Sold my Z34. It has a BERK HFC/CBE and needs to be smogged before sale...
 

The problem is I live in Southern California. I have to get it smogged and then inspected by the buyer's credit union.

I'm afraid it will either not pass, or not be allowed for sale considering the aftermarket catalytic converters.

I have the factory parts, but they're at my parents house hours away from home and the guy is ready to have the purchase finalized tomorrow.

Any advice or recommendations?
I greatly appreciate it.

Let the buyer know what’s up. Be upfront about it. If he has any knowledge about cars and exhaust systems he will understand the smog related issues that come with HFC’s. Then make a trip to go get the stock parts and call it a day.

He knows about the exhaust. He test drove it today and loved it.

My issue arises with providing these certifications/inspections to his loan officer.

Getting the stock parts on will unfortunately be a huge hassle :(

Per Califonia DMV website: When you transfer a vehicle that is four or less model years old a smog certification is not required.

Smog Information

When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?
The seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.

The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).

NOTE: Smog certifications are not required for transfers that occur for a gasoline powered motor vehicle that is four or less model years old. (Determine the oldest-qualifying year model by subtracting three from the current year) the four or less model years old rule does not apply to diesel powered vehicles. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner.

Quick question but I thought HFCs were supposed to pass emissions? That is however if this smog cert is different then your standard emissions test?

They don't, not even in the ballpark of passing, and in CA, it needs a CARB stamping (AKA can't be anything beside factory almost) so it's an auto fail on the visual inspection.


OP, there ARE people who BS these tests for $150-200... PM me if you're interested

Closes eyes, and looks the other way (*_-)

:icon17:

As soon as you touched the stock cats with any aftermarket HFCs or TPs you fail the inspection period. HFCs don't have the strong gas smell like the TPs do so you might luckily get the inspection passed as long as the CEL is not on. Therefore people has this illusion that HFCs are legal. No they are not. Check the Fast Intentions website, it clearly says they are for off road use only.

As for op, I would never sell my car with upgrade parts on them(well unless the minor ones). You take them off and re-sell them on the forum to get extra money while your stock car's re-sell velue goes up anywhere you go. That's a win-win why wouldn't you do that?? It's pain? Yes/maybe. But for the money and trouble-free I'd return it to stock.

HFC's do have a chance of passing the sniffer..so ive heard. also, as long as they arent SUPER SHINY POLISHED CHROME/STAINLESS STEEL, it might pass visual as well. most tech's dont know the difference between a stock cat and an aftermarket one after the steel has changed colors and darkened.

you could always chance it. most places will retest if you fail for free as well...

Drive to Encinitas. I'll swap out my stock exhaust and cats and we'll trade :). Cats are off the car already actually.

here in SoCal, there are smog shops who turn a blind eye all the time...just need to give them a little "incentive"

just take the car to a smog shop that you personally know who doesnt do the visual inspection or just take it to a check only station, most of those guys dont know what to really look for

the bank wont know what to look for as well

California is like the North Korea of the Vehicle Emissions world. :shakes head:



Don't think I should have a problem with emissions with the HFCs here in Phoenix though. Never did with my SRT and it was straight pipe. :tup:

Lol, that's why I kept my TX plates, yes officer, smells like death, awwwww, sorry, I kinda DGAF... Windows can't be tinted? Awwwww, dgaf again.