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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: |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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san diego has zip codes in it that are smog exempt, just saying.
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I glad I don't have to deal with that crap.
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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.
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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.
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Another reason why californian's are a bunch of communist!
:shakes head: |
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link please edit nvm i found it, i never knew you could do that here in california |
So I might be moving to L.A. soon. So I could get a P.O. box in one of these counties and register my car to the P.O. box. Then I wouldn't have to pass smog?
TBH these rules are really retarded. Can't they just make a mileage restriction on non smog compliant cars. So people can have "for fun" cars, and daily drivers separate and not on the same restrictions. Here in dane county madison we don't even have vehicle inspections. I can basically do wtf ever I want to my car and no one can say ****. We have decibel laws but if you're not a prick no one cares about them. Same with license plate laws. The general rule of thumb is, if you're not bothering anyone, no one cares. |
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I'm on the same boat, might be moving somewhere in the Orange County later this year...and I have LTH.... |
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I was curious about some of this as well. If all bolt ons are CARB legal 50 state, shouldn't be a problem. I was more curious about those that have FI upgrades. How are you guys getting past the smog nazis? I'd love to go FI, but have been down that road of not being able to get it smogged without an arm or a leg. Major deterrent.
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sorry for the late reply, apparently a bunch of RV owners use PO boxes as fixed addresses and if they can do it, we can as well XD |
I read on the Stillen website that their intake system is CARB approved. But their exhaust system doesn't list CARB approval. Does anyone know if there are any exhaust systems that are CARB approved?
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Based on the lack of response, my assumption is that how they get around the law is not legal.
I still don't understand why they just can't let you register a "fun car" with restrictions on yearly mileage to keep that title. With the title you can bypass the smog rules, because if you're not driving it much, your total yearly contribution is probably less than a DD anyways. I understand the reason behind the laws, however, not having any exemptions is stupid as the DD is the problem, not historical cars, weekend cars, etc. What I'm going to do is find a local car club (hopefully a Z one) and ask what they do, then do that. Or just find a way myself by asking around at local shops. One thing is for sure, my car will have F.I. at some point, and it's not going to be stillens SC... so .... yea.... I mean my car is already probably not SMOG legal but yea... |
Thanks God for Imperial County SMOG check is not required.
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According to the link at the begging of this tread; "2000 and newer vehicles no longer require tailpipe test" , but when i went to a STAR station, my 2003 F150 (high emission profile) was still hooked up to a tailpipe sniffer. It passed with flying colors and super low numbers. But i was under the impression that it would be the new OBDII test.
I was planning on asking the shop if they have dealt with any cars that they thought or knew had an aftermarket tune, and what information they had, but since they weren't running the new OBDII test, i didnt think it was worth asking. Just thought I'd share, and make this whole thing even more confusing. |
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Just register your car in another county that is smog free. That technically isn't illegal but it is a loophole. I don't know what part of socal you are going to but if its LA, orange county, and temulica county, then cops will be writing you ref tickets like no tomorrow even for stupid **** like a KN pod filter(that literally happened to me because my air filter didn't have a carb sticker) Im actually going with the stillen kit for that exact reason, plus the guys at stillen said if i wanted to modify the kit, they wouldnt remove the carb sticker Welcome to the peoples republic of kalifornia though. |
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California will do anything to take $ from her citizens. That's why I left.
My high flow cats are more efficient than stock, produce lower emissions and are overall better for air quality... and illegal (ONLY IN CALIFORNIA.) It has nothing to do with the environment and everything to do with the fact that the people who write the laws can't even change their own oil let alone make informed decisions about emissions. They really only are looking for regulations which will bring revenue. Its just another tax. Don't bother trying to look for reasons. I live in Colorado now. The only thing i didn't like about California was the Californians. the only thing I don't like about Colorado is the Californians. They wrote a bunch of insane laws which made their state uninhabitable and so they are all moving here and are f'ing up out laws now too (gun control in Colorado WHAT?. legalizing pot WHAT?!) I can see where this is all headed. I can ether buy a Prius, some organic tofu, and kiss all my freedoms goodbye, or I can move to Texas, establish residency and vote for secession. The Nancy Pelosi's of the world and the uninformed lemmings who vote for her will have your mods, your guns, and ultimately your freedoms faster than you can say Fascist State. Rant Complete. BTW, My berk HFC/CBE passed no problem last time I did it in California. That was about a year ago. |
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Your HFCs are DEFINITELY NOT more efficient (for HP yes), they definitely do not produce less emissions, they produce a decent amount more actually. Btw, in TX, you have to go through emissions testing EVERY year, so in that respect they're getting taxed more than us. And if your Berk HFCs passed, you went to the laziest tester in CA, I have never ran into a lazy tester. Wait... Why did you even need to smog your car? LOL On another note, damn you superior Coloradoian!!! LOL (I think I'm pretty cool in CA, lol, not ALL of us suck!!! ;-( If you ever need a place to stay, shoot me a PM) |
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Btw, this won't take into affect until 2014
If you have to smog this year it will be the same sniffer test that it has always been |
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I grew up in California, all my best friends live in California and the people are fine and friendly and fun. Sorry if I implies otherwise. The politicians and politics and regulatory overreach in California are what suck. The guys at my favorite mod shop in San Jose told me I I had any problems at smog, they keep some stock cats around to get the test done, but that they had never had a problem with a smog fail from Berk HFC's yet. (They do a lot of em) he also told my it era legal of your stockers were somehow damaged (like during removal? lol) And now that you mention it the smog check I did was in Colorado, the guy said it was extremely clean and I was under the impression that since HFC work under lower dynamic pressure and flow rate, the were both more efficient from a fuel economy perspective (minor sure, but still) also they had more time to fully 'catalyze' the exhaust passing them, hence my more efficient and cleaner comment. Now they *are* loud so I guess noise pollution could be considered. Thanks for the invite and thanks for getting a laugh from my rant. Obviously I'm a libertarian. :) |
So my 2009 will be screwed with LTH? But I may be okay with a P.O. Box? That is, of course, if I am still in CA when that time comes. Speaking of, aren't cars smogged on their opposite year of make? I believe odd year cars are done in even years. So would a 2009 be due in 2016?
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