Here in Louisville we had this same thing only it was called VET testing it cost 11 frickin dollars. Me and most of my buddys payed in spare change just to piss the people off. One of the greatest secrets though was to take your cat and hollow it and just put it around the pipe. As for the exhuast gas check Rubbing Alcohol prior to visiting the testing center always seemed to do the trick.
But in all yes this shit is gay.