California new smog laws

luigi90210

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

280z/300zx

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.

luigi90210

???

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