Notices
West Region Includes AZ, CA, HI, NV, UT.

CA Smog testing... Should I freak?

Old Mar 8, 2007 | 10:54 PM
  #1  
dWiGhT-SATX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale, CA
CA Smog testing... Should I freak?

Ok... for some stupid reason I am moving from TX (can you say 93 octane) to CA... the problem is that I have an EVO with everything modified (ARC filter box, Headers, downpipe, test pipe, 3" cat back, etc.)... you open the hood and there is no way you don't know it modified.

What's involved with CA's smog testing? I have the stock cat and exhaust so that won't be a problem but replacing the rest of it will be a problem... should I try to find a "special" shop that for an extra $20 will take my word that it isn't modified?

dWiGhT
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:02 PM
  #2  
caLi4G63's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 621
Likes: 8
From: so. caLi
LOL good luck finding a shop that will "pass" your EVO for an extra $20.

All I can tell you is just hope you don't get pulled over by a cop who wants to take a look under you hood. If you get a state ref. ticket, it's gonna be a pain in the *** to pass the inspection. Either way, just becarful, the cops are always on the prowl out here. Other then that, welcome to California!
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:06 PM
  #3  
dWiGhT-SATX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Hmmmm....I've notice that there are "mobile smog testers" and mostly look to be magnetic signs on the side of POS pickups, I laughed figuring that they would be "easier" on you.

Guess I'll keep a "residence" in TX... "; )

dWiGhT
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:12 PM
  #4  
caLi4G63's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 621
Likes: 8
From: so. caLi
I don't know if this works or not, but If you can manage to keep your car registered in TX you might not have to smog it; maybe something you want to look into. I don't know how true my statement is or if it works.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:14 PM
  #5  
mercedevo's Avatar
Evolving Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Merced Ca
Just make sure to put the stock cat and air filter box back on. Special shops are hard to find and they will cost you around $300. At least thats what I hear.

They check for trouble codes, properly connected emission equipment, gas cap, timing, and the sniffer test on a dyno like machine.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:14 PM
  #6  
Steiner's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 0
From: Livermore, CA
Originally Posted by dWiGhT-SATX
Ok... for some stupid reason I am moving from TX (can you say 93 octane) to CA... the problem is that I have an EVO with everything modified (ARC filter box, Headers, downpipe, test pipe, 3" cat back, etc.)... you open the hood and there is no way you don't know it modified.

What's involved with CA's smog testing? I have the stock cat and exhaust so that won't be a problem but replacing the rest of it will be a problem... should I try to find a "special" shop that for an extra $20 will take my word that it isn't modified?

dWiGhT
Join us...

http://www.norcalevo.net/forum/
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:17 PM
  #7  
mercedevo's Avatar
Evolving Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Merced Ca
If you really want to register you car in Ca, try Mariposa County. They don't require smog check.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:18 PM
  #8  
evovin's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (64)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,374
Likes: 0
From: Florida
^
^
l
l
He got a point! just keep your texas plate! you ca renew it online! my buddy got florida tag for two yrs now. He live in VA. In Virginia radar detector is prohibited but since he got a Florida tag he can keep his V1. If you keep your Texas tag....you keep your mods!
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:33 PM
  #9  
fusionchicken's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 0
From: socal
Originally Posted by Steiner
no no no join US...

http://www.socalevo.net/forum

jk jk

in California we try out best to make EVERYTHING on our cars as stealth as possible. as in when the cop pops your hood, even if u have a 3076 and all supporting mods under the hood, he won't be able to tell that you're not stock unless he's a car buff.

my suggestion would be to sell your "bling bling" mods and replace them with more stealth looking ones. Cali cops are no fun. I know too many Evo owners who got randomly pulled for nothing just for a check-up....and off they got sent to the Ref station....swapping all the stock parts on can be a pain in the ***.

if u have to pass smog swap the stock cat on, then take it off when u get home
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:53 PM
  #10  
dWiGhT-SATX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale, CA
>stealth...

how are you hippy tree huggers (<wink>) running headers? I was thinking about fabing a heat shield for them but was wondering if that would cover it up enough.

from reading the CA Smog website even an aftermarket air filter is "fair game" for the blue boys.

dWiGhT
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:59 PM
  #11  
cpoevo's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 880
Likes: 1
From: SD
I live in San Diego and have my car registered in TX. I am perfectly legal in doing this because I am military. You will need a good story for being here in CA with TX reg. You can lie a time or two, but eventually you will get noticed. Get rid of the test pipe and get a hiflow cat. I have a cat and if there is a difference the ole butt dyno doesnt notice it.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 06:47 AM
  #12  
ElectricBlueEvo's Avatar
Evolving Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Pinole, CA
Do everything you can not to register your car in CA. Our smog laws are written by enviromental ***** who think we should all be driving Electric cars or Hybrids. Plus Imports are subject to profiling by Law Enforcement.

I'm actually considering moving out of state, or at least out of the Bay area just to get away from this crap.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 06:58 AM
  #13  
Steiner's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 0
From: Livermore, CA
Originally Posted by fusionchicken
no no no join US...

http://www.socalevo.net/forum

jk jk
Sunnyvale, the city in his signature, is just north of San Jose. If it doesn't work out on the NorCal boards though you guys can have him. LOL.

BTW...+1 on the stealth approach to modding.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 07:47 AM
  #14  
dWiGhT-SATX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Yeah... working in Sunnyvale, living in a hotel (the last 7 months!). Just trying to figure out what I have to do since I am trailering my EVO here around the end of April.

dWiGhT
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2007 | 06:30 PM
  #15  
straylight9's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by Steiner
Dude: what's wrong with the norcalevo website? The main
page contains a 28 May 06 ad for "Mod 06".
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:23 AM.