California new smog laws
 

Alright so in 2013 California will no longer require tail pipe sniffing for vehicles 2000 and newer

tests will include an OBD2 scan(checking for DTC's and aftermarket tunes) and a visual inspection

any one know how smog approved FI kits will pass this test?
the OBD2 test will flag anyone for failure with an aftermarket tune yet in order to install a FI kit you have to have an aftermarket tune....

here is a link to the new smog laws
http://www.arb.ca.gov/board/books/20...12-7-4pres.pdf

all of the OBD2 stuff is towards the bottom

I read somewhere that as long as your aftermarket tune doesn't turn off any system tests and they're all working that you'll most likely pass.

It's not confirmed as far as I know though. :tiphat:

well i hope so, cause a lot of smog exempt FI guys here will be pissed if their cars fail because of this new OBD2 test

Being an ex California resident who had two older modified Z's there, which was a huge pain, the rule is that unless any mods you do has a CARB number it isn't legal. So for example, if you go to smog your car and lets say you did a simple CBE upgrade. The smog tech should ask for your CARB number for the exhaust before even doing the OBDII test. No number, no pass, no matter what the OBD II test shows. So going FI you better make sure that the kit comes with a CARB number. Any mod that you end up doing that does have a CARB number means that not only will you pass visual inspection but it also means that in turn you should also pass the OBD II or even a sniffer test.

That all being said, most smog techs will let simple mods go like intakes and exhaust, but I'm pretty sure that something like a FI kit they will require some documentation. Your best bet is to talk to local Z clubs, car clubs, or go to any local car shows and talk to people there about smog stations. Most car guys who have been doing it for a while will usually know the smog stations that are a bit more lenient with testing.

I'm just glad I'm out of that state. My 300zx runs cleaner than most new cars but because the CBE is custom (no CARB number) and my headers don't come with a CARB number (no one makes street legal headers for the Z31) my car wouldn't pass inspection. Here in Vegas she passes no problems. My 280z, forget it. So many mods on that car, no chance in hell. Plus I have to dial back the fuel before the test. Here in Vegas I just pull up, pop the hood, dial back the fuel, pass no problem, readjust fuel, and drive home. Smoging cars is just a shame to get money for the state anyway.

???

i thought anything from the cat back didnt matter because it was just piping and as long as it was under 95db, it is legal?

anyhow, they are changing all of that and vehicles 2000+ dont have to run on a dyno and pass a sniffer test
just a visual and OBD2, the visual is admittedly easy to get by but the OBD2 isnt, from what i have read on the matter, the computers will verify that your vin is the same(to help prevent vehicle swapping), and they will check some checksums on your ECU and if they dont match, you fail

my question here is if i went with a carb legal FI kit and used their canned carb tune(assuming the tune is legal when approved since california considers the ECU emissions equipment and messing with emissions equipment is illegal), will i pass smog?

i guess its just a waiting game and since i dont have to smog till 2017 i wont know until then(unless i find out from someone else with a carb exempt modification and tune), and in the case that im gonna fail, id rather save up money so i can move out of state instead of saving up for a supercharger

Yes you will still pass. The CARB legal FI kits that modify the ECU do not disable, alter, or completely nullify any of the items that will be tested in the OBD2 tests.

In most cases custom tunes will pass provided you haven't disabled O2 sensors.

ok so as long as a tune doesnt modify the DTC codes, everything will be fine?

so if i get a custom tune that modifies throttle response i should pass as long as DTC codes arnt modified

Definitely not me nor absolutely nothing that I have done in the past, and absolutely nothing that I condone, but even a "Gross Polluter" can pass a 'Test Only' requirement in CA. Word around the campfire is that money talks.

san diego has zip codes in it that are smog exempt, just saying.

I glad I don't have to deal with that crap.

For SMOG legal kit owners, this means nothing. For people finding shops to pass their non-CARB legal cars, the increased station fines and new fines to technicians may have a chilling effect.

I'm glad I don't have to deal with Georgia heat and humidity.. :p

This is true but they are all out in the middle of no where. Like if I moved to elcentro I would never have to smog my car unless I sold it, but who wants to live 3hours away from civilization?(and that driving at 80mph as well)

To sum up, actual testing for poor/bad emmisions is not needed even though they are all currently fully equited to do so, but looking for things that may or may not cause poor emissions is manditory and even if you polute far less than you should, you still fail. Love it.

To sum it up, the entire program is really to get old cars and illegally modified cars off the roads or fixed. The finally got with the times and are trusting the built in emissions equipment on modern cars.