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So, not only do I live in CA, but i live in Fresno CA which is the Smog **** capital of the world LOL. The B.A.R. has our smog shops so scared ****less, that they won't pass anything that looks remotely aftermarket. For example, I almost failed my last visual because my intercooler couplings were braided. "Well, those aren't stock. Cars don't come with braided hoses". After 30mins of Googling images to prove my car was stock, I finally passed. Yes, I tried more than one place and no, I do not want to drive out of town just to smog my car.
So....
I just received an FP HTZ Green turbo (they upgraded my new MHI housing) that was supposed to have the stock compressor cover for this reason. When the turbo showed up, i opened the box to find this:
Obviously this isn't going to pass visual, especially with the inlet I'd need to use. FP apologized but said the only stock-sized covers they have are their logo cast onto them. So, I'd basically be stuck in the same boat. I guess if i'm going to have a non-stock appearing turbo, I may as well keep the FAP cover.
I then started thinking of options. One is to swap a stock turbo (that i don't have) back on for smog, though that would mean spending money on the junkiest one i can find. I'd have to lose oil (not the end of the world) and coolant (mine is $50/gal ). Then there is the mess. Obviously not the end of the world, but can I avoid it?
My next thought was to remove the Green tag and grind off the "FP" casting. "What about the stock inlet not fitting?" you ask? Well, this stays on really well and may work for smog LOL:
Am I willing to defile a brand new Green to pass smog? Yeah. Well, that and PD and CHP are still pulling over cars and popping hoods, so the turbo needs to look stock at all times. I'd even buy a C.A.R.B legal AEM intake.
So, here are pics of the turbo now. I'll post pics when I'm done. Mostly I'm posting in case i decide to sell the thing and nobody believes the turbo is what it is LOL.
Take the serial plate off, grind the FP logo flat, and get the AEM intake. You'll still have to use a reducer coupler for the AEM intake, but it will work.
Grinding off the casting then glassbeading it to make texture look consistant. I swapped badges with a stock IX unit. The tags are just tapped in with brads. Removed all stencils off my injectors and put the stock intake on. Ran stock cat of course and E-85 and had low numbers. He was a bit freaked by the idle lope but when the good numbers popped up he was cool.
Oh yeah and no shiny wastegaste acutators and use stock BOV...lol
There's a way to get a C.A.R.B legal AEM or Injen sticker without buying the kit. Smog shops over here are too dumb to notice who made each part. All you would have to do is keep one on top of your MAF sensor and tell them that the sticker is for the intercooler pipes and intake(The Injen Kit also comes with a smog sticker) .
I don't think FP turbos would fail visual after removing the serial plate unless the smog tech was a car enthusiast himself, in which case he should let that go anyway if he is a decent human being.
California is all about stock downpipes, stock cats, no window tint up front, and quieter exhausts.
It's a crime over here to want to do ANYTHING to your car. That being said, I never cared.
Take the serial plate off, grind the FP logo flat, and get the AEM intake. You'll still have to use a reducer coupler for the AEM intake, but it will work.
I would keep the serial plate for future resale.
Hopefully that tricks the smog ****'s...
That's exactly what I'm thinking. The reducer/coupler will look like it came with the intake so no worries there. And I definitely planned to keep the plate. Even plan to take pictures before and after removal with a newspaper next to it. Like I'm holding it hostage LOL. I have an AEM sticker that I can put on anything. It's all printed up; I just need to stamp the "15" at the end of the CARB number. The only reason i consider that is because an AEM intake is ridiculously expensive and I hate feeling like I'm being robbed LOL
Originally Posted by whtrice
Grinding off the casting then glassbeading it to make texture look consistant. I swapped badges with a stock IX unit. The tags are just tapped in with brads. Removed all stencils off my injectors and put the stock intake on. Ran stock cat of course and E-85 and had low numbers. He was a bit freaked by the idle lope but when the good numbers popped up he was cool.
Oh yeah and no shiny wastegaste acutators and use stock BOV...lol
Isn't Cali great!! Good luck
I'm not even going to glass bead. I have grind marks on my O2 housing from removing the tag and he never batted an eye. I think he won't care about the same on the comp housing. I have put electrical tape around my injectors and spray painted my MAP sensor to cover the "OMNI" logo. I toss the exhaust on with the cat. I then run a tune that has all parameters active (I still have my EGR, rear o2, etc hooked up). I'm thinking I'll be fine.
During my last smog, i had 3 of 5 parameters ready. I came back 3mins later with them all ready. He said, "I don't know how you did it... but it reads fine, so i won't ask any questions". haha. As long as he can show data and a paper trail that's legal, he's happy.
There's a way to get a C.A.R.B legal AEM or Injen sticker without buying the kit. Smog shops over here are too dumb to notice who made each part. All you would have to do is keep one on top of your MAF sensor and tell them that the sticker is for the intercooler pipes and intake(The Injen Kit also comes with a smog sticker) .
I don't think FP turbos would fail visual after removing the serial plate unless the smog tech was a car enthusiast himself, in which case he should let that go anyway if he is a decent human being.
California is all about stock downpipes, stock cats, no window tint up front, and quieter exhausts.
It's a crime over here to want to do ANYTHING to your car. That being said, I never cared.
-pal215
Fresno is seriously tight. they run the CARB numbers, so they would have to match. They check for serial numbers on the cat, so i have to be sure it's CARB compliant.
I'm fairly certain the turbo will be fine once i de-badge it.
I called my smog guy and asked what I do if the stock turbo dies. He says the replacement has to have a CARB number on it. I don't think ANYONE makes a CARB legal replacement turbo for our cars. Cool.
CARB turbo...lol....If he won't mind the grinder marks then roll with it.
You'll be good.
Shops here in Sac are tight too.
CARB rolls in with test cars to check on them.
I know you're frustrated, but you have a solid plan. The AEM intake is key as well as the extra work you plan to do if FP can't get the stock compressor cover machined for ya. I had an AEM intake on my old 64mm FPRed setup years ago (before they added the tag and used the stock location oil line) and it worked like a charm; low key engine bay parts and some ECU tweaks will just be icing on the cake. Bet of luck when the time comes.
Man this all makes me nervous at the potential of moving back to Cali... I lived there before I got into modding cars lol
Good Luck with everything Kaj
You can make plenty of power and still pass visual, if you are smart. You may need to swap some parts for the actual smog appt.
When I say "plenty" I mean 500whp or less. Not plenty for everyone LOL
). Then there is the mess. Obviously not the end of the world, but can I avoid it? 
.
