Id like to do some performance modifications to my evo. I want to stick with the stock turbo, so nothing too crazy. Anyways, I have emissions testing where I live so I need to make sure im not going to fail the test. Obviously a catless exhaust is out of the question, but is there anything else that could cause problems with emissions. They test the car with a computer that plugs directly into the cars ECU instead of a hose hooked up to the exhaust pipe.


Some of the things I was looking into purchasing are...

intake
larger intercooler
intercooler piping
injectors/fuel pump
turbo back exhaust with high flow cat
o2 housing
pulleys
264/264 camshafts
UTEC

What, if any, of these items could potentially cause problems for me?

So far all I have ordered is a GFB stealth blow off valve until I figure out what I can do.

 

If there are any other performance items that wont hurt my emissions and are not on my list feel free to let me know.

Thanks for any advice you guys have.

 

The best advice I can give you is to mod the car in a way that will allow you to slap the stock parts back on come emissions testing time. I would not rely on any aftermarket high flow cats to pass. Depending on how much you abuse the high flow cat, they'll burn out and only become marginal. A lot of the aftermarket cats require you heat them up for them to work effectively. The key to passing is to have a good working stock cat.

You can pass smog w/ cams as long as you have adjustable cam gears to dial out the overlap at idle.

 

I take it there will be quite a bit of work to do every year when it comes time to take the test? I dont like the idea of having to change stuff out every year, but if a high flow cat wont pass then i guess Ill just run a test pipe and swap the stock cat in before the test.

 

Just make sure you get a downpipe and cat-back that will bolt to the stock cat. I'd drive around w/ a high flow cat just for legal and health reasons. I've burned through 2 high flow cats on my DSMs. The stockers always work better. I don't think these universal cats were built to be used on turbo cars. Turbo cars' exhaust temps are quite a bit higher than N/A cars.

Over here in CA, they are really picky about mods w/o CARB approval. If your mods don't have the sticker, they aren't legal and will cause you to fail the visual inspection. It's all up to the discretion of the smog tech. Luckily for new cars, the first smog test is required at 4 years, and then every 2 years after.

 

Does your State use the OBDII testing or the sniffer test?

 

Both!

 

My state only uses OBDII

 

Maybe you should consider moving out of Kalifornia. The damned enviro-****'s have a strong foothold there. I think technically you are not "allowed" to modify anything. You can replace the air filter and replace the muffler and thats about it...

EDIT: I think your light-weight pullies might be OK too...

 

If your state only does the OBDII test, then mod away! I’d be hesitant on the cams though, as it could cause the ECU to throw the random misfire CEL. We’re only allowed to have two OBDII tests incomplete here. It used to be 3.

The smog ****’s over here do suck though. I wouldn’t move out of here just because of that though. I figure I just need to work a little harder to drive around a modded car. I don’t plan on doing any crazy mods to my EVO. One of the main reasons I got it was because it’s a very good performer w/ just basic mods. I went overboard w/ the mods on my 2 DSMs and learned my lesson. They were a b!tch to smog.

 

If someone would just come up an OBDII spoofer, that would be the ticket! Just label it as "off road use only". Just a little box that sits between the ECU and the OBDII port that says "all is perfect" to anything plugged into the port. It could just have a single bypass switch for when you really need to access the ECU...

 

i like the idea of a spoofer but that will not slide when theres a mandatory visual.... marksae what kind of cats did you use with your older setup? were they metal substrate or ceramic cats? you mentioned it was a universal type, do you know what brand? random tech? catco? etc..

there are actually some high-flow cats that will pass even in ca, but alas the visual is the biggest drawbacks....

i also take note the integrity of the cats that you used on previous cars, my main concern is what kind it actually is as well as how long till it basically disinegrated, btw a little off topic, but how many cats does the lanevo8 have?

 

Just keep your stock parts, besides it takes 4-5 years for newer vehicles to have it smoged, 3 years is the most.

So mod away...

 

Move to Florida, land of hurricanes and no emissions tests!

 

Here is an ideal setup for emissions testing. I also am in search of a legal setup.
1. HKS downpipe...matckes to the stcok cat at 2.5 in. in diameter.
2. Any of the Fujitsubo catbacks...3" and quiet, but I may go with the AVO 3". Full 3" but necks to connect to stock cat and has stock shaped muffler and tip.
3. Boost controller
4. Dynoflash
All these basically remove restrictions, and don't affect emissions.
You can also add intercooler piping, intake, new intercooler, or whatever.