Passing Smog in SoCal with mods

busterbull · 08-28-2018, 04:55 PM

When you get your car smog-ed at registration time in Cali you show the person who is doing it for you the CARB sticker and you can leave the equipment in place. You want to make sure the FI exhaust you're talking about is CARB compliant or you'll need to remove it and put your stock one back on to get registered.

redondoaveb · 08-28-2018, 05:06 PM

Catback exhaust doesn't need to be CARB certified. Only if you're doing headers or cats. Call Fast Intentions, Kevin will verify this info. And yes, I have one.

threeseventy · 08-02-2021, 11:50 PM

Ok guys, regardless of the (obsolete) sniff check and CARB legal CAI, CA now (as of end of July 2021) uses OBD hookup to prove vehicles haven't got a non CARB compliant ECU flash/tune.

Many of us are running tunes from UpRev (website specifically states illegal in CA) or EcuTek (not sure about CARB legality) and the "stock map" will still show as a aftermarket flash.. So what is your plan next time smog check comes around? I'm not hearing back from anyone that "helped" with smog pass in the past.. DM's are open if you have.

Anyone with an EcuTek tune know if they have a CARB legal version?

ALSO- possibly related: what shop in SoCal has the cheapest labor if we need exhaust component swaps back to stock?

redondoaveb · 08-02-2021, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threeseventy

Ok guys, regardless of the (obsolete) sniff check and CARB legal CAI, CA now (as of end of July 2021) uses OBD hookup to prove vehicles haven't got a non CARB compliant ECU flash/tune.

Many of us are running tunes from UpRev (website specifically states illegal in CA) or EcuTek (not sure about CARB legality) and the "stock map" will still show as a aftermarket flash.. So what is your plan next time smog check comes around? I'm not hearing back from anyone that "helped" with smog pass in the past.. DM's are open if you have.

Anyone with an EcuTek tune know if they have a CARB legal version?

ALSO- possibly related: what shop in SoCal has the cheapest labor if we need exhaust component swaps back to stock?

I can answer one of your questions. Ecutek doesn't have a CARB legal tune. The only legal tune is the factory tune

FL 4Motion · 08-03-2021, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threeseventy

Ok guys, regardless of the (obsolete) sniff check and CARB legal CAI, CA now (as of end of July 2021) uses OBD hookup to prove vehicles haven't got a non CARB compliant ECU flash/tune.

Many of us are running tunes from UpRev (website specifically states illegal in CA) or EcuTek (not sure about CARB legality) and the "stock map" will still show as a aftermarket flash.. So what is your plan next time smog check comes around? I'm not hearing back from anyone that "helped" with smog pass in the past.. DM's are open if you have.

Anyone with an EcuTek tune know if they have a CARB legal version?

ALSO- possibly related: what shop in SoCal has the cheapest labor if we need exhaust component swaps back to stock?

I find this interesting, Cali sounds like Audi corporate, whenever you go in for service, they pull all your ecu and tcu data and look for evidence of a tune even if you flashed back to stock, they can see out of whack fuel pressure, timing changes etc and then you get the dreaded TD1 code which for VAG guys means your warranty is now kaput and some dealerships won’t even work on your car for fear of running afoul of the epa, carb.

But, with regards to carb and ecu tuned but put back to stock vehicles, what’s to say you were running your car tuned on the track, then reverted back to stock for the street. Even the epa, and carb I think too, says it’s legal to convert a street car into a nonstreet Legal race car/track car. Logically then, what’s to prevent you from reverting it back to being street legal? I’d be curious to see what an attorney would have to say about that.

Then again, Fvck that sh1t, Cali is just too difficult, move or buy a faster car and leave it stock or close to stock. I guess the epa and Cali esp only want rich folks to be able to go fast. So much for the democratization of speed. Classic socialism, working class and middle class get squeezed but the rich stay rich and privileged, (and in this case, faster than all you peasants).

redondoaveb · 08-03-2021, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL 4Motion

I find this interesting, Cali sounds like Audi corporate, whenever you go in for service, they pull all your ecu and tcu data and look for evidence of a tune even if you flashed back to stock, they can see out of whack fuel pressure, timing changes etc and then you get the dreaded TD1 code which for VAG guys means your warranty is now kaput and some dealerships won’t even work on your car for fear of running afoul of the epa, carb.

But, with regards to carb and ecu tuned but put back to stock vehicles, what’s to say you were running your car tuned on the track, then reverted back to stock for the street. Even the epa, and carb I think too, says it’s legal to convert a street car into a nonstreet Legal race car/track car. Logically then, what’s to prevent you from reverting it back to being street legal? I’d be curious to see what an attorney would have to say about that.

Then again, Fvck that sh1t, Cali is just too difficult, move or buy a faster car and leave it stock or close to stock. I guess the epa and Cali esp only want rich folks to be able to go fast. So much for the democratization of speed. Classic socialism, working class and middle class get squeezed but the rich stay rich and privileged, (and in this case, faster than all you peasants).

The EPA came out with the new regulations so a street car cannot be converted into a race car. That is the basis for the tune regulation. But yes, you could have an ecutek tune and reflash the factory tune when you go in for smog test but if they see any signs that the ecu has been manipulated, you'll fail and have to have it inspected by a referee.

Spooler · 08-03-2021, 03:39 PM

My suggestion would be to buy a factory ECU and set it to the side. Couple of weeks before inspection, install it. That may would work. FU Cali....

threeseventy · 08-03-2021, 11:26 PM

OK it's looking like they will pass it if the ECU is flashed back to stock/OEM specs and is stock on the day of the test. Probably need a week worth of driving after the flash to complete a drive cycle prior to the test to reset all of the OBD readiness monitors.

Who's had Stillen/other CARB-approved CAI's installed and passed a smog inspection in SoCal? I need a referral to a facility that knows what's up.

https://tiremeetsroad.com/2021/07/13...led-smog-test/

redondoaveb · 08-03-2021, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threeseventy

OK it's looking like they will pass it if the ECU is flashed back to stock/OEM specs and is stock on the day of the test. Probably need a week worth of driving after the flash to complete a drive cycle prior to the test to reset all of the OBD readiness monitors.

Who's had Stillen/other CARB-approved CAI's installed and passed a smog inspection in SoCal? I need a referral to a facility that knows what's up.

https://tiremeetsroad.com/2021/07/13...led-smog-test/

As long as you have the Stillen CARB sticker for their cai's, you'll have no issue passing smog

threeseventy · 08-04-2021, 01:26 AM

Unfortunately that kind of detail never makes it to the 2nd and 3rd buyers of the gen3's which I think describes most of us.

Anyway guys HMU with the shop recommendations if you have them. Thanks.

FL 4Motion · 08-04-2021, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

The EPA came out with the new regulations so a street car cannot be converted into a race car. That is the basis for the tune regulation. But yes, you could have an ecutek tune and reflash the factory tune when you go in for smog test but if they see any signs that the ecu has been manipulated, you'll fail and have to have it inspected by a referee.

Interesting, I could have sworn when I perused the most recent EPA regs that there is still a carve out for converting street cars into non street legal race cars exclusively for the track. SEMA brought a lawsuit a few years ago to get this carve out bc otherwise ALL aftermarket car parts would have become illegal overnight.

Regardless, if EPA or CARB actually was only motivated by wanting cleaner air (which btw I’m all for personally), and not some socialist political agenda to push us away from POVs, then the ONLY thing that matters would be a sniffer test. After all, the only thing that hurts the environment is the tailpipe emissions, not the computer programming in your ecu. That would be a common sense practical application of clean air laws.

FL 4Motion · 08-04-2021, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threeseventy

Unfortunately that kind of detail never makes it to the 2nd and 3rd buyers of the gen3's which I think describes most of us.

Anyway guys HMU with the shop recommendations if you have them. Thanks.

Contact stillen, they may be able to send you a new sticker if you can show them your unmolested carb approved cai. Maybe? Worth a shot at least.

threeseventy · 08-04-2021, 06:04 AM

I'm 15 minutes from stillen and I've been there numerous times, 90% waste of time. I've had that paperwork before and nobody cared.

redondoaveb · 08-04-2021, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL 4Motion

Interesting, I could have sworn when I perused the most recent EPA regs that there is still a carve out for converting street cars into non street legal race cars exclusively for the track. SEMA brought a lawsuit a few years ago to get this carve out bc otherwise ALL aftermarket car parts would have become illegal overnight.

Regardless, if EPA or CARB actually was only motivated by wanting cleaner air (which btw I’m all for personally), and not some socialist political agenda to push us away from POVs, then the ONLY thing that matters would be a sniffer test. After all, the only thing that hurts the environment is the tailpipe emissions, not the computer programming in your ecu. That would be a common sense practical application of clean air laws.

I agree with you about emissions. What they should do which makes too much sense that they won't do it is if you modify your car, it should have to pass a sniffer test instead of the obd test. And even if there were some kind of surcharge, that would be fine too. My car still has cats and I run e85. Probably runs cleaner than a stock z.

redondoaveb · 08-04-2021, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threeseventy

I'm 15 minutes from stillen and I've been there numerous times, 90% waste of time. I've had that paperwork before and nobody cared.

I know multiple people that have their cai (2nd, 3rd owners) that contacted Stillen and they sent them a sticker without even questioning them. But, yeah, Stillen sometimes isn't real responsive. If you have the sticker, I know a smog shop that will pass you no problem. They're in Torrance

08-28-2018, 05:06 PM	#17 (permalink)
redondoaveb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: So. Commiefornia Posts: 6,366 Drives: 2014 Nismo Gunmetal Rep Power: 2684374	Catback exhaust doesn't need to be CARB certified. Only if you're doing headers or cats. Call Fast Intentions, Kevin will verify this info. And yes, I have one. __________________ Fast Intentions "Stage Seb" twin turbo #098- Specialty Z/Tial-Xonarotor/CJM/Ecutek/HKS/KW/SPL/Hotchkis/Rohana/Toyo 700+whp

08-03-2021, 03:39 PM	#22 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,830 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	My suggestion would be to buy a factory ECU and set it to the side. Couple of weeks before inspection, install it. That may would work. FU Cali.... FL 4Motion, threeseventy, danegrey and 1 others like this.

08-04-2021, 06:04 AM	#28 (permalink)
threeseventy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 600 Drives: Opinion Rep Power: 15	I'm 15 minutes from stillen and I've been there numerous times, 90% waste of time. I've had that paperwork before and nobody cared. FL 4Motion likes this.

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08-28-2018, 04:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
busterbull Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: So Cal Posts: 335 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 46	When you get your car smog-ed at registration time in Cali you show the person who is doing it for you the CARB sticker and you can leave the equipment in place. You want to make sure the FI exhaust you're talking about is CARB compliant or you'll need to remove it and put your stock one back on to get registered.

08-02-2021, 11:50 PM	#18 (permalink)
threeseventy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 600 Drives: Opinion Rep Power: 15	Ok guys, regardless of the (obsolete) sniff check and CARB legal CAI, CA now (as of end of July 2021) uses OBD hookup to prove vehicles haven't got a non CARB compliant ECU flash/tune. Many of us are running tunes from UpRev (website specifically states illegal in CA) or EcuTek (not sure about CARB legality) and the "stock map" will still show as a aftermarket flash.. So what is your plan next time smog check comes around? I'm not hearing back from anyone that "helped" with smog pass in the past.. DM's are open if you have. Anyone with an EcuTek tune know if they have a CARB legal version? ALSO- possibly related: what shop in SoCal has the cheapest labor if we need exhaust component swaps back to stock?

08-04-2021, 01:26 AM	#25 (permalink)
threeseventy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 600 Drives: Opinion Rep Power: 15	Unfortunately that kind of detail never makes it to the 2nd and 3rd buyers of the gen3's which I think describes most of us. Anyway guys HMU with the shop recommendations if you have them. Thanks.