When I bought my 2010 Evo X last year I didn’t think I would have to get a smog check in CA until 2017, but I am moving out of state. When you bring a car into another state you have to get a smog check to register the car.

I was worried about the not passing smog when I move, so I decided to get a pre test in CA.

My mods are in my signature.

The good:
I passed the emissions test.

Idle: 816 RPM
HC (PPM): Max is 100. My car got a 78
CO (%): Max is 1.00. My car got 0.03

2500 RMP
HC (PPM) Max is 130. My car got a 97
CO (%) Max is 1.00. My car got 0.23

The bad:

When he popped the hood, the first thing the guy noticed was the AMS logo on the upper intercooler pipe. He asked me if it was stock and I said yes. Well, he looked up AMS on google and figured out that it was an aftermarket pipe and I don’t have a CARB sticker for it. (I removed the AMS sticker when I got home, so this will not be a problem anymore)

Then he asked about the AEM intake. I said it was aftermarket and I have a CARB sticker. I showed him the sticker and he said the intake was fine.

He looked under the car to see the CAT. He asked me if I took the CAT off and put a straight pipe on. I told him that the pipe he was looking at was the CAT. So the guy put the car on a lift to get a closer look. He said I have a high flow CAT and I don’t have a CARB sticker for it.

I also failed the ODB self test because I cleared the check engine light on the way to the shop. If you clear the check engine light you will fail the ODB self test. You have to wait until it clears on it’s own to pass the ODB test.

Cliffs:
* I passed CA emissions test with AMS high flow CAT.
* I failed the visual test because of aftermarket parts.
* I failed the ODB test because I cleared the check engine light a few minutes before the test.

I’m good to go and I’ll pass my Smog check when I move. I still have the stock CAT and I will put it on for a few days if it’s an issue.

 

nosy mother effer

 

Lol serious but it's his job and I'm sure he can get fined if it were some type of "undercover"

Glad to hear you passed

 

In my opinion, you should go somewhere else for the test next time. most place I've been to never look for downpipe or straight pipe if already pass the tail pipe.

 

Californians elect politicians that like unbalanced, bureaucratic laws. I'm happy I don't live there. Beautiful place, but not friendly for car hobbyists.

 

Nice! I was wondering about this. Looks like I have no issues. Thanks for the post. Really helpful

 

Which better state are you moving to?

 

I'm moving to Albuquerque, NM. I'm glad I never put the CA front license plate on because I don't need a front plate out there.

I think the only reason I passed emissions is because I have dual tip exhaust. The other half of the pollution goes out the other side. My exhaust shoots flames all the time and that's why I was worried about a smog test.

Also being AWD, they can only rev the engine without the wheels moving during the test.

 

I watched the whole process and the guy just followed the DMV step by step instructions that pop up on the monitor. Even he didn't know the result of the emissions test until the end.

I'm surprised the guy didn't notice the AMS downpipe when he put my car on the lift.

 

I get that downpipes, intakes, exhausts etc. are illegal without a carb sticker but I don't get why! You're replacing a pipe…with another pipe. As long as you pass the smog shouldn't it be fine?

 

You would think so, but not in the eyes of the law. Anything that CAN effect emissions...Think about the fact that E85 can't pass emissions even though it's cleaner

 

I agree with you. As long as a car passes smog it should be fine. Needing a carb sticker for an intercooler pipe is stupid. The upper intercooler pipe is not performance enhancing. It's just replacing a rubber hose with an aluminum pipe.