First, sorry if I'm in the wrong side of the thread. It's been 2 years since I've used this forum and also 2 years since my car was working. Basically, my car's engine just finished being built. Now that the car works, it obviously needs a tune. However, my registration expired April 2020 and in need of a smog check. On top of that, I received a recall notice for the airbags somewhere in September 2019. The car is fully built. No stock parts left. I've never done a smog before and this is my first. I've heard that I should get a tune 2 weeks prior to the smog date, but I want to be sure I pass the smog before I do all these crazy tunes to the car. If it matters, I still have the stock catalytic converter and there isn't a CEL as of right now. Thank you in advance.

TL;DR In what order should I get things done? Smog, Tune, Recall?

 

Never done a smog!?!? Oh man...please tell us that you are at least not trying to register this car in California?

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As weird as it sounds, I've never done a smog. I'm in the military and all the cars I've owned, I only had for less than a year and sold before I'd relocate. This is my first car that I've had for more than a year. I am in California and about to relocate again, but to Alaska now. Hence, why I'm uncertain on how to approach the Smog part of this problem. Especially since I'm in California. Thank you for replying. I had lost hope that no one wanted to help lol.

 

Wait to register in Alaska. Cali is a nightmare

 

Yea California smog is stricter now. Its got to have a stock engine bay and stock tune. If you plan to run the built motor that way then by all means however I dont recommend it. Alternatively, you can do the tune, recall, and then register it in a different state later. I believe that would be the best way to get it running.