wrong with them.
Edit: I like the DSM
My brother drives our heavily-modified CRX.
There's virtually nothing left in it from the factory.
It's due for inspection September 1-2 (August sticker on it now!)
I'll bet it passes first time. The inspector will open the hood, note the "HONDA" on the valve covers (it's a B16, not a D15), see the not-shiny header and cat, and pass it.
Well I just had my 1976 280Z inspected the last week of May. Dash is cracked with chucks missing, most interior trim has been removed, wires hanging out from under the dash, frame rails are rotted, fenders and rockers have rust holes, inner tie rods are loose, ignition key does not turn unless you mess with it for a few minutes, etc. When I went for inspection the guy when over the whole car and only mentioned was that my reverse lights did not work. He passed me anyway because he thought my car was cool. He also said “Nice Porsche”.
Just to recap, car and registration say Datsun, engine says Nissan in huge letters, guy thought it was a Porsche. I think you will be fine. In the mean time I’ll ask around and see if I know anyone else who has had a problem. There is plenty of stuff driving around near me that have had engine swaps.
Also what are you building? How modified is it and what has been swapped in?
THANK YOU ! ! !
Nice to hear that it's not going to be the end of the world. I really am more than scared, these posts are nice to hear.
"This is not my mother's car: "
No it is NOT ! ! But it is sweet ! ! ! ! !
Just the sort of car that I was hoping to hear about. Glad that you were able to get it through without a hang-up ! !
My own problem child is a 1964 Fiat 600 sitting on a severely shortened VW chassis. Transform Racing transaxle and turbo 2120 yet to be installed. The car is currently getting dressed out in ABARTH livery and body mods so it's gonna be tough to hide during inspection.
Obviously I'm scared that it'll have to run the gauntlet at the State Police Inspection Facility, yet somehow hopeful that I might find a local inspection station that might take enough of a liking to the car and pity on me and . . . maybe . . . let me slide on through.
'Cept I kinda doubt it, you know?
Again, thanks guys for coming through with some real world info.
TC
i really can't understand how people can choose to live under such silly and restrictive rules.. if i had to put up with this much crap just to register a car- and all the other BS taxes, fees, and regulations that go along with life in some of these states- i'd pack my stuff up and move to a different state.
TeamEvil wrote: Still nobody from Massachusetts, huh?
I can only vouch for when I lived there 9 years ago. I still have the same "toy" car (moderately modded 99 Civic Si). I just turn the camgear/fuel settings back to stock and I put the stock OBD2 ECU back in place. Put a few drive cycles on it and they'd plug it in and send me on my way.
I've heard they break balls now for ride height and exhaust, among other things.
Just got mine inspected in RI 2 weeks ago. My mechanic never breaks my balls, though. I've been going there since 1988, though. 
Everyone I know who lives here was born here and grew up here. Except for students, medical, and tech employees who came because of those strong industries, nobody really moves here because they want to. As you said, taxes, politics, restrictive and inefficient state government and no balls at all make for a really difficult state to get attached to and want to live in.
I'm here because of my Wife, otherwise I'd be in Italy.
On a Vespa.
Sayin' "Ciao!" to everyone that I passed on the walk-ways.
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